The Return of the HybridSID Player PCB rev v2.0 by Xad/Nightfall & Gianluca Renzi (RetroBit Lab). Based on the Project and Hardware Schematic by Markus Gritsch released in the years 2011-2015 on the forum dangerousprototypes. Thanks Markus.

After the first revision of the PCB we are realized that there were some design problems and consequently of a correct functioning.

Below is a brief description of the fixes and improvements that have been made for the new one version of the SID Player PCB.

PCB rev v2.0 St.Valentine’s day version:

• OLED did not turn off when the power switch was off.
• Wrong pinout of the ALPS switch and consequently the PCB could not be powered via the USB power supply/power bank.
• Removed Zener diode.
• Added two new jumpers to select (AB – BA) for the rotary encoder.
• Rotary Encoder 20 steps, the previous one was wrong.
• Removed circuit for the switch of the two LEDs to visualize what SID is used for playing the song.
• Remapped the two SID LED switches on two MCU pins (RB15 – LED SOCKET # 1, RB12 – LED SOCKET # 2)
• Removed the possibility of using OLED 0.96″
• Aligned OLED 1.3 “on the line of the ZIF Socket.
• Moved reset signal that was used by OLED 0.96 on free pins connector.
• Fixed the holes for the OLED 1.3 “
• Remapped the following pins (RD5 – SID_RW, RD6 – SID2_CS, RB9 – KEY_FFWD, RB10 – KEY_PAUSE) to free 5v tolerant pins.
• Added two new pull-up resistors for PAUSE and FFWD key.
• Redesigned the entire amplifier stage for the headphone output using TPA6111A2 and NE5532.
• PCB tracks optimization.
• Facilitated the CPU DEBUG by creating a “frame” where each PAD corresponds to a pin of the MCU.

The return of the Hybrid Sid Player by xAD/Nightfall & Gianluca Renzi (RetroBit Lab)

Based on the Project and Hardware Schematic by Markus Gritsch released in the years 2011-2015 on the forum dangerousprototypes. Thanks Markus.

Changelog:

v1.18 – 28/1/2022

Fixed:

• When you are in Manual mode of playing SID the timeout timer wrongly are also increased into a variable but this timer works only for the modes: auto/random/intro.
• Wrong STATIC variable for the debug via serial. the serial debug don’t works correctly in some part of the code. %-)
• Wrong variable for the Timeout check if the time is longer then 99 seconds. %-)

Updated:

• Freed and remapped to another destination the MCU pins of PAUSE and FFWD buttons to use them with the CS for the SID #2 and R/W because we needed 2 MCU pins 5v tolerant and there aren’t many left :/
• Described some parts of the source code.
• Added new parameters to the configuration file (config.ini).
  • Playback timeout in seconds of the .SID files for AUTO/RANDOM and INTRO modes.
  • Configure the best baudrate for the debug via Serial.
  • Disable or Enable the visualization of the VU-METER for the 3 sid voices.

Below is an excerpt from the “config.ini” file.

# Serial Debug Baudrate – default: 115200
SERIAL_BAUDRATE=115200
# Set the Timeout in Seconds for the AUTO/RANDOM playing mode – default: 2 minutes
AUTORND_TIMEOUT=120
# Set the Timeout in Seconds for the INTRO playing mode – default: 15 seconds
INTRO_TIMEOUT=15
# Write 0 if you want to disable the visualization of the vu-meter for the 3 x sid voices.
# Default: 1
SID_VUMETER=1

The return of the Hybrid Sid Player by xAD/Nightfall & Gianluca Renzi (RetroBit Lab)

Based on the Project and Hardware Schematic by Markus Gritsch released in the years 2011-2015 on the forum dangerousprototypes. Thanks Markus.

Changelog:

v1.17 – 31/12/2021

Added:

• Change visualization status of the LED for Socket #1 and Socket #2 available on the Olimex Development Board and the SID Player PCB.
• A configuration file (config.ini) for some important settings of the SID Player. The file will be loaded during the boot and must be present in the ROOT of the filesystem of the USB key.If the file is not found, the player will configure itself with the default values. Thanks to Gianluca Renzi (RetroBit Lab) for his lite INI file parser.

Below is an excerpt from the “config.ini” file.

# Select the Sid model for the Tune played by the SID Player on the Socket #1 or Socket #2.
# Specify the socket which you want to play the sid tunes (example for SID_8580_SOCKET write
# the number 2 if you want it to be played with the SID 8580 installed on socket #2)
# This configuration makes the use very dynamic for everyone. – default: socket #1,#1,#2,#2
TUNE_UNKNOWN_SOCKET=1
TUNE_6581_SOCKET=1
TUNE_8580_SOCKET=2
TUNE_BOTH_SOCKET=2
# Use Armsid with Auto Switching (0:Disabled – 1:Socket #1 – 2:Socket #2) – default: 0
# Note: When you use the auto detection and switching of the SID model with the ARMSID this can be
# used only in one of the two sockets, the other socket is completely ignored and can remain empty.
ARMSID_SOCKET=0
# Brightness of the OLED. (0 … 255) – default: 127
OLED_BRIGHTNESS=127
# Brightness of the OLED in IDLE mode. (0 … 255) – default: 10
OLED_BRIGHTNESS_IDLE=10
# Enable the serial DEBUG. (1 Enable | 0 Disabled) – default: 0
SERIAL_DEBUG=0

The return of the Hybrid Sid Player by xAD/Nightfall & Gianluca Renzi (RetroBit Lab)

Based on the Project and Hardware Schematic by Markus Gritsch released in the years 2011-2015 on the forum dangerousprototypes. Thanks Markus.

Changelog:

v1.16 – 29/11/2021

Updated:

• Illegal/undocumented opcodes to the CPU Emulator:
  • LAE (LAS/LAR) Combinations of STA/TXS and LDA/TSX.
  • ANE (XAA) Combination of an immediate and an implied command.
  • All 6502/6510 instructions have been implemented.
• Increased the maximum number of files per directory from 512 max to 800 max.
• Improved delay routine for read/write eeprom via I2c bitbang, it should now be compatible with all levels of the XC32 compiler code optimization.
• Replaced and splitted the Splash Screen Logo during the boot. Thanks to Federico di dato for the Retrobit LAB logo.

Fixed:

• The BRK opcode, opcode that will probably will never used in our case.
• Missing +2 Machine Cycle Times for the opcodes: BPL,BMI,BVC,BVS,BCC,BCS,BNE,BEQ due to some previous performance improvment of the 6502/6510  emulator code, i was probably drunk, indeed, i’m sure. %-)
• The clock “|CIA|” was displayed mistakenly when you choose to play a file in DMP format but this is wrong because the DMP file format doesn’t support the information of clock used (VBI/CIA) in the file header.
• The previous and next button did not work if there are only two files (SID or DMP) available to play in the folder.
• Incorrect Machine Cycle Times for the NOP opcode, four times instead of two. %-)
• Sometimes the version number displayed during boot would pop outside from the right side of the oled screen.
• Wrong Machine Cycle Times for the SLO, SRE(LSE), DCP, RLA, ISC(ISB) Illegal/undocumented opcodes with Indexed-indirect addressing of X,Y-Registers.

The Amiga scene has been dead for me from several years, long life to the Commodore 64.

Taken from a deadly boredom i have decided to do this useless hardware update of one of my Amiga 1200.

• A1208 V3 8MB Expansion.
• OS3.2 CF Card.
• OS3.2 Kickstart.
• New membrane for the keyboard.
• Lightbrightning Case and Keyboard.
• CF Trapdoor.
• 4xIDE Buffered IDE interface.

I personally updated the A1208 memory expansion with the Clock section because i had the order wrong, old age strikes again.

This is just a small update to my post.

I added another useless thing to this update … unfortunately in this case it is useful because without the 4xIDE Buffered IDE interface
the CF<>IDE adapter inserted in the trapdoor on the right side of the amiga which uses an IDE cable longer than 10-15cm, DOESN’T WORK generating a mix of reading/writing errors from the CF.

Aware of the problem, i still wanted to try, in fact in an old Amiga 1200 i had the IDE-Fix Express with IDE-Express Adapter bought 12 years ago, then sold.

So i confirm it doesn’t work, even if they write exactly the opposite (see ebay announcements)

Gallery of the useless update:

source: amigaisdead.com amigastore.eu amigakit.amiga.store

The return of the Hybrid Sid Player by xAD/Nightfall & Gianluca Renzi (RetroBit Lab)

Based on the Project and Hardware Schematic by Markus Gritsch released in the years 2011-2015 on the forum dangerousprototypes. Thanks Markus.

Changelog:

v1.15 – 26/9/2021

Updated:

• Slightly improved the CIA timing, now the SID tune “https://hvsc.csdb.dk/MUSICIANS/P/Page_Jason/25_Hurts.sid” and probably some others they sounds fairly well without “clicking/noise/beeping” in some parts of the song. *
• Slightly improved the VBI timing, now the SID tune “https://hvsc.csdb.dk/MUSICIANS/S/Stinsen/Freeloader.sid” and probably some others they sounds fairly well without  “clicking/noise/beeping” in some parts of the song. *
• When the (Auto/Random/Intro) MODE is used the brightness of the oled is restored on each change of music until the default timeout is reached.

* I’ll never stop saying we are far away from my personal feeling of absolute perfection but sound ok for 90% of peoples, luckily there aren’t many SID sound purists :-D
Many people still think that a SID played with a SID emulator on a Mobile Phone or PC sounds absolutely identical to the one played with the SID in the original hardware version :-|

Fixed:

• In some cases the choice of subtunes is no longer displayed if the SID supports the multi-tunes after the implementation of clock speed emulation display.
• Fixed subroutine which takes care of loading and initializing the SID tune with SUBTUNES, were are missing some variables such as the “show_sidinfo_model” and some debug strings.
• LAX Opcode $AB instead of LXA (https://www.oric.org/ftp/ceo/ceomag/downloads/ebooks/nomoresecretsnmos6510.pdf) Used by this SID Tune: https://hvsc.csdb.dk/MUSICIANS/H/Holt_Hein/Whats_Your_Lame_Excuse.sid

The Texas Instruments Compact Computer 40 or CC-40 is a battery-operated portable computer developed by Texas Instruments and released in March 1983.

An improved model, the CC-40 Plus, was in the final stages of development and included a cassette port. The project was canceled when Texas Instruments discontinued the 99/4A and left the home computer field.

Repair:

The computer was compressed inside the shipping package, obviously it was very badly packed.

The PCB that is installed on top of one of the two motherboards of the computer (see photo) is broke, interrupting some pcb tracks, it was enough to reconstruct the pcb track and the computer started working again.

Gallery of the repair:

5 x TI-99/4A (PAL) motherboards with various defects repaired

Defect:

• TI-99/4a #1: The metal shield that protects the pcb is loose and some parts create short circuits on the pcb.
• TI-99/4a #2: TMS 9918 (U100) VDP inserted in the wrong way (:/), incredibly it did not burn.
• TI-99/4a #3: TMS 9900 (U600) Dead CPU.
• TI-99/4a #4: TMS 9900 (U600) Dead CPU.
• TI-99/4a #5: Apparently working. (Notes: left ON for over 4 hours did not present any problems)

Gallery of the repair:

I have not discovered absolutely anything new, it is all explained in these video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P1OVj0IcqY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eBynrpdLdk

I’m absolutely against retrobright but i wanted to try with a yellowed Commodore VIC-20 / Amiga 1200 Keyboard and Amiga 1200 TOP Case.

Many people told me to try, but disagreeing with this technique, i never did, but later my friend Federico di Dato of Retrobitlab has tried it and actually seemed to work, i state that i did not believe it right away, the first thing i thought; it seemed like a cosmic bullshit.

Ok, i have to change my mind, it works!, below are the various phases and times of exposure to the sun (a beautiful sunny day!)

VIC-20 (front):

• Let’s start with the first photo just exposed under the sun, then 6 hours, +7 hours, 7 hours, so a total of 3 days = 20 hours.

VIC-20 (back):

• Let’s start with the first photo just exposed under the sun, then 2 and a half hours, 7 and a half hours so a total of 2 days = 10 hours.

Amiga 1200 Keyboard:

• Let’s start with the first photo just exposed under the sun, then 7 and a half hours x 3 days = 22 and a half hours.

Amiga 1200 TOP Case:

• Let’s start with the first photo just exposed under the sun, then 7 and a half hours x 3 days = 22 and a half hours.

I have not used any chemical product, there is nothing more to say.

Lightbrighting technique:

The return of the Hybrid Sid Player by xAD/Nightfall & Gianluca Renzi (RetroBit Lab)

Based on the Project and Hardware Schematic by Markus Gritsch released in the years 2011-2015 on the forum dangerousprototypes. Thanks Markus.

Changelog:

v1.14 – 22/8/2021

Added:

• Illegal/undocumented opcodes to the CPU Emulator:
  • ISC (Combination of two operations with the same addressing mode: INC, followed by SBC)
• Display emulation clock:
  • I used the same position of the OLED display where the sid Subtunes are displayed (if are present), otherwise if the song doesn’t support subtunes it will displayed in the same position the type of clock speed emulation: |CIA| or |VBI|.

Fixed:

• DMP files additional information:
  • Display of additional information of the SID when a DMP files is played but there are no additional information to display in the header of the DMP files.
• CPU timing:
  • Some months ago when i wanted to fix the timing of the 6510 CPU emulator i made an unforgivable huge mistake :-D
• Random Playing Mode:
  • The load routine try to load a index of a file that don’t exist and everything freeze.
• File error handling:
  • When an load error occurs and you are in the TUNEINFO mode the player don’t back to the FILE Browsing mode.

The return of the Hybrid Sid Player by xAD/Nightfall & Gianluca Renzi (RetroBit Lab)

Based on the Project and Hardware Schematic by Markus Gritsch released in the years 2011-2015 on the forum dangerousprototypes. Thanks Markus.

Changelog:

v1.13 – 3/8/2021

Added:

• Illegal/undocumented opcodes to the CPU Emulator:
  • RLA (Combination of two operations with the same addressing mode (Sub-instructions: ROL, AND))
• From an idea of Faber Pixel we have also added other information of the SID file on the small OLED screen (information available in the header of the file).
  • With a frequency approximately of 7 seconds, the Load Range, Init Address and Play Address in hex addresses will be displayed on the screen alternating with the information of the SID Name, Author and Copyright.

Sample:

• Range: $1000-$2275
• Init Address: $1000
• Play Address: $1003

Obviously the displayed address range is the real memory occupation.

Fixed:

• The visualization of the SID Model of the tune that is playing every 5 seconds alternated between the playback mode icon. (Thanks Gianluca Renzi)
• Missing the file error handling in the subSong subroutine.

The return of the Hybrid Sid Player by xAD/Nightfall & Gianluca Renzi (RetroBit Lab)

Based on the Project and Hardware Schematic by Markus Gritsch released in the years 2011-2015 on the forum dangerousprototypes. Thanks Markus.

Changelog:

v1.12 – 18/07/2021

Updated:

• Improved a little bit the file error handling.
  • If you try to load a SID Stereo file a message “Stereo SID detected, but cannot play it!” will be displayed on the OLED screen.
• Modified the modality of visualization of the SID Model of the tune that is playing.
  • Now the display of the SID Model is alternated between the playback mode icon approximately every 5 seconds.

Added:

• Message during the boot that warns a checking of the USB storage and the correct filesystem mounting of the USB pen drive.
• Added six duplicate and probably useless opCodes, we are speaking about the “NOP” (they are $1A, $3A, $5A, $7A, $DA and $FA)
• Added one opcode absolutely useless for our use, we are speaking about the  “JAM”.

Fixed:

• Fixed some opCodes Addressing mode (Accumulator Addressing instead of Immediate Addressing)

The return of the Hybrid Sid Player by xAD/Nightfall & Gianluca Renzi (RetroBit Lab)

Based on the Project and Hardware Schematic by Markus Gritsch released in the years 2011-2015 on the forum dangerousprototypes. Thanks Markus.

Changelog:

v1.11 – 22/06/2021

Updated:

• Decreased more than before the brightness of the display after 10 seconds if no activity is done on the buttons or encoder.
• Slighty improved the timing (CPU cycle) of the 6510 emulator but we are far from my perception of absolute perfection :-D

Added:

• Illegal/undocumented opcodes to the CPU Emulator:
  • RRA (Combination of two operations with the same addressing mode (Sub-instructions: ADC, ROR))
• Automatic hardware SID switch between ZIF Socket #1 and ZIF Socket #2 (example if it is made only for 6581 or 8580).
  • This features is included in the prototype pcb. The swap will be displayed by a led placed on the lower part of the ZIF Socket.
• Improved a little bit the file error handling.
  • If you try to load a file not supported a message “Wrong file format” will be displayed on the screen.
  • If you try to load a RSID file format a message “RSID detected, but cannot play it!” will be displayed on the screen.

The return of the Hybrid Sid Player by xAD/Nightfall & Gianluca Renzi (RetroBit Lab)

Based on the Project and Hardware Schematic by Markus Gritsch released in the years 2011-2015 on the forum dangerousprototypes. Thanks Markus.

Changelog:

v1.1 – 30/05/2021

Added:

Firmware Upgrade.

• The update can be done in three ways, one is automatic.
  • 1) The automatic firmware installation is done in case the bootloader doesn’t find any valid application installed.
  • 2) By pressing the SW1 button at the same time with the reset button or at power-on and released it.
  • 3) Using the file browser (the same used to browse the *.SID / *.DMP files), just choose the file with the firmware and it will be installed.

•    A status bar with a scrolling bits displays the writing status of the firmware.
•    The firmware update file must be copied and NOT renamed to the root directory of the USB flash drive.

• Added some illegal/undocumented opcodes to the CPU Emulator:
  • SRE (LSE) Combination of two operations with the same addressing mode (Sub-instructions: EOR, LSR)
  • DCP Combination of two operations with the same addressing mode (Sub-instructions: CMP, DEC)

This is the usual post about replacing Amiga Electrolytic Capacitors.

Unlike the Amiga 1200 which had no problem with acid leaking from the capacitors but in any case i have replaced them, the Amiga 600 is in a dramatic state but with a little patience and a good cleaning everything started working perfectly again.

Yes, to remove the capacitors i did the much-hated “twist” of the component, ok, having said that, the job went well so don’t broken my balls, thanks.

Gallery of the repair: