wilco2009

Good evening folks,I wanted to tell you that I am no longer going to manufacture videopac cartridges.But don't worry, so that nobody who needs it is left without a cartridge, I have just converted it into OpenHardware, for this I have published all the information to make it yourself on github.It is released under the GPLv3 license, so anyone who wants to can make the cartridges and sell them to third parties, as long as the license is respected. In this way it is ensured that users who do not have the capacity to make a cartridge by themselves can acquire it by another means.I wish you enjoy it, and I hope you will modify and improve it. http://videopac.nl/forum/Smileys/default/wink.gifhttps://github.com/wilco2009/Videopac-micro-SD-Cart

Here you have the translation. Hello guys! Some time ago I announced the next release of a Jupiter Ace clone that I am developing. The clone is currently fully operational and I'm only tweaking the last design details. It is a board fully compatible with an original Jupiter Ace case, using its rubber keyboard, although it is also possible to solder push-buttons and use these. The most outstanding characteristics are: - 19K or 3K selectable onboard RAM - 8 selectable ROMs - zx81-like mode (it's like you have a zx81 but 3 times faster in SLOW mode and keeping the display, the keyboard layout is automatically changed to match the zx81, and all with moderate compatibility with existing software ) - test ROM - Selection of direct video mode (white letters on a black background) or reverse (black letters on a white background). Well, I'm exploring the idea of doing a kickstarter (in collaboration with Paul Andrews) that would include a molded plastic case and a rubber keyboard identical to the original, so it would be practically the same as having an original one in our hands but with the mentioned improvements. But, the molds for the case and keyboard cost a lot of money. We have requested budgets and the project is perfectly viable, as long as there is more than a minimum number of bakers, so before I get into it, I would like to probe your interest in a possible kickstarter, and ask you to answer these questions: - Would you be interested in buying one? - How much do you think could be a reasonable price? (You already know that the total expenses must be passed on to the units sold, so if we are too few it can be too expensive and unfeasible. - Do you already have a Jupiter Ace and want a replacement case, keyboard or PCB? - Do you prefer to assemble a kit yourself? You would do me a great favor if you filled out the survey by clicking on the link. https://forms.gle/3kcrRm2V8swirYVm7

Just videopac G7400

Hi! I have the module already working with two modes, C7010 and C7420. C7010 mode https://youtu.be/8NgHjZwd3js C7420 mode https://youtu.be/yL3LTtYMksg Remote keyboard for C7420 https://youtu.be/CU6Bi0u1aZs Now I have to provide a good case for the emulator. ;:)

Here there are a picture of my original cart C7420. The look and feel is exactly the same as far I have seen, and the ROM content is also the same, except for a patch of two bytes made by Gert to implement the simulation of the tape with the SD reader.

With the original author (Gert van der Knokke) permission I have recreated the C7420 BASIC Module https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5BvdcZ9Cn8 I have used a cheaper microcontroller than the original one selecting a STM32F4VG. And the result is really great. I like it a lot! Now I have to finish some details with the SD to save/load BASIC programs, and design a final PCB to fit in a 3D printed case. I have permission from Gert to assembly a batch and publish the source code, due to it when I'll have everything finished I will start a list. NOTE: I still have intention to make a exact clone, but this is for a near future.

FYI, there is a new very accurate Videopac / Odyssey FPGA core, with "The Voice" module built in. The developer of this new core is Ramon Palomares (rampa). The core is a real delight. Available on: - MiSTer - MiST - SiDi - Neptuno - Unamiga Reloaded - ZxDOS - ZX Next (Soon) https://github.com/RW-FPGA-devel-Team/Videopac-G7000

Yes, you are already in the waiting list.

OK, you are now in the waiting list.

Yes it is not necesary because the autobuild option is active by default (see user manual). If it is not active, after adding the files you have to rebuild the directory from the config menu. In general it is not necessary to modify "gamelist.ini" in any case. This file is just to add descriptions and to assign special pagination modes. The file is ready for all the known games.

It is currently out of stock. I have to order parts to build more cars. It would take 30-40 days to arrive from China. If you want I can add you to the waiting list.

In this post there is all necessary information. http://videopac.nl/forum/index.php?topic=3291.0

Private sent.

Now I am waiting for more components. I think I will have everything in 20-30 days. I'll let you know when I have everything ready.

Yes it works in both, PAL and NTSC systems. Ah, I forgot to say that uSD is not included in the price. I can include it by 4€ more.

Hi everyone! I still having components and boards to assembly more uSD carts if you are interested. The price still being 45€ + shipping.

It could be great. Thanks.

Hi! Do you have any kind of technical information about "the voice"? I mean things like schematics or descriptions (at least the cartridge schematics).

Yes, this is the solution I think.

It could be a problem in a CMOS CPU, because it uses strong "1's". In this case if you force 0V while the data line is at 0V the power will be dreaned in the data pin generating a high current with possible damages in the data pin of the processor. The 6507 Atari's procesor uses NMOS technology. NMOS technology has strong 0's but weak 1's, then it is not dangerous to force a data pin to zero.

Mmmmm, very interesting, seems to be easy to do. ? Thanks very much.

But how do you prevent the console from hanging until you copy these 128 bytes into RAM?

Thank you very much for your explanation. Then seems the best solution is to add a little EROM chip to the circuit to take the control until the cartridge tranfer the program to the RAM chip. Another posibility is to send bytes to the bus from the CPLD without any kind of ROM in the cart. The main issue is the sincronization when the change to the RAM is made.

Hi! I'm trying to design my own sd cartridge for the Atari 2600 console, but to read the rom from the sd card take some time, and while it is happening console is running random values in the memory, and when the memory is ready console is already hung. Anybody knows how is possible to generate a reset in the console from the cartridge? thanks in advance