Commodore.news

Amiga keyboard | Amedia Computer has now a new keyboard for sale. This keyboard has all the keys that are on the Amiga computers. The logos on the keys not sticker but printed on the keys. The keyboard is connected with USB and is available in black or white and as QWERTY or AZERTY.

Plipbox | Plipbox is an device that allows to connect Amiga's via Ethernet to your local network. The device uses a an Arduino and connects to the parallel port. Changes in this version: Automatic MAC address. Automatic connection to Ethernet module. Improved parallel line protocol. Added: Full duplex Ethernet, flow control and an error log system.

Hayesduino | Hayesduino is device with an Arduino micro-controller that is a bridge between the Internet and small devices, such as the Commodore 64, Apple II and the Atari 800. The Hayesduino emulates a Hayes compatible modem. One of the applications of this device could be BBS (Bulletin Board System).

VIC-20 flash memory expansion | Phvic is developing a flash memory expansion for the Commodore VIC-20. The following features are planned: The VIC will see the flash memory as a ROM. Auto booting from the flash memory. A micro-controller will control the memory and the expansion port. At the moment the device is still in development. You can follow the progress on the Denial forum.

PET/CBM Editor ROM | Steve Gray is working on a project to build various Editor ROMs for the Commodore PET/CBM computer models. The Editor ROM is responsible for all video initialization, screen output, keyboard input, full-screen editor and IRQ handling. You can read more about this project on Steve's web page.

Amiga Drive | The Amiga Drive is a replacement for the disk drive in the Amiga. This device is developed by Maurizo Ramondo and uses an Raspberry Pi mini computer and a small interface. Maurizo has written a program for the Raspberry Pi that will emulate the disk drive. The Amiga diskette images are placed on the SD card. You can read all the details on the web page of Maurizo.

X-bEnCh v0.91F | X-bEnCh can be used to replace the Workbench when you only want to load games with WHDLoad. You can use X-BENCH with all Amiga's, OCS or AGA and with 68000 to 68060 CPU's. Changes in this version: Improvements for Xinit and Xsetup. This version will end the Beta status of X-bEnCh, and is the first stable version.

A story about the introduction of the C128 | Bil Herd tells a story about the introduction of the Commodore C128 on the Consumer Electronics Show. The CES is one of the most important expositions for new computer hardware. The team from Commodore had many problems with the C128, but with a few tricks and hard work they managed to demonstrate the C128 to the public.

Chameleon 64 - 8h | An new core is available for the Chameleon. Changes in this core: Improvements for the Funplay, C64GS and Easyflash cartridge, POT X/Y, VIC-II emulation and SDRAM. Removed errors in Rename, hex and text viewers, loading crt files of type 5, insert & clr/home and the SD-card file system. You can download the new core from the Chameleon Wiki page.

Wireless Motion-Sensing Gaming Glove | Leif Bloomquist is using a glove to play games on the Commodore C64. The glove has motion sensors, a microprocessor, a battery and a XBee transmitter / receiver. You can watch the demonstration video, or use the glove at the World of Commodore 2013 meeting in Toronto, Canada.

Commodore C64 printer buffer | David wanted to share a printer between several Apple II computers. He used an Pacemark iiEasy Print system. But he needed a small secondary system to make everything work. The iiEasy Print is connected to an Commodore 64. The C64 is used as a controller for the printer buffer. You can read more about this project on his blog.

SD-BOX Cartridge | The SD-BOX is a cartridge for the Commodore C64 with an SD card interface. The cartridge has the following features: View contents of SD card or disk drive. Coping of files between SD, disk drive and Datassette. Cassette coping with buffer for coping protected games. And the Exos v3 turbo system is included.

Commodore userport USB | André Fachat is working on a USB interface for the Commodore user port. The interface can be used on a PET, VIC20 and the C64. The interface is a client and a host. The parts are a MAX3421 USB interface chip and some small parts. You can follow the progress on the 6502.org web page.

Mini Commodore C64 & 1541 | Davenunez made a mini Commodore C64 with 1541 disk drive with his 3D printer. The disk drive uses 1 floppy disks :). He also made stickers for the logos, and an realistic looking polystyrene and cardboard box. You can download the 3D printer files and logos for the C64 / 1541 and the box.

C64 S-Video | Arto made a S-Video connector in his Commodore C64. He removed the standard video connector and replaced it with an S-Video connector. The modification also includes an resistor to adjust the chroma signal. He also disconnected the RF sub-circuit to improve the picture quality.

Prisma Megamix | A-EON Technology released the Prisma Megamix. The Prisma Megamix is an multi-format sound card for the Amiga. The card will work with a Zorro slot or the clock-port (A2000, A3000, A4000 and A1200). The card can encode: MP2, MP3, WMA, OGG, LC-AAC, HE-AAC, FLAC, IMA and WAV PCM. The card is developed by: Michael Böhmer (Hardware), Ian Gledhill (Software) and Matthew Leaman (Concept).

Mediator PCI 3000Di MK-II | The company Elbox has made an pre-order available for the Mediator PCI 3000Di MK-II. The Mediator PCI 3000Di MK-II is an daughter board with three PCI and three ZIII slots for Amiga 3000D in the standard desktop case. Features: 66/33MHz PCI clock, 32-bit, 4GB, DMA, Interrupt controller, Compatibility with all A3000 processor card models. Support for: Radeon, Voodoo, TV tuners, Sound Blaster, Network Sana-2 and much more.

3 chip computer - 6502 | Stian Søreng is working on projects for the Commodore C64. Because he was waiting for the C64Flash cartridge pcb, he had time to developed a 3 chip computer. This small computer is made of a 6502 CPU, RAM chip and a ATmega16 micro controller. You can read more about this 3 chip computer on his blog.

Real Time Clock / SD - C64 | Luigi Di Fraia is working on two new projects for the Commodore C64. The first project is a Real Time Clock. With this small device you can always have the right time in your C64. Even if you switch the C64 off and on. The second project is an interface for an SD memory card for your C64. Luigi made YouTube videos about his latest projects.

DRAM testing | Axlecrusher was repairing a Commodore C64. He found out that it was one of the memory chips. He replaced them all and the C64 was working again. But he wanted to know which of the 8 memory chips was faulty. He built an testing device with an AVR microprocessor to test each individual chip. You can read all about it on his blog.

Cassiopei - TAP Player | Jan Derogee demonstrates in this video that the Cassiopei is also a TAP player. When loading games from tape, lot's of things can go wrong. Fortunately, the Cassiopei saves the day. In this demonstration Jan uses the C16, but all other Commodore computers with a cassette port can use the Cassiopei for loading TAP files. The project will be presented on the next Commodore meeting, 19 October in Maarssen (The Netherlands).

USBhost-64 | Luigi Di Fraia has now added TAP dumping to his USBhost-64 device. He can now transfer the data from the cassette in TAP format tot her USB drive. In the video you can see that he is using a DC2N, but you can use a normal Datassette. Luigi is also experimenting with slow motion video on the C64 with the help of the USBhost-64.

Cassiopei - Home automation | Home automation was expensive or difficult in 1983, but in 2013 this is no longer the case. Using a Cassiopei and a ClickOnClickOff system it's very easy and fun. The project will be presented on the next Commodore meeting, 19 October in Maarssen (The Netherlands).

Cassiopei - Candy sorter | The inventor of the Cassiopei likes M&M's, but doesn't like them all mixed up. So he has build a Commodore C64 controlled machine to sort this out... really, he sorts them. The project will be presented on the next Commodore meeting, 19 October in Maarssen (the Netherlands).

USBhost-64 | Luigi Di Fraia well known for his digital replacement of the datassette (DC2N) has been working on a new project. This time he is working on a USB system for the Commodore C64. With the USBhost-64 system it is possible to write or read files on the C64 to or from the USB drive. The extra commands are: USAVE, ULOAD and UVERIFY. You can read more about the USBhost-64 on the web page of Luigi.

Cassiopei - Cross-development | The Cassiopei is a versatile device. It can load .TAP files, .PRG files but it can also load .PRG files directly from your PC's hard disk. And 50 times faster then normal. So now you can cross-develop CBM software. Program on a PC and test it on the real hardware. In the video about the Cassiopei you can see a demonstration of developing a PET/CBM program on the PC with CBM prg Studio and then transfer it to real hardware.

DC2N 3 | Luigi Di Fraia is working on the third generation of his DC2N. DC2N stands for Dumping C2N and it's a preservation device that lets its users make a digital back-up of real PET, VIC20, C16/+4, and C64 tapes directly to a flash-card. You can now see the DC2N in a new casing including the colour display.

Cassiopei | More news about the Cassiopei from Jan Derogee. In this Youtube video Jan demonstrates the possibilities of the Cassiopei. This device can be used to load programs via the datassette port 50 times faster then the standard tape speed, it has a I2C interface, 2 analogue inputs, a PWM audio output for playing back .WAV files (8KHz, mono, 4/8Bit) and a simple speech synthesizer.

Commodore schematics from Bil Herd | Bil Herd worked for Commodore as a hardware designer. He worked on the C16, 116, Plus4 and later on the C128 and the C64 LCD. Bil is searching through his personal archive and is scanning drawings from Commodore designs. You can now look at the CPM cartridge for the VIC20, original TED drawings and a 80 column cartridge for the C64.

Commodore and LEGO | Commodore Addict made a web page to show his Commodore and LEGO setup. He uses a Commodore 64/128 to control his LEGO Mindstorms / Technic built robots. The interface is a B100 interface unit from a kit that was called the Robotic Workshop, which was manufactured in 1986. The joystick can be used to control the robotic arm.

Retrocomputing Retr0Sbiancante | RetroHC developed a new version of RetroBright called Retr0Sbiancante. RetroBright is a chemical solution that can erase the yellowing of plastics. RetroHC was searching for a new formula, because the original chemicals are hazardous and difficult to buy. The new solution is whitening gel and a oxidizing gel for your hair. You can read all the details on the blog of RetroHC.

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. After a small change to the cartridge connector, Frank now has a working proto type. You can follow the progress on the blog page of Frank.

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