Help!!..I have a Minimig but i need to know which PAL monitors will work!

[crawff]

Hello,

I have recently purchased a Minimig from Ebay and havent been able to display a picture on my monitor.

I have now read that only 50hz monitors will work.
Can anybody recommend me a TFT/LCD monitor which i can use?

Does anybody else own a Minimig, i am really keen to get it set up!!!

Thanks in advance!

PS. i am a newbie as i loved my amiga 500 years ago and have recently discovered my interest to all things amiga!! this is a excellent website that i wish i found years ago!!

[Darrin]

There are both PAL and NTSC cores available for the Minimig.  Just about every monitor should be able to work with the NTSC core and your old CRT should also work with the PAL core.

As you bought your Minimig off eBay then I recommend putting the NTSC core on your SD card and testing the Minimig to make sure it works.

With regards to buying a LCD/Plasma display then you need to make sure that they can display a PAL (50Hz) screen.  Most online sites have the detailed specs listed so you can check, but if you're buying from a local store where the staff haven't got a clue then just take your Minimig along and ask if you can connect it to the display models.  If they want to make a sale then they'll be more than happy to help.

Here's a list of some tested models:
http://www.opencircuits.com/Minimig_display_compatibility

Here's a list of tested software:
http://www.opencircuits.com/Minimig_Software_compatibility

When you get your Minimig working you should make sure you have the right core on your SD card and that the PIC is flashed with the latest update.

If you have any questions or if you need some help from other Minimig users then check out this site:

www.Minimig.net

It covers existing Minimig models such as the v1.1 (yours) and the C-One, plus others under development.  The author of the current v1.1 core posts there and is extremely helpful plus you can learn more about upgrading your board or finding modded cores.  The latest core supports reading and writing of the ADF files and there is a modded version that toggles between 7MHz and 14MHz via a jumper.  The beta core for the prototype ARM board allows 4 floppy drives, hard drive support via the SD card, clocks the CPU at 28MHz and removes the need for flashing the PIC (hopefully available soon).  There's also a mod to add an additional 2MB of RAM for those with excellent soldering skills and balls of steel.

[crawff]

Many thanks for all the helpful information

The problem i have is actually trying to buy one...

When i search for a monitor in the online shops, all i find in the specs is the maximum hz (75,85hz)...it seems as if nobody displays the minimum.

I checked out the list on minimig.net but unfortunately it seems as if these monitors are no longer available or maybe not in the UK.

I really need a link to a monitor which is available to purchase now in the UK.

I know it is a lot to ask for!!

But i would be grateful if anyone can help!!

Many thanks again Darrin for your detailed response

[Darrin]

You're welcome.

If you're looking at a particular model on a website and they don't have the information then cut and paste the brand and model number into Google and one of the top 10 hits will probably be the manufacturer's website and they'll either have the information listed on that page, or you'll be able to download the manual and check.

You might also have more luck looking at LCD TVs that have VGA inputs.

Is there a particular model (or models) you're looking at?

[Iggy_Drougge]

Viewsonic monitors usually sync down to 50 Hz.

[ZeBeeDee]

Darrin has hit the nail on the head ... Use/buy a TV that has VGA input - problem solved!  :-)

[Rob]

I use a Vistron DB15-BD with my Minimig, it's available here.

It works very well and has VGA, SCART, UHF, and RCA inputs, so you should be able to connect most home systems made in the last 30 years, to connect the Minimig's audio you'll also need to buy this cable.  It also has a 3.5 mm out so you can connect it to an amplifier.

If you use their super saver option you should get it delivered for free, I can't remember the last time I paid for delivery from them.

[whiteb]

I use a DiamondView 1770H CRT for my Minimig in PAL mode, and a Samsung LCD which goes down to 50Hz, only for NTSC core though

[crawff]

hi

i have tested my minimig using a lcd tv and it still didnt work

I then replaced the minimig.bin file for a NSTC core and i got a display working.
It went to the menu.

however, the screen went red and an error message came up saying my PIC firmware needs upgrading?

i really want to be using a PAL core, so it there anything else i can do?

[Darrin]

crawff wrote:
hi

i have tested my minimig using a lcd tv and it still didnt work

I then replaced the minimig.bin file for a NSTC core and i got a display working.
It went to the menu.

however, the screen went red and an error message came up saying my PIC firmware needs upgrading?

i really want to be using a PAL core, so it there anything else i can do?

Well, it's good news as it shows that the Minimig is working OK.  However that LCD TV won't work with PAL.

The error message is OK, because some cores need the PIC to be reflashed to work with the core on the SD card (the new ARM expansion board will do away with this, but until it is mass produced you're going to need to do the following).

HOW TO FLASH YOUR PIC

What you need:

Minimig
Null Modem serial cable – a normal serial cable will not work unless it has a null modem adapter.
PC with a serial port (or USB to serial dongle).
Tiny Bootloader – free software downloadable from the Internet

#1: Connect the Minimig to an appropriate serial port on a PC using your NULL MODEM serial cable.

#2: Set jumper on Minimig to from “FPGA” to the “MCU” position.

#3: Switch the Minimig on.

#4: Download and run the Tiny Bootloader program on the PC.

#5: Select the correct COM port and rate (115200)

#6: Press the "CheckPIC" button on the Tiny Boodloader display.

#7. Quickly press “PGM RESET” on the Minimig motherboard within FOUR SECONDS to establish communications between the Minimig and Tiny Bootloader on the PC.

If you succeed you should see something like the following message in a log window:

Connected to \\.\COM1 at 115200
Searching for PIC ...
Found:18F 252o/452o

If you don't you will see:

Connected to \\.\COM1 at 115200
Searching for PIC ...Not found,
ERROR!

If you get the error repeat steps #6 and #7.

#8: On Tiny Bootloader select the hex update file that needs to be written to the PIC.

#9: Select "Write Flash" on Tiny Bootloader and immediately press the reset button on the Minimig motherboard.

If you succeed you will see something like the following message:

Connected to \\.\COM1 at 115200
HEX: 6 days old, INHX8M,18Fcode, total=14552 bytes.
Searching for PIC ...
Found:18F 252o/452o
WRITE OK at 20:55, time:7.173 sec

MAKE SURE YOU LET TINY BOOTLOADER FINISH WRITING TO THE PIC BEFORE YOU UNPLUG THE MINIMIG!!!

#10: With the Minimig switched off, move the “MCU” jumper on the Minimig back to the old position “FPGA”


I bought my Minimig from Amigakit. There was some confusion at first because some early Minimigs were released by Acube without the bootloader code in the PIC which prevented the PIC updating. Acube sent out replacement PICs and Amigakit forwarded one onto me. All "new" Minimigs should have the update code in the PIC.

If you don't have a PIC with the bootloader code then contact aCube and see if they'll sell you one.  I should still have my old PIC somewhere if all else fails.

[Darrin]

and here's the Tinybootloader software to save you searching:

http://www.etc.ugal.ro/cchiculita/software/tinybld198.zip

[crawff]

Hi guys,

Many thanks for everyones help on this. I have sucessfully completed all the steps to update the firmware on the PIC, everything went smoothly and i now can see a picture... :-)

However, i do have a quick question... am i correct in saying that the 2 joystick ports on the right hand side are ONLY for joysticks and not a amiga mouse??

Do i need to use a PS2 mouse?

The reason i say this is because, i brought a new amiga mouse from amigakit and booted up Lemmings but unfortunately the cursor wasnt moving correctly, it only slighty move a tiny bit and the mouse buttons also had no affect... any info would be of great help!!

Cheers guys

[TheDaddy]

>>

Hi and welcome.

>>However, i do have a quick question... am i correct in saying that the 2 joystick ports on the right hand side are ONLY for joysticks and not a amiga mouse??

Yes.

>>Do i need to use a PS2 mouse?

Yes.

Sorry to slide this in but if you need a case for your Minimig:

www.loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

Only 4 left...

Or maybe you already have my case?! :-)

[crawff]

hello

thanks for the info.. :-)

I already have your case.. its excellent by the way

Everything is now working as it should..however i have to admit
i am a little disapointed by the picture..it doesnt seem to be as i remember.

I am using a LCD TV (samsung), and i know a monitor would be better.
however, i only used play my amiga 500 on a normal tv and it does seem to be
better.

It seems as if the picture is quite pixelated? the lemmings game didnt seem as good.

Does anyone have any suggestions? or is there anything i still need to configure or update??

cheers everyone

[TheDaddy]

>>I already have your case.. its excellent by the way

Thanks :-)

>>Everything is now working as it should..however i have to admit
i am a little disapointed by the picture. It seems as if the picture is quite pixelated? the lemmings game didnt seem as good.
Does anyone have any suggestions? or is there anything i still need to configure or update??

I think you remember the "quality" of the TV display. Monitors have much higher resolutions, the TV is more blurred and so it looks like it's smoohter but it is actually not very good quality.

In his core Jakub has added the option to emulate the quality of a TV, just access it in the Menu and set it to horizontal and vertical and you'll notice how different it looks. Smoother and more blurred.

You will get used to the quality of the monitor by the way which is much better. :-)