Commodore News Page - News: Hardware

Nano SwinSID Ultimate

GadgetUK164 made a review about the Nano SwinSID Ultimate from Máté "CodeKiller" Sebők and Mihály "Hermit" Horváth.

2016-12-30 - 13:09:00 - Week: 52 - Item number: 5168 - Category: C64, Hardware

Paul Rezendes (Acill) has a re-capping service for the Amiga computers. The old capacitors on an Amiga motherboard can stop working or start to leak with age. Paul removes all old capacitors and replaces them with new high quality capacitors.

2016-12-30 - 13:08:00 - Week: 52 - Item number: 5167 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

8372r3

The web page Siliconpron has added another die shot of a MOS chip. This time the 8372r3, better known as the Agnus chip in the Amiga. Other available chips are: 6510, 6522, 6526, 6551, 6581r2, 6581r3, 6581r4, 8520 and the 8580r5.

2016-12-30 - 13:02:00 - Week: 52 - Item number: 5161 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

Mini Commodore PET

Adafruit Industries developed a miniature version of the Commodore PET computer. The 9 x 16 LED matrix is combined with the IS31FL3731 and can show many animations. The files for a 3D printer are available.

More information on the Mini Commodore PET.

2016-12-23 - 13:12:00 - Week: 51 - Item number: 5157 - Category: KIM-1, PET, CBM, Hardware

C64 Hardware A Compendium

Holger Weßling released his new book: C64 Hardware A Compendium. This book covers over 450 hardware introductions for the Commodore C64 in the years 2009 - 2016. Also included some interesting stories from developers, scene musicians and Commodore fans.

2016-12-23 - 13:04:00 - Week: 51 - Item number: 5149 - Category: C64, Hardware

Tapecart

Tapecart is a new hardware device for the Commodore C64. You can connect Tapecart to the cassette port of the Commodore C64 and load programs up to 64 kB. Loading speed: 2 kB/s or 10 kB/s with fast loader.

2016-12-23 - 13:03:00 - Week: 51 - Item number: 5148 - Category: C64, Hardware

Amiga-News is a news webpage for the Amiga user.

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

Amiga calendars 2017

Ptyerman has made 3 new calendars for the year 2017. The theme of the calendars is the Amiga computer. You can print the calendars in the sizes 450x582 mm / 582x450mm.

2016-12-09 - 13:10:00 - Week: 49 - Item number: 5134 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

Retro invaders calendars 2017

The new Retro invaders calendar is now available. The theme this time is: PETSCII art. The calendars are available in many languages.

2016-12-09 - 13:09:00 - Week: 49 - Item number: 5133 - Category: Commodore, Hardware

Retrohax: C64 restoration

On the Retrohax web page you can see how to repair your Commodore C64. This time the C64 got a new paint-job too.

2016-12-09 - 13:06:00 - Week: 49 - Item number: 5130 - Category: C64, Hardware

C64 - Wi-Fi & BBS

Intric8 from the blog AmigaLove wrote a blog over how to connect your Commodore C64 to Wi-Fi and run a BBS system.

2016-12-09 - 13:04:00 - Week: 49 - Item number: 5128 - Category: C64, Hardware

Vampire V500 V2+

It is now possible to make a pre-order for the FPGA-Turbocard: Vampire V500 V2+. When the cards are available you will be contacted. The price for a Vampire V500 V2+ will be 300 Euro.

2016-12-09 - 13:01:00 - Week: 49 - Item number: 5125 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

Wicher 500

The Wicher 500 is a turbo card for the Amiga 500. The specifications are: MC 680000 processor, clock 7/14MHz, Fast RAM max. 8 MB EDO SIMM, IDE controller and SPI controller. The prototype is ready and a speed test is available.

2016-12-02 - 13:15:00 - Week: 48 - Item number: 5123 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

SD-BOX v1.17

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 PSID, diagnostic system, manual, SID player and copying from a cassette to a diskette.

2016-12-02 - 13:09:00 - Week: 48 - Item number: 5117 - Category: C64, Hardware

UniJoystiCle v0.4

Riq released the UniJoystiCle v0.4. Changes in this version: ESP8266, mini webserver, two c64 joysticks with one game controller and updates for the iOS Client, Android Client and the documentation.

The Uni Games V0.4.

2016-12-02 - 13:01:00 - Week: 48 - Item number: 5109 - Category: C64, Hardware

Kickstarter: New keycaps for the Amiga

Philippe Lang started a new Kickstarter project to produce new keycaps for the Amiga computer. The project will include 96 keycaps for the Amiga 1200, 12 extra keycaps for the other Amiga models (A500, A600, A2000, A3000 & A4000), 100 springs and 16 plastic clips.

2016-11-18 - 13:09:00 - Week: 46 - Item number: 5095 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

Armiga Review

The Game Show made a video review of the Armiga, the Amiga 500 hardware emulation console. The Armiga has a Dual Core ARM CPU, 720p video, 3D-printed case, microSD, USB ports and an original Kickstart 1.3.

2016-11-18 - 13:05:00 - Week: 46 - Item number: 5091 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

Custom Amiga Joystick

Arananet-net made a custom joystick for the Amiga. He made a Acrylic housing and installed a joystick handle with micro switches, two fire buttons and an auto-fire system. For a special effect he also uses internal lighting. The web page is in the Spanish language.

2016-11-11 - 13:04:00 - Week: 45 - Item number: 5077 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

Prisma Megamix music card

The Prisma Megamix music card is now available in the Amikit web shop. The specifications are: Clockport and Zorro II interfaces, compatible with Amiga A1200 T, A2000, A3000, A4000 and A4000T. VS1063 chip. Formats: MP2, MP3, WMA, OGG, LC-AAC, HE-AAC, FLAC, ALAC, IMA ADPCM, G.711 u-law, G.711 a-law, G.722 and WAV PCM.

2016-11-04 - 13:12:00 - Week: 44 - Item number: 5071 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

The making of a small PCB

Iiz8dwf shows in a video how to create a small PCB yourself. In the video he makes an adapter PCB for the 2364 EPROMs in a Commodore VIC-20 or the C64.

2016-10-21 - 13:05:00 - Week: 42 - Item number: 5043 - Category: Commodore, Hardware

Sam440ep Firmware update

ACube Systems released a firmware update for the Sam440ep motherboards. Changes in this version: Improvements for the graphic cards and the PCI bridge. And a set-up for the PEX 8112 PCI has been added.

2016-10-21 - 13:00:00 - Week: 42 - Item number: 5038 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

The FPGASID project - Alpha phase

Andi 6510 is working on the his FPGASID Project. This project will produce an "drop-in" replacement for the SID chip. The features are: Full SID compatibility with registers and audio filters, stereo support, analog audio input, paddles and a JTAG interface for FPGA updates and debugging.

2016-10-14 - 13:11:00 - Week: 41 - Item number: 5037 - Category: C64, Hardware

Vampire 500 v2

Igor Majstorovic has given an presentation about the Vampire 500 v2. You can watch the 40 minute presentation on YouTube. He also tells about the plans for the Vampire 1200. English sub-titles are available.

2016-09-30 - 13:10:00 - Week: 39 - Item number: 5014 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

Retrohax: Another C64 restoration

On the Retrohax web page you can see how to refurbish a Commodore C64. This time Drygol repairs the motherboard, the metal shielding, broken keys from the keyboard and he does a PDWPE (Prolonged Dark Warm Perhydrol Exposure).

2016-09-23 - 13:10:00 - Week: 38 - Item number: 5002 - Category: C64, Hardware

exSID USB

Thibaut Varéne is working on the exSID. This device makes it possible to play SID music from a modern PC, but with real SID hardware. Features: 6581 and 8580, 44.1 kHz digis and near cycle-accurate playback.

2016-09-23 - 13:08:00 - Week: 38 - Item number: 5000 - Category: C64, Hardware

VIC-20 Reloaded

Steve J. Gray is working on a new 8-bit project. He want to build a new VIC-20 cost reduced motherboard. The ideas at this moment are 32K RAM, one single ROM, extra colour RAM, SID chip and a second joystick port.

2016-09-23 - 13:05:00 - Week: 38 - Item number: 4997 - Category: VIC-20, Hardware

C2NEmu

Luigi Di Fraia is working on the C2NEmu. This device connects to a Commodore 64/VIC 20 Datassette port to a PC through a USB cable. The possibilities are "playback" a TAP file (PC to C64/VIC20) and "record" (C64/VIC20 to PC).

2016-09-23 - 13:00:00 - Week: 38 - Item number: 4992 - Category: Commodore, Hardware

Vampire600 / Apollo - Gold

The Vampire600 turbo card uses the Apollo FPGA-core to emulate the 68000 CPU and the SAGA graphics chip. The changes for Apollo are: Improvements for MOVE/EXT, MPU, TRACE, CHK2, CMP2, MOVEM, CAS, LOOP, TRAPcc and MOVEQ/MOVE.l.

2016-09-09 - 13:05:00 - Week: 36 - Item number: 4975 - Category: Amiga, 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: Kickstart, disk menu and double tap the Restore key to enter Hypervisor "freezer".

2016-09-09 - 13:01:00 - Week: 36 - Item number: 4971 - Category: Commodore, Hardware

Flashing C64

On the Breadbox64 web page you can now see a Commodore C64 that has flashing lights inside the transparent case. The LED light scan be controlled via a remote control.

2016-09-09 - 13:00:00 - Week: 36 - Item number: 4970 - Category: C64, Hardware

Commodore back in Germany

After a pause of several years, fans of classic computers worldwide can look forward to a series of Commodore PCs. The company "Individual Computers GmbH", based in Germany has licensed the rights of the Commodore trademarks from Polabe Holding N.V.

2016-09-02 - 13:13:00 - Week: 35 - Item number: 4969 - Category: Commodore, Hardware

Cynthcart v2.0

There is new software available for the Cynthcart. Changes in this version: 30 pre-set sound patches, arpeggiator, tremolo, analogue filter, MIDI support, on-screen help, colour visualizer display, SID hex editor and PAL / NTSC pitch tables with automatic selection.

2016-09-02 - 13:05:00 - Week: 35 - Item number: 4961 - Category: C64, Hardware

80 column CGA to RGB converter

Pyrofer is working on a converter to transform a 80 column CGA video signal to RGB. With this system you can connect your Commodore C128 to a RGB monitor. At the moment the refresh rate is 15 kHz (no scan doubler).

2016-08-26 - 13:05:00 - Week: 34 - Item number: 4951 - Category: C128(D), Hardware

ACA1233n - Amiga 500

Epsilon wrote a blog about upgrading his Amiga 500. He shows how to install the ACA1233n 030 accelerator with the RTC battery expansion, a 512k memory expansion and new floppy drive.

2016-08-26 - 13:02:00 - Week: 34 - Item number: 4948 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

PEDISK II

The CGRS MICROTECH PEDISK II was an early floppy disk system for the Commodore PET/CBM computer. The PEDISK did not use the IEEE bus like the Commodore disk drives, but instead used a standard floppy disk controller chip. Members of the 6502.org web page have built a clone of this system.

2016-08-26 - 13:01:00 - Week: 34 - Item number: 4947 - Category: KIM-1, PET, CBM, Hardware

Amiga 3400

Stefan Egger from the Computer Collection Vienna has now an Amiga 3400. The A3400 was a computer that later became the Amiga 4000. You can look at the photos of this rare computer.

2016-08-26 - 13:00:00 - Week: 34 - Item number: 4946 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

Lighthammer v2.0

If you have access to a 3D printer and are able to solder then you can now build your own lighthammer. Visit the website of Jan for more information.

2016-08-19 - 13:11:00 - Week: 33 - Item number: 4945 - Category: Commodore, Hardware

MIDIbox aSIDity

Sauraen and Oikanys are working on the MIDIbox aSIDity project. This project will be the most powerful SID-based synthesizer in the world. The system will have 8 Commodore 64 SID sound chips (4 x 6581 and 4 x 8580) 160 modulators and many control options.

2016-08-19 - 13:03:00 - Week: 33 - Item number: 4937 - Category: Commodore, Hardware

SD-BOX v1.16

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: Added a SID player and several small improvement were implemented.

2016-08-12 - 13:11:00 - Week: 32 - Item number: 4933 - Category: C64, Hardware

C64xs

Freak is building an extra small Commodore C64. He will use original C64 part and add some extra features: Configurable voltages and extra filters for SID and VIC, S-Video output, ESD protection and multiple kernals and character sets.

2016-08-12 - 13:09:00 - Week: 32 - Item number: 4931 - Category: C64, Hardware

Amiga and the 5th audio channel

Stian Søreng has developed a system to add a fifth audio channel to the Amiga computer. He uses the composite video channel to produce an extra audio channel. You can read all about it on his blog.

2016-08-12 - 13:07:00 - Week: 32 - Item number: 4929 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

C64 - The great refurbishing

On the Retrohax web page you can see how to refurbish a Commodore C64. Drygol is refurbishing six Commodore C64 at the same time. He cleans and repairs the plastics parts and the keyboard, and adds a SwinSID NANO and a SD2IEC device to the C64.

2016-08-12 - 13:06:00 - Week: 32 - Item number: 4928 - Category: C64, Hardware

GadgetUK164 - VIC20 Penultimate Cartridge

GadgetUK164 made a video about the new Penultimate Cartridge for the Commodore VIC20 from Tynemouth Software.

2016-08-12 - 13:05:00 - Week: 32 - Item number: 4927 - Category: VIC-20, Hardware

Vampire 500 v2

Simo Koivukoski made a video of an Amiga 2000 with the Vampire 500 v2 accelerator. The first test is with RiVA 0.50 and Picasso II (CyberGraphX screen mode 320x240 / gray). The second test is MP3 playing with Amplifier and Delfina Lite DSP.

2016-08-12 - 13:03:00 - Week: 32 - Item number: 4925 - Category: Amiga, 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: GEOS, Disk menu and the Decimal Flag.

2016-08-12 - 13:01:00 - Week: 32 - Item number: 4923 - Category: Commodore, Hardware

New Amiga hardware development

The web page Retro 7-bit is developing new hardware for the Amiga. The IDEA ZII - IDE controller (Zorro II) for the Amiga 2000, Wicher 2000 - turbo card for the Amiga 2000, Wicherek 14/28 - turbo card for the Amiga 500 and the Wicher 5k/1M - CHIP RAM for the Amiga 500.

2016-08-05 - 13:10:00 - Week: 31 - Item number: 4921 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

Vampire600 / Apollo - Silver9

The Vampire600 turbo card uses the Apollo FPGA-core to emulate the 68000 CPU and the SAGA graphics chip. The changes for Apollo are: Vector instructions, new Bondings, stronger FUSINGs, Little Endian GFX mode for PC emulation and improvements for MUL flags, WHDLoad Branch-Target-Cache, Div 64 Flag and more AMMX instructions.

2016-08-05 - 13:02:00 - Week: 31 - Item number: 4913 - Category: Amiga, Hardware

MixSID

The MixSID is a stereo SID board for the Commodore C64. Features: Stereo channel mixer, pragmatic stereo addressing scheme, flexible IO, audio input, output and digiboost circuits, dedicated stereo output, full paddle compatibility and versatile digital control.

2016-07-29 - 13:10:00 - Week: 30 - Item number: 4910 - Category: C64, Hardware