Minimigs - testing the different models

[Darrin]

Networking was deemed not important enough for inclusion.

Because you can add it via a USB-Ethernet dongle just like I do on my real A4000.

[RobertB]

How does the MCC-216 with its Amiga core fit in with these machines?

Writing from Cardiff, Wales after a day visiting AmigaKit,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
July 23-24 Commodore Vegas Expo v7 2011 - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex

[freqmax]

Because you can add it via a USB-Ethernet dongle just like I do on my real A4000.

A simple PHY + Magnetic jack offers less complex interfacing and better latency. I have my daults on USB + dongle speeds but it might be ok.

It would be neat to be able to boot both the FPGA .bit files and .adf/.hdf files directly from network. No need for flashmemory intermediate storage.

[mikej]

There will be a daughter board option (probably a de-populated 68060 board) which adds ethernet and usb for a pretty good price.
/MikeJ
p.s. off to Glastonbury music festival shortly so will be out of touch for a week.

[psxphill]

That would be because you can overclock those 68000s that far:
http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=40_97&products_id=777
 
From the above link: "The latest Minimig firmware supports Hard Drive Files (HDF), ECS Denise and 49.63 MHz CPU turbo mode."

You can overclock an 68SEC000 that far, you can't overclock a 68000.

[humppa]

How does the MCC-216 with its Amiga core fit in with these machines?[/url]

It would be best to wait for the next non-beta version of the MCC-216 Amiga core. With the present version, you will even have problems starting SysInfo since it frequently locks up when accessing the "disk".
Future version might of course have turbo-options (like the C64 already has). The Cyclone 3 they are using surely has some reserves regarding clock rates.

[Darrin]

Testing takes longer than you think because you end up getting hooked and playing for hours.  Here's a start:

1943:  WHDLoad versions plays great on C64 and FPGA Aracde, but fails to load on the Minimig.  However, the ADF version will run using Kickstart 1.3.

2000 Leagues Under the Sea:  WHDLoad version works OK on all 3.  Awful game though.

688 Attack Sub:  WHDLoad version works OK on Minimig and FPGA Arcade, but has some graphics corruption on sub menu screens on the C64.

A10 Tank Killer (3 disk):  WHDLoad version works OK on the Minimig and FPGA Arcade on the highest graphics level (64 colour EHB with shading) and a good speed.  Locks up before the menu on the C64.  Tried the 2 Disk WHDload version on the C64 and got a guru/reset loop.  No ADFs to test.

Abandoned Places:  WHDLoad version works OK on all 3.

Abandoned Places 2:  WHDload version works OK on FPGA Arcade, has some minor graphics corruption on C64, fails to load on Minimig.  No ADFs to test.

Addams Family:  WHDLoad version works OK on all 3.

Alien Breed:  WHDLoad version works OK on all 3 exept for some font corruption on a menu with the FPGA ARcade.

Alien Breed 2:  WHDLoad version works OK on Minimig, not tested on others.
Aliend Breed 2 AGA:  WHDLoad versions works OK on FPGA Arcade.

Alien Breed 3D AGA (fixed):  WHDLoad version works OK on FPGA Arcade, but crashed later after exiting the game and trying to restart another without quitting the program.

Alien Breed 3D2 AGA:  WHLoad version hung with a blank screen before menu.

Alien Breed 92SE:  WHDLoad version works OK on all 3 exept for some font corruption on a menu with the FPGA ARcade.

Alien Breed Tower Assault:  WHLoad version only tested on Minimig and failed.  ADF version worked on Minimig and failed on C64 and FPGA Arcade.
Alien Breed Tower Assault AGA:  Hangs with blank screen on FPGA Arcade.

Testing on the Chameleon 64 is a challenge at the moment because the C64 joystick ports don't work yet on the Minimig core so I'm left with either using an IR CDTV remote (which I don't have) or the keypad emulation (which does work).  Some of the WHDload failures on the Minimig may be due to low memory.