Just got a C128

[quarkx]

6809, not 6903.

Opps sorry,
I keep getting the 2 mixed up as the Hittachi 6903 is a drop in replacement for the 6809 for the TRS 80- Color Computers.

[motrucker]

The 80 column mode outputs RGB-I which is the same as the old IBM monitors not like analogue RGB like the Amiga outputs to the 1084.

I've got a 128D which is really nice quality and two 128s and one PSU between them (well I think it's the PSU that's the problem on the dead one).

The 1084 will work fine with the C-128's 80 column mode. I have a 1080 Amiga monitor hooked to my C-128 and it displays all modes with no problem
You're right that it's a very different signal that the Amiga sends, But Commodore originally made these monitors for all of these models.
There was a final run of 1084s that did NOT support the C-128 - but that was very late in the scheme of things C=.

[swift240]

@save2600
I made my own RGB cable for the C128, easy to do.
Here is a link C128 to Scart RGB Television:-

http://zimmers.net/anonftp/pub/cbm/documents/cables/128-videocable.txt

Link for C128 RGBI interface:-

http://www.hardwarebook.info/C128_RGBI

Link for 1084S digital:-

http://www.pinout.net/browse.php?conid=287

Link for 1084S analogue:-

http://www.pinout.net/browse.php?conid=288

Link for pinout Philiups CM8833-MkII monitor:-

http://www.tkk.fi/Misc/Electronics/circuits/vga2tv/rgb_pinouts.html

I hope this will be of some sort of help.

Mike.

[save2600]

Thanks Mike for all the info! Yeah, was aware of the pinout site. But I found in my case, I didn't need to hack after all. Works just fine with a DB9 extension cable. Don't suppose I'll be using 80 column mode much, but at least I know I happen to have a cable already made for it. lol

[swift240]

Well I can tell you 80 column mode is good when using CPM.
Having said that, I used a lot of basic programs also in 80 column mode.
Problem with that is there is a colour diference from C64 to C128.

Example Grey2 on the C64 will be something else on the C128 (cant remember now though what?) but you get the idea I am sure.

But all the same basic programs in RGB is prety smart I have to say and well worth it.

I use all my basic programs in 80 column mode.

More screen space for a start.

The only drawback is I also use an ActionReplay cartridge Mk6.0 in C64 mode and it  needs to pulled out every time I go to C128 mode.

Mike.

[pwermonger]

I too just received a C128 and 1571 and am really impressed with both the build and quality of the machines. Incredible that they released a "super" 8-bit at nearly the same time as the A1000 though. Still, what a great computer (or three!).

Well, keep in mind the A1000 was not cheap. IIRC it was over a thousand dollars, plus having to get a monitor for it. C128 was much less expensive and it allowed a C64 user to keep their peripherals (drives and printers) PLUS keep their software. If you were a 64 user and had to be forced to consider a 1000, you would have had to give up all those things so you might have figured you might as well look around. It was there to keep 64 users in the Commodore fold and from moving to Apple/Atari.

[Darrin]

I use this for a crisp picture from my C128 (normal mode) on my plasma TV:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Commodore-S-video-cable-c64-128-Monitor-A-V-RF-TV-video_W0QQitemZ260309372376QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3c9ba5cdd8

[quarkx]

IIRC the first 1040's were made with the 128's in mind, thats why some have the Commodore sticker up front and then later the Amiga branding when the Amiga came out.

I get my first C128 sometime in the next week or so, so I can't wait to play with it. The C128 D (CR) is the more desirable. you know they used the same case for the desktop version and recycled it for the Amiga 1000? (same thing with the C900, recycled the case for the Amiga 2000)

The funny thing is, most other 8bits at the time were just adding 128 Ks of ram to thier units, but keeping them generally the same (the CoCo 3 is a good example). Commodore chose to go a different route with the C128.
I have heard if you have the flat unit, one of the first things you will want is a Video Ram upgrade. The flat units only had 16K of Video ram, where the desk top had a full 64K. Upgrade kits are inexpensive (about $25) on Ebay.

A good site is http://www.commodore128.org.
Just joined them last week, have tons of good threads on there

[LoadWB]

The only drawback is I also use an ActionReplay cartridge Mk6.0 in C64 mode and it  needs to pulled out every time I go to C128 mode.

I would guess that is because the 128 automatically switches to 64 mode when it detects certain cartridges.  The WarpSpeed 128 cartridge had a switch for 64 and 128 mode.  I think I still have mine around here with two other WarpSpeed carts (the best fast-loader and utility cart, IMHO) one which supports the 1581 and one which does not.

I love my 128D.  Recently got most of my drives and systems JiffyDOS-enabled.  Need JD ROMs for my two MSD-2 units, though.  Assuming they still work, I haven't had them out in ages

As for the RGB, I used an old PCjr monitor with an adapter I made.  Looked pretty nice.  My only lament is that back when I programmed these things I didn't take up programming in 128 mode.  I was moving on to the Amiga at the time, so the 128 started being neglected.  *sigh*

[mdv2000]

Never had a C128 - but a sega genesis round pin cable to A/V works on my C64 just fine!
Those cables are easy and cheap to find!

Hope this helps,

[Damion]

I have heard if you have the flat unit, one of the first things you will want is a Video Ram upgrade. The flat units only had 16K of Video ram, where the desk top had a full 64K.

Well, there's this if you're into demos.

[RobertB]

...I don't think there was allot software written for it.

In comparison to C64 software, there was not a huge amount, but what there was out there was good stuff.  For a listing of C128 commercial software, see the thread starting at

http://www.commodore128.org/index.php?topic=1008.0

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
The Other Group of Amigoids
http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
http://www.sccaners.org

[RobertB]

The C128 D (CR) is the more desirable. you know they used the same case for the desktop version and recycled it for the Amiga 1000?

Actually, the European plastic C128D, the metal C128DCR, and the Amiga 1000 all had different cases.  I should know... I have all three of them.

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
The Other Group of Amigoids
http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
http://www.sccaners.org

[RobertB]

...with two other WarpSpeed carts (the best fast-loader and utility cart, IMHO) one which supports the 1581 and one which does not.

Warpspeed v1 does not support the 1581, whereas Warpspeed v2 does.  My favorite utility cart, too.

Hey, get back into programming... we need more C128 programs,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
The Other Group of Amigoids
http://www.calweb.com/~rabel1/
Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
http://www.sccaners.org

[kinshi]

I used to have a C=128 and loved that thing. Its true there are really no native C=128 games, but there was a lot of native 128 mode shareware.

One thing I would get if you can is a copy of Basic 8 if you are interested at all in writing some of your own stuff. It had some pretty awesome support for the C=128s extra graphics capabilities and memory. In 128 mode you have access to some higher resolutions, more colors, and more gfx memory (too bad its not a 128D in that regard hehe).

Also, keep an eye out for CP/M stuff too, lot of good apps for the CP/M side of things.

[ck1200]

Congrats on the purchase and happy computing