+Muddyfunster Posted April 30, 2023 Share Posted April 30, 2023 Can a Concerto + CEM#1 run a 1mb or similar ROM (Does the memory combine?) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+batari Posted May 5, 2023 Author Share Posted May 5, 2023 On 4/30/2023 at 1:59 PM, Muddyfunster said: Can a Concerto + CEM#1 run a 1mb or similar ROM (Does the memory combine?) The memory can combine and the entire 1mb (technically, 1mb + 32k) can theoretically be used and you can switch between the 544k on CEM #1 and the 512k on Concerto, but each would have distinct mappers. However, one feature of the CEM devices is a hardware translation layer to enhance Concerto's functionality. I will take a look at it to see if it can translate a strict Atari-style 1mb mapper to work with the two banks of memory with their own mappers. So we will say "maybe" at this point. But I want to point out that because a design goal of CEM #1 is to double as a standalone cart, anything larger than 544k would need both devices inserted. A CEM #1 running on its own would cap at 544k which is the amount of memory on the CEM #1 itself. Regardless, I think there are only a couple of demos that use a 1mb Atari-style mapper? The demos I am aware of (a digitized song and Bad Apple) can probably be modified to work with a different mapper, in the worst case. That being said, CEM #2 is being designed to handle all current mappers including 1mb Atari-style and larger, on the CEM #2 device itself. 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gambler172 Posted May 24, 2023 Share Posted May 24, 2023 I own one of the first Concerto carts. Will CEM run with this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+batari Posted May 24, 2023 Author Share Posted May 24, 2023 1 hour ago, gambler172 said: I own one of the first Concerto carts. Will CEM run with this? Yes it will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gambler172 Posted May 25, 2023 Share Posted May 25, 2023 4 hours ago, batari said: Yes it will. then count me in for one 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+batari Posted May 30, 2023 Author Share Posted May 30, 2023 On 5/24/2023 at 6:34 PM, gambler172 said: then count me in for one 👍 Well, I should clarify - the normal CEM devices will run equally well on all production, pre-production, and the original 2015-2016 purple-PCB Concerto carts if it has been upgraded - recall that in 2020 I offered to replace a chip on the board of all older carts. Among other things, this chip would allow support POKEY at $0450. If you don't have the upgrade, the normal CEM will still function but the POKEY at $0450 will still not work. Not everyone sent their older Concerto back for upgrades, particularly if they were overseas. However, it looks like with a few small changes, a custom version of the CEM devices may work with these non-upgraded 2016 Concertos to give them the POKEY support at $0450 without having to replace any chips. I'll look into this shortly and post an update on this - as even though there are not a ton of non-upgraded 2015-2016 Concertos out there, I want to be sure they get all of the features. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+batari Posted May 30, 2023 Author Share Posted May 30, 2023 2 hours ago, batari said: Well, I should clarify - the normal CEM devices will run equally well on all production, pre-production, and the original 2015-2016 purple-PCB Concerto carts if it has been upgraded - recall that in 2020 I offered to replace a chip on the board of all older carts. Among other things, this chip would allow support POKEY at $0450. If you don't have the upgrade, the normal CEM will still function but the POKEY at $0450 will still not work. Not everyone sent their older Concerto back for upgrades, particularly if they were overseas. However, it looks like with a few small changes, a custom version of the CEM devices may work with these non-upgraded 2016 Concertos to give them the POKEY support at $0450 without having to replace any chips. I'll look into this shortly and post an update on this - as even though there are not a ton of non-upgraded 2015-2016 Concertos out there, I want to be sure they get all of the features. OK, I can confirm that a CEM with a slightly modified hardware program *does* work with the older, non-upgraded purple PCB Concertos to gives them the same features as with a newer Concerto, including the improved POKEY at $0450 (and $0800) support. So those with these older Concertos will need to specify that they want these specially-programed CEMs. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dire 51 Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 There's a lot of info to digest here. As someone who has no technical background, but knows just enough to be dangerous, I'd like to ask: can someone sum up very simply if this is something I would want to have for any particular reason? I bought my Concerto several months ago, and aside from my 7800 not booting it up from time to time (most likely the 7800's issue - even after the UAV mod @-^CrossBow^- installed for me, it does give me the occasional issue when booting a game, but not enough to be considered a serious issue), it's worked really well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+x=usr(1536) Posted June 3, 2023 Share Posted June 3, 2023 Out of curiosity, how well do an HSC and AtariVox+ coexist when connected to the same system at the same time? It seems to my mind as though there shouldn't be any issues, but not having any flavour of HSC it's not something I can test - and since the CEM #0 will be adding HSC support, it'd be good to know in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+batari Posted June 8, 2023 Author Share Posted June 8, 2023 On 6/3/2023 at 8:30 AM, x=usr(1536) said: Out of curiosity, how well do an HSC and AtariVox+ coexist when connected to the same system at the same time? It seems to my mind as though there shouldn't be any issues, but not having any flavour of HSC it's not something I can test - and since the CEM #0 will be adding HSC support, it'd be good to know in advance. I thought I had replied to this message but maybe I forgot to press send! Anyway, the HSC and AtariVOX use distinct and non-overlapping ways to store data, so they can be used together without any issues. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+x=usr(1536) Posted June 14, 2023 Share Posted June 14, 2023 Just confirming that my CEM #0 arrived today (technically yesterday, since it's now past midnight ). The Concerto's firmware update went without a hitch and it is recognising the CEM. Initial impressions are that no regressions have been immediately found, and both 2600 and 7800 compatibility look to be at least on par with the standalone Concerto. HSC compatibility looks to be good, though has not been extensively tested. Testing has not been done in any sort of organised way yet, so I'll update over the next few days as I get a chance to shape it. Thanks to @batari for the module 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+x=usr(1536) Posted June 14, 2023 Share Posted June 14, 2023 Post moved to the Concerto Enhancement Module #0: test results and ongoing impressions thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DrVenkman Posted June 14, 2023 Share Posted June 14, 2023 6 hours ago, x=usr(1536) said: Just confirming that my CEM #0 arrived today Wait, what? Did I miss ordering information? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+-^CrossBow^- Posted June 14, 2023 Share Posted June 14, 2023 33 minutes ago, DrVenkman said: Wait, what? Did I miss ordering information? I believe @batari stated in his mention of the modules that CEM#0 is essentially ready now and you only need to contact him and pay for shipping to receive one? I had meant to do that as well but just got sidetracked so I hadn't requested one yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DrVenkman Posted June 14, 2023 Share Posted June 14, 2023 8 minutes ago, -^CrossBow^- said: I believe @batari stated in his mention of the modules that CEM#0 is essentially ready now and you only need to contact him and pay for shipping to receive one? I had meant to do that as well but just got sidetracked so I hadn't requested one yet. I looked back in the thread and didn’t read it that way. Maybe I’m wrong? I don’t want to bombard anyone with unwanted messages. @batari - can you clarify? I’d love to buy one but don’t want to spam your email or PMs with dumb requests. If you’re sending out emails to prior Concerto buyers in some kind of sequence, that’s fine - I’m happy to wait. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Karl G Posted June 14, 2023 Share Posted June 14, 2023 Yeah; I was waiting for an email, too. It's great to hear that it's available! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+x=usr(1536) Posted June 15, 2023 Share Posted June 15, 2023 Folks, I'm moving the CEM #0 testing stuff over to the following thread: This should help with keeping the focus in this thread on specifically the Concerto and CEM firmware. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redbeard25 Posted July 2, 2023 Share Posted July 2, 2023 On 1/21/2023 at 8:25 PM, batari said: Since all of the HOKEYs from reservation holders have gone out, I am about to send an email to the rest of Concerto owners. Fred, I seem to have fallen through the cracks. Can you send me a link to buy a HOKEY? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+HatNJ Posted July 2, 2023 Share Posted July 2, 2023 1 hour ago, Redbeard25 said: Fred, I seem to have fallen through the cracks. Can you send me a link to buy a HOKEY? me as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiLic0ne t0aD Posted July 2, 2023 Share Posted July 2, 2023 9 hours ago, HatNJ said: me as well Ditto! I'd love to replace the POKEY on my Concerto with a HOKEY, returning the POKEY to my 5200 or Ballblazer cart that I robbed it from. I'd buy a HOKEY in a heartbeat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottz29 Posted July 2, 2023 Share Posted July 2, 2023 I’m also waiting on an invite to buy a hokey. I bought my cart a long time ago and more recent buyers have a hokey already… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jagaroth Posted July 2, 2023 Share Posted July 2, 2023 Yeah, I keep waiting. I'd really like one for mine, too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrunchyTC Posted July 7, 2023 Share Posted July 7, 2023 (edited) I'm interested in CEM#1 I have the soldered hokey version. Edited July 7, 2023 by KrunchyTC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinks Posted July 7, 2023 Share Posted July 7, 2023 Can this cem 1 whatever that is be installed on the original Concerto? I got the prototype model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dire 51 Posted July 7, 2023 Share Posted July 7, 2023 I too have a soldered Hokey version and am interested in CEM #1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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