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Amiga News and Community Announcements => Amiga News and Community Announcements => Amiga Hardware News => Topic started by: Schoenfeld on January 04, 2009, 08:51:33 PM

Title: Software update for Indivision AGA
Post by: Schoenfeld on January 04, 2009, 08:51:33 PM
The new version V1.3 of the Indivision AGA Flash core now allows separate settings of the sync-polarity for standard- and HighGFX modes. Since some monitors use the polarity to switch between resolutions, this improves user-friendliness a lot, because switching between games and workbanch-based applications does not require any adjustments any more. Games mostly use PAL or NTSC screenmodes, while it's desirable to have the flicker-free high resolutions of HighGFX on the workbench.

Direct download: Indivision_Config_V100.lha (http://siliconsonic.de/t/bin/Indivision_Config_V100.lha)

Indivision AGA for the A1200 will be back in the shops shortly. The price remains at 129,- EUR. A version for the A4000D computer is planned for march 2009, the price will be identical with the A1200 version.

changes in EU power grid for 2009
A small detail has been changed for the EU power grid on january 1st, 2009: While the mains nominal voltage remains at 230V, the tolerance has been changed to +/- 10%.
In 1987, Germany has raised the nominal voltage from 220V to 230V. To protect existing devices, the tolerance was set to a lower boundary of -10% and an upper boundary of +6%, resulting in almost the same upper limit of 243V. This was done for a transition period that has ended on january 1st, 2009, so the new upper limit is now over 250V, which can cause more heat generation in older transformer-based power supplies. Modern switchmode-power supplies will presumably not have any problems with the changed tolerance. EU-Countries that have used 240V before (such as England) have lowered their nominal voltage.

Although Commodore was still in business in 1987, power supplies were specified for 220V. We recommend extremely good cooling for this generation of power supplies, and to remove the power plug when the devices are not in use. Protection against over-voltage can be provided by uninterruptable power sources that are independant of the input voltage (VI- and VFI-types). These types are also called "line-interactive" or "Online"-types. "Offline"-types do not offer over-voltage protection.

Increasing the mains voltage can reduce line losses. The relation between transferred energy and line losses gets better with higher voltages, so this can protect the enviroment by reducing CO2 emissions. However, the primary goal of these changes is the EU-wide harmonization of voltages, which has been completed with this final step.
Title: Re: Software update for Indivision AGA
Post by: Matt_H on January 04, 2009, 10:27:00 PM
Is the Indivision 4000 version expected to fit 4000Ts as well?
Title: Re: Software update for Indivision AGA
Post by: Trev on January 04, 2009, 10:34:33 PM
Love the addition of the public service announcement, Jens. I used to keep a six-inch fan mounted above my C64 power supply.
Title: Re: Software update for Indivision AGA
Post by: Schoenfeld on January 04, 2009, 11:25:12 PM
The forthcoming 4000 version is made specifically for the 4000D. It may also fit the CD32 (got to try it out when the prototype is here), but it will not fit the 4000T.

A special 4000T version is very unlikely - I'd need a certain minimum order quantity to justify a new PCB. I have no idea how many 4000T are out there, but it's presumably only a few hundred. Even with a market coverage of 50%, I may still only sell 200 units, which would not break even with all the initial cost of a new PCB.

Jens
Title: Re: Software update for Indivision AGA
Post by: Retro_71 on January 05, 2009, 12:06:25 AM
Great News I have bought the A1200 version and i am very very happy with it and am looking forward to the A4kD version will order one for sure.
Great work as always Jens
Title: Re: Software update for Indivision AGA
Post by: Lorraine on January 05, 2009, 12:47:18 AM
Yes! Jens, you are the Amiga God to me!
Title: Re: Software update for Indivision AGA
Post by: Amigaz on January 05, 2009, 09:54:12 AM
Was hoping for an A4000T SD/SS but my old Arxon SD/FF will stay in service in that machine instead :D
But my A4000D machines needs a couple of Indivision's ;)
Great news, Jens!
Title: Re: Software update for Indivision AGA
Post by: 560SL on January 05, 2009, 12:28:52 PM
I would really, really, really like the A4000T version...
Title: Re: Software update for Indivision AGA
Post by: lorddef on January 05, 2009, 04:36:32 PM
Elbox would've marketed it as the Indivision SX Gold Plus Plus and charged for the update ....
Title: Re: Software update for Indivision AGA
Post by: Schoenfeld on January 05, 2009, 05:41:13 PM
errmm.. my company policy has always been that updates are free. Please note the difference between an update (improvement of existing features) and an upgrade (adding new functionality). Most upgrades are also free from me, if they don't involve new hardware.

Take the C-One for example: The FPGA extender was an upgrade, and it's a new piece of hardware - that's of course not free. The core updates can also be considered an upgrade, for example the Christmas-download of the Minimig core with lots more memory for the Amiga at no cost.

Maybe that's the reason why my hardware hardly loses value over time. Consider it an investment :-)

Jens
Title: Re: Software update for Indivision AGA
Post by: Trev on January 06, 2009, 12:23:18 AM
Speaking of updates ... 64-bit Windows Catweasel drivers? Please? ;-)
Title: Re: Software update for Indivision AGA
Post by: NovaCoder on January 06, 2009, 03:10:32 AM
Cools thanks Jens  :-)

Any chance that a VGA backing plate will find it's way into the box with the new batch?

 :-D
Title: Re: Software update for Indivision AGA
Post by: kolla on January 06, 2009, 03:27:41 AM
Hello Jens

I've got a couple of questions regarding Indivision that I hope is OK to ask here :-)

* 800x600 mode? I tried using Super72, but it doesnt really work well, I dont know it if it's supposed to work well either though. Is there something like HighGfx that can provide a good 800x600 with Indivision?

* I would love to have the 640x512 PAL display to fill my TFT not only horisontally, but also vertically. The best I have managed so far is this weird letterbox-like mode with borders above and below.

I have put various screenshots and related pics on my webserver, it shows how PAL mode never reaches the top of my monitor display. It's a bit annoying when playing games, since the picture is not displayed in 4:3 as it was meant to be. I've tried to tweak H-sync and V-sync, but only managed to freak out the monitor to not show anything. :-)

http://amiga.nvg.org/moro/Indivision_AGA/

Other than these tiny problems, I really love it - thanks alot for a great product!
Title: Re: Software update for Indivision AGA
Post by: NovaCoder on January 06, 2009, 03:47:16 AM
Yep a 800x600 mode would be a good idea, I'll ask the author of HighGFX if he can do one for us  :-)
Title: Re: Software update for Indivision AGA
Post by: yssing on January 06, 2009, 09:37:18 AM

If only this sort of HW could be made for the A600
Title: Re: Software update for Indivision AGA
Post by: kolla on January 06, 2009, 12:32:30 PM
Quote

If only this sort of HW could be made for the A600.

Would be lovely yes. And a new CPU+RAM card ofcourse. With integrated USB controller. And ethernet, and...  :-D
Title: Re: Software update for Indivision AGA
Post by: Lorraine on January 06, 2009, 02:24:18 PM
The A600 is cool in its own right imo, but there is no market for it as the A1200 offers at lot more for just being slightly bigger size.
Title: Re: Indivision AGA 4000
Post by: easy_john on January 22, 2009, 11:26:00 AM
Does Iniv4000 fit AGA slot or over Alice Chip, like Indiv1200?

I plain to add 4000Di Mediator in near future, and it dosnt have AGA slot.

PS I already buy indiv1200 and very happy with it.

PPS but if Indiv.FF have internal connector for vga signal from b/c-vision and switch to quick change signal source - it vill be absolutely perfect.
I have b/c-vision and must use external switcher, its take lot place, many cords, etc..
Title: Re: Software update for Indivision AGA
Post by: trixster on October 10, 2016, 08:11:50 PM
Sorry to drag up a really old thread, but did you ever find a way to fix this issue? My newly acquired A4000 has an indivision AGA fitted and I'm seeing this exact same 'letterboxing' with PAL and NTSC.

Quote from: kolla;507635
Hello Jens

I've got a couple of questions regarding Indivision that I hope is OK to ask here :-)

* 800x600 mode? I tried using Super72, but it doesnt really work well, I dont know it if it's supposed to work well either though. Is there something like HighGfx that can provide a good 800x600 with Indivision?

* I would love to have the 640x512 PAL display to fill my TFT not only horisontally, but also vertically. The best I have managed so far is this weird letterbox-like mode with borders above and below.

I have put various screenshots and related pics on my webserver, it shows how PAL mode never reaches the top of my monitor display. It's a bit annoying when playing games, since the picture is not displayed in 4:3 as it was meant to be. I've tried to tweak H-sync and V-sync, but only managed to freak out the monitor to not show anything. :-)

http://amiga.nvg.org/moro/Indivision_AGA/

Other than these tiny problems, I really love it - thanks alot for a great product!
Title: Re: Software update for Indivision AGA
Post by: goldfish on October 10, 2016, 08:18:51 PM
Have we gone back in time 2009 ?
Title: Re: Software update for Indivision AGA
Post by: goldfish on October 10, 2016, 08:21:36 PM
Kolla Vampire is the A600 answer to hires screen output and with a hell of speed incress as well. Price is only down side if only this hardware could be made more affordable.
Title: Re: Software update for Indivision AGA
Post by: trixster on October 10, 2016, 08:26:32 PM
Quote from: goldfish;815096
Have we gone back in time 2009 ?

Like I said, dragging up an old thread but Kolla's issue is relevant to what I'm seeing with my A4000 and the thread left his quandary hanging. So I'm wondering if it was ever resolved. A long old look through the Amiga.org and eab doesn't show anything but I could well have missed it.

The Indi AGA config does not seem to give anyway to manipulate the output of PAL 640x512 and NTSC 640x480 resolutions like the AGA Mk2 config does.
Title: Re: Software update for Indivision AGA
Post by: polyp2000 on October 11, 2016, 07:45:37 AM
Quote from: goldfish;815096
Have we gone back in time 2009 ?


Hah -
Every time this thread gets updated, for all of a few minutes I think
"wow about time there was a firmware update" but this is always short lived as i realize its just got bumped again.

Will the promised graffiti emulation ever surface or was this just another idle promise without any intention?
Title: Re: Software update for Indivision AGA
Post by: Menthos on October 11, 2016, 08:39:41 AM
Quote from: polyp2000;815104
Will the promised graffiti emulation ever surface or was this just another idle promise without any intention?


I'm also waiting for the Graffiti emulation... Still hoping but not beliving it will turn up.
Title: Re: Software update for Indivision AGA
Post by: kolla on October 12, 2016, 10:49:56 PM
Quote from: goldfish;815097
Kolla Vampire is the A600 answer to hires screen output and with a hell of speed incress as well. Price is only down side if only this hardware could be made more affordable.


Sure, this was something I wrote 7 years ago, back in 2009.
Title: Re: Software update for Indivision AGA
Post by: gertsy on October 12, 2016, 10:58:17 PM
Quote from: trixster;815098
Like I said, dragging up an old thread but Kolla's issue is relevant to what I'm seeing with my A4000 and the thread left his quandary hanging. So I'm wondering if it was ever resolved. A long old look through the Amiga.org and eab doesn't show anything but I could well have missed it.

The Indi AGA config does not seem to give anyway to manipulate the output of PAL 640x512 and NTSC 640x480 resolutions like the AGA Mk2 config does.


I'm sure someone has an answer.....
Title: Re: Software update for Indivision AGA
Post by: kolla on October 12, 2016, 11:21:17 PM
Quote from: gertsy;815190
I'm sure someone has an answer.....


I never found a solution for this.
Title: Re: Software update for Indivision AGA
Post by: RealHomer on October 12, 2016, 11:55:25 PM
Quote from: Menthos;815106
I'm also waiting for the Graffiti emulation... Still hoping but not beliving it will turn up.


Wait, Graffiti actually worked?  Mine has just been sitting in a box.  I could never get it to work even after corresponding with Jens.  Output was the same whether plugged in or not.  I always thought it was a hoax.