Minimig Review completed!

[freqmax]

The software  list is updated.
All your Amiga is now Minimig :-D

[TheDaddy]

Do you know if you can use WHLoad on the minimig so that you don't have to swap ADFs? :-D

[Dr.Bongo]

Thank you very much for a great review! Thinks...Minimig connected to my LCD tv via the VGA port.... Hmmm interesting.

Just a thought,- a few of the games in your compatability list were available as AGA versions I think (e.g Chaos Engine 2 , tower assault.) Did you test the AGA ADF`s on a OCS MiniMig by mistake?

[alenppc]

Also, does the FPGA have to be reprogrammed every time you boot, or just the first time? How long does the programming process take?

And can you "store" its programming somehow (like you would do with a flash memory for instance) or is it just temporary until you switch it off?

[Darrin]

amigakit wrote:

We have Minimig in stock now:

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=777

OK, I'm a bit confused.  I went to the USA shop to place my order and under PSU you have an option for UK or Europe.  Does this mean that I get to select a PSU with a UK plug or European plug, the PSUs are only available for UK and European orders, the PSUs are 220-240v only or the drop down menu is buggered?

Also, I notice there is a drop down for the MMC card.  The ACube Minimig came with a card supplied, so does this option indictate that there is no card with the USA ordered Minimigs?

Could you please clarify these points.

Cheers.

[TheDaddy]

>>Also, does the FPGA have to be reprogrammed every time you boot, or just the first time? How long does the programming process take?
And can you "store" its programming somehow (like you would do with a flash memory for instance) or is it just temporary until you switch it off?

This is new to me...can anyone confirm this?
 :-?

[Argus]

Minimig looks great.  I only wish ACube put the thing in a clear lexan case.  Anyone thinking of selling a plastic case with all the port cutouts already made?

[TheDaddy]

I have finished designing the case for the Minimig and I will soon post the pictures on my site.

I hope people like it! :-D

[Erwin-K]

Hello All,

This does indeed sound like a great games machine.

However, I'm not a gamer. Just out of curiosity, has anybody tried out any applications such as Deluxe Paint, or Final Copy?

If the board came with some kind of Fast Ram socket I would be interested for some legacy applications. (I have yet to see anything that does gradients as well, or as flexibly, as Deluxe Paint, for example.)

Good luck to all Minimig users!

Bob Kennedy

[HenryCase]

Interesting review, thanks TheDaddy!

darksun9210 wrote:
that is so freakin cool!

i wonder if i could use one to build a portable system....
hmmmmm... 5-7" LCD, couple of PSP battery packs...

You certainly could. I would choose the Mini MiniMig board if I was going to make a portable system:
http://www.illuwatar.se/project_pages/mini-minimig/mini-minimig.htm
You might want to check out this video for inspiration (watch 1:18 to 1:32 in particular):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwP0t0kakW0

freqmax wrote:
The software  list is updated.
All your Amiga is now Minimig :-D

freqmax, can you correct the Chaos Engine 1&2 status please.

TheDaddy wrote:
Do you know if you can use WHLoad on the minimig so that you don't have to swap ADFs? :-D

I don't know, but Dennis is working on multi-ADF support at the moment, which should help.

TheDaddy wrote:
>>Also, does the FPGA have to be reprogrammed every time you boot, or just the first time? How long does the programming process take?
And can you "store" its programming somehow (like you would do with a flash memory for instance) or is it just temporary until you switch it off?

This is new to me...can anyone confirm this?
 :-?

The FPGA gets reprogrammed every time the machine is switched on. The FPGA code is stored on the memory card. Programmable logic devices with permanent memory do exist, but I don't see the need right now. Boot time is approximately 15 seconds:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2NjNXHUi34

However, I'm not a gamer. Just out of curiosity, has anybody tried out any applications such as Deluxe Paint, or Final Copy?

I would imagine you'd need the multi-ADF support to do this, which Dennis is working on. Workbench runs so that's one part of the equation sorted. Currently the memory card is read only (so you couldn't save work you did), but there isn't any reason (AFAIK) why writing to the memory card couldn't be added to the current design.

I had a thought when reading your review conclusion about the Minimig TheDaddy, when you mentioned you'd like an on/off button on the Minimig. What about if the FPGA sources were amended so that pressing the Menu and Reset buttons at the same time switched the machine off (or on)? You could do the same with keyboard shortcuts. Alexh, if you're reading this, do you think it would be an easy feature to add (I was impressed by the work on NTSC Minimig modifications you posted about on amiga.org)?

[TheDaddy]

>>Interesting review, thanks TheDaddy!

Thanks :-)


>>freqmax, can you correct the Chaos Engine 1&2 status please.

Chaos Engine 1&2 not working on my minimig. :-(

>>I don't know, but Dennis is working on multi-ADF support at the moment, which should help.

Excellent. So do we just download the code and flash the chip to update it?


>>I would imagine you'd need the multi-ADF support to do this, which Dennis is working on. Workbench runs so that's one part of the equation sorted. Currently the memory card is read only (so you couldn't save work you did), but there isn't any reason (AFAIK) why writing to the memory card couldn't be added to the current design.

Multi-ADF would rock. Once installed Workbench on the SD-Card all you need is WHLoad for games like Body Blows! (mega disk swapping there!)

>>I had a thought when reading your review conclusion about the Minimig TheDaddy, when you mentioned you'd like an on/off button on the Minimig. What about if the FPGA sources were amended so that pressing the Menu and Reset buttons at the same time switched the machine off (or on)? You could do the same with keyboard shortcuts.

That is a great idea. I would love to see the ON/OFF key on the keyboard being used to switch it ON or OFF or maybe a combination of keys. This would be awesome! :-D

[TheDaddy]

@Krusher

I think you might have to correct the results on your page:

http://www.opencircuits.com/Minimig_Software_compatibility

Chaos Engine 1&2, Bubba, Agony, Alien Breed (both), Gods, Impossible Mission 2, Overdrive DO NOT actually work on my Minimig.

I have updated my list again if you need it:

http://www.loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/what_works.htm

Thank you.

 :-)

[HenryCase]

TheDaddy wrote:
Excellent. So do we just download the code and flash the chip to update it?

Updating the FPGA is achieved simply by swapping the minimig.bin file on the memory card. Updating the PIC (which is probably necessary for a few features) may require a bit more work, but should be straightforward enough, even if you don't own a PIC programmer.

I've had another idea of a feature I'd like the Minimig hardware to have, which is an MP3 player. Here is an open source project we could use the source from:
http://www.pjrc.com/tech/mp3/
Runs on a small Spartan FPGA, the Minimig hardware should have no problem running a modified version of the HDL code. You might even be able to get video player running on Minimig hardware.

Reason I think mp3 player for Minimig would be cool is that it adds value for money to the hardware, making it an easier sell, with increased sales = even more development (hopefully).

[TheDaddy]

I have added more titles to the list:

http://www.loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/what_works.htm

Strangely three games work but with the missing/invisible main character sprite... :-?

[freqmax]

The FPGA can't turn itself off in the current design. But it would be possible to snoop the keyboard. And make the MCU forcefully reload the FPGA and let the FPGA clear the memory on boot.
Any better than this will require a hardware modification. My personal opinion is that the power supply part should have an onboard +5V regulator. Putting that requirement on the external adapter is a bad design practice.

It's very easy to change the software list wiki by yourself. But I have updated some now:
http://www.opencircuits.com/Minimig_Software_compatibility

Please date any findings/additions. It makes a lot easier to update anything. An explenation as to why the software fails may be useful for futire bug fixing. Just a tip ;-)

The MCU (PIC18) could be updated by makeing a small circuit board that stack an ICSP connector + MCU socket. And then use that to wire to a programmer. The next minimig board maybe should have an onboard ICSP connector.
(ICSP - In circuit connector for programming)

[TheDaddy]

When you say that all the Kickstarts work, do you mean 2.04,3.0 and 3.1 by renaming them to KICK.ROM?

Also have you tried the failing games with other versions of Kickstart other than 1.3? For example 2.04?

 :-)