|
Post by Pyrofer on Dec 2, 2016 0:02:48 GMT
Do you NEED the AC if you have 5v and 12v??? I know the flat is slightly different but I ran mine powered from a 12v/5v dc2dc supply hooked up to the internal power connector (used by the 128D I believe) and had no AC connected at all.
Double check all your connections go to where you think they should go. Then look back at an original PSU and double check what is actually connected where.
Did you test it with a "proper" PSU after the humming noise? Fingers crossed it's all still good.
|
|
|
Post by Pyrofer on Dec 1, 2016 23:59:40 GMT
Just to clarify, you don't need my adapter to use the VGA game. Any adapter that turns the digital RGBI into analogue RGB should work. You can probably use the simple resistor only designs although I have not tried them. You also don't need the multisync monitor, it just makes things easier as you can see the 80 col screen on boot in normal mode AND after the game loads into VGA without swapping monitors.
Robert, Your adapter should be waiting for you when you get home. If it's not then the post service or customs have eaten it.
|
|
|
Post by Pyrofer on Dec 1, 2016 23:54:53 GMT
Actually, the VICE mode by holding fire doesn't work at the moment. The changes for VGA really broke it quite badly. It's a completely different character set for graphics too so I can't even make it switch back into 15khz mode easily. trantor, yes, in theory I am selling them. Waiting for PCBs though. I am actually trying to sort out a US retailer who will help with manufacture as well! So fingers crossed they should get a lot easier to purchase and also be available locally in the states soon(ish).
|
|
|
Post by Pyrofer on Dec 1, 2016 7:38:59 GMT
Yes, that is a photo of it running on my BenQ monitor. Yes, I am using my adapter which plugs directly into the 128 and has a VGA connector on the back. It makes it extremely easy to plug a BenQ into it. Any adapter solution should work though, right down to the simplest resistor circuit with no brown fix. As long as you can connect it to the right pins on the VGA plug it will work. Having the multisync monitor helps a lot as I can boot directly in 80col with normal 15khz frequency and still see the picture. I can also directly compare the PAL version against the VGA version on the same monitor Here is a link to the file mega.nz/#!wIJEjQzZ!7yHPLC0n9EEMq3TgeYBuVtD4p-TN-_PWUXwpEtz6bog Again, It's not much use in VICE which doesn't emulate the VDC well at all. This is a real hardware only game.
|
|
|
Post by Pyrofer on Nov 30, 2016 20:01:32 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Pyrofer on Nov 30, 2016 16:01:14 GMT
Thanks to Tokra for blazing the trail and getting VGA working I have modified my game to work in native VGA. Anybody that has a 80col to RGB adapter should be able to connect a VGA monitor and play As far as I know this is a world first and I would consider groundbreaking for the 128. Not hard sadly as nobody else seems to be doing anything interesting. It's native 128 mode, not 64 (not many games on the 128 anyway). It uses the VDC not the VIC (hardly any software at all, let alone games) and finally it pushes the VDC into VGA mode (As far as I know, Tokra and the VGA mode mania demo is the only other native VGA software on the 128 at all). I have some polishing to do, tidy up the graphics and put in more levels, but the first 7 are playable. I would greatly appreciate anybody who is able to test this letting me know. I can give you a link to the latest version.
|
|
|
Post by Pyrofer on Nov 28, 2016 20:13:25 GMT
I am looking at this chip, www.ftdichip.com/Support/Documents/DataSheets/Modules/DS_UM245R.pdfThe only problem I can see is that it has a Read pin and a Write pin. I would need to convert those using the R/W pin and clock as the inputs. This chip when correctly attached would simply let the 128 send and receive bytes directly over USB to the PC. The trick would be in the code either end.
|
|
|
Post by Pyrofer on Nov 28, 2016 13:43:04 GMT
So I wanted an easy way to get code onto my 128 while testing games I was developing. VICE is not accurate for the VDC so hardware testing is essential. It turns out the 128 has a decoded address line internally that was never used, I believe it was intended for the 6551 serial chip that never went in and lead to U36 as a rom socket instead. Anyway, my idea is such. A USB serial to parallel chip (probably using an Arduino) connected to the data lines and that decoded address line. The USB side would present as a serial port to the host PC. Any bytes sent would be visible on the 128 in the decoded address location and any bytes the 128 writes there would be sent up the USB serial line. So far it sounds like a fast Serial connection using USB, which it essentially is. However. In U36 some rom code that checks for data in that location on boot. If it sees data present it reads it as a command byte and enters a sort of memory monitor mode. The PC would then have serial commands that the 128 acted upon, such as "read memory location x" and the 128 would do so and return the byte as data to the PC. It would also have "Write x bytes starting at y address", the 128 would then dump the incoming data directly into memory at the indicated start location. This would allow the PC to read and write the whole C128's memory. Allowing the downloading of test programs directly into ram. One final command such as "jump to location x" would allow you to run the code downloaded.
Is there any interest in such a "USB Developer cable"?
I would probably be developing it mainly for myself but would appreciate assistance from anybody better versed in assembly than myself to help with the 128 side of the code.
|
|
|
Post by Pyrofer on Nov 28, 2016 13:32:21 GMT
Bought a SIDFX instead.
If anybody would like to try this the board design is available if you want. I didn't get any made though.
End of this project for now.
|
|
|
Post by Pyrofer on Nov 22, 2016 13:24:27 GMT
Yes, you get "pseudo stereo" rather than true 6 voice stereo. Only SID 1 is selected during reads. The paddles go to SID 1 only, sid 2 has no connections on the paddle inputs.
True 6voice SID music is rare, I wanted a quick easy solution for the majority of the SID music. It makes the stereo effect from the natural differences between the two SIDs.
|
|