FPGA Replay Board

[Darrin]

@Darrin: How compatible is your Chameleon64 compared to the original Minimig? I've the Chameleon too and I find it's rather incompatible at the moment... Lost Vikings or Ishar won't play (black screens, gurus...) and they are perfect with the Minimig 1.1.
I'm using the exact same HDF I use in the Minimig, just copied it over to the Chameleon.

Sorry for the little offtopic...

Like you, I started testing using the same HDF I use on my Minimig v1.1 and I found that certain games that worked on the v1.1 wouldn't on the Chameleon.  I put this down to either the early version of the Minimig core containing bugs, the soft 68000 containing bugs or a combination of both.  As the Chameleon64 core lacked joystick support I was also forced to test games using the keyboard keypad.  I eventually gave up in frustration.  There is now an updated core available for me to test, plus I have the CDTV controller to use as a joystick so once I have some time I'll start testing again.

I'd like to have the updated FPGA Arcade core first so that I can test games on all 3 FPGA solutions at the same time.

At this moment in time, the Minimig v1.1 is the most stable/compatable solution, probably due to the length of time that has been spent tweaking the core, plus it actually uses a real 68000.

[Darrin]

I am nearly done setting up 2 HDFs for use with Arcade FPGA. Can someone suggest me a good WHDLoad Front-End? Thanks!

To be honest, if you REALLY want to make WHDLoad simple then download the ClassicWB 68000 "LITE" installation because it is already set up for WHDLoad.  Just add KG's game packs into the folder marked "GAMES" and copy over the Kickstart files needed.

http://classicwb.abime.net/classicweb/lite.htm

[Darrin]

@Darrin, actually the MC68SEC000 cpu used is not fully compatible. It misses E-clock, and MOVE sr, is privileged. But I guess it has little practical impact.

Cheers for the info.  As you say, in practical use it doesn't seem to be affected.  At least not with the software I've used so far.  

[Darrin]

Will it run OS3.9? And will 3.9 be able to use the USB ports? Also, how about some PCI slots? And maybe make it fit in an ATX case

I have it partially running OS3.9 at the moment (a couple of bugs/missing instructions in the soft CPU core are causing issues, but these will be fixed, or may already be fixed with new updates).  As a result, the USB stack will be available to 3.1 and 3.9.

I believe the plan is still to use the freely available Poseidon stack which, IMHO, is bloody fantastic (I use it on my A4000) with the Deneb.

[Darrin]

Correct, we have licensed the stack and Jakub has it running on the daughter board.
/MikeJ

Thanks for the confirmation there Mike.  It's a great stack and I personally use it to run a USB Ethernet dongle, floppy drive, hard drives, memory sticks, memory cards (via adapters) and DVD+RW.

[Darrin]

I guess all PAL TVs support 50Hz? Or I'm mixing things up?

Yep, PAL TVs will be OK.  You just have to watch out for some (most?) NTSC only TVs.

[Darrin]

OK great.

As for RGB/Scart, this will do then?

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=919

Remember that the FPGA Arcade has a DVI output and that cable goes from VGA to SCART.  I use a DVI-VGA cable to connect to a monitor sho you'll need a DVI-VGA adapter for that cable.

Be aware that I bought some DVI-VGA adapaters to use a straight VGA-VGA cable and they didn't work, so be careful what you purchase.

[Darrin]

I have a bunch of DVI-VGA adapters, will then connect the DVI -> SCART cable to that.

"Should" work... in theory.  Unless you end up with a bunch of adapters like I got.  

[Darrin]

Just a thought regarding the FPGA Arcade CPU (ARM). Will it be possible to reprogram it without additional tools lika physical JTAG programmer? ie special file on the SD-card?

Do you mean for reflashing the firmware (like on the bare Minimig where you have to use the serial port)?  Yes, you can simply reflash by putting a file on the SD card and then accessing the OSM "Firmware/update" option.

[Darrin]

Thats far better than what you had to do on a minimig

Darrin do you know if say, different cores are available (for different systems), if it will be possible to have a menu on switch asking you which core you would like to load (for example Amiga, C64, Atari ST, etc).

There are different cores available now (there's a VIC core - which I haven't got working because I have to add some files) and supposedly some arcade games (which I haven't got my hands on) and others are in development (but I have no idea what stage they're in - Chameleon64 just got a Spectrum core so I'm sure we'll see that soon).  Mike said that he would try and get some sort of menu to select between multiple cores.  Failing that, you'll just need a collection of cheap SD Cards.

[Darrin]

Anyone knows about a SEGA/SNES core for the FPGA Arcade?

Would be neat to just jack one of these Retrode babes in via USB and play straight from the cartridge

Dont forget that any emulators that exist for the Amiga will also run on the Amiga core, so we'll be able to run stuff for the 68k Mac, Speccy, BBC, etc from there until native cores become available.

[Darrin]

I did not know FPGA Replay has psychedelic wobbly whirly.

Now I really want one.

Is that the official technical term?  

[Darrin]

Got to love the Chinese.

That will be RMB300 for the hour.

[Darrin]

@MIKE: How about opening a FPGA Arcade Facebook page ? That way everyone can follow any changes in real time, and everyone can commend and share stuff. We can add images and stories.

Or maybe someone would like to open the Group on behalf, so that Mike does not have to spend time on it ?

If yes -- what would be the best name:

A) FPGA Arcade
B) FPGA Replay
C) Minimig
D) Replay Board
...etc ?

We also have Minimig.net.  That would be an ideal place to chat and keep up-to-date.

I'd also like to add to your notes that mine has also been performing flawlessly and has even passed an unintended "stress test" when I disappeared on a month long business trip and left it switched on.  

[Darrin]

daughterboard doesn't even exist as a schematic drawing yet asfaik..

The working prototype does, but we've already seen that.

[Darrin]

You're wasting your time.  I sent him 10 goats, 50 chickens, jesus' left pinky finger, a map showing the location of the fountain of youth, my first born son and a pair of Angelina jolie's used knickers for the same thing and he never delivered.