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Author Topic: Minimig AGA for the MiST v1.1  (Read 3948 times)

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Offline mahenTopic starter

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Minimig AGA for the MiST v1.1
« on: September 11, 2015, 10:11:22 AM »
After a first beta at the end of 2014 and a first public version in June, Rok Krajnc and the Minimig / MiST / FPGA community release a first revision of the Minimig AGA core for the MiST FPGA, labelled 1.1.

It fixes quite a few major bugs. Here is an excerpt from the readme file :
- fixed mouse issues (fixes games Like Ishar 1, 2, 3, Robinson's Requiem, and many cracktros)
- fixed keyboard issues (fixes game Walker and probably many others)
- changes to FPGA clock handling, hopefully this will make a more stable minimig core
- entering the OSD menu using UP+DOWN buttons on a DB-9 connected joystick has been disabled
- 1MB kickstart ROM support added (enables you to run AROS ROM or your custom kickstart ROM)
- firmware now again supports using 256kB kickstart ROMs
- firmware now again supports using Cloanto AmigaForever encrypted kickstart ROMs

Official site & download : http://somuch.guru/minimig/minimig-mist/
Make sure you read the readme.txt !
 

Offline Everblue

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Re: Minimig AGA for the MiST v1.1
« Reply #1 on: September 11, 2015, 04:18:02 PM »
Anyone tried this? How close to a real a1200 is it? Also, does it output at 50hz?
 

Offline AmiDude

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Re: Minimig AGA for the MiST v1.1
« Reply #2 on: September 12, 2015, 10:39:49 AM »
I own a MiST and I've tested 1.3 & 3.1 ROMs with WB 1.3/3.1 HD-images, and I can't tell the difference with a real A500/A1200. It outputs 50Hz perfectly; smooth scrolling in games and especially vertical scrolling in pinball games is perfect. Also 24-bit pictures looks the same as it is with a real A1200. It's amazing! I've hooked up a wireless keyboard & mouse and I'm very happy with it.
 

Offline Lurch

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Re: Minimig AGA for the MiST v1.1
« Reply #3 on: September 12, 2015, 11:04:12 AM »
Quote from: AmiDude;795507
I own a MiST and I've tested 1.3 & 3.1 ROMs with WB 1.3/3.1 HD-images, and I can't tell the difference with a real A500/A1200. It outputs 50Hz perfectly; smooth scrolling in games and especially vertical scrolling in pinball games is perfect. Also 24-bit pictures looks the same as it is with a real A1200. It's amazing! I've hooked up a wireless keyboard & mouse and I'm very happy with it.


Hmm, if it this good now might be a good replacement for real hardware? I wonder if the Mist can go in an A1200 or ATX case?
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A500 Plus Black 030@40MHz 128MB | A1200T 060@80MHz 320MB | Pegasos II G4@1GHz 1GB  | Amiga Future Sub
 

Offline dlr

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Re: Minimig AGA for the MiST v1.1
« Reply #4 on: September 12, 2015, 11:10:02 AM »
Looks like up to 24MB fast ram, what sort of speed is it in mips etc?

thanks
 

Offline ElPolloDiabl

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Re: Minimig AGA for the MiST v1.1
« Reply #5 on: September 12, 2015, 11:19:05 AM »
Last benchmark was the same speed as an A1200. There is no awesome speed improvement yet. It will be good when it gets past an 030 @ 50mhz.
edit: On Youtube the latest benchmark is 12.52 mips. That is a bit more impressive.
« Last Edit: September 12, 2015, 11:25:50 AM by ElPolloDiabl »
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Offline dlr

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Re: Minimig AGA for the MiST v1.1
« Reply #6 on: September 12, 2015, 11:25:53 AM »
Found this video suggesting some nice speed mips wise, just being compatabile is good though https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frYemE1p_58
 

Offline mahenTopic starter

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Re: Minimig AGA for the MiST v1.1
« Reply #7 on: September 12, 2015, 03:47:28 PM »
Quote from: Lurch;795512
Hmm, if it this good now might be a good replacement for real hardware? I wonder if the Mist can go in an A1200 or ATX case?


Check this : https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/a1200housing/new-amiga-1200-cases-made-from-new-molds

Compatibility is not perfect yet although it's improving a lot. CPU speed is on par with a fast 030.
 

Offline XDelusion

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Re: Minimig AGA for the MiST v1.1
« Reply #8 on: September 12, 2015, 06:17:41 PM »
If it plays Breathless full speed it must be fast...


So can you boot one of these direct into Work Bench, install on Hard drive or hard drive file, etc. How does all that work or is this basically a floppy disk image loader?
Earth has a lot of things other folks might want... like the whole planet. And maybe these folks would like a few changes made, like more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and room for their way of life. - William S. Burroughs
 

Offline Lurch

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Re: Minimig AGA for the MiST v1.1
« Reply #9 on: September 13, 2015, 05:22:58 AM »
Quote from: mahen;795523
Check this : https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/a1200housing/new-amiga-1200-cases-made-from-new-molds

Compatibility is not perfect yet although it's improving a lot. CPU speed is on par with a fast 030.


A shame about the last campaign falling over, glad to see they're trying again. To fit in the case though wont you also need a keyboard to match?

On the fence about spending 79 Euros, converting that to NZD is painful. But will see how my finances are towards the end. Would love a keyboard to go with it too., although I could use something like a keyrah. They're a good price, would still give me the retro feel.

I'm use to running an 060@MHz A1200 so that is why I've been holding off on these FPGAs, hopefully the speed will keep on improving.

A 060@80MHz is just over a 100mips, Quake/Doom and even Quake 2 is playable. Also play scummvm alot. Workbench screams too. So imagine an FPGA that is capable of 100+mips, the hobby scene would take off.

So having a look at again, would love the transparent case. But it appears that is more, with the standard case that is $190 NZD with shipping.
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A500 Plus Black 030@40MHz 128MB | A1200T 060@80MHz 320MB | Pegasos II G4@1GHz 1GB  | Amiga Future Sub
 

Offline Lurch

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Re: Minimig AGA for the MiST v1.1
« Reply #10 on: September 13, 2015, 05:30:53 AM »
The more I think about it the more tempted I am to sell some of my Amiga gear and get:

Kickstarter transparent case - 79 euro for a standard case.. 160 euro for a transparent :-(
Amiga Keyboard - Wish I could get a new one, but have a spare I can use. Black would be nice.
Raspberry Pi - $35 USD + USB power/charger.
Keyrah - 34.90 euro

Should give me a fast experience, faster than the 060 in an A1200 wedge... hmmm...

Does anyone know the best option of powering the keyrah and raspberry pi2 at the sametime? Can power be taken from the raspberry pi2 internally?
« Last Edit: September 13, 2015, 05:33:04 AM by Lurch »
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Offline IanP

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Re: Minimig AGA for the MiST v1.1
« Reply #11 on: September 13, 2015, 09:03:28 AM »
I believe the Keyrah is designed to be powered via the hosts USB. I would hope it has a relatively low current draw similar to a normal USB keyboard/controller. Where the PI will be mounted and in what orientation isn't clear yet so which ports will be internal and which available at the back of the case isn't known by me. If all the USB ports are at the back you'll probably need to loop back into the case to plug in the keyrah, if not  then I would expect they can be connected internally, but you may need to bring other connectors out via trailing (extension) leads out of the case or by making some kind of custom rear panel/adapter board. The new case should have a place to take 2 (rapid road) USB ports.
« Last Edit: September 13, 2015, 09:12:34 AM by IanP »
 

Offline IanP

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Re: Minimig AGA for the MiST v1.1
« Reply #12 on: September 13, 2015, 11:24:19 AM »
Lurch, transparent cases are 79 Euro, it's one of the standard case base colour options. A keycaps / A1200 keyboard kickstarter is also planned. I don't know if it will only happen if this kickstarter fails but if they both reach their goals I would imagine there's a good chance of the keyboards being ready before the cases.
« Last Edit: September 13, 2015, 11:26:43 AM by IanP »
 

Offline AmiDude

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Re: Minimig AGA for the MiST v1.1
« Reply #13 on: September 13, 2015, 11:57:48 AM »
Quote from: XDelusion;795528
If it plays Breathless full speed it must be fast...


So can you boot one of these direct into Work Bench, install on Hard drive or hard drive file, etc. How does all that work or is this basically a floppy disk image loader?


Yes, you can boot directly into Workbench. Kickstart ROM & HD image-file must be on the SD card. The HD image-fle can be made with WinUAE. A harddisk image-file can be treated just like a real HD with HDToolbox. This is the Mist I bought: MiST FPGA computer
The MiST is more compatible with software then WinUAE (often the sound is not synchronized with sound-samples in games, etc...). Heck I even have a NES ROM installed for playing old NES games like Super Mario Bros!! I think it's a very cool device!
« Last Edit: September 13, 2015, 01:16:26 PM by AmiDude »
 

Offline mahenTopic starter

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Re: Minimig AGA for the MiST v1.1
« Reply #14 on: September 13, 2015, 02:36:56 PM »
Please think twice before replacing your Amiga with a Raspberry Pi (if it's for Amiga emulation purpose). You're bound to have sync, 50 Hz, input delay, performance, blurriness... issues. Depends on your criterias of course, and the situation will probably improve eventually. Will be more compatible than a MiST, for the time being, though, but the overall experience is not comparable. (IMHO)
« Last Edit: September 13, 2015, 03:53:56 PM by mahen »