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Piotr D. Kaczorowski

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Posts posted by Piotr D. Kaczorowski

  1. 2 minutes ago, w1k said:

    seriously, this fix problem with missing loader, boot errors, etc.. system with sparta dos is more stable, but not 100%.. and some functions in loader doesnt work - i cant see directory when i run cmd.xex, etc)

     

    This is the software development process. With good feedback, I'm sure that @flashjazzcat will find the time and make the needed updates.

  2. A brief update on SAVO+/SAVO MAX and HAVO.

     

     


    1. I already have the prefinal CSYNC/Fixer circuit, which is designed to properly adjust the quality of horizontal and vertical synchronization signals. It counteracts noise generated by Atari and reverse noise from the TV cable, lowering Vp-p to prevent interference with the rest of the signals.

     

    2. I am testing a 7-channel audio mixer that will be integrated into SAVO+/SAVO MAX. The mixed channels include: left/right, left/right Covox, GTIA, SIO, PBI/EXT.

     

    SAVO MAX is SAVO+ with additional Component Video signal generation.

     

    3. I placed a significant order for components from Mouser for SAVO+/SAVO MAX boards and for the prototype boards of HAVO (MicroHDMI output).
     

    HAVO will be available in the second half of Q1/2024.

    HAVO PRO, which will include an RT post-processing module generating PAL blending and NTSC artifacting effects, is planned for the end of Q2/2024.

    • Like 5
  3. @reifsnyderb,

     

    Congrats!  Well done!

     

    1. Since I assume that this board can always be the base for various popular extensions (especially those produced by Lotharek), it would be possible in subsequent revisions to provide access to popular signals using goldpin points. I am referring to signals: CI, EXTSEL, IRQ, MDP, and the address line. This will allow the use of various popular extensions on this board, and their installation will be much simpler. Since you have so much space on the board, you can place a port compatible with the VBXE adapter over ANTIC, which will allow this card to be installed without an additional adapter.

     


    2. Do you happen to have links to articles: "Replace the audio circuit with the audio circuit designed by mytek on the AtariAge forums"?

     

    3.

    > "8. Addition of two locations for a fuse and a zener diode to protect against power supplies going over- voltage. (This is experimental.)"

     

    There should probably be more of these areas. The possibility of re-wiring can come from the main power supply, but also from the cartridge port, PBI, SIO, and joystick. See the topic A8PicoCart. It's possible that discussions about protection against parallel connection of the cart to a PC could also apply to this board, and solutions could also be transferred to it. Then there won't be a problem whether someone switched the switch in Fujinet incorrectly or connected the A8PicoCart to Atari and PC at the same time (not possible in the latest project).

     

    4.  Thank you for not occupying the space of the RF modulator, where my future video boards can fit.

     

     

    • Like 1
  4. I had a break from dealing with Atari from 1992 to 2020, so I still don't know everything. I've read a bit about the 1090. I'm impressed by the expansion capabilities, although my heart is more for cramming everything inside the Atari. That's why for now U1MB/VBXE/Rapidus, etc...

     

    However, the 1090 project is important both in terms of historical significance and the analysis of designing additional devices.

  5. The discussion is open. I'm presenting a concept, but I'd gladly hear other opinions on this matter. Currently, I'm adding a full audio signal mixer (left/right multi pokey sound card, left/right covox board, gtia, sio, pbi/ext audio) to the SAVO board. In the future, it could be possible to change the signal balance through digipot configured via i2c. Someone else might add different things, and as I mentioned earlier, I prefer to use only two wires for my solution rather than a socket for another chip, which would require address mapping again, which, in my opinion, doesn't make sense for such things.

     

    I would envision a socket for the PIA as an interface. The question of selecting the address remains.

  6. $D12C was an example.  It could be also $D385 or any other address that will be "one for all".  $D1C8 - sounds very good as well.  

     

    The goal is to use one address as the bus address, rather than each device having completely different communication methods, different addresses, or even reserving entire address ranges. Examples of usage can also be prepared in several programming languages for this purpose.

     


    Thank you for sending the document. I'll be happy to review it.

     

     

  7. Since many extensions for Atari have entirely their own configuration standards, I would like to propose the AI2C standard, that is "Atari I2C".

     

    In this way, several different devices could be located at a single address and could be configured in a standardized manner. For example, the address "$D12C" could be used and bit banging performed on it.

    Of course, other addresses can be used, but this one almost looks like I2C  :)

     

    Examples of utilization:

    • configuration of digipots (digital potentiometers) regulating the balance between channels on stereo cards,
    • configuration of settings for video-generating expansions (e.g., Sophia 2 has the capability of setting resolutions and their parameters, so this could be done via the I2C interface).
    • memory extensions configuration

     

     

     

    Check out an example of 6502 and SPI bit-banging interaction here:

     

    • Like 1
  8. On 11/13/2023 at 5:23 AM, Atari8guy said:

    Did you just build a box? I have an ST Din here, but not a cable...what would be the best/easiest Saturn cable to cut up?

     

    You can convert standard Sega Saturn to EuroScart cable to Sega Saturn to ST monitor jack.   It is easy to find with Google required schematics: Sega Saturn - EuroScart, VBXE to ST monitor jack (in VBXE installation manual).

    • Like 1
  9. 4 hours ago, Atari8guy said:

    I wonder what would be involved in make a cable that goes from the Saturn end of a SAVO XL cable to a female ST monitor cable, such that I could keep the clean look on the 8bit side but still use an ST monitor...this would be for VBXE use

    It will work.

     

    I have Atari SC1425 so I have connected my Atari via SAVO to original Atari ST monitor.

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