Commodore.news

PETvet | Bitfixer has started a new project. After his PETdisk he now is developing the PETvet. The PETvet is a RAM / ROM replacement for the Commodore PET. The PETvet also allows you to view the memory of a running PET by halting the CPU and sending the memory contents over a serial port. When the prototype is finished a kit will be available.

One on One | We all use a joystick when we use our Commodore computer. We all have our favorite, the SpeedKing, Competition Pro, TAC-2, Boss, Arcade, etc. Artist Craig Le Blanc has made his own version of a popular 8-bit joystick. His creation, One on One, is made of two Wico Command Control joysticks that are a little bit bigger than usual.

Mini xum1541 | The mini xum1541 is a USB / IEC interface that makes it possible to connect a 1541 disk drive to a modern PC. The mini xum1541 is a minimal version of the ZoomFloppy and can be assembled by hobbyist. The firmware is provided by Nate Lawson and you can use the same software as used for the ZoomFloppy. The schematics and board design are available.

TIM | TIM is a home-built computer. The special thing about the TIM computer is that it has no chips inside, most of the system is build with relays. TIM is a 8-bit computer with an serial ALU, 5 registers (8-bit), 16 bytes RAM, a punch tape reader and a sound-card. The computer uses 152 relays and the speed of the system is about 8 Hz. It is possible to over-clock the system to 16 Hz.

Universal C64 Cartridge | Frank Buss is working on an universal C64 cartridge. You can upload files from a PC (via USB) to the cartridge and store up to 31 cartridges (each 64 kB) on the cartridge. It can emulate any cartridge type except for cartridges with DMA access. On his web page you can find more pictures, schematics and information.

128 kB cartridge - C64 | Andrew Dieffenbach is working on a 128 kB cartridge for the Commodore C64. For his cartridge he uses a 27C010 EPROM with bank-switching for the access of several 8 kB banks of data. In the demonstration video you can see the game M.U.L.E. The loading time of M.U.L.E. is reduced from 7 minutes to 1 second. After loading the first part of the game, the cartridge switches to another bank, and the second part of the game is available.

RetroInvaders calendar 2012 | The new Retroinvaders calendar is now available. This calendar is available in English and Spanish. In the calendar you will find pictures of Mermaid. There is also retro calendars for other computers.

1541 Ultimate update | For the 1541 Ultimate 1 and 2 is a new version (v2.4) of the firmware available. New in this version: CRT load for loading a cartridge file in to the Ultimate. EasyFlash support (read only). Flashing and running custom FPGAs (Ultimate-II only) without the use of a JTAG cable. And many other small improvements.

EasyFlash 3 | The EasyFlash 3 is now available at the retro-donald.de web page. The EasyFlash 3 is a kit, but the work you have to do is not difficult and a manual is available. The new version is bigger and you can now load 7 normal EF images into the system. With the EF 3 you can also replace the built-in Kernal with a alternative Kernal. The USB connection will be implemented in the future.

SIDBlaster/ZX | SIDBlaster is a new sound-card for the ZX-Spectrum. The features are: MOS 6510 CPU, 64Kb RAM, Direct playing of PSID and RSID tunes, PAL/NTSC compatible, 4 SID's (2x6581, 2x8580) and full C64-interrupt system. When the SIDBlaster is fully functional, it will be rebuild with the help of a FPGA. The hardware design is from Sergey Bagan (Prusak) and the software is done by Alexander Alexandrow (Byteman).

sd2iec firmware v0.10.2 | Unseen (Ingo Korb) has released a new version of the sd2iec firmware. Changes in this version: Improved the raw directory generation. An improved emulation when fast loaders are disabled. ULoad M3 automatically exits when ATN becomes active. And a new fast loader - ELoad v1 (EasyProg) - is implemented. The sd2iec is a controller / interface system that makes it possible to use SD memory cards as a storage device on the CBM serial bus.

Rear Admiral ThunderDrive | The Rear Admiral ThunderDrive is now available for sale. It is a modern replica of the CMD HD. It gives you up to 4 GByte of storage with 1541, 1571 and 1581 partition capability. Besides a serial interface it has also a parallel interface and an a external SCSI connection. Visit the ThunderDrive web page for more pictures and information.

Home build 6502 computer | The 6502 microprocessor was developed by Chuck Peddle and Bill Mensch for MOS Technology in 1975. The chip was used in many computers like the Commodore PET, CBM and VIC-20, Atari, BBC, Apple etc. If you want to build your own computer with a 6502 you should look at the latest project from Blondihacks.

Chameleon beta-7 firmware | The firmware 7 (beta) is now available for the Chameleon cartridge. Changes in this version: Support for the docking-station. Fixed the problems with CPU speed readout on VGA, NMI in cartridge mode and the REU. Improvements for the SID emulator, I/O and the MMU.

Flyer Internet Modem | The Flyer Internet Modem is a new hardware device for the Commodore 8 bit computer. The device is a disk drive emulator that is connected to the internet. You can store a disk inside the Flyer or online in the cloud. The Flyer has a IEC and a IEEE-488 interface and supports a wide range of Commodore computers: PET / CBM, VIC-20, C16, Plus/4, C64 and the C128. The popular disk images D64, D71 and D81 are supported.

ZoomTape | The ZoomFloppy device can be used to read or write diskettes with a real Commodore disk drive and a modern PC via USB. A new project makes it possible to use ZoomFloppy to read and write cassettes with a datassette and a PC. Specifications: 16MHz sampling rate, CAP / TAP file format, C64, C16, VIC-20 and experimental Spectrum48K support. The project is in a Beta phase and you can send in your feedback to the developer.

Chameleon 64 - Speccy | Alessandro Dorigatti has made a ZX Spectrum (48k PAL) core for the Chameleon 64. The core supports the ULA+ 64 color mode, a ZXMMC interface, a Kempston joystick emulation and reading from TAP files. You can switch between PAL and NTSC mode. An English manual and a keyboard layout is included.

Project 1565 | Stefan is working on a replica of the Commodore 1565 disk drive for the C65. If production is not too expensive, a real item will be created. The original prototype can only be used with a C65, and the C65 needs a 8 pin 1565 floppy-port and a late version of the FDC F011 Floppy Disk Controller chip. The project is not finished yet but you can already see the 3D drawings of the 1565.

DTV - Egretz-megamb-V2.2 | Egretz is building a modified C64 DTV. He is designing a expansion that can be placed on top of the original C64 DTV without soldering. The features are: Joystick 1 and 2, PS/2 (keyboard), Video, Audio, IEC, SD memory card and a IDE connection (hard disk). For the extra functions he uses a Atmega micro processor.

Proxa 7000 | The Proxa 7000 expansion was made by the German company Ultra Electronic. It adds CBM 8000 series compatibility to the CBM 700 series. For a long time nobody could use this rare expansion because the software was missing. But recently the software was found. You can read more about this very rare expansion on Steve Gray's Commodore web page.

RAM expansion for the C64 and 128 | Digital Audio Concepts developed a RAM expansion for the C64 and C128. The cartridge has a maximum of 1 MByte DRAM, controlled by a standard 8726 REC chip. The supply of the REC chips is limited and prices start at $34.95.

Internal µIEC | Berry de Jager modified his Commodore C64 with an internal µIEC. On Berry's blog you can follow step by step how he integrated the µIEC (made by Jim Brain) into his C64. As you can see on the photos this C64 has more modifications: SID2SID, S-Video and controls for the Prophet64 cartridge.

USB joystick adapter | Markus Gritsch developed a simple USB joystick adapter. With this adapter you can use a digital joystick with your favorite emulator. Markus used a PIC micro controller and a few components on a experimental circuit board. Het tested his adapter with the VICE emulator on his laptop and the famous Competition Pro Retro joystick. The schematic and the firmware are available.

Turbo Demo Card | There is a new version of the TDC (Turbo Demo Cart). The new model has a turbo switch. The selectable speeds are 1 MHz, 2 MHz or 4 MHz. The TDC has now 2 SID chip sockets and can use 1 or 2 SID's. With the TDC the C64 runs 2x or 4x faster, but it slows down to normal speed when the VIC and SID chips are accessed. Visit the TDC web page for more technical details.

HxC floppy emulator - v1.6.11.15 | For the HxC floppy emulator is new firmware available. The HxC floppy emulator is a replacement of a 3.5 inch disk-drive in for example an Amiga or a Atari ST. With this device you can connect the original floppy controller in the computer to a SD memory card or a USB port on a PC. Recent changes in the firmware: File support for: .imz, .ghk, Roland W30, .krz, .ede, .sap and .ldf. Improvements for Oric, TI99/4A, Atari ST, Ensoniq SQ-80, CPC, Spectrum and MSX.

SID Symphony II | Digital Audio Concepts has released the SID Symphony II cartridge. With this cartridge you can add a second SID to your Commodore C64 without opening the C64. Features: SID register mapping from $DE00 to $DFE0. Access LED. Reset button. 12 V DC-to-DC converter for 6581 SID chip. The price of the SID Symphony II cartridge, without an SID chip, is $39.95.

Chameleon beta-6g firmware | The firmware 6g (beta) is now available for the Chameleon cartridge. Changes in this version: Implemented bit-fade in SID when no waveform is selected or when reading write-only registers. Update of disk image after write actions by the emulated drives. Door open emulation for disk drive. Improvements on CPU instruction, irq and nmi timing. SID stereo mapping for $D500 and $D700.

FE3 RAM Disk v0.7 | Kananga has released an update for the FE3 RAM disk for the Commodore VIC-20. Changes: Support for the wildcards ? and *. You can now replace a file with SAVE @:name,13. Support for the command channel (15) with status, scratch and rename.

NST's Audio Extension V2.0 | A new audio cartridge for the Plus/4 will be available soon. This cartridge has the following features: 8580 SID support. 3.5 mm audio jack. C64 compatible joystick port. AMIGA mouse support. DigiBlaster playback emulation (8-bit D/A). SID base addresses $FD40, $FE80 or $D400. In the next 2 to 3 weeks the first series is being assembled. You can read more about the cartridge in the comprehensive (English or Hungarian) pdf manual.

Auto AGA/RTG switch A4000 | Mfilos made a custom Auto AGA/RTG switch on his Amiga 4000. He wanted to use the manual switch from Ratte's Auto AGA/RTG switch. But he wanted a nicer switch on the place where the keyboard lock switch is located. A small pcb with a CD 4017 IC, two relays and a couple of small components is now built into the A4000. You can read all about this project on the blog from Mfilos.

Mini 1541 | Rik Magers made his own version of the Commodore 1541 disk drive. He started with a uIEC from Jim Brain Designs. The uIEC has JiffyDOS and the ability to store up to 32GB. Rik got hold of a small plastic box that looks similar to a real 1541. After cutting, tweaking and several tubes of glue, he had a mini version of the 1541 including working LEDs on the front.

Commodore PET 2011 | Ken from the web page pcmodhouse.com has built a modern version of a Commodore PET 2001. He bought an non working PET 2001 and replaced the motherboard, keyboard and monitor with modern items. The specifications of the PET 2011 are: AMD Phenom X6 1090T, MSI 870A-G54, 16GB DDR3-1333, Radeon 6850 1GB, 64GB SSD, 640GB WD Black and a 650 Watt XFX PSU. You can see all the details of this casemod on his web page.

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