MiniMig NTSC

[yaqube]

Hello guys!

I am working on an ECS implementation. I've decided to release intermediate version of the firmware which allows to switch between PAL and NTSC screen modes (or rather PAL-60Hz since there is no short/long line toggling and CPU bus runs at PAL frequency). This is done by a jumper which was used to switch between 15kHz and 31kHz mode.

The video output is only VGA compatible but I've implemented vertical and horizontal interpolation to make the display less blocky (you can independently enable each interpolation by putting a jumper over appropriate pins of the user i/o header - the details are in the picture attached with the firmware file). This is a temporary solution and in the final release it will be done by OSD menu. (PIC firmware upgrade will be necessary.)

If you can test some NTSC versions of games please do this and tell me if they work correctly or not.
Please also share your opinion how you like the interpolated display.

You can download the new firmware from:
http://www.mediafire.com/?mywzlxynsl1

Have fun!

[AJCopland]

Good luck with it. I (still) haven't got a MiniMig built yet but tried to download the file to have a look at what you've done so far but I'm unable to download it. I just get an empty file.

Andy

[Dennis]

Nice!

I will try it out tomorrow.

Dennis

[freqmax]

Download link without all javascript-crap & popup ads:
http://www.freewebs.com/freqmax/minimigQ20080303_zip.bin

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   46247  Defl:X    36882  20%  03-03-08 19:46  848702b6  minimig_20080303.JPG
  212392  Defl:X    80016  62%  03-03-08 20:15  2e4bc2fc  minimig1.bin
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Source please

[alexh]

Nice to see someone doing something at last.

freqmax wrote:
Source please

Yup. Under the terms of the MiniMig license yaqube, you've got to release the source code for all binary releases, even intermediate ones.

This is a good place to discuss MiniMig technical ideas

http://gamesource.groups.yahoo.com/group/minimigtg68/

Several individual people are all working towards ECS compatibility. RedskullDC has already released some mods to the blitter. Why not join together and share the work?

[freqmax]

Is the sprite problem related to the blitter?

[alexh]

I dont think so.

[HenryCase]

@yaqube
Great stuff! Keep it up. :-D

alexh wrote:
Several individual people are all working towards ECS compatibility. RedskullDC has already released some mods to the blitter. Why not join together and share the work?

I agree. Better to join forces, you'll get results quicker that way.

[alexh]

Any news if this works? I dont see any source code :-)

[Crom00]

Works great, just tried it out on a DELL 19" 60hz only LCD.
You have to enable the 2 jumpers as noted in the included JPEG.

Just rummaged through my box of cables. I have a PC Video Toaster VGA to component cable so if someone wants to code a component version of the FPGA core it'd be quite interesting to see if that works.

Gonna try some games in NTSC.

[Crom00]

Works ok some NTSC display issues, but I don't have a real working NTSC Amiga to check against. All the stuff I played before works fine.

LOOKS GREAT on a 4:3 Dell VGA monitor.

[Belial6]

So, is this a firmware fix to the MiniMig 1.1?  It uses just the one crystal that is currently being used?

[alexh]

Yes I believe so. Shame the author seems to have not returned here and not released the source.

[Crom00]

If it becomes unavailable from that download link just PM me, I can send it to whoever needs it.

Played lots more games, this makes the thing SOOOOO much more useable for US NTSC folks. Can't wait to try this on my brotherd 46" tv via VGA input for kicks.

[straycat]

Could this have any implications to those wanting to use the Minimig with higher refresh TFTs (or standard TVs perhaps) in Europe?