Amiga.org

Amiga computer related discussion => General chat about Amiga topics => Topic started by: amigakit on January 01, 2014, 09:38:57 PM

Title: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: amigakit on January 01, 2014, 09:38:57 PM
As you know, AmigaKit.com has been reinvesting revenue back into the Classic Amiga hardware market for some years.  In previous years we have produced/financed projects such as AmigaOS 4.1 Classic, ZorRAM, MAS Player Evolution, Automatic Joystick Switcher, Arcade Evolution Joystick and others.   We also have helped A-EON Technology with the new Prisma Megamix Sound Card.

This year we are looking to do the same.  What Classic Amiga hardware or software do you want to be developed?  If it is realistic and commercial, we will consider it.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Robert17 on January 01, 2014, 09:44:12 PM
More Denebs and Subways Or Equivilent products would be marvellous :)

Happy New Year Amigakit, keep up the good work :)
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: giZmo350 on January 01, 2014, 10:04:00 PM
How's EasyNet Pro coming along?  :cool:
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Kawazu on January 01, 2014, 10:05:33 PM
Would love another Deneb batch or somthing like it with the same speed or better :)
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Dr.Bongo on January 01, 2014, 10:12:53 PM
Anything that gives USB or Ethernet via zorro :)
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: don27dog on January 01, 2014, 10:13:47 PM
Sign me up for another deneb if you produce another batch.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Matt_H on January 01, 2014, 10:19:23 PM
Happy new year! Thanks for taking requests :)

Yes, a new clockport USB card would be excellent, especially if similarly sized to the Subway so as to be compatible with the A604.

Commercial-level distribution of one of those automatic RTG/native video switchers that some of the a1k.org folks have developed would be great, essentially offering passthrough for all those RTG boards that don't support it (CVPPC, Mediator, etc). Might as well wish for a new Zorro RTG card, too :)

Similarly, commercial-level distribution of one of those adapters that allow use of regular PC floppy drives as Amiga high-density floppy drives. Again, I think there were a few groups on a1k.org that made some of these.

I could also be interested in some replica CD32 controllers. It's the most-compatible 7-button joypad on the Amiga. I know the originals got a lot of flak back in the day, but I always thought the design was kinda cool - and definitely unique. The problem was Commodore's poor build quality...

On the software side, I'd like to see delfina.library updated and fixed for non-Flipper edition boards. I'd happily pay for that. And if you could acquire the distribution rights - or better, the development rights - to Envoy, that would be phenomenal. I think Easynet would look great as an Envoy .service, hint hint :)
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: XDelusion on January 01, 2014, 10:39:34 PM
Hmm, lets see, let me make some tall orders.

First and foremost. More people in the U.S. that can do hardware repairs and upgrades on Amigas. I still have not gotten the IDE adapter I ordered working, and now my kickstart socket it damaged, Hurray!


Hardware:
An IDE adaptor for the A1200 and or A600 that installs with ease and does not try to share space with other upgrades.

A GFX card for the A600 or A1200.

Amiga on a PCI card (FPGA?) for use with MorphOS, OS4, and AROS machines with PCI slots. The idea behind this would be to call upon the hardware directly to launch apps and games that require the original Amiga chip set(s).

MIDI Adapter with more inputs and outputs than offered before.

Software:

 Well this isn't Amiga specific, but I'd love to see something for MorphOS that both Amithlon and OS4 users get to enjoy...

...a program to redirect all calls to the Paula chip to AHI instead. I'd pay for that! :)

 A modern game construction kit? :)


------

I don't know what to ask for, but these would help!
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Rob on January 01, 2014, 10:41:54 PM
I shouldn't need to mention it but extra RAM and bootable mass storage for the CD32 has got to be on the list.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: NovaCoder on January 01, 2014, 10:43:34 PM
How about helping Jens to finish his A1200 SATA controller, that would be cool :)
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: kamelito on January 01, 2014, 10:48:07 PM
Quote from: XDelusion;755941
Hmm, lets see, let me make some tall orders.

...a program to redirect all calls to the Paula chip to AHI instead. I'd pay for that! :)

 why ? If it's a software for classic then Paula is present so why use AHI instead? Kamelito
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: yssing on January 01, 2014, 10:53:23 PM
There are new ethernet cards available and over at amibay there is a guy selling new and updated thylacine usb cards.
What I think we really need, is a new zorroII/III RTG graphics card.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Matt_H on January 01, 2014, 10:54:53 PM
Quote from: XDelusion;755941
...a program to redirect all calls to the Paula chip to AHI instead. I'd pay for that! :)


Already exists (http://aminet.net/package/mus/misc/NallePUH)! :) But the readme suggests it's far from perfect. I don't see the point on a Classic system, though...
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Crumb on January 01, 2014, 11:07:14 PM
Quote from: amigakit;755929
This year we are looking to do the same.  What Classic Amiga hardware or software do you want to be developed?  If it is realistic and commercial, we will consider it.


Perhaps some zorro card that interfaces a RaspberryPi to get ethernet, usb, audio and video decoder :-) a high end fpga accelerator would be nice too but I guess that as long as fpga m68k emulation is slower than 060 and doesn't provide FPU it won't make much sense.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: XDelusion on January 01, 2014, 11:25:31 PM
Quote from: kamelito;755945
Quote from: XDelusion;755941
Hmm, lets see, let me make some tall orders.

...a program to redirect all calls to the Paula chip to AHI instead. I'd pay for that! :)

 why ? If it's a software for classic then Paula is present so why use AHI instead? Kamelito

For MorphOS running on non-classic hardware. All four of my classic systems need work... work is not cheap nor easy to come by. Matter of fact my last A600 took 3 freaking years to get back only to find it had something else wrong that needed fixed. So I'm looking for alternatives big time right now and don't have the cash (or desire) for an OS 4 system. Thus far Amithlon seems to be the best solution for me till MorphOS gets something like this, then the Efika, Mac Mini, G5, etc. All will be classic Amigas minus the AGA.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: HardStep on January 02, 2014, 12:03:54 AM
Quote from: XDelusion;755941
I still have not gotten the IDE adapter I ordered working, and now my kickstart socket it damaged, Hurray!

Quote from: NovaCoder;755943
How about helping Jens to finish his A1200 SATA controller, that would be cool :)

I broke a pin off a Kickstart chip while trying to get my FastATA working some years ago, later damaged the adapter itself:p
I would even be interested in the same adapter again if there is nothing comparable on the market.
Would you expect having FastATA back in stock ever again?

Extremely happy with my IdeFix express though, I will definitely buy Jens' a1200 SATA should it become available.

Edit: Sign me up for a clockport Prisma Megamix:)
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Crom00 on January 02, 2014, 12:06:40 AM
I don't have one Amiga at this point that doesn't have some kind of hardware quirk. It is time for a FPGA board solution to offer:
A) full AGA and classic chipset emulation
B) 32 bit capability
C) Upgrade path-

 somekind of upgrade path so that we can move away from vintage hardware and offer a reasonable amount of compatibility.

Natami was a dream, Minimig is great...
FPGA arcade seems to be it but that project moves at the pace that it moves.

I don't think Amiga OS4 is it, way to expensive for hardware and software. Port it to X86 and arm, run it on everything lower the price and it will take off as a cool retro hobbyist platform. A Kickstarter to get OS4 ported to X86 and ARM commodity hardware makes the most sense to me.

Call me crazy and thanks for your work on supporting AMIGA!
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Madshib on January 02, 2014, 12:18:58 AM
I'd love to see a new batch of PPC and/or 040/060 cards with the potential for a grafx accelerator(all classic Amiga models). What better to expand the OS 4 base than with revitalizing hardware for the existing machines. I am absolutely fascinated with the Blizzard PPC cards and the BVision add on. I often wonder why this approach wasn't utilized by other companies in other accelerators.

A new case replacement project would be nice.

Oooh Oooh! How about a DVD/CD add on package?

:)
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: persia on January 02, 2014, 12:21:36 AM
I know this is an even bigger ask, but Amiga motherboards aren't getting any younger.  Would it be possible to have a new Amiga motherboard?
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: haywirepc on January 02, 2014, 12:24:01 AM
They could port to x86 or arm for zero investment through a kickstarter campaign. Instead, they want to keep their heads buried in the sand and continue to rob and rape the remaining amiga fans for 10+ year old spec hardware at ridiculous prices.

There are no good apps for os4, only linux ports. Hey dummy, I can run linux and linux apps for free!

Os4 is dead or dying a slow death still. DEAD DEAD DEAD.

Look to MorphOS or AROS for the future of amiga...
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: desantii on January 02, 2014, 01:11:49 AM
How about SCSI - IDE adapters, even better better SCSI to SATA
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Rob on January 02, 2014, 01:49:21 AM
Quote from: haywirepc;755959
They could port to x86 or arm for zero investment through a kickstarter campaign. Instead, they want to keep their heads buried in the sand and continue to rob and rape the remaining amiga fans for 10+ year old spec hardware at ridiculous prices.

There are no good apps for os4, only linux ports. Hey dummy, I can run linux and linux apps for free!

Os4 is dead or dying a slow death still. DEAD DEAD DEAD.

Look to MorphOS or AROS for the future of amiga...


Why are you going berserk about OS4 again?  The topic being discussed here is classic hardware, i.e. 68k, so it's mainly about 1.x, 2.x, 3x etc.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: x56h34 on January 02, 2014, 01:53:25 AM
I would love to see an adapter that let's you use a sega mega drive / genesis 6 button controller with amiga cd32 / regular amiga.

The adapter would automap the 6 buttons to correct cd32 buttons.

If the above is feasible with any other controller out there (snes, playstation, etc) then that would be great, too!

The key is for the adapter to be 100% independent of any amiga os drivers and that it can interface with full compatibility for multi button games as if it were a real amiga cd32 joystick.

I would even suggest an evolution of your newly released amiga arcade joystick with multiple buttons, so that cd32 multi button game compatibility would be achieved.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: NovaCoder on January 02, 2014, 01:58:39 AM
Quote from: persia;755958
I know this is an even bigger ask, but Amiga motherboards aren't getting any younger.  Would it be possible to have a new Amiga motherboard?


It's called CloneA, you just can't buy it.

Another great project for AmigaKit to fund though, good idea :)

If the Scan juggler ever gets released and has RTG support (as promised), couple that with Jens new SATA IdeFix Express and my A1200 will be rocking to a whole new level :)
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: psxphill on January 02, 2014, 03:02:14 AM
Quote from: Crom00;755955
I don't have one Amiga at this point that doesn't have some kind of hardware quirk. It is time for a FPGA board solution to offer:
A) full AGA and classic chipset emulation
B) 32 bit capability
C) Upgrade path-
 
somekind of upgrade path so that we can move away from vintage hardware and offer a reasonable amount of compatibility.

I think WinUAE is probably the best bet for that.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on January 02, 2014, 03:14:48 AM
I'd love to see more graphics cards for classic big-box systems. Recent prices even for "low end" Picasso II-level graphics cards have been fetching over $200 USD, and Cybervision64/Picasso IV-level cards over $500 on Ebay. I'm no hardware engineer but would think for that kind of money wouldn't it be possible to design some kind of bridge for a PC video chipset to Zorro, and write CGX/Picasso96 drivers for it?
 
In other words, I can buy Radeon HD cards for $50-$75 that offer outstanding performance, they could be bridged ala the old "Domino" style Amiga video card, that was basically just an interface for a PC graphics card, right?
 
http://amiga.resource.cx/exp/domino
 
Also I'm still waiting to hear when more X-Surf 100 cards will be available? And when will the USB be working on those cards? No offense to the builder but the Thylacine's they're selling over on Amibay are terrible-slow on Zorro II. I want to see what Jens can do! :D
 
Thanks for all your hard work! :pint:
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on January 02, 2014, 03:18:16 AM
PS - what is this AmigaOS Boing Ball Plush?  I want a bigger one!  Like, beachball size!  :hammer:
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Drummerboy on January 02, 2014, 03:35:42 AM
Happy new year.

For all Classic Amigas, any floppy disk emulation alternative. I know there is the HXC, but maybe you could develop any other option, putting something new over the Classic Amiga Market and compete.

Other thing, I think could be interesting, any Network card option for A4000 Desktop or A2000 too.

Regards.
Regards
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: midway on January 02, 2014, 03:46:00 AM
Definitely a zorro 3 usb card. More denebs ?
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: amiman99 on January 02, 2014, 03:54:59 AM
I'll vote for:
1. New affordable Graphics Card for big box Amigas 2/3/4000 (like Picasso)
2. New accelerator for A2/3/4000s, for the past year the A500/600/1200 got new stuff, but nothing for the big boys. Fast 040 or 060 with onboard memory would be best.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: hceline on January 02, 2014, 04:22:55 AM
This:
Quote from: persia;755958
I know this is an even bigger ask, but Amiga  motherboards aren't getting any younger.  Would it be possible to have a  new Amiga motherboard?

And the most logical solution to tha problem would be:

Quote from: Crom00;755955
I don't have one Amiga at this point that doesn't have some kind of hardware quirk. It is time for a FPGA board solution to offer:
A) full AGA and classic chipset emulation
B) 32 bit capability
C) Upgrade path-

 somekind of upgrade path so that we can move away from vintage hardware and offer a reasonable amount of compatibility.
!

In my opinion.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on January 02, 2014, 05:49:03 AM
Also not a hardware project but probably cheap to produce: how about some Amiga socks? C'mon, I do roller derby, us derby folk love to show off our socks, I'd order some for sure! ;)
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: B00tDisk on January 02, 2014, 06:23:58 AM
What about an extended MiniMig with a few (3) PCI slots on it and mATX form factor?  Bang in a USB card and ethernet and an amiga-supported graphics card (Radeon PCI or Voodoo) and you'd have a nice little classic "productivity" system there.

'course you'd need a PCI controller solution and libraries, too, so this is probably impossible.

But!  If you guys made one I'd buy it for sure :)
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: darksun9210 on January 02, 2014, 08:43:34 AM
really really need an Ethernet option for A500 :) - or just a re-run of subway/clockport USB cards...

also, with low profile cards these days, maybe a Zorro3 card that has an inline PCI or PCI-e slot in a low profile card sized cut out for mounting an Ethernet/usb/firewire/gfx card?

kinda like the way the original x-surf mounted its ISA nic card, but only the user can plug in what they want...

or maybe replacement A3k/A4k card risers with PCI/PCIe slots onboard?

or.... blank 040/060 accelerator cards, user supplies their own cpu? 1/2gig soldered on ram, CF slot, "fast slot" to run a ribbon to the PCI/PCIe riser?

dsp audio card? lots of 16bit audio channels with no CPU usage?

pies and skys ;) shoot for the stars, you might get the moon :D
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: SaruwatariKaito on January 02, 2014, 08:59:11 AM
I would like to see an Amiga 1200 Tower Case, similar design to the X1000.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: AAACHIPSET on January 02, 2014, 09:33:11 AM
Quote from: amigakit;755929
As you know, AmigaKit.com has been reinvesting revenue back into the Classic Amiga hardware market for some years.  In previous years we have produced/financed projects such as AmigaOS 4.1 Classic, ZorRAM, MAS Player Evolution, Automatic Joystick Switcher, Arcade Evolution Joystick and others.   We also have helped A-EON Technology with the new Prisma Megamix Sound Card.

This year we are looking to do the same.  What Classic Amiga hardware or software do you want to be developed?  If it is realistic and commercial, we will consider it.
my a1200  almost full inside  ..would  hopefully  be able to get a new sound card ..though i guess ill settle for a mas player  ...what id really like is a cpu upgrade to a new model of a ppc board  with a back up 040/060 ..these chips  should be a lot cheaper now  so it may be feasible ..if still expensive ..to suggest a totally wild idea ..how about a updated version of the classic  operating system that runs on 68k chips ..3.9  is not that much of a jump from 3.1  ..a 68k version of os4 be nice ..with all the networking  included ..just a thought
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: JohnFante on January 02, 2014, 09:41:28 AM
Quote from: Matt_H;755938
Commercial-level distribution of one of those automatic RTG/native video switchers that some of the a1k.org folks have developed would be great, essentially offering passthrough for all those RTG boards that don't support it (CVPPC, Mediator, etc)


One of theese would be great. All configured with the right cables/adaptors/brackets so that it switches autmaticly from a Indivision with DVI and a Voodoo/Radeon with d-sub/DVI.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: lost_loven on January 02, 2014, 11:42:42 AM
scsi sd card adapter
not a scsi to a ide to sd but just something simple, scsi to sd.
lost
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Bennymee on January 02, 2014, 12:05:29 PM
A SATA Zorro2/3 card would be good to use new hardrives and it is more reality then a 68060/FPGA accelerator or even an PPC accelerator.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: mrmoonlight on January 02, 2014, 12:19:46 PM
Happy New Year Amigakit  any thing for my A1200 please, best wishes Brian/
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on January 02, 2014, 01:41:42 PM
Quote from: Crom00;755955
Natami was a dream, Minimig is great...

Natami was the only "post-classic" Amiga system that I was ever really excited about.  There we go, since we're asking for the sky, why not just pick up whatever the pieces of Natami were and complete that project?  :lol:

On a side note, it's interesting how many things on this list that people are asking for already exist.  Maybe in some cases it's just a matter of "connecting sellers to buyers", i.e., making the interested party aware of the product.  This could be done perhaps on some level by AmigaKit picking up marketing/distribution for products that (for example) are only available on Amibay or those German A1K forums.  In other cases it seems like just churning out another production run of already existing hardware.  For products that have been designed/manufactured within the past decade that shouldn't be too hard to accomplish, right?  :lol:
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: lionstorm on January 02, 2014, 02:07:52 PM
Quote from: midway;755979
Definitely a zorro 3 usb card. More denebs ?



+1 here for more Deneb and Subway at an affordable price !

a nice extra would be a new gfx card but who will do the 2d-3d driver then, now the warp3D 68k is abandonned ?
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Linde on January 02, 2014, 03:58:55 PM
I'd really love to see this turn into a product: http://lallafa.de/blog/amiga-projects/plipbox/. It doesn't seem unrealistic, and an easy way to get ethernet to Amigas that don't have the PCMCIA port that are otherwise unexpanded.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Faerytale on January 02, 2014, 04:00:14 PM
A new classic motherboard fore a500 case with all bells & whistles! USB,Scandoubler,NIC Super-AGA.
PM me when i can order!
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: motrucker on January 02, 2014, 04:02:04 PM
Merry Christmas Amigakit. I wish you guys the best.
How 'bout almost anything (ethernet, USB, RAM, SATA) that is zorro 2 compatible. I know some of this exists, but I have feeling you could do better, and make it easier to buy. A lot of us still use A2000 machines.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: rdolores on January 02, 2014, 04:22:25 PM
I'd like to see a Zorro II/III multifunction card with the following:
- RTG graphics with VGA output
- 10/100 Ethernet Port
- USB ports (2)
- IDE/SATA internal ports for newer storage devices
- Integrated SD Card slot
- Built-in Floppy emulator (to be used in conjunction with SD card)
- Clockports (2) one of which will be used for an actual battery-backed clock since most big-box Amigas have already had their old batteries removed.
Optional:
- 16-bit AC97 sound with line-in as well as line out to work with audio samplers.

This will update my A2000's quite nicely.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: rdolores on January 02, 2014, 04:27:18 PM
One more thing, since the A500 model is the largest base of Amiga's out there:

- A side-car enclosure with a Zorro II slot to fit the multi-function card, I've proposed in my above post.

Between the A2000/A500 users for the Zorro II card, and A3000/A4000 users for the Zorro III boards, you'll have covered most Amiga models.  The A1200/A600 already have a lot of updated hardware for it.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: gary2000 on January 02, 2014, 04:27:34 PM
Wish list...

For A2000:
A2630 memory expansions (like DKB) or affordable accelerators 040/060 (+PPC?) & Buddha w/SATA or SD mem)

A4000:
new 040/060 AGA motherboard replacements (FPGA)  with VGA to replace ones that have too many problems to fix.

Important: All done the 'Commodore way'... the cheapest parts, cut costs, lowest prices possible.   Too much to ask for? :)
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Crom00 on January 02, 2014, 04:35:20 PM
I like the idea of Amigakit taking over NATAMI. That was a fun project, the most Amiga-ish yet. I also did the non modified, type only logo for that so I am fond of NATAMI.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Daniele on January 02, 2014, 07:25:19 PM
Quote from: amigakit;755929

This year we are looking to do the same.  What Classic Amiga hardware or software do you want to be developed?  If it is realistic and commercial, we will consider it.


Personally I believe there is a segment of people still wanting to

1) own a tower case for A1200 so it would be great to see more EZ Z4 Tower Conversion Kits.

2) more and more people still need idefix express or similar IDE devices to hook up a CD Rom to their Amiga 1200.

3) Hardware and Software for a USB device for A1200..

I have some other ideas but I think these three comes first.

Good Luck AmigaKit we are Always going to support you!
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: amiga1260 on January 02, 2014, 07:32:01 PM
I would like to see some new Tower cases for Amiga 1200 and Amiga 4000.

And a black case for the ACA 500 card.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on January 02, 2014, 07:38:09 PM
Hey, here's another idea that would cost almost nothing and provide free advertising:  stickers!  Print up a batch of AmigaKit stickers and throw one in with each order, or each order over a certain price point, something like that.  I know I'd love to rock one on the back window of my truck (or possibly on my Amiga, LOL).  :mickeymouse:

Oh, and thanks for this post, it reminded me of about $150 worth of bits I needed to get from you guys.  Order placed!  :D
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Darth_X on January 02, 2014, 08:06:04 PM
Quote from: yssing;755946
There are new ethernet cards available and over at amibay there is a guy selling new and updated thylacine usb cards.
What I think we really need, is a new zorroII/III RTG graphics card.


Well bring him over here! I don't have an account there because I do not agree with their terms of service.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Themamboman on January 02, 2014, 08:07:40 PM
Commercialized version of the plipbox?  Ethernet for every Amiga!

As others have stated, USB controller card, with either Zorro II or clockport connection (like the new sound card), so that many classics could use it.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: guest7146 on January 02, 2014, 08:25:37 PM
I have no idea whether this would be feasible in terms of costs/returns - I suspect probably not - but I would love to see a good (020 or 030) Amiga 500 accelerator that also provided a single-port IDE bus for a CF boot drive.  If it also provided a means of network connection then even better.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on January 02, 2014, 08:27:04 PM
Quote from: Darth_X;756035
Well bring him over here! I don't have an account there because I do not agree with their terms of service.

And some people don't like amiga.org. Go figure! :angry: That's why I suggested AmigaKit look into commercial distribution of these type of products, rather than through forums. Other good hardware that might benefit from commercial distribution might be everything made by Kipper2K, the Ratte monitor switch, the Protein von Botfixer accelerator, the new "Vampire 600" accelerators, etc.
 
Guess it's a question of margins? Could the larger distribution channel AmigaKit would provide offset whatever cut the actual builders of this hardware would take? And how would warranties be handled? Board goes back to AmigaKit, and if they can't fix it back to the designer? It's a lot of logistics that would have to be worked out.
 
FYI about the Thylacine, he makes two models: a single port and a four port model. They're not bad priced, I have the single port, but they don't work very well on Zorro II equipped Amigas. :( Supposedly rock on A3000/A4000's, however. :)
 
Here's a couple pics from his threads:
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Darth_X on January 02, 2014, 08:40:09 PM
Quote from: amiga1260;756032
I would like to see some new Tower cases for Amiga 1200 and Amiga 4000.

And a black case for the ACA 500 card.
And a black case to put the A500 in as well?
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Lozspd4 on January 02, 2014, 08:41:41 PM
Hi Amigakit How about a ram expansion 256mb with cf card+flash rom possability for the A3640. Just like the x-calibur. There`s enough 040,s that are crying out for this.

Thanks for you help and fantastic service throughout the 2013.
Laurence
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: desiv on January 02, 2014, 08:44:26 PM
Interesting question..
I have an Amiga 1200 with PCMCIA ethernet, ACA1230/28, MAS player, and a GBS-8200 for use on my LCD.
I also have a SurfSquirrel with SCSI CDRom, which is neat, but I don't use too often...

So, what else might I "buy" for that system?
Only thing I can think of would be a USB adapter maybe, and even that would only be if it weren't too expensive..

I might be tempted to get a real FF/SD if it had some RTG features, but again, I'm expecting that to be too expensive for me...
Do I want RTG, sure..  Do I want it enough to pay over $100?  I didn't pull the trigger on the AGAMk2, so probably not...

As for my Amiga 1000, I'm seriously considering what might be in the ACA1000 when released..
Again, it's higher (guessing on the cost as it hasn't been released) that I normally would go, but it does  cover many features...
But beyond that???  Probably not..

I did hear someone mention an adapter for Sega PADs that would allow them to mimic a CD32 pad.  That would be tempting...

I am not into Big Box Amigas, so zorro stuff isn't really for me...

desiv
(maybe a nice packaged case/cable combo for the GBS-82xx for those people who want the less expensive (compared to a serious SD/FF) setup but don't want the soldering/cable mess. Mine is in a plastic CD case currently.  Works, but not pretty.  ;)  )
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Darth_X on January 02, 2014, 09:03:31 PM
Quote from: Crumb;755948
Perhaps some zorro card that interfaces a RaspberryPi to get ethernet, usb, audio and video decoder :-) a high end fpga accelerator would be nice too but I guess that as long as fpga m68k emulation is slower than 060 and doesn't provide FPU it won't make much sense.


I was thinking same thing, using an updated siamese type system.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Fransexy_ on January 02, 2014, 09:33:03 PM
Quote from: amigakit;755929
As you know, AmigaKit.com has been reinvesting revenue back into the Classic Amiga hardware market for some years.  In previous years we have produced/financed projects such as AmigaOS 4.1 Classic, ZorRAM, MAS Player Evolution, Automatic Joystick Switcher, Arcade Evolution Joystick and others.   We also have helped A-EON Technology with the new Prisma Megamix Sound Card.

This year we are looking to do the same.  What Classic Amiga hardware or software do you want to be developed?  If it is realistic and commercial, we will consider it.

Amiga1200 trapdoor slot accelerators was in the past very big and occupied all the space but with today technology you can put a CPU Accelerator with RGT GFX and monitor swither/scan doubler/ flickerfixer all in the trapdoor space

Another thing that is realistic and I want  it is a clockport doubler (or quad)
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: nicholas on January 02, 2014, 10:25:20 PM
How about financing a large production run of the FPGA Replay and 060 addons for it?
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: mikej on January 02, 2014, 10:35:30 PM
Quote from: nicholas;756064
How about financing a large production run of the FPGA Replay and 060 addons for it?


Financing isn't the problem, it's currently production quality and test time.
I "think" I have a deal to get testing/rework done at the factory now which will speed things up hugely. Let's face it, I'm the bottle-neck in this.

/MikeJ
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: lumi on January 02, 2014, 10:35:53 PM
Quote from: amiga1260;756032
I would like to see some new Tower cases for Amiga 1200 and Amiga 4000.

And a black case for the ACA 500 card.

I would like to see some Tower cases for A1200 too, as those are almost impossible to find and buy NEW.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: guest7146 on January 02, 2014, 10:49:36 PM
Quote from: lumi;756066
I would like to see some Tower cases for A1200 too, as those are almost impossible to find and buy NEW.


Yep +1 for the A1200 tower suggestion.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: guest7146 on January 02, 2014, 10:51:18 PM
Quote from: lumi;756066
I would like to see some Tower cases for A1200 too, as those are almost impossible to find and buy NEW.


+1 for the Amiga1200 tower suggestion.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: nicholas on January 02, 2014, 11:00:17 PM
Quote from: mikej;756065
Financing isn't the problem, it's currently production quality and test time.
I "think" I have a deal to get testing/rework done at the factory now which will speed things up hugely. Let's face it, I'm the bottle-neck in this.

/MikeJ


Sounds promising, the Replay is my current object of lust. :)
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: nicholas on January 02, 2014, 11:01:29 PM
Quote from: lumi;756066
I would like to see some Tower cases for A1200 too, as those are almost impossible to find and buy NEW.


I've got an old one boxed up in the spare room that's not getting any use.  I could part with it for a reasonable sum. :)
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: NorthWay on January 02, 2014, 11:20:28 PM
A proper tested and verified on as many as possible cards as possible: SCSI<->SATA bridge. What is out there today is scary and messy. If my motherboards were alive I'd really want an SSD... Or just a new scsi controller that really is a SATA controller.

A proper in-place programmable and externally reset-able 1M ROM ($F00000-$FFFFFF). Possibly as a Z2 programming device, or a clockport thing, or serial? Or something memory mapped. Needs many models as all Amigas are pretty different.

And if doing 3000/4000 cpu accellerator: How about trying to put some sram on the cpu card, short cable it to the chipram-slots, and fiddle about the access so that all cpu cycles gets local speed instead of crossing the chipset bus? (Yes, you need some arbitrator for when the chips wants access.)
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: zimo on January 03, 2014, 01:32:58 AM
Something similar to the sonnet quaddoubler for the A3640 would be great
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Bif on January 03, 2014, 06:23:50 AM
I think the only thing that gets me that excited is being able to pimp out an old Amiga with all the modern amenities (ethernet, audio, video, usb, faster CPU, etc). I'd love to be able to sidecar something like an FPGA Replay or UltimatePPC to my Amiga 1000, just for the pure giggles of being able to have a 1985 computer still be kicking butt. Ideally it would be available for any Amiga model. You have 11 months and 29 days, better get crackin' :P.

But seriously, thanks for the ongoing support of the Amiga.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on January 03, 2014, 10:45:57 AM
Quote from: Bif;756097
I think the only thing that gets me that excited is being able to pimp out an old Amiga with all the modern amenities (ethernet, audio, video, usb, faster CPU, etc). I'd love to be able to sidecar something like an FPGA Replay or UltimatePPC to my Amiga 1000, just for the pure giggles of being able to have a 1985 computer still be kicking butt. Ideally it would be available for any Amiga model. You have 11 months and 29 days, better get crackin' :P.

LOL.  At this point the Amiga would become the "sidecar".  Basically just a keyboard interface at that point, haha.  ;)
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: lumi on January 03, 2014, 11:38:21 AM
Quote from: nicholas;756070
I've got an old one boxed up in the spare room that's not getting any use.  I could part with it for a reasonable sum. :)

I would like to have a NEW boxed one :) And maybe it would be better to make some HTPC like cases for Amiga 1200, something that is possible to put under monitor :)
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: som99 on January 03, 2014, 12:13:58 PM
I would like custom backplates for wedge Amigas (mainly A1200) for easier tower builds, pre-cut plates would rock, make a hole in the back of any ATX case then people can pick how they want to put it in place.

I would also want a flexible Riser for the expansion ports on wedge Amigas, so you can mount accelerators a lill more where you want it also it would rock to be able to flip the card around, some cards get's more space if you where able to turn it around!

Edit: I would also like a custom keyboard case for wedge Amiga keyboards, so you can use a Wedge keyboard for tower builds or for bigbox Amigas, it's quite easy to get hold of spare keyboards.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: hceline on January 03, 2014, 03:03:50 PM
Quote from: NorthWay;756074
A proper tested and verified on as many as possible cards as possible: SCSI<->SATA bridge. What is out there today is scary and messy. If my motherboards were alive I'd really want an SSD... Or just a new scsi controller that really is a SATA controller.

A proper in-place programmable and externally reset-able 1M ROM ($F00000-$FFFFFF). Possibly as a Z2 programming device, or a clockport thing, or serial? Or something memory mapped. Needs many models as all Amigas are pretty different.


Quote from: Bennymee;755999
A SATA Zorro2/3 card would be good to use new hardrives and it is more reality then a 68060/FPGA accelerator or even an PPC accelerator.

Must add my support for these ideas to!
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Madshib on January 03, 2014, 04:09:11 PM
I forgot the holy grail - an A5000 ;)
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: pyrre on January 03, 2014, 04:29:25 PM
Quote from: amigakit;755929
This year we are looking to do the same.  What Classic Amiga hardware or software do you want to be developed?  If it is realistic and commercial, we will consider it.
I am a great fan of A500/+ computer.
I do however miss the ability to enjoy ide controller with my derringer...
something like the AdIDE 40 (http://www.bigbookofamigahardware.com/bboah/product.aspx?id=552), or the budda flash card...
Or a remake of the derringer with integrated ide controller.

just my two cents....
  (http://www.bigbookofamigahardware.com/bboah/product.aspx?id=552)
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Wolfe on January 03, 2014, 05:51:01 PM
Classic hardware isn't getting any younger.  A new batch is needed.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: guest7146 on January 03, 2014, 06:33:53 PM
Quote from: pyrre;756149
I am a great fan of A500/+ computer.
I do however miss the ability to enjoy ide controller with my derringer...
something like the AdIDE 40 (http://www.bigbookofamigahardware.com/bboah/product.aspx?id=552), or the budda flash card...
Or a remake of the derringer with integrated ide controller.

just my two cents....
  (http://www.bigbookofamigahardware.com/bboah/product.aspx?id=552)


I was thinking along the same lines as you but then I saw this (http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1168).

I've placed a pre-order.  Unfortunately I think it sticks on the side of the A500, and I'd prefer it to be internal like the Derringer you mentioned.  But it satisfies your requirements by the sound of it.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Acill on January 03, 2014, 06:46:53 PM
Lots of good ideas in here. The common theme is more cards for USB, Video, RAM and acceleration.

I no longer have an Amiga Im willing to part out and hack up. The one I have left is a prototype A3000+ that works and is restored. Its sealed and on display in my office.

What I think the best solution for all of us would be a total rebuild of a classic system like the Minimeg or FPGA. PCI slots and all are great, but you need drivers and support for far to many cards when going this way. Id like to see a board with everything we need on it. RAM upgrades being the only thing I can think of to have open for adding things on. Not including it on the board saves money and allows those on a budget to add what they can, when they can.

It should include:
Fast Ethernet
Hi resolution video with at least 512MB dedicated to it. (Video slot would also be ok but not the only way to get video out)
USB 2.0 at a minimum
IDE and SATA
SD Card slots
Ports to add new additions as they are made.

Classic hardware s getting old, and very hard to replace. Modern stuff is cheap now and able to emulate to near perfection a classic system far more capable than we ever could do on the real thing.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on January 03, 2014, 07:15:20 PM
Quote from: AppleHammer;756164
I was thinking along the same lines as you but then I saw this (http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1168).
 
I've placed a pre-order. Unfortunately I think it sticks on the side of the A500, and I'd prefer it to be internal like the Derringer you mentioned. But it satisfies your requirements by the sound of it.

That thing is a kludge, sticks out the side of the case where it could be damaged and needs you to make your own case for it.  A new internal A500 accelerator would hit the biggest market.  Closest thing to that requirement is currently Kipper2K's board now in production, but it doesn't include a faster processor (unless you stick a 68010 or something else on top of it, I suppose an AdSpeed might work...).

Here's a pic for people unfamiliar with this board:
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Nlandas on January 03, 2014, 08:48:13 PM
Quote from: Crom00;755955
I don't have one Amiga at this point that doesn't have some kind of hardware quirk. It is time for a FPGA board solution to offer:
A) full AGA and classic chipset emulation
B) 32 bit capability
C) Upgrade path-

 somekind of upgrade path so that we can move away from vintage hardware and offer a reasonable amount of compatibility.

Natami was a dream, Minimig is great...
FPGA arcade seems to be it but that project moves at the pace that it moves.

I don't think Amiga OS4 is it, way to expensive for hardware and software. Port it to X86 and arm, run it on everything lower the price and it will take off as a cool retro hobbyist platform. A Kickstarter to get OS4 ported to X86 and ARM commodity hardware makes the most sense to me.

Call me crazy and thanks for your work on supporting AMIGA!

   I second this. I'd love to buy an AGA compatible board that simply ran all my old Amiga software and Amiga OS. I was hopeful that NATAMI or something from Jens Schonfeld - Individual Computers would be AGA compatible and replace all my old failing classic Amiga hardware.

   I'd also contribute to a Kickstarter to get AmigaOS ported to x64. I'd love to run AmigaOS on modern PC hardware without custom motherboards. I long for an alternative to Windows and Linux on my desktop and it'd be amazing if it was a rewrite of AmigaOS.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: asymetrix on January 03, 2014, 10:00:30 PM
2014 we need more users and developers #1

$200 - $300 Classic 68k Amiga Licensed computer, AGA/Super AGA + 32 bit RTG graphics.

$30,000 kickstarter project to reverse engineer AGA chip.

virtual assembler language with GUI + OpenGL enhancments - write once run on any Amiga OS4/OS3/Morph/Aros system.

Online steam like Amiga shop portal for software and easy delivery system for developers who want to publish their software and earn a profit to sustain community.

Amiga theme creating software

Games developer environment and website

Most hardware projects wont mean much if the original Classic hardware fails and is no more.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: lionstorm on January 03, 2014, 10:28:09 PM
Quote from: som99;756122
I would like custom backplates for wedge Amigas (mainly A1200) for easier tower builds, pre-cut plates would rock, make a hole in the back of any ATX case then people can pick how they want to put it in place.

I would also want a flexible Riser for the expansion ports on wedge Amigas, so you can mount accelerators a lill more where you want it also it would rock to be able to flip the card around, some cards get's more space if you where able to turn it around!

Edit: I would also like a custom keyboard case for wedge Amiga keyboards, so you can use a Wedge keyboard for tower builds or for bigbox Amigas, it's quite easy to get hold of spare keyboards.


custom backplate would also come handy to my A1200 !
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: rockersuke on January 03, 2014, 10:34:28 PM
Some slightly less ambitious but no less practical suggestions:

-Both PCMCIA and IDE to SDHC adapters meant, and tested, to work reliably on A600 and A1200. CF cards are rarer to see everyday. Most recently released models are targetted to the professional photo market and are consequently ultra-fast (tending not to get along with PCMCIA miggy slots) and waaay too expensive. Finding a model that works nicely with your Amiga has always been a lottery, and finding certain brands known to do the job frequently requires searching in the second-hand world (meaning a shorter life-span). I'm aware such things do exist in the outside world, but for some reason I've hardly heard of amigans actually using them, so having models that should work safely in Amiga specialized stores would be nice!

-A service for reflashing old PCMCIA Wifi cards with a WPA encription compatible firmware. That's something many of us would like to do, but it's a tricky and dangerous proccess, and requires some uncommon hardware (PCMCIA equipped PCs, which are rare nowadays)

--
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Akiko on January 03, 2014, 11:32:33 PM
With the ACA500 available now and other planned expansions coming in future it would be nice to have a cheapish option to get the A500 online. Amigakit should consider assembling plipbox network cards and bundling them with Easynet.

http://lallafa.de/blog/amiga-projects/plipbox/

Try to get Deneb and subways cards back onto the market if at all possible.

Some sort of new RTG Zorro card or even a new A1200 RTG graphics card option would be nice.

If the UltimatePPC project has been cancelled maybe Amigakit / A-Eon might be interested taking over this project.

ultimateppc.nl/

Software to allow multibooting into different versions of the Amiga operating system. Wasn't this already planned?
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: matt3k on January 03, 2014, 11:40:22 PM
1. Zorro III Video Card:
- DVI/HDMI out.
- High performance
- Lots of fast video memory.
- Pass through so Amiga Video could be redirected to a DVI/HDMI output.

2. Bridge for SCSI to SATA devices.

3. Accelerator for big box amigas.
- Fits an A3000D without cutting the chassis.
- SATA controller.
- Option to bypass the bus, like the grex.  (Make it work it both the 3k and 4k).


Thank you for asking and for all you have done for the Amiga community.  Looking forward to the prism.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: psxphill on January 04, 2014, 12:01:10 AM
Quote from: Oldsmobile_Mike;756175
That thing is a kludge, sticks out the side of the case where it could be damaged and needs you to make your own case for it. A new internal A500 accelerator would hit the biggest market.

Selling an external accelerator without a case is bad, but internal accelerators cause problems. I've been there and done that, I'm back to an external one.
Getting a bigger desk is a small price to pay.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: mfletcher on January 04, 2014, 01:47:53 AM
@Amigakit,

Can I suggest the following projects:
1) A case for the ACA500
2) Build to order GBA1000 motherboards for A1000 owners, say $600 per board?
3) Expanded repair services - PSU replacement, Capacitor replacement for example?
4) PSU's similar to what Mechy was selling a while back? http://www.a4000t.com
5) Another run of USB interfaces for A1200 or A4000

Mark
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Wolfe on January 04, 2014, 05:05:44 AM
** Build to order GBA1000 motherboards for A1000 owners, say $600 per board? **

Count me in . . . I'll take one . . . :-)
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: som99 on January 04, 2014, 09:57:27 AM
Quote from: Oldsmobile_Mike;756175
That thing is a kludge, sticks out the side of the case where it could be damaged and needs you to make your own case for it.  A new internal A500 accelerator would hit the biggest market.  Closest thing to that requirement is currently Kipper2K's board now in production, but it doesn't include a faster processor (unless you stick a 68010 or something else on top of it, I suppose an AdSpeed might work...).

Here's a pic for people unfamiliar with this board:


I wrote flexible risers for this reason also, I guess it might be possible to mount the ACA500 on the inside if flexible cables where available for expansion ports?
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: NorthWay on January 04, 2014, 08:41:03 PM
Ah! A2000 powersupply replacements that are size matched would probably be a seller. Remember screws for it too.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: PanterHZ on January 05, 2014, 08:44:00 AM
Quote from: Oldsmobile_Mike;755975
I'd love to see more graphics cards for classic big-box systems. Recent prices even for "low end" Picasso II-level graphics cards have been fetching over $200 USD, and Cybervision64/Picasso IV-level cards over $500 on Ebay. I'm no hardware engineer but would think for that kind of money wouldn't it be possible to design some kind of bridge for a PC video chipset to Zorro, and write CGX/Picasso96 drivers for it?

Such a solution already exists for big-box Amigas (with A2000 being the exception), and it's called the Mediator bus board. Yes it may cost a lot, but I think it gives better value for the money than old Amiga graphics cards at insane prices (like you mention here).
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: PanterHZ on January 05, 2014, 09:36:03 AM
Many good suggestions here, but I think the most overall sought after, and thus most realistic products are:

1.  USB cards. If it isn't possible to produce more Deneb and Subway cards,  then at least something similar for zorro slots and clockports. Maybe  even a PCMCIA to USB adapter for the A600 and A1200.

2. Zorro SATA card with maybe a couple of clockports as well.

3.  Tower cases for A1200. This shouldn't really be that difficult or  expensive to make since all that's required is standard PC cases that  are modified to fit A1200 motherboards. The cases should of course be  compatible with Mediator busboards.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: pyrre on January 05, 2014, 04:45:18 PM
Quote from: Acill;756167
Lots of good ideas in here. The common theme is more cards for USB, Video, RAM and acceleration.

I no longer have an Amiga Im willing to part out and hack up. The one I have left is a prototype A3000+ that works and is restored. Its sealed and on display in my office.

What I think the best solution for all of us would be a total rebuild of a classic system like the Minimeg or FPGA. PCI slots and all are great, but you need drivers and support for far to many cards when going this way. Id like to see a board with everything we need on it. RAM upgrades being the only thing I can think of to have open for adding things on. Not including it on the board saves money and allows those on a budget to add what they can, when they can.

It should include:
Fast Ethernet
Hi resolution video with at least 512MB dedicated to it. (Video slot would also be ok but not the only way to get video out)
USB 2.0 at a minimum
IDE and SATA
SD Card slots
Ports to add new additions as they are made.

Classic hardware s getting old, and very hard to replace. Modern stuff is cheap now and able to emulate to near perfection a classic system far more capable than we ever could do on the real thing.
That is sort of my point with a new revision of a derringer.
think of it...
cpu board that fits inti the 68000 cpu socket of A500 and A2000... :D
it contains socket for 030 and fpu. (i have some collecting dust...)
network, ide with cf and connectivity for a cd-rom, ram expansion and usb..
all in one neat little card compatible with the scandoubler...

it would be nice.. really nice. :D

if this could be baked into a completely new amiga.... WOW
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: pyrre on January 05, 2014, 04:47:40 PM
Quote from: Oldsmobile_Mike;756175
That thing is a kludge, sticks out the side of the case where it could be damaged and needs you to make your own case for it.  A new internal A500 accelerator would hit the biggest market.  Closest thing to that requirement is currently Kipper2K's board now in production, but it doesn't include a faster processor (unless you stick a 68010 or something else on top of it, I suppose an AdSpeed might work...).

Here's a pic for people unfamiliar with this board:
could you place a derringer on top of that?
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on January 05, 2014, 05:55:49 PM
Quote from: PanterHZ;756387
Such a solution already exists for big-box Amigas (with A2000 being the exception), and it's called the Mediator bus board. Yes it may cost a lot, but I think it gives better value for the money than old Amiga graphics cards at insane prices (like you mention here).

I'm familiar with the Mediator. What I was suggesting was something more like an updated version of the old Domino card, only with a PCI or PCI-E slot instead of ISA, that would be usuable on all Amiga's. It fits in a Zorro slot and acts as a "bridge" to a PC graphics card. For reference here is a picture of the Domino:
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on January 05, 2014, 06:00:26 PM
Quote from: pyrre;756422
could you place a derringer on top of that?

Good question.  Although in an A500 you probably wouldn't be able to close the case, and in an A2000 maybe issues with interference with the bottom of the drive sled?  I'd ask here, where many purchasers are:

http://www.amibay.com/showthread.php?t=51339
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Akiko on January 05, 2014, 08:15:02 PM
@amigakit

How about a new Quaddddroport type card so A1200 users with Subway's etc can also use your new Prisma Megamix soundcard or any other future clock port enabled products.

I know someone else occasionally does these but this won't be apparent to all your customers and apparently the production runs are rare and he's difficult to get hold of.

http://www.bigbookofamigahardware.com/bboah/product.aspx?id=787
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: QuikSanz on January 05, 2014, 11:19:44 PM
Amigakit,

Would really like to see a modern 060 accelerator maybe 80+ Mhz with a nice fast bus and memory, SATA on-board would be excellent. I'll take one for an A2k and an A4Kt.

Chris
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: nicholas on January 05, 2014, 11:57:47 PM
Quote from: QuikSanz;756447
Amigakit,

Would really like to see a modern 060 accelerator maybe 80+ Mhz with a nice fast bus and memory, SATA on-board would be excellent. I'll take one for an A2k and an A4Kt.

Chris

An 060 CPU card with SATA, USB3 and DDR RAM would be brilliant.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: jasenr on January 06, 2014, 12:10:27 AM
Minimig board that can connect to a legacy external Amiga floppy drive for copy protected disks...?
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: agami on January 06, 2014, 01:52:48 AM
Part of me agrees with many of the suggestions my fellow wedge Amiga owners have made: USB, SATA, GFX, CPU+, Audio, etc.

I have been working on making my A1200 a more usable system in the modern world, I have a Blizzard 040 accelerator, an IDEFix for improved IDE HD and multiple devices (slimline DVD/CDRW), a PCMCIA Wi-Fi card, and an Indivision 1200 AGA MK2cr so that I can use a somewhat modern 19" 4:3 LCD monitor. To round-out my A1200 a clock port USB controller, a 16bit sound card, and a graphics card would be favourable. But I have held off on purchasing some of these due to their high cost and limitations.

The problem with adding things to the A1200 is that there are inherent architecture limitations that are a bottleneck for a lot of the extenders; Maximum 2MB chip RAM limits screen resolution/colour depth, single Zorro slot, narrow IO bus means USB, network, IDE are slow, etc. Any and all extender solutions have to be clocked down so that they can operate within the A1200 in a workable manner. That's also where a lot of the cost originates from.

Rather than doing this thing piecemeal and with a crazy assortment of bolt-on extenders I would love something like the BoXeR board. The original BoXeR spec is a bit outdated by today's standards, but the concept is still valid; A melding of the Amiga AGA motherboard with the concepts of the Mediator/G-Rex PCI daughterboards, with some other architectural improvements (reduced bottlenecks). This type of hardware would get me very interested.

NATAMI was an awesome project but the (commercial) issue with NATAMI is that it doesn't provide an option to sell additional kit. A BoXeR-like board allows Amigakit to sell add-on cards.

To be perfectly honest, I am more interested in a BoXeR-like board, an ultimate AmigaOS 3.9 open platform board, than in an A1 X1000 or A1 X2000. It wouldn't be dirt cheap, but I sure as hell would rather have a nice clean slate than build my hobby PC on top of a 22 year old, can fail at any time, expansion limiting, proprietary hardware computer.

Lifting the 68k base to a higher standard will provide a better ecosystem to run the existing applications and could provide an incentive for a kickstarter to get OWB ported to OS 3.9, and would also be a nice board for AROS 68k.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: matt3k on January 06, 2014, 03:33:36 AM
Quote from: PanterHZ;756387
Such a solution already exists for big-box Amigas (with A2000 being the exception), and it's called the Mediator bus board. Yes it may cost a lot, but I think it gives better value for the money than old Amiga graphics cards at insane prices (like you mention here).

We can say the same for not only video cards, but for NICS, USB, Sound cards, etc.  The X-surf-100 did well and the Prism sound card also looks to be a good success for a zorro bus.

I would like to buy a high end video card that even uses tricks like the roxxler, a Zorro Bus card that redirects amiga video to DVI/HDMI would be a hit.

Unless a Grex type solution that gives benefits of another bus, zorro is good solution, IMHO...
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Drummerboy on January 06, 2014, 03:35:12 AM
Any External PCMCIA CD/DVD for A600/A1200
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: gertsy on January 06, 2014, 06:25:10 AM
Sign me up to the 68060 with SATA and 128 Mb ��
Adaptors for A1200, 2000 CPU and 4000 CPU slot would be great.
With frys and a coke.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Comi on January 06, 2014, 11:22:14 AM
Matey Prometheus - new batch for A3000/4000..colaboration (licence) and version for A1200
Ultimate PPC board for A3000/4000 also in colaboration with AmigaKit/A-Eon and Ultimate PPC developers, later A1200 version
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: wawrzon on January 06, 2014, 12:08:21 PM
Quote from: Comi;756472
Matey Prometheus - new batch for A3000/4000..colaboration (licence) and version for A1200

http://www.a1k.org/forum/showthread.php?p=693439&posted=1#post693439

?

Quote
Ultimate PPC board for A3000/4000 also in colaboration with AmigaKit/A-Eon and Ultimate PPC developers, later A1200 version

waste of effort.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: utri007 on January 06, 2014, 12:19:17 PM
Cheapest possible Zorro II / III graphics card. It would any way be much faster than any other zorro graphics card produced to zorro. As a reference GVP-M sold all Spectrum board they produced couble years ago.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: matt3k on January 06, 2014, 12:51:17 PM
Quote from: utri007;756476
Cheapest possible Zorro II / III graphics card. It would any way be much faster than any other zorro graphics card produced to zorro. As a reference GVP-M sold all Spectrum board they produced couble years ago.


I agree with the video card for the zorro bus, but I would like to see some benefits as opposed to the used video card market.  Pass through and DVI/HDMI output and being faster than the Picasso IV and Cybervision 64, would be a great starting point.

I would be willing to spend 200-300 USD on a great auto sensing Z-Bus video card with the items above.  IMHO, there are are a lots of video cards available to the Amiga now in the used market and many big box Amiga have video cards.  If it didn't provide a benefit, I wouldn't replace any of the video cards I use now...
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: duga on January 06, 2014, 01:05:21 PM
PSU replacement for A500/600/1200. Standard connector but at least 5 amps or more (no fans).


A1200 desktop chassis replacement:


With no internal keyboard it should take slightly less space than the standard chassis. Something like http://oldcomputers.net/pics/c128d.jpg or A1000.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Christian Johansson on January 06, 2014, 01:13:08 PM
RAM-card, NIC and MicroSDinterface, software is missing for the two later.

GPL'ed

https://github.com/endofexclusive/greta
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Everblue on January 06, 2014, 01:36:21 PM
What about a run of Amiga desktop cases? A500/A600/A1200 and perhaps C64 as well.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: TCMSLP on January 06, 2014, 01:49:46 PM
Something like the Natami would meet all my requirements and expectations of a modern Amiga.  I guess a larger minimig or similar FPGA solution would cover most of this;  The ability to output modern graphics resolutions, faster memory bandwidth, network, USB etc.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Iggy on January 06, 2014, 02:26:41 PM
Quote from: TCMSLP;756481
Something like the Natami would meet all my requirements and expectations of a modern Amiga.  I guess a larger minimig or similar FPGA solution would cover most of this;  The ability to output modern graphics resolutions, faster memory bandwidth, network, USB etc.

That approach would certainly make it easier to support some of the devices that have been mentioned.
DDR memory and SATA hard drives tied to a 68060?
I don't think any of you realize that the only practical way to do that would be with an FPGA.
So why retain the Amiga at that point?
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Djole on January 06, 2014, 02:29:10 PM
I think we should stay realistic and dont dream about new batch of Amiga motherboards, 3d zorro gfx cards or even 060 accelerators. I THINK its out of Amigakit range. We should expect more modest HW like usb controllers, audio or maybe some sort of HW video decoder. I would also like to see a flashable Kickstart rom able to be customized from AOS if this is possible from HW side.

If Amigakit could invest in better soft cores to be used in possible future FPGA accelerators for classic, this could be very useful for the whole Amiga community. Aiming for Vampire 600 which is opensource and could be picked up and adjusted for other Amiga models, improved and sure would benefit from a better soft core.

There are a lot HW projects floating around, TINA, NATAMI under new unknown name with Apollo? soft core, other smaller projects like RAM expansions etc. Investing in those can ensure Amigakit a lot of new products.

Personally i would like to see tower conversion plates for A1200, flashable KS (like mentioned), some sort of cheap networking solution for a500, HW audio/video decoder, wireless mouse/joystick modules (lot of people keep their Amigas in the living room so the less cables the better), even restoration kits would sell (set of new caps, retrobright, new badges etc...). Maybe even a 3d printing service for small amiga plastic parts (floppy buttons?).

If we see any of the above I will be happy. :)
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Iggy on January 06, 2014, 03:27:59 PM
Ah, a realist.
Although further faith placed in a Natami related product is probably a mistake.

On a new motherboard, an ATX form bare motherboard is not that unrealistic.

We could strip AGA based systems to build those.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: x56h34 on January 06, 2014, 04:48:27 PM
Quote from: Iggy;756486
Ah, a realist.
Although further faith placed in a Natami related product is probably a mistake.

On a new motherboard, an ATX form bare motherboard is not that unrealistic.

We could strip AGA based systems to build those.


Sorry to redirect the subject of the thread a little bit, but what ever happened to the Natami project?
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Iggy on January 06, 2014, 05:18:49 PM
Quote from: x56h34;756487
Sorry to redirect the subject of the thread a little bit, but what ever happened to the Natami project?

When they seems to be realizing some fruits for their labor, it imploded.

While I respect Thomas and his goals, how anyone could have work with Gunnar that long is a mystery.

Hey, Mike's Replay board continues to gain steam.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: SamuraiCrow on January 06, 2014, 05:36:49 PM
Quote from: x56h34;756487
Sorry to redirect the subject of the thread a little bit, but what ever happened to the Natami project?

The developer of the SuperAGA chipset core was motivated primarily by learning to become a better developer.  Once he achieved that goal, he decided that he didn't want to participate further in the project so he rage quit and since the entire SuperAGA core was his only, anything he had done is no longer legally accessible to the rest of the team.

The other core of the NatAmi had its name changed.  The N68070 is now known as the Apollo core.  It is still being developed by Jens, Gunnar and several of the other team members.  The last I heard from them, they had developed an SIMD unit for it geared toward planar graphics and was in the process of making a simple planar graphics core to go with it with some added features.

There is also another hobby project on AmigaCoding.de that is being developed by Marcel Verdaasdonk (aka Veda) tentatively referred to as XCS.  It is more elaborate than the simple planar-only graphics core developed by the Apollo team.  It incorporates indexed chunky mode and byte-planar modes in both the deeper pipelined Blitter and display functions as well as caching and an eight-way multithreaded 32-bit Copper.  It is intended to be used with the Apollo CPU core and although Marcel was not an official part of the NatAmi team, he posted to the NatAmi forum regularly.

As a former member of the NatAmi team myself, I'm putting my lot in with Marcel as a documentation editor since American English is my native language and not his.  If all goes well, I'll come up with some AROS drivers to support his chipset core.  (In particular, I'm looking forward to being able to queue blit-nodes via one of the Coppers instead of tripping interrupts on the CPU every time the Blitter finishes its work.)
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: x56h34 on January 06, 2014, 05:41:57 PM
@ Iggy & SamuraiCrow:

Thanks for the update. Good to know.
It's a shame that things didn't work out.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Iggy on January 06, 2014, 08:22:43 PM
Quote from: x56h34;756497
@ Iggy & SamuraiCrow:

Thanks for the update. Good to know.
It's a shame that things didn't work out.

Yes, it is a shame.
The core chipset was very promising.
As none of the splinter groups has the advantage of using it, everything is pretty much back to square one.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Lord Aga on January 06, 2014, 09:37:38 PM
Quote from: duga;756478
PSU replacement for A500/600/1200. Standard connector but at least 5 amps or more (no fans).


This !
We need quality PSUs. And that would greatly improve the reliability and longevity of the aging hardware.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: spirantho on January 06, 2014, 09:53:10 PM
This is something I'd buy too. A good quality, silent(ish) PSU to replace the old ones which are rather noisy by today's standards. Not a problem in my (very quiet) towered A4000 with an ATX PSU, but my desktop is a lot noisier.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: agami on January 07, 2014, 06:40:42 AM
Quote from: duga;756478
PSU replacement for A500/600/1200. Standard connector but at least 5 amps or more (no fans).


A1200 desktop chassis replacement:
  • Using external PC-keyboard via Lyra 2-adapter (avoiding the problem with aging keyboards and broken flat cables)
  • Slot for slim fit DVD
  • Slot for VGA/DVI-connector (Indivision AGA)
  • Slot for two USB ports
  • Slot for optional case fan (for those with 040/060)
  • Slots for all existing A1200 ports


With no internal keyboard it should take slightly less space than the standard chassis. Something like http://oldcomputers.net/pics/c128d.jpg or A1000.


and

Quote from: Everblue;756480
What about a run of Amiga desktop cases? A500/A600/A1200 and perhaps C64 as well.


I agree 100%

This would make extending the wedge Amigas a lot easier. And I don't like the tower solutions; I had one in the late '90s / early 2000s and they are overkill.
The price of slim laptop/notebook drives (HDD and optical) is much more affordable these days.
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: agami on January 07, 2014, 06:44:07 AM
It's kind of ironic; Successive companies have tried to build us "an automobile", when all we really wanted, as it turns out, is "a faster horse".

Viva la m68k!
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: som99 on January 07, 2014, 06:52:06 AM
Quote from: agami;756551
and



I agree 100%

This would make extending the wedge Amigas a lot easier. And I don't like the tower solutions; I had one in the late '90s / early 2000s and they are overkill.
The price of slim laptop/notebook drives (HDD and optical) is much more affordable these days.

I am happy as long as we can get backplates for various Amiga models so simplify desktop/tower case builds, ive sent a inquiry to a company that laser cuts metal to see how much it would cost.

A desktop case for let's say the A1200 would be a bit awkward if it also is built to fit a mediator since you don't want the desktop to be as thick as a tower, some trickery with flexible risers would be needed, but a desktop without mediator would be possible to make quite slim and that I would want since I have no Mediator :)

On the PSU note I don't mind since it's easy to use a mATX/flex PSU for your Amiga but sure some people might like it who do not want to build/modify their own :)
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: gertsy on January 07, 2014, 06:59:10 AM
Quote from: som99;756555
I am happy as long as we can get backplates for various Amiga models so simplify desktop/tower case builds, ive sent a inquiry to a company that laser cuts metal to see how much it would cost.

A desktop case for let's say the A1200 would be a bit awkward if it also is built to fit a mediator since you don't want the desktop to be as thick as a tower, some trickery with flexible risers would be needed, but a desktop without mediator would be possible to make quite slim and that I would want since I have no Mediator :)

On the PSU note I don't mind since it's easy to use a mATX/flex PSU for your Amiga but sure some people might like it who do not want to build their own :)


Dunno why you'd want to move a 1200 out of its original case. Considering the size of electronics these days. You could fit a tablet in the expansion port. Viva la originale!
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Wolfe on January 07, 2014, 07:47:52 AM
Quote from: duga;756478
PSU replacement for A500/600/1200. Standard connector but at least 5 amps or more (no fans).


A1200 desktop chassis replacement:
  • Using external PC-keyboard via Lyra 2-adapter (avoiding the problem with aging keyboards and broken flat cables)
  • Slot for slim fit DVD
  • Slot for VGA/DVI-connector (Indivision AGA)
  • Slot for two USB ports
  • Slot for optional case fan (for those with 040/060)
  • Slots for all existing A1200 ports


With no internal keyboard it should take slightly less space than the standard chassis. Something like http://oldcomputers.net/pics/c128d.jpg or A1000.


This would be a fun idea but custom cases generally cost more ! ! ! !   Keep it reasonable and i'm in . . . :-)
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: som99 on January 07, 2014, 08:39:38 AM
Quote from: gertsy;756556
Dunno why you'd want to move a 1200 out of its original case. Considering the size of electronics these days. You could fit a tablet in the expansion port. Viva la originale!

I don't want to put my 1200 out of it's original case, but when/if I get hold of a 060 some wont fit in the wedge and i might get forced to move it to a tower/desktop.

But when that time comes, I will buy another A1200 in a yellowed case and keep my current one in the wedge :)
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: Ratte on March 01, 2014, 08:21:25 AM
http://www.amiga.org/gallery/index.php?n=3824
radeon-indi_mk2-switch
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: AmigaClassicRule on March 01, 2014, 04:00:21 PM
What I need is the following hardware:

1) USB card for A4000D/T
2) Ethernet card for A4000D/T
3) RTG card card for A4000D/T
4) New accelerators and PPC cards for A4000D/T
5) New A4000D/T computers for sales
Title: Re: Classic Amiga Hardware Projects for 2014
Post by: anglosaxonusa on March 02, 2014, 01:48:55 AM
I'd like to see a specification created and finalized for a "Zorro IV" fibre-channel bus for the older machines.  Naturally the spec should be given away gratis.

"Zorro IV" cards would reside in existing Zorro II/III sockets and draw power from the old socket, however, communication with the processor would be through a fibre port on the "Zorro IV" card to a corresponding fibre port on the processor expansion card.  The fibre-channel bus would run at a clock independent of the Amiga 2/3/4000 Zorro bus speed ...potentially much faster.

Third-party vendors could adapt existing peripheral chips and components to Zorro-sized PCB's and actually run the components at their designed clock speeds, with a fast busmaster chip on the processor expansion card receiving and buffering their communication.