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Author Topic: MiniMig the no bull thoughts on this device  (Read 14910 times)

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Offline Darrin

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Re: MiniMig the no bull thoughts on this device
« on: February 17, 2013, 10:30:51 PM »
Well I've had a Minimig since aCube released them back when the core couldn't even write to the ADF images.  I helped to test the ARM controller back when Jakub was working wonders updating the core and I finally sent my board to AmigaKit to have them add the extra 2MB of RAM.

In my opinion, it is a fantastic bit of hardware and is worth every penny.

If you want to just play ADF games then the basic board will do and you'll have a maximum of 1.5MB of RAM that you can configure in different ways via the menu.

However, if you think that you might want extra RAM in the future then buy it with the RAM fitted because it isn't likely to be something you'll do yourself and finding someone else to do it (besides AmigaKit) is likely to prove to be impossible.  With the extra RAM you can have a 1MB Chip 2.5MB Fast setup which should play just about any 68000 friendly OCS/ECS ADF game you want.

I wouldn't part with my ARM controller for all the tea in China.  But, if you're on a budget then it is always something you can add later (just pull the PIC chip with a screwdriver and plug in the ARM board).  Benefits of the ARM are:

Up to 2 fast HDF files which are great for WHDLoad (only a small HDF is usable without it)
Up to 4 emulated floppy drives (instead of 2)
Faster turbo mode
Easier configuration and updating (If you have the PIC you'll need a serial link to reflash the board while the ARM takes a file off the SD card).
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Offline Darrin

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Re: MiniMig the no bull thoughts on this device
« Reply #1 on: February 18, 2013, 01:58:09 AM »
Quote from: gaula92;726734
It can also enlarge your pennis, but that's an undocumented feature :D


So that explains it!  I thought I'd been standing too close to the microwave or something.  :D
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Offline Darrin

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Re: MiniMig the no bull thoughts on this device
« Reply #2 on: February 18, 2013, 02:03:59 AM »
Quote from: bbond007;726744
no, that just causes your offspring to be mutated...


No wonder I have a ginger, left-handed daughter!  I'm going to sue the microwave company.  ;)
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Offline Darrin

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Re: MiniMig the no bull thoughts on this device
« Reply #3 on: February 18, 2013, 02:05:02 AM »
Quote from: CritAnime;726727
Hmm sounds kinda more like what I ultimately want. Does the arm processor give any extras apart from the ones mentioned.


Seriously, what has been mentioned more than justifies the cost of the ARM.
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Offline Darrin

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Re: MiniMig the no bull thoughts on this device
« Reply #4 on: February 18, 2013, 05:18:19 AM »
Quote from: bbond007;726747
I think the arm may also speed up the menus when you are scrolling through your ADFs... but its been a long time i have had the ARM installed so I can't recall.


Yep, it does do something to the menus too.  Long file names plus access to folders IIRC.

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naw, you are most likely shooting blanks from the microwave and CRT exposure. (ginger, left-handed mailman)


Dammit!  I've been paying this child support for nothing.  :(
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Offline Darrin

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Re: MiniMig the no bull thoughts on this device
« Reply #5 on: February 18, 2013, 01:29:18 PM »
Quote from: AJCopland;726772
Where is a good place to get the ARM board from?
AmigaKit seems to have the MiniMig, and they do the 4MB upgrade, but not the ARM board.


aCube.

https://acube-systemsbiz.serversicuro.it/shop/en/6-minimig
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Offline Darrin

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Re: MiniMig the no bull thoughts on this device
« Reply #6 on: February 18, 2013, 02:00:22 PM »
Quote from: tasmanian guy;726770
Frontier on the Minimig runs just as fast as an Amiga 1200 with a 030 running at 50mhz, I know this as I have compared the two side by side!
 
You'll love the minimig...  classic platform on modern hardware!


I agree.  Flight sims zip along on the Minimig with turbo mode engaged.

A Minimig with 4MB and ARM is like taking an A500+ and attaching:  68000 Accelerator, RAM card, HD interface with hard drive, 4 floppies, KS3.1 & 1.3 on a ROM switcher, Flicker Fixer and a PS2 mouse adapter.

The only thing you really lose is the parallel port, so anyone who wants to do some printing will need to rig up a serial link between the Minimig and a PC/Mac.
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Offline Darrin

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Re: MiniMig the no bull thoughts on this device
« Reply #7 on: February 18, 2013, 02:01:44 PM »
Quote from: gaula92;726786
@Darrin: do you know if those 4MB Minimigs Acube is selling are 2MB ones with the piggyback 4MB mod, or do they have 4MB RAM chips on board?


Sorry, I don't know.  I assumed they were piggybacked, but you might want to email aCube to check.
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Offline Darrin

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Re: MiniMig the no bull thoughts on this device
« Reply #8 on: February 18, 2013, 04:46:02 PM »
Quote from: bbond007;726813
I find its like having a A3000/25 speed wise its just annoying not having the 030 instruction set to go along with it :)

The 1.1 is a lot of fun, but I really need the fpga replay ASAP...


Yep, the only limitations that affect me are the lack of AGA and the inability to run OS3.9.  However, I find the OS3.1 install of ClassicWB on my HDF more than satisfactory.
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Offline Darrin

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Re: MiniMig the no bull thoughts on this device
« Reply #9 on: February 18, 2013, 06:16:52 PM »
Quote from: Lord Aga;726819
Does Minimig output 50 or 60 HZ ?
Too bad about the parallel port really. No 4 player games...

EDIT:
Maybe my Hz question is a bit unclear.
Can Minimig be used with 60Hz TFT monitors ? Or do you need a 50Hz capable screen, like a LCD TV ?


It's the same as a real Amiga with a bog-standard Scan Doubler.  PAL modes will require 50Hz and NTSC 60Hz.  So, CRTs are fine, but be careful which LCD you choose.  I use Viewsonic LCD monitors and some other brand LCD TV which work find with 50Hz modes.

There was an old core waaaaaaaaaay back that promoted 50Hz to 60Hz, but it was abandoned for some reason.
« Last Edit: February 18, 2013, 06:25:46 PM by Darrin »
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Offline Darrin

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Re: MiniMig the no bull thoughts on this device
« Reply #10 on: February 18, 2013, 06:18:53 PM »
Quote from: broken;726824
I wouldn't mind a nice classic wb hdf suitable for the minimig...


That can be easily arranged, but you'll have to wait 4 weeks until I can get home.  ;)
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Offline Darrin

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Re: MiniMig the no bull thoughts on this device
« Reply #11 on: February 18, 2013, 06:22:54 PM »
Quote from: CritAnime;726830
I would hope so. I used a Indi ECS with the monitor I intend to use for the minimig and had no issues showing either 50hz or 60hz.

Ok another question. I have seen the v2 Minimig on another site. I take it this is a prototype.


Was it a blue coloured board?  If it is the one I'm thinking of then it is basically the same as the v1.1 except it has headers for the ports (makes them easy to extend internally) and a extra video out option.  It can use the same cores and ARM as the v1.1.

I think it had a very limited production run and finding one in the wild would be like tracking down a Yeti.
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Offline Darrin

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Re: MiniMig the no bull thoughts on this device
« Reply #12 on: February 18, 2013, 06:24:59 PM »
Quote from: CritAnime;726835
Oh... just looked at the specs for my monitor and it says v-sync is 56-75Hz


Sometimes those monitor specs are not 100% and you can get lucky.

If I was buying a new monitor though I'd look for 50Hz.
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Offline Darrin

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Re: MiniMig the no bull thoughts on this device
« Reply #13 on: February 18, 2013, 06:29:32 PM »
Quote from: CritAnime;726841
I am thinking I won't be able to own one anyway as my monitor probably wont take it :rant: although it played fine with the indi ecs. I don't get it :rant:


The Indivision ECS (and AGA) promotes 50Hz to 60Hz as part of the design.  That's why they're such good flicker fixers to get as you can use them on just about any LCD.  Older Amiga flicker fixers have always had this problem (at least with cheapo USA monitors that forget that there are other standards out there).  ;)

What brand/model monitor do you have?
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