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smartroad
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FPGA Amiga mobo Posted on 28-Mar-2017 7:18:38
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Joined: 13-Feb-2005 Posts: 215
From: United Kingdom | | |
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| Having recently started playing with my A1200 again it got me thinking. There seem to be many products coming out for the Amiga classic range, accelerators, flickerfixers, cases, keycaps, redesigned A1200/500 AGA chipset motherboards and probably more.
Given that the chipset (at least OCS/ECS, although I think there is an AGA core now?) have been put into FPGA form, I gots to thinking. All of these new products rely on old hardware, either old original computers or new old stock (in the case of Indivisions motherboard replacement). All of which are ageing now and could be prone to failure.
One of the thoughts I had was the idea of a replacement motherboard using an FPGA for chipset and either a real 68k (although this would probably be NOS again) or an FPGA version. Give the mobo a similar set of IO but with modern variants. Get rid of TV/Composite and replace with HDMI, replace RCA audio with 3.5mm jacks. I guess some ports would need to stay the same, parallel and serial and maybe a joystick but mouse could be USB.
Have the option for an upgrade path with things like full USB and maybe some form of 2D/3D RTG with chipset pass through if that is possible so you only need the one HDMI output.
I just see lots of disparate projects that could be brought together in one package. The chipset FPGA cores, the Vampire 68080 FPGA core, Indivisions A1200 motherboard, flickerfixers/Scan Doublers and all using modern interfaces (HDMI, USB and so forth) but maintaining compatibility with all the old software.
Maybe I am talking out my backside here, all I see though is all of these great new products are for naught if the old stuff dies :( |
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g01df1sh
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Re: FPGA Amiga mobo Posted on 28-Mar-2017 7:43:52
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Super Member |
Joined: 16-Apr-2009 Posts: 1777
From: UK | | |
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| @smartroad
Stand alone version of the Vampire is coming most likely after the A1200 version. Cant wait to see it hope it does arrive unlike the BoXer...
_________________ A1200 ACA1232 128MB Indivison MkIICr Elbox empty Power Tower RPi3 Emulating C64 ZX Atari PS BBC Wii with Amiga emulation Vampire v4 SA |
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drHirudo
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Re: FPGA Amiga mobo Posted on 28-Mar-2017 7:52:23
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Super Member |
Joined: 26-Apr-2004 Posts: 1113
From: Sofia | | |
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| @g01df1sh
The stand alone version of the Vampire is what's was going to be the Natami, only 4 years later. Which proves that in Amiga lands things get frozen, but never die. _________________ Games, programs, reviews |
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g01df1sh
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Re: FPGA Amiga mobo Posted on 28-Mar-2017 7:57:09
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Joined: 16-Apr-2009 Posts: 1777
From: UK | | |
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| @drHirudo
If it really is going to be like the natami then it will be something truly special. If the price is right I'm in. _________________ A1200 ACA1232 128MB Indivison MkIICr Elbox empty Power Tower RPi3 Emulating C64 ZX Atari PS BBC Wii with Amiga emulation Vampire v4 SA |
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smartroad
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Re: FPGA Amiga mobo Posted on 29-Mar-2017 7:07:43
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Regular Member |
Joined: 13-Feb-2005 Posts: 215
From: United Kingdom | | |
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| Quote:
g01df1sh wrote: @drHirudo
If it really is going to be like the natami then it will be something truly special. If the price is right I'm in. |
I agree, even more so if it is able to fit into a classic case and use the old keyboard. I don't want it to have it use 'normal' components, sitting in a PC type case, using a PC keyboard. For me the Amiga wasn't just about the operating system, it was the experience which includes the physical experience :P
I do wonder if there is a way to have a 'base' board which could fit into more conventional cases with some form of expander that would allow the IO ports to fit into the case it is in? |
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Samurai_Crow
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Re: FPGA Amiga mobo Posted on 30-Mar-2017 6:22:56
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Elite Member |
Joined: 18-Jan-2003 Posts: 2320
From: Minnesota, USA | | |
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| @smartroad
Gunnar has mentioned on the Apollo-Core forum that the test version of the stand-alone Vampire is 100 mm x 120 mm so it's a tiny little thing. |
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g01df1sh
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Re: FPGA Amiga mobo Posted on 30-Mar-2017 14:18:34
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Super Member |
Joined: 16-Apr-2009 Posts: 1777
From: UK | | |
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| @Samurai_Crow
why not use a standard size like mini itx ? _________________ A1200 ACA1232 128MB Indivison MkIICr Elbox empty Power Tower RPi3 Emulating C64 ZX Atari PS BBC Wii with Amiga emulation Vampire v4 SA |
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smartroad
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Re: FPGA Amiga mobo Posted on 30-Mar-2017 18:15:18
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Joined: 13-Feb-2005 Posts: 215
From: United Kingdom | | |
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| @g01df1sh
Wont fit in an A1200 case heh |
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g01df1sh
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Re: FPGA Amiga mobo Posted on 30-Mar-2017 20:32:33
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OneTimer1
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Re: FPGA Amiga mobo Posted on 30-Mar-2017 21:56:13
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Cult Member |
Joined: 3-Aug-2015 Posts: 962
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PR
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Re: FPGA Amiga mobo Posted on 30-Mar-2017 23:32:47
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Super Member |
Joined: 1-Sep-2004 Posts: 1961
From: Suomi-Finland | | |
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| Nice but no kb. Luckily have even with the Nokia and no screen touch. (Was going to the Blackberry side but Nokia replica makes them again)
No need as the 6-years old dropped from the roof etc. works just fine.
Just like the A500 or 1200. (Not dropped anywhere)
New A1200 if some need. I think it's the Best Amiga was ever to expand. And even better now.
No Hurry. Stored In a very safe place. Just for professionals only. Mint white.
Ask sometimes and make an offer. Specially tested once and back in the original box. Works.
Edit: Must practice more English in AmigaWorld et all.
Last edited by PR on 30-Mar-2017 at 11:46 PM. Last edited by PR on 30-Mar-2017 at 11:44 PM. Last edited by PR on 30-Mar-2017 at 11:43 PM. Last edited by PR on 30-Mar-2017 at 11:42 PM. Last edited by PR on 30-Mar-2017 at 11:41 PM.
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ne_one
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Re: FPGA Amiga mobo Posted on 31-Mar-2017 0:53:58
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Cult Member |
Joined: 13-Jun-2005 Posts: 905
From: Unknown | | |
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| @g01df1sh
Quote:
g01df1sh wrote: Stand alone version of the Vampire is coming most likely after the A1200 version...
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Based on comments from the Vampire team, it looks like the standalone will actually appear first. |
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smartroad
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Re: FPGA Amiga mobo Posted on 31-Mar-2017 7:19:33
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Regular Member |
Joined: 13-Feb-2005 Posts: 215
From: United Kingdom | | |
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| @OneTimer1
In terms of using a keyboard with an A1200 case I was thinking something like the Keyrah to interface to the original keyboard. Another thought, if finding connectors for the original keyboard is difficult, maybe a new membrane that uses a more conventional and readily available connector. Adds cost but hobbies cost money hehe :D |
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g01df1sh
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Re: FPGA Amiga mobo Posted on 31-Mar-2017 7:53:31
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Super Member |
Joined: 16-Apr-2009 Posts: 1777
From: UK | | |
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| @ne_one
Oh I do hope so that would be well cool. _________________ A1200 ACA1232 128MB Indivison MkIICr Elbox empty Power Tower RPi3 Emulating C64 ZX Atari PS BBC Wii with Amiga emulation Vampire v4 SA |
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