Commodore News Page - News: Hardware

Mega65

Paul Gardner-Stephen is working on a FPGA version of the Commodore C65. His goal is to make an 8-bit computer for the 21st century. Most recent updates: Automatic 4502 / 6502 Instruction set switching.

2017-12-15 - 13:02:00 - Week: 50 - Item number: 5887 - Category: Commodore, Hardware

geoRAM

GGLabs reversed engineered the Berkely softworks geoRAM. The schematics and all files are now available to build one yourself.

2017-12-08 - 13:03:00 - Week: 49 - Item number: 5876 - Category: C64, Hardware

C64 FM Radio v2.0

Listen to your favourite radio stations on your Commodore C64. Timo Voutilainen developed a system that uses a DA5807 FM Radio module which is connected to the user-port of the Commodore C64. Changes in this version: Channel pre-set list, loop through channels, I2C, RTC and a RDS decoder.

2017-12-01 - 13:12:00 - Week: 48 - Item number: 5865 - Category: C64, Hardware

SD-BOX v1.20

The SD-BOX is a cartridge with an SD card interface for the Commodore C64. The cartridge has many functions for the disk drive and the Datassette. Recent updates: Improvements for SD2IEC, delete, cassette, manual, tape protection, C128 mode, copy menu and the loader for Exos v3 / FC3.

2017-12-01 - 13:06:00 - Week: 48 - Item number: 5859 - Category: C64, Hardware

C64 Robot Guitar

Steve Smit has made a robotic guitar using 24 servo motors that are controlled by a Arduino Mega that is connected to the user-port of the Commodore C64.

2017-11-24 - 13:14:00 - Week: 47 - Item number: 5852 - Category: C64, Hardware

MindFlareRetro - C64 S-Video Adapter Box

MindFlareRetro made a video about how to make an adapter box with s-video to connect a Commodore C64 to a LCD screen.

2017-11-24 - 13:08:00 - Week: 47 - Item number: 5846 - Category: C64, Hardware

The Denial forum is a forum for the Commodore VIC20 computer.

AmigaPortal.de is a German forum for the Amiga user. The sections of the forum are: Hardware, software, games, emulation, pixel, video, MorphOS, PC, tutorials, music, internet and an English section.

Checkmate A1500 Plus

The Checkmate A1500 was a desktop upgrade to the Amiga 500. Stephen Jones is now designing a new version of the Checkmate A1500.

2017-11-17 - 13:13:00 - Week: 46 - Item number: 5833 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

External Gotek adaptor

Arananet-net made a custom adapter for the Gotek. Features: 3 buttons, USB port, screen (segments, LCD or OLED), loudspeaker connection and LED indicators.

2017-11-17 - 13:09:00 - Week: 46 - Item number: 5829 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

Universal C64 cartridge - 256 KB ROM

Engraved64 developed a new universal cartridge for the Commodore C64. The cartridge has a 256 KB ROM. In the ROM you can store your favourite programs and a start menu.

2017-11-17 - 13:01:00 - Week: 46 - Item number: 5821 - Category: C64, Hardware

VIC-2000 Expander

Radical Brad is working on a modern expansion for the Commodore VIC-20. The features are VGA video, 4096 colours, 16 Megabytes of fast audio / video memory, a blitter system (sprites) and 4 channels of 8 bit sound.

2017-11-10 - 13:17:00 - Week: 45 - Item number: 5818 - Category: VIC-20, Hardware

Internal SD2IEC

Tynemouth Software has written a blog on how to install a SD2IEC device internally in a Commodore C64c.

2017-11-10 - 13:13:00 - Week: 45 - Item number: 5814 - Category: C64, Hardware

A3660 CPU board

John Hertell has made a replica of the Amiga A3660 CPU board. All the files for making a CPU board will be open source. The working CPU board will be demonstrated at Amiga32 meeting in Neuss.

2017-11-03 - 13:15:00 - Week: 44 - Item number: 5800 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

SDHost-64

Luigi Di Fraia is working on his project SDHost-64. He now demonstrates loading a program from a SD-card via the user-port into the Commodore C64.

2017-11-03 - 13:08:00 - Week: 44 - Item number: 5793 - Category: C64, Hardware

THE64 - Mini

Retro Games Ltd. has announced THEC64 Mini. The features are: HDMI, USB, Built-in games such as California Games, Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, Paradroid and Impossible Mission.

2017-10-06 - 13:09:00 - Week: 40 - Item number: 5753 - Category: C64, Hardware

Amiga CD 1200

Andy Spencer tells us about the Commodore Amiga CD 1200, a prototype of a peripheral for the Amiga 1200 that would allow it to play Amiga CD32 games.

2017-09-29 - 13:12:00 - Week: 39 - Item number: 5743 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

Keyman64 v1.6

Keyman64 is an hardware expansion for the keyboard on your Commodore C64. With Keyman64 you can assign actions to key combinations. These action could be a series of keystrokes or hardware switches. The possibilities could be: assign commands to (function) keys, do a reset, switching a Kernal, switch on/off LED's etc. The configuration or firmware update is possible via a USB connection.

2017-09-29 - 13:00:00 - Week: 39 - Item number: 5731 - Category: C64, Hardware

Teensy64

Frank Bösing is working on a Commodore C64 emulator with the Teensy 3.6. The Features are: IEC Bus, ILI9341 SPI display, USB keyboard, reSID, a simple disk drive emulation and joystick support. The latest changes are: Added a VGA output.

2017-09-22 - 13:18:00 - Week: 38 - Item number: 5730 - Category: C64, Hardware

Wicher CD32

The Retro 7-bit web page announced the Wicher CD32. This expansion card for the Amiga CD32 has the following features: 8MB RAM, IDE controller and a clock port.

2017-09-22 - 13:17:00 - Week: 38 - Item number: 5729 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

Arduino Amiga FD reader/writer v2.0

A new version is now available for the Arduino Amiga Floppy Disk reader / writer system of Robert Smith. Changes in this version: Support for writing diskettes and improvements for reading diskettes.

2017-09-22 - 13:01:00 - Week: 38 - Item number: 5713 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

ADF-Drive v0.621

ADF-Drive is an enhancement for the ADF-Copy system. With ADF-Drive it is possible to access the diskette data via the MTP protocol. The MTP protocol is supported by Windows, MacOS, Linux and AmigaOS.

2017-09-15 - 13:16:00 - Week: 37 - Item number: 5711 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

VR64

Jim 64 is working on a VR goggles for the commodore 64. He uses two almost the same images of 152X200 pixels. If the object on the screens are in slightly different positions you will experience a 3D effect.

Street Defender - VR64 game

2017-09-15 - 13:08:00 - Week: 37 - Item number: 5703 - Category: C64, Hardware

Uni Gen Converter

Segasonicfan developed a converter that makes it possible to use a Sega Genesis controller on a Commodore 64, Amiga or Atari computer. Features: Adjustable auto-fire, zero lag and low power consumption.

2017-09-15 - 13:03:00 - Week: 37 - Item number: 5698 - Category: Commodore, Hardware

New C64c cases

The new Commodore C64 cases are now available. The package consists of a C64c case, logo, set of screws, rubber feet and a Commodore cardboard box. The available colours are breadbin grey, classic beige, SX-64 style and retro black.

2017-09-08 - 13:12:00 - Week: 36 - Item number: 5694 - Category: C64, Hardware

Bart Venneker - C64 cartridge (Dutch)

Bart Venneker has made a video about building a cartridge for the Commodore C64. This time he shows how make the case and put a program inside the cartridge.

2017-09-08 - 13:02:00 - Week: 36 - Item number: 5684 - Category: C64, Hardware

FlashFloppy v0.6a - Gotek

Keir Fraser developed new firmware for the Gotek hardware. This firmware is open source and is an alternative for the HcX firmware. With a Gotek you can replace your floppy disk drive in your Amiga with an USB drive. Changes in this version: Improvements for PC Floppy Interface and the OLED screen.

2017-09-01 - 13:13:00 - Week: 35 - Item number: 5681 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

ADF-Copy

ADF-Copy is a small device with a Teensy 3.2. This device connects to USB and a 3,5" PC floppy drive. This device makes it possible to read and write ADF's from or to a real Amiga diskette.

2017-08-25 - 13:12:00 - Week: 34 - Item number: 5666 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

FM-YAM - C64

FM-YAM is a new Sound Expander compatible cartridge for the Commodore C64. Features: YM3812 (or YM3526), Audio-in (mini-jack, FM / Audio-in mix-out (mini-jack) and a 3D printed black case.

2017-08-25 - 13:11:00 - Week: 34 - Item number: 5665 - Category: C64, Hardware

Bart Venneker - C64 cartridge (Dutch)

Bart Venneker has made a video about building a cartridge for the Commodore C64. He shows how to design the circuit board and adds an extra connector for an Arduino.

2017-08-25 - 13:09:00 - Week: 34 - Item number: 5663 - Category: C64, Hardware

MNT VA2000 - Firmware v1.7

Lukas F. Hartmann is developing a graphics card for the Amiga 2000. He build an adaptor card with a FPGA that fits into a Zorro II slot. Changes in this version: It is now possible to boot from the SD card.

2017-08-25 - 13:06:00 - Week: 34 - Item number: 5660 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

C64Net Wi-Fi Card

With the C64Net Wi-Fi Card you can connect your Commodore C64, VIC20 or C128 to Wi-Fi. Features: Wi-Fi 802.11bgn, 300 - 9600 Baud, User port, AT-Hayes, support for FTP, IRC, WGET, TELNET, CBMTERM, CONFIGURE, TELNETD64, WEATHER64 and Q-Link!

2017-08-25 - 13:03:00 - Week: 34 - Item number: 5657 - Category: C64, Hardware

Bart Venneker - EEPROM programmer (Dutch)

Bart Venneker has made a video about building an EEPROM programmer with an Arduino Mega. With this programmer he makes cartridges for the Commodore C64.

2017-08-18 - 13:16:00 - Week: 33 - Item number: 5652 - Category: Commodore, Hardware

Mega65

Paul Gardner-Stephen is working on a FPGA version of the Commodore C65. His goal is to make an 8-bit computer for the 21st century. Most recent updates: On-screen keyboard display, Fast boot kickstart and ROMs, 1080p 50Hz, Hypervisor boot display and utility menu.

2017-08-18 - 13:12:00 - Week: 33 - Item number: 5648 - Category: Commodore, Hardware

C16 & Plus 4 - 8501 to 6510 CPU conversion

Andy has replaced the 8501 processor in the Commodore 16 and Plus/4 computers to a 6510 CPU, as fitted to the Commodore 64. The conversion is made possible with a small circuit board and a modified Kernal ROM. Conversion kits will be soon available.

2017-08-18 - 13:10:00 - Week: 33 - Item number: 5646 - Category: C16, C116, Plus/4, Hardware

Jan Beta - C64 power supply

Jan Beta made a video about building a power supply for the Commodore C64. He uses a transformer for the 9 VAC and a standard power block for the 5 VDC.

2017-08-11 - 13:11:00 - Week: 32 - Item number: 5631 - Category: C64, Hardware

Jakadapter - Firmware v1.3

With the Jakadapter you can connect two Atari-style joysticks to USB. The changes in the new firmware are: An update for the paddle readout algorithm, now with more filtering and accuracy. It works very stable also with worn paddles.

2017-08-11 - 13:09:00 - Week: 32 - Item number: 5629 - Category: Commodore, Hardware

Vampire V4

The Apollo Team has announced the Vampire V4. The features are: Amiga 1000, 500, 2000, CDTV, 600 and 1200, Standalone system, 68080 CPU core, SAGA, 512MB DDR3, FastIDE, Digital Video 720p@60Hz, Dual Kickstart-Flashrom and MicroSD storage.

2017-08-04 - 13:14:00 - Week: 31 - Item number: 5619 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

PET 2001 clone

Glen Kleinschmidt is working on a clone of a CBM PET-2001. The specifications are: 32 KiB RAM, BASIC#2, WDC65C02N (CPU), WDC65C21N (PIA) and a WDC65C22N (VIA).

2017-07-28 - 13:18:00 - Week: 30 - Item number: 5603 - Category: KIM-1, PET, CBM, Hardware

Arduino Amiga diskette reader

Robert Smith wanted to read his old diskettes from his Amiga 500+. His Amiga did not work anymore so he decided to find another solution. He made a system with an PC disk drive and a Arduino to read his old Amiga diskettes.

2017-07-28 - 13:14:00 - Week: 30 - Item number: 5599 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

FlashFloppy - Gotek

Keir Fraser developed new firmware for the Gotek hardware. This firmware is open source and an alternative for the HcX firmware. With a Gotek you can replace your floppy disk drive in your Amiga with an USB drive.

2017-07-28 - 13:12:00 - Week: 30 - Item number: 5597 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

Jan Beta - NOS C64 PCB

Jan Beta made a video about a unused (NOS) printed circuit board for the Commodore C64.

2017-07-28 - 13:11:00 - Week: 30 - Item number: 5596 - Category: C64, Hardware

Versa64Cart

Bwack is testing his new Versa64Cart. The Versa64cart is a printed circuit board for a 27512 EPROM with many configuration options.

2017-07-28 - 13:04:00 - Week: 30 - Item number: 5589 - Category: C64, Hardware

Retrohax - RGB2S/C

On the Retrohax web page you can see how to build an RGB to S-video / Composite converter for your Amiga, Atari ST or Amstrad computer. The converter is based on the AD724 chip. You can also buy the finished product from Retrohax.

2017-07-28 - 13:03:00 - Week: 30 - Item number: 5588 - Category: Commodore, Hardware

A600/1200 USB keyboard

Tynemouth Software has made an adapter to connect an Amiga 600/1200 keyboard to USB. The set also includes a cable for the LEDs and an USB cable.

2017-07-28 - 13:02:00 - Week: 30 - Item number: 5587 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

The Ultimate-64

Gideon Zweijtzer announced the Ultimate-64. This circuit board will replace the original circuit board in the Commodore C64. Features: FPGA SID / real SID, HDMI PAL/NTSC, cartridge, tape, user, serial, video and joystick ports. The price will be around 200 Euro.

2017-07-21 - 13:09:00 - Week: 29 - Item number: 5584 - Category: C64, Hardware

Multi-EditorROM - CBM/PET

Steve Gray started a new project for the CBM/PET computers. The Multi-EditorROM is a adapter board that allow you to select any one of 16 different 4K Editor ROMs on a Commodore PET/CBM machine. The Editor ROM is responsible for all screen, keyboard, clock and IRQ processing on BASIC4 PET/CBM computers.

2017-07-14 - 13:10:00 - Week: 27 - Item number: 5574 - Category: KIM-1, PET, CBM, Hardware