FPGA Replay Board

[psxphill]

Directly connecting the FPGA has it's own issues with signal quality at higher resolutions, the IO is not really up to the job. Let's see what the new generation FPGAs can do.
/MikeJ

The pipistrello will be interesting to watch, although I'd like to see something a bit more than 8 bit.
 
http://www.gadgetfactory.net/2013/07/spectrum-zx-with-hdmi-out-on-the-pipistrello/
 
Xilinx seem to be pushing HDMI now, all their evaluation boards seem to have them. I don't know what resolution their higher end FPGA's can achieve though.

[Everblue]

When I owned an original Dreambox DM800s, which is an HD box, it had a DVI connector on the back. It came with a DVI to HDMI cable and HAD audio. So I guess there is a way around it.

[ChaosLord]

Slavery is an euphemism for capitalism here, imho.
Capitalism is killing us all.

Slavery is a euphemism for Communism here.  Communism is killing us all.

Capitalists don't make laws.  Governments make laws.  Most capitalists are against the idea of owning "concepts" and "ideas".

Of course evil capitalists do favor owning "ideas" and "slavery" and etc.  But it isn't capitalism in general.

The HDMI MAFIA has nothing to do with capitalism and it is totally irrelevant whether the mafia enforcers are capitalists, communists or some other religion.  Its all irrelevant.  All that matters is it is wrong, immoral and against the good of the people.

Anything that restricts the advancement of technology hurts civilization.


Capitalism is only the right to spend your money how you want.  THAT IS ALL.

Capitalism has nothing to do with telling MikeJ he can't practice freedom of expression and solder wires any way he damned well pleases.  Don't confuse separate issues!

The HDMI MAFIA opposes Capitalism.  This proves they are not Capitalists.  Capitalists believe that anyone can build anything they want any time they want and sell it or give it away for any price they want.  The HDMI MAFIA does not want capitalists giving away free HDMI devices.

HDMI is AntiCapitalist.

DVI is Capitalist.

DVI does not charge you money to solder wires.

DVI mobsters don't threaten you if you put a DVI connector on a circuit board.

DVI Gangsters don't call up Mike and demand a cut of the action.

DVI produces the same quality of video signal that HDMI does.

DVI is free for all capitalists to use as they see fit.

HDMI is dangerous.  If you fail to pay your protection money to the racket then you could have your life ruined in a "court" of "law".

[JimS]

Let's keep the politics out of this thread, please!

[freqmax]

When I owned an original Dreambox DM800s, which is an HD box, it had a DVI connector on the back. It came with a DVI to HDMI cable and HAD audio. So I guess there is a way around it.

But what does physically generate the signals if the FPGA I/O isn't up to it?

Regarding HDMI at large it has the attributes of legal entrapment and should be avoided as much as possible. Ie don't use HDMI encoders, HDMI connectors, select players and TVs without it etc. Make use of DisplayPort and similar free video interfaces.

[psxphill]

But what does physically generate the signals if the FPGA I/O isn't up to it?
 
Regarding HDMI at large it has the attributes of legal entrapment and should be avoided as much as possible. Ie don't use HDMI encoders, HDMI connectors, select players and TVs without it etc. Make use of DisplayPort and similar free video interfaces.

According to http://www.dream-multimedia-tv.de/board/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=12016
 
Dreambox DM8000 uses a http://mipt.cc:8080/index.php?title=BCM7400
As the HDMI encoder is embedded in the CPU and the board has a DVI output, then they may have argued that it doesn't need an HDMI license. However they might have paid one anyway, we don't know.
 
 

When I owned an original Dreambox DM800s, which is an HD box, it had a DVI connector on the back. It came with a DVI to HDMI cable and HAD audio. So I guess there is a way around it.

There is a solution, you use an HDMI compatible PHY. But the FPGA replay doesn't have one & it's a bit late to start thinking about adding one.

[freqmax]

Ok so can Spartan-6 LX FPGA make HDMI video+audio signals or is that "too hard" for it to accomplish?

Is "RocketPort" uncapable of this too?

[psxphill]

Ok so can Spartan-6 LX FPGA make HDMI video+audio signals or is that "too hard" for it to accomplish?

The spectrum HDMI video I posted shows it can, the fpga isn't rated to 1080p but it seems with a wing and a prayer it seems to work.

[freqmax]

Alright so it's just a question of changing the line coding and stuffing the right data to get HDMI with audio. Of course as soon as commercial standard TVs comes with open interfaces such as DisplayPort the whole HDMI crap will be dumped.

So now we have a development roadmap where HDMI video+audio compatibility can be accomplished without getting entrapped.

Amiga coders hopefully generate a strong force field of wings and prayers

[AJCopland]

Any news on when we might actually be able to get one of these FPGAArcade boards?

I think I must be on a list somewhere having enquired numerous times over the years.

[Everblue]

So am I

[mikej]

So am I

Actually pretty soon, I have hundreds of the damn things I need to get rid off.
Just want to make sure they work.
If you don't want the Amiga core you can have em now ...
/Mike

[Everblue]

@MikeJ

I only intend to use it as an Amiga. Basically running an .HDF file with Workbench 3.1, WHDload and a bunch of games.

- Will the core in its current status be able to handle this ?

I also need:

- RGB/Scart Cable
- ATX adapter
- Backplate

Thanks!

[Darrin]

@MikeJ

I only intend to use it as an Amiga. Basically running an .HDF file with Workbench 3.1, WHDload and a bunch of games.

- Will the core in its current status be able to handle this ?

I also need:

- RGB/Scart Cable
- ATX adapter
- Backplate

Thanks!

I already have it doing just that.  My FPGA Arcade is running ClassicWB based on the OS3.1 install with WHDLoad and KG's game packs.

I also have it running OS3.9, but the old core had a few bugs that stopped certain things working correctly (or more likely it was the old 68020 soft core).  I'm hoping it will be better with the new core.

[Everblue]

That's great. What sort of adapter do I need to put the arcade fpga inside an itx case and use the internal psu?

[freqmax]

I also have it running OS3.9, but the old core had a few bugs that stopped certain things working correctly (or more likely it was the old 68020 soft core).

Sounds slightly worrying. I thought bugs related to running stock OS was fixed by now. Any specifics on which events that trigger the bug(s) ?