Digital Microscope at low-cost

January 24th, 2021 No comments
Digital Microscope at low cost

Not completely satisfied of the previous purchase, the Eakins cam with a 100x C-Mount LENS, i wanted to try another model of cam at low-cost always of Eakins with a 150x C-Mount LENS.

I am very satisfied with this latest purchase.

Strengths that are missing in the previous cam:

  • 16:9/16:10/4:3 selection (important because i use a 4:3 monitor)
  • Also works with monitors with DVI input (HDMI to DVI cable), the previous one don’t work.
  • Many more options for image adjustment, including an important one which is the Adjustment of the Reflection of the light, the welds Reflect the light significantly.
  • Two standard 1/4″-20 holes for fixing.
  • CAM sensor much more sensitive, it could also be used without additional light.

Gallery Eakins 100x Previous cam:

source: aliexpress.com

Gallery Eakins 150x New cam:

source: aliexpress.com

TFW8b C64 Kung Fu Flash Cartridge by Kim Jørgensen

January 24th, 2021 No comments
TFW8b C64 Kung Fu Flash Cartridge by Kim Jørgensen

TFW8b C64 Kung Fu Flash Cartridge by Kim Jørgensen.

The Kung Fu Flash is a multi format C64/C128 Cartridge Developed by Kim Jørgensen and assembled by TFW8b.

The use is very simple, just copy your CRT, PRG or Dxx files onto a FAT formatted Micro SD and you are ready to go and also the firmware is upgradable via SD Card.

Built to the usual TFW8b high standards with the obligatory gold edge connector, served in our own injection molded case.

Kung Fu Flash Supported File Formats:

  • Cartridge (CRT)
  • Disk image (D64, D71, D81)
  • Program (PRG, P00)
  • Firmware update (UPD)

Kung Fu Flash Supported Cartridges Formats:

  • Standard CBM cartridge (8k, 16k, Ultimax)
  • Action Replay v4.x/v5/v6
  • KCS Power Cartridge
  • Final Cartridge III(+)
  • Simons’ BASIC
  • Fun Play, Power Play
  • Ocean type 1
  • Epyx Fastload
  • C64 Game System (C64GS), System 3
  • Dinamic
  • Zaxxon, Super Zaxxon
  • Magic Desk, Domark, HES Australia
  • Super Snapshot v5
  • Comal-80
  • EasyFlash

Gallery:

TFW8b C64 Kung Fu Flash Video:

source: KimJorgensen/KungFuFlash thefuturewas8bit.com

Only Sprites Compo – C64 Party results

January 23rd, 2021 No comments

This is the official demo party results from Only Sprites Compo. See also the Only Sprites Compo section for more informations.

C64 Demo:

  • 1 – Oldschool Sprite Demo by Bonzai
  • 2 – For Your Sprites Only by Booze Design
  • 3 – Sprite Treasure by Arsenic
  • 4 – Tubescroller II by Finnish Gold
  • 5 – C20H25N3O by Bonzai
  • 6 – Smooth and Wonders by Singular
  • 7 – Chars Sucks by Triad
  • 8 – Eightfold by Onslaught
  • 9 – A Game of Ten by Arise
  • 10 – UGULB by Hitmen
  • 11 – Hyper Peaceful by Bonzai
  • 12 – Unfortunate Coincidence by Lethargy
  • 13 – Son of a Bit by Booze Design
  • 14 – Includes Unpaid Promotion by Geir Straume
  • 15 – 90 Degrees ACW by Hitmen
  • 16 – TAWTS by Hitmen
  • 17 – Quorra Likes Sprites! by Onslaught
  • 18 – TTTwister by TRS
  • 19 – Twisted Sprites by Genesis Project
  • 20 – Sprythonic by Cascade
  • 21 – Distressed by Atlantis
  • 22 – Sprytro by Excess
  • 23 – F4CG Sprite Only Intro by Fantastic 4 Cracking Group
  • 24 – Snowglobe Mk1 by Camelot
  • 25 – The Opening by Bonzai
  • 26 – Balloon Joke by Zzarko
  • 27 – Moorsprites by Dinasours

C64 Game:

  • 1 – Sprite Invaders by Booze Design
  • 2 – S.P.R.E.R.O. by Protovision

Productions released outside compos:

  • 1988 by Tristar & Red Sector Inc. (One-File Demo)
  • Hedge of Disgrace – Only Sprites Compo Edition by Genesis Project (One-File Demo)
  • Only Sprites Compo Pic (One-File Demo)
  • Sprythonic (Old Version) by Cascade (Intro)

Download:

source: csdb.dk

STM32F40x SID Player by Bakisha with LCD and ARMSID

January 3rd, 2021 No comments

I continue the experiments with STM32 and the SID Player by Bakisha. I must thank Branko (Bakisha) for his patience and support.

I have added the LCD support (ILI9341) for the SID Player on the STM32F407VET6 DEV Board.

… and an external SID for the SID Player on the STM32F401CCU6 DEV Board.

I have used the ARMSID by Nobomi but it works quite well with a real SID 8580R5 too,  there are only a little problems of timing that need to be fixed.

STM32F407VET6 SID Player + LCD (ILI9341) Video:

STM32F401CCU6 SID Player + ARMSID Video:

C64 Big Game Pack: Striker +4DI 101% / Chiller 2 +3HD / Snake +2 …

December 24th, 2020 No comments

NEW TAG: C64 BIG GAME PACK

Some new games or tools (Cracked / Trained or Unrealeased) for Commodore 64 have been released from your favorites groups.

Titles:

  • Flappy512 +2
  • Witch Rescue Service Preview
  • Jetliner [german]
  • Top-Hole Golf Preview V2 +D
  • Witch Rescue Service – Smoothly and with Style
  • H64
  • H64 +4
  • Death Saw Challenge
  • Death Saw Challenge +1D
  • Numbertron 2020
  • Arena of Death +3
  • Percentage Panic
  • Halloweenie + [seuck]
  • Endless Tunnel +
  • 8Bit Goblin Preview 2
  • Sally’s Garden Preview 3 +5H
  • Neptune Lander Elite +4
  • Neptune Lander Elite +2
  • Ueberswap
  • Juanje Juega in Sinverland +5HTD
  • Juanje Juega in Sinverland
  • Shopping Spree +2D
  • Neptune Lander Elite V1.1 +5F
  • Mastertronic Collection +MHDG
  • PuzzleWuzzle
  • Julius Caesar +T [english] (D64/IDE64 Release)
  • PuzzleWuzzle +1D
  • Dungeon +2DFT
  • Wolfling Reloaded Teaser
  • 8bit Dungeon Preview +D
  • Laser Command +
  • TakoNeko Preview
  • The Conqueror of the Seas +TD
  • Tenno +2DS
  • Grid Pix Advent +2
  • Two Days to the Race V2.0 +D
  • TakoNeko Preview V2
  • TakoNeko
  • Quiltrex64 Preview 4 +CM
  • TakoNeko Preview 2
  • Snake V1.0.1 +2
  • The Elevator +1D
  • The Wall
  • Behind Closed Doors 9
  • Solvalla 1.1 +TD
  • Return to the Castle
  • Hunt4GemsDX Preview
  • Pacman Preview +2
  • Cross Snake Preview +
  • Operation Neptun [german]
  • Brainbreak Preview 2
  • The Queen’s Footsteps V1.1.1 +DPS
  • Char Snake 64 Preview 3 +
  • The Great Washing Machine King
  • Striker +4DI 101% (IDE64 Release)
  • Cross Snake +4D
  • Oyup!
  • Space Planters
  • Oyup! +
  • Fold’em 2 +4
  • Fold’em 2 +
  • Chiller 2
  • Slider Wall
  • M.U.L.E. +1DG
  • Chiller 2 +3HD
  • Chiller 2 +2D
  • Robot Jet Action Preview +
  • Cassette 50 Skeleton
  • Peter the Postman +2F
  • Katakis +5HDF [Easyflash]
  • Snoopy to the Rescue +3DF
  • Rabbit Runner +H
  • Peter the Postman +1F
  • Astronaut
  • Peter the Postman +
  • Peter the Postman
  • Rabbit Runner
  • Peanuts Maze Marathon +D
  • Peter the Postman +2F
  • Ghost Mansion III +2
  • C64 PacMan Preview +
  • Movie Quiz Preview +S

Download: All Games in One Archive (5473)

source: csdb.dk

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

December 24th, 2020 1 comment

High Voltage SID (HVSC) Collection Update #74

December 22nd, 2020 No comments

The High Voltage SID Collection (HVSC) is a freeware hobby project which organises Commodore 64 music (also known as SID music) into an archive for both musicians and fans alike.

The work on the collection is done completely in the Team and contributors’ spare time and is proudly one of the largest and most accurate computer music collections known.

This update features (all approximates):

  • 786 new SIDs
  • 55 fixed/better rips
  • 1 repeats/bad rips eliminated
  • 180 SID credit fixes
  • 17 SID model/clock infos
  • 7 tunes from /DEMOS/UNKNOWN/ identified
  • 6 tunes from /GAMES/ identified
  • 25 tunes moved out of /DEMOS/ to their composers’ directories
  • 10 tunes moved out of /GAMES/ to their composers’ directories

Download:

source: www.hvsc.c64.org

Some Cartridges for Commodore 64

December 21st, 2020 1 comment
Some Cartridges for Commodore 64

Thanks go to my friend Andrea Pierdomenico.

Some Cartridges for Commodore 64.

  • Tele-Data 64 by Handic
  • Cherry by Fruit Hardware System
  • Isepic (Clone)
  • Antiram by S.C.T. 1987 (Freeze Frame Clone)
  • Bandit (The Expert Clone)
  • Sykline S.A. by KAWA (Industria Argentina)
  • Niki II by O.M.Alfred
  • Unknown Cartridge (The Final Cartridge I Clone)
  • Hypra Disk II by Rex (9615)
  • 5531A1 by Koks Gesto BV Computers

Gallery:

U64/Ultimate-64(Elite)/U2+ v3.9 (Core: v1.37) Firmware Update

December 6th, 2020 3 comments

A new version of the firmware for the Ultimate-64 / U2+ by Gideon is released.

This release has again some significant changes and improvements over 1.34 / 3.8. The following bullet list gives an overview of the features and fixes. Below the items, a short explanation is added.

Ultimate II+ Firmware see description of U64 updates. All non-U64 specific things are also available in the U2+

  • exFAT support.
  • Cartridge Port compatibility improvements.
  • Hyperspeed file system access through UCI.
  • Extended CBM file system support (D71, D81 and DNP)
  • Full REL file support from SoftwareIEC.
  • REL file copy between file systems, including FAT with preservation of record length property.
  • Consistent filename convention for storing CBM files on FAT with proper conversions.
  • Free block count added to IEC directory listing.
  • F5 menu restructuring.
  • Configuration menu key mapping made more consistent with file browser.
  • RAM Disk addition.
  • ACIA (6551 emulation) improvements.
  • Added fast serial / burst mode wire patches in U64 (optional connections between CIA and SRQ / DATA line.)
  • Addition of additional analog video modes: PAL60 and NTSC50.
  • Slightly improved key mapping for USB keyboards.
  • Fixed double keypress in non-overlay menu, when using USB keyboard.
  • Implemented key repeat for USB keyboards.
  • Many, many bugfixes.

exFAT support: Until earlier firmware versions, it was only possible to use FAT16/FAT32 formatted USB disks. Version 3.9 adds the support for the newer exFAT. Many, if not all newer USB sticks are factory formatted with this file system. This brings the maximum disk size to 2TB. Note that 64-bit LBA is not supported.

Hyperspeed file system access through UCI? What does this mean? It means that the virtual file system can now be accessed using a driver that talks to the Ultimate in I/O space, in a CBM compatible way. [UCI stands for Ultimate Command Interface] In order to unleash this hyperspeed, a customized C64 kernal is available. This kernal includes the driver to map one of the device IDs to the virtual file system of the Ultimate. Loading speeds in excess of 200+ blocks per second are feasible. As long as kernal calls are used to access the ‘drive’, this is fully compatible with existing software. Note that this kernal also supports the @ and $ commands, to give drive commands and show the directory of any drive, including the device-ID that routes to the UCI.

Extended CBM file system support means that all (D64, D71, D81 and DNP) images can now be created and are fully writable. Although there is no hardware emulation yet of the 1571 and 1581 drives, the support for the file systems is there. In combination with the hyperspeed kernal driver, this is already very useful, even without hardware emulation of the drives.

REL file support has been added, and in such a way that works regardless of the underlying file system. Thus, it does not matter if the REL file is located on a FAT filesystem, or inside of a CBM disk image. The way the REL file is stored is dependent on the file system, including the side sectors and super side sector for CBM systems. Copying REL files between these file systems is therefore also possible, and the side sectors are created as needed.

Block Access (U1, U2 and B-P commands) have been added. When the current directory is (inside) a CBM disk image, these block commands can be used to read / write random sectors of the disk.

A new file naming convention has been introduced, which makes lossless conversion between CBM and FAT filesystems possible, up to 16 chars. It may not always give pretty results, but it is consistent.

The F5 menu (Task Menu) had grown into an unorganized mess. This has now been restructured and categorized, so it has become a lot easier to find the item and is thus quicker to use. Similarly, the key mapping of the configuration menu has been made more consistent. The cursor keys now always navigate through the menus. Use ‘+’ and ‘-’ to change the value. (I have to get used to this myself!)

In addition to the support for USB disks, an additional RAM disk was added. This is very useful for storing temporary disk images, updater files and so on. It can also be used for an even better file system performance. The size of this temporary disk is 16 MB and does not conflict with REU memory. It is truly additional. In a future version, this temporary storage will be used to implement remote commands that require data to be uploaded, such that remote commands will be more consistent with actions from the file browser, since all actions will be based on the file system.

Cartridge port compatibility improvements. Since the introduction of the turbo mode, the cartridge compatibility of the U64 was flawed. This is simply due to the necessary changes in system architecture to make the turbo mode even possible. In this system core version (1.37), some of the compatibility issues have been solved. In particular, cartridges that toggle the EXROM# / GAME# lines per cycle or even during a cycle are now handled correctly again. This affects also the IDE64 module. In order to get this to work, the cartridge bus mode should be set to “Dynamic”, which basically means that the U64 will carefully ‘probe’ the cycles on the cartridge bus to see how the cycle completes. By cleverly caching these results, turbo mode is applied automatically in memory regions that do not need to run at 1 MHz. This does not mean that cartridge compatibility is now guaranteed for all modules, but it is a good step.

The additional analog video modes can be used to run PAL software on analog monitors, such as the 1702, or run 60 Hz software on PAL only screens. In addition to this, the cyan color was adjusted in the analog signal, as it was too green.

The ACIA improvements fix the problem that occurs when an NMI interrupt is missed. In addition, the DCD and DSR lines can now generate interrupts, like on a real 6551. The modem emulation supports pulsing these lines when an incoming connection occurs.

The list of bugfixes is too long to describe here. Some of them were minor; others would eventually hang up the ultimate application; memory leaks… Many thanks to Bart van Leeuwen, who thoroughly tested repeated file system access through UCI.

Download:

Changes since official release (3.9 / 1.37):

  • Fixed RGB mode.
  • Fixed block read command.
  • Fixed access of files with special chars in CBM disk images, accessed from IEC.

source: ultimate64.com github.com

Categories: Firmware, News & Rumors, Today

STM32F407VET6 (168Mhz Arm MCUs) SID Player by Bakisha

December 5th, 2020 No comments
STM32F407VET6 (168Mhz Arm MCUs) SID Player by Bakisha

I wanted to try Bakisha SID Player also with the STM32F407VET6 (previous post: STM32F401CCU6) ARM Cortex-M4 32bit MCU based Development Board which runs at frequencies up to 168MHz.

After some hardware and software changes i was able to use the SD Card support, buttons and LED on the pcb.

What i would like to do is install a TFT LCD screen compatible with this DEV Board and modify the software to display the various information that is now are sent via serial.

The MCUs that uses this DEV Board reaches a frequency of 168 Mhz and consequently i should not have problems of CPU overload taking away precious cycles times of the SID Player.

I leave you with some photos and a video.

Gallery:

SDCARD SDIO (Native) to SPI1 Pins:

Video:

source: github.com/Bakisha/STM32-SID-PLAYER

Parallel Cable for The Commodore Disk Drive 1541-II

November 25th, 2020 No comments
Parallel Cable for The Commodore Disk Drive 1541-II

The Commodore parallel cable is a companion cable for the Commodore serial cable (IEC) and gives you an additional parallel connection between a Commodore 1541, 1570 or 1571 drive and a Commodore 64 machine or via XUM1541 (PROMICRO)/ZoomFloppy …

The cable is supported by the following Commodore software:

  • The DOS accelerators Dolphin DOS and Speed DOS.
  • The disk copiers 15 Second Copy, Burst Nibbler and Maverick.

VIA 6522 Fix:

With the Commodore 1541-II disk drive there’s still an open issue after the parallel cable installation, you need also to cut the track between the PIN1 and PIN2 of the VIA 6522 (the same VIA where the parallel cable is installed).

No more to say.

I leave you the links, good reading.

Gallery:

source: d81.de/R.I.P/Para1541II.shtml ist.uwaterloo.ca/~schepers/1541port.html

ELEGOO UNO R3 – Hackvision

November 25th, 2020 3 comments
ELEGOO UNO R3 - Hackvision

I’m not posting anything new, it simply something that i wanted to do from ten years, assemble the “project” Hackvision using Arduino, now i’m using a clone: ELEGOO UNO R3.

There is nothing more to say and like you can see from the photos the games run well.

The games are compiled with ARDUINO IDE with the TV-OUT library.

Gallery:

Electronic diagram:

source: nootropicdesign.com/hackvision/games/

STM32F401CCU6 (Arm Cortex MCUs) SID Player by Bakisha

November 23rd, 2020 5 comments
STM32 (Arm Cortex MCUs) SID Player by Bakisha

STM32 (Arm Cortex MCUs) SID Player by Bakisha.

SID chip (6581 and 8580) and 6502 CPU emulator for STM32 (Arm Cortex MCUs). Compiled with Arduino IDE and uploaded with ST-LINK V2.

NOTE:

I have added to the original code of Bakisha the visualization of the 3 SID voices via 3 x Green LED.

Useless to write more about this, watch the video and the photos.

Special thanks goes to Bakisha for his work.

Components used for this project:

  • 1 x BreadBoard.
  • 1 x STM32F401CCU6 (STM32 Black Pill) or STM32F407VET6
  • 18 x BreadBoard jumper.
  • 1 x SD Card Module.
  • 3 x Green LED.
  • 1 x Resistor (100 Ohm)
  • 1 x Capacitor (100 nF)
  • 1 x Capacitor (10 uF – 16v)
  • 1 x Potentiometer (10KOhm)
  • 1 x Jack Audio 3.5 Female.

You can found the schematic here.

Gallery:

Video:

source: github.com/Bakisha/STM32-SID-PLAYER

TheC64/TheVIC20 Firmware Update v1.4.2

November 15th, 2020 No comments

Firmware upgrades for THEC64 Mini/Max & TheVIC20 provide new features and/or correct any technical issues.

We always recommend that you use the latest version of the firmware.

Version 1.4.2 – Changes and additions:

  • Fixes an issue with THEC64: Under some circumstances C64 games may not recognise joystick port 2 when VIC 20 is the default machine
  • Adds Dattasette controls for tape files in THEC64 Classic mode Media Access menu
  • Adds soft and hard reset hot-keys to THEC64 and THEVIC20 Classic mode
  • Adds freeze button support to THEC64 and THEVIC20 Classic mode
  • Adds C64 games Barnsley Badger, Soulless, Galencia and Planet of Death, plus VIC20 games Blue Star, The Keep, and Gridrunner to THEC64 North American model
  • Adds C64 games Barnsley Badger and Soulless, plus VIC20 games Blue Star and The Keep to the European THEC64 and THEVIC20 “Special Edition THEC64” models
  • Adds C64 games Barnsley Badger and Soulless to all THEC64 Mini models
  • Fixes Tank Battle on THEVIC20 to support two joysticks

Changes from previous versions:

  • v1.3.2 – Increases the length of displayed USB filenames in Media Access and the File loader
  • v1.3.2 – Fixes an issue where filename flags are not detected if the USB filename contains multiple dots/periods/full stops
  • v1.3.2 – Fixes an issue with the saved states location where multiple spaces are found in the USB filename
  • v1.3.2 – Fixes the saved states location used on a USB stick to be unique per filename. Note that this may change the saved states location from previous firmware versions if the filename contains multiple dots/periods/full stops.
  • v1.3.1 – Fixes an issue when using Left Shift key and top-left arrow key for opening/closing THEC64 Menu from BASIC
  • v1.3.1 – Fixes an issue regarding the current computer model setting and different model requirements specified in a cjm file

Download:

source: retrogames.biz

Categories: Firmware, News & Rumors, Today

Compulsive shopping syndrome without a shred of a brain

November 15th, 2020 No comments
The VIC20 - Game & Watch Super Mario Bros

The VIC20 – Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros.

Advice for “not” purchases. Compulsive shopping syndrome without a shred of a brain.