Software update for Indivision AGA

[Schoenfeld]

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

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.

[Schoenfeld]

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

[Schoenfeld]

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