philipj
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Posts posted by philipj
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Awesome man...!
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Well this topic is quite old, but I think it's still very relevant... And yes I do believe the GPU has some instructions for graphics if I recall.
Some of you are apparently in france (in europe) yet you refer to it as the genesis and not the mega drive. And i thought that jerry probably would have custom synth instructions or something but it has the same core as the GPU so surely it would have more graphics instructions.
Here's another question I have... A while back, wasn't there a midi interface built for the Atari Jaguar? Seem I recall a midi device built that could be connected to the back where the "Jaglink" device could be hooked up to. Does anyone know where I can find the website for that schematic?
It's been a long time since I visited this particular topic; it's nostalgic to read these old post so in the spirit of this topic, here's a couple of YouTube examples of 1-bit synthesizers using 8-bit processors to drive the sounds just to give an idea of what's possible.
Enjoy
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Ok you got my attention... I'll be following this topic from here on out.
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I wish I could help you with that... I've always wanted to program the Atari System 1, but my skill level isn't there yet. You might have to make your own sound driver for that thing or try and get in contact with someone who's familiar with MAME's version of the System 1 emulator driver. Until then, here's a few pdf files I have on it including the "Ireland info" minus a couple of pages at the end. Hopefully this will help you in some way.
Good luck.
Atari System 1 Information.pdf
Atari System 1 Schematic Package.pdf
Atari System1 (TM-277 1st Printing) Operator's & Parts English.pdf
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You know that XM module had me, and still got me pretty inspired... I remember years ago at JS2 I use to mention the use of a YM2151 sound chip on a Atari 7800 for the simple fact that Atari had the "Atari System 1" that used the chip. It was always a what if scenario, just curious why Atari never used it in the 7800 console. I know GCC had they own sound processor for the 7800 and it would've been nice to see that kind of chip in the 7800.
I wish I can make my own module for the 7800... It would be something special with an extra processor to aid the already slightly better than the 2600 CMOS. I hope this XM gets released.
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It's been a while since I posted anything about the Jag; I sold all of my Jag stuff about a year & 1/2 ago. I did regret, however selling my "Skunkboards" thus I just got me a 3rd gen Skunk. I don't think I'll sell it again for a long time, but it is very pleasing to hear the Jag is getting a SD cartridge. Now I got to get another Jag system; those things are scarce and becoming as high as a Neo Geo system with a cartridge. Seems like the interest in the Jag has come back or surged or something.
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I ordered mine three or four years ago...and I actually got a tracking number the next day so I thought it was finished.
I am still holding my breath, if for no other reason that Homebrew developers are *still working on games for it*.
To be honest, I am to still kind-of holding my breath on the release of this thing... When it's released, everyone (7800 owner) will want one immediately thus I want to be ahead of everybody. I still, also too, have my tracking number archived so I'm still waiting, but I understand that the long waiting period has kind of got me exhaling some if you catch my drift.
Wish somebody would put a fork in this one.
Not likely... I still have hope.
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I sold my Atari 7800 collection a while ago... Of course if they finish and ship the XM module, I'm going to get another 7800 system off of eBay just so I can try the XM. I've all but written off the release of the XM. Also I don't think Curt is able to do the refunds; I still have my email receipt archived should they ever finish the thing for release, but I would like to know something since I paid for it... But at this point, I'm almost ready to count it a lost.
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It's been a while since I kept up with anything homebrew in the retro gaming world... When this popped on my Facebook, old googly feelings re-immersed like the days of old when the Skunkboard was made for the Atari Jaguar... Definitely worth posting.
"Web Article"
\http://www.geek.com/games/sega-saturn-finally-cracked-saving-the-console-from-extinction-1661486/
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Can someone please port this over to the XM please...
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All features have been retained, nothing removed or excluded.
Curt
"...New XM "Killer app" games in the work..."
Wouldn't all time and effort be better suited to finish the actual product first?
The hardware is still the same... Let them finish their work so we can see this come to fruition.
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This thread:
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Just trying to keep the spirits up... I guess it will run it's course after 5 years or so. Time truly is of the essence especially if you've paid the money already for it. Reminds me of when as a teen I was paid in advance to cut a guys yard and I waited too long until the guy finally confronted about it. Of course I got the job done, but the dude never hired me again. A lesson well learned early on in life.
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That's usually how it is... A lot of underground developers just don't have the time to do home-brews and hobby products they way they like. Those who do put in work and actually have real prototypes do deserve some respect because it really is a sacrifice on time, energy, money, resources and what have you. Usually work and family comes first, then the pet project takes priority. If you can actually release something and it's good, then that's a milestone over the hurdle of real life where as there's more to life then developing for great retro goodies like the Atari 7800 via XM. Then when it's released and everyone has gotten there's, you'll be sorry you missed out on it. But time is of the essence and that's very important too.
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I agree on Tep. He's awesome for being willing to jump in and pick up the pieces of the Bios like he has. It can't be easy, especially since it sounds like he has to reinvent the wheel. He's a Rockstar in my book!
As far as the time, as I have said, it could have been avoided. I think that communication does more than keep customers informed. It also keeps the person doing the project on task. If you have to release information about what you're doing every week, you're going to have incentive to have information to release. And it'll also give you incentive not to shove it to the back of your workbench because you have all these people paying attention and providing positive feedback to what you're doing. So the end result is happier informed customers and a more timely project with the bonus of momentum that inspires other people to work to make things to coincide with the project.
All that said, from all accounts, Curt has some very serious health issues. And as someone who has family members with such, I Know how hard it is to get things done when you're not well. And it IS a hobby afterall. That should be kept in mind.
Still, real money exchanged hands and it's been 5 years. And you make a valid point about expectations. AtariAge members have been pretty forgiving overall if you ask me, occasional griping aside.
I still look forward to seeing and using it when it's done.
That's why I never really pursued a refund... I knew once the XM is released, I'd kick myself for not waiting on it. I'm a very patient person; sometimes too patient, but I've never known Atariage not to deliver. Kind of reminds me of "BattleShpere" for the Atari Jaguar, the time it's taking for it to be finished... I'm still waiting.
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Agreed... I still want this thing to be released.
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More people need to back this. I want my NSF salon # $70k stretch goal, dammit! I'm starting to regret not backing the CIB version. If I change my backing amount now, I won't get in on an early-bird shipment.
The game does look pretty laid back like "Root Beer Tapper" or something to that nature.
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But who is even gonna program a game and use the xm's capabilities if it ever did come out ?
Whoever want to use it... This is a hobby machine after all and it's safe to assume that people will be getting the XM when it's released. The orders have already have been made at this point. Someone will come out of the blue with something rather it's a YouTube or whatever. It would be nice to see it released pretty soon.
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7800XM has been "just around the corner" since I joined AtariAge nearly 4 years ago. With CPUWIZ boards with bank-switching, extra RAM, a slot for Pokey, and drop in Hokey chips as replacements coming soon, most of the stuff originally developed for XM could easily be released without one. Aside from the Yamaha (unnecessary) and high score cart (a Game Genie style lock on in a sawed off shell is all you need for a HSC), the 7800 XM is unneeded, and if released will only fragment the 7800 homebrew market between the haves and have nots.
Yep, I don't like add-ons that are needed for a game to work. I also don't need add-ons that will save my games or make them talk. If any of that is needed, I wish they would find a way to put it in the cartridge.
Speaking of games that talk, roland p told me about Voder in 2013:
youtube.com/watch?v=0rAyrmm7vv0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rAyrmm7vv0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hyI_dM5cGo
I bet someone with a big brain could figure out how to produce phonemes by only fiddling with AUDVx, AUDCx, and AUDFx, since some tone frequencies almost sound like a human voice already. For example, you can make a T sound using tone 8, starting at frequency 31 and flipping over to zero and maybe ending at 1, 2, or 3:
www.randomterrain.com/atari-2600-memories-program-tone-toy-2008.html
I've been hoping that instead of using digitized speech or an external speech synthesizer, we could track down or bring out the phonemes that already exist inside of the Atari 2600. We could have a collection of phonemes that programmers could play in a sequence to make words or maybe even sing. Programmers would no longer have to waste space on digitized speech or hope that players have an external speech synthesizer. The amount of space needed for Voder-like phoneme data would be much smaller than what is needed for digitized speech. The best part is that the display wouldn't need to be turned off. We could have understandable speech while people play.
I've tried to find phonemes by randomly goofing around with Tone Toy 2008, but with no real understanding of phonemes or how sound works on the Atari 2600, it could take a few thousand years. I'm confident that someone who knows about phonemes and Atari 2600 sound could create Voder-like data that programmers can use in their games.
I think the add-ons are a welcomed addition... Besides the YM2151 chip sounds a whole lot better then the standard TIA music wise.
On another note, there was an article out there that was released in 1984 for speech synthesis using the old Texas Instrument sound chip in the old "Speak & Spell"... It use to be easy to find on line back in the day, but not anymore. It used PCM or Pulse Code Modulation, which are great codecs to use for sound manipulation. Many of the Casio keyboards through-out the 80s and early 90s used PCM for their store shelve line ups.
Here's something that did come up in my internet search.
https://archive.org/details/SpeechSy1984
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To clarify, the 7800 has more in common with the 2600 than the 8-bit line. It has a 6502C chip (like the 8-bit machines; by contrast the 2600 has a reduced-cost 6507 chip). It also has a TIA chip, the graphical "heart" of the 2600 and what it makes it what it is. In addition, the 7800 has a graphics chip called MARIA. That chip is what makes it what it is. The 7800 has 4K of static RAM, which is loads more than a 2600, but quite a bit less than even a bog-standard 400 or 600XL computer.
Correct... The graphics chip (Maria) functions more like an arcade graphics chip using raster like graphics, where as the 8bit machine like the Atari 2600 uses missile for graphics that interact very similar to a pong game hence the term "chasing the beam". The 7800 does have the same sound chip as the Atari 2600, which I think the XM would be a dramatic improvement with two extra sound chips and more additional ram. The Maria on the 7800 does differ from an arcade graphics in some respects, instead of using pixels, the Maria uses a display list controlled by the CPU, which is capable of displaying very fast, but is limited in speed based on the CPU speed. The Maria is non programmable meaning you can't directly program the Maria.
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The technical aspect of this thread has gotten really interesting as of late. I haven't read all of the recent entries, so please forgive me if the following question has been answered. I see some talk about the XEGS; does the 8-bit line have any commonalities with the 7800? This is a very broad question from a guy who knows little about tech so take it in stride. Thanks.
Edit: Curt, though I'm not an XM costumer it's nice to see you back in the Atari game!
Other than the 6502 cpu, there's no commonalities; both systems are designed and built very differently from each other. The 7800 was designed by a company outside of Atari.
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Just posting a song composed by "Tim Folling" for the Sega Genesis; it used a similar chip like the YM2151... The guy was a musical genius.
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Here's a little something I ran into concerning the YM2151... I haven't looked at it or anything, but it looks promising for programming the 2151 chip. I can't program, but I'd help anyway I could; the website is in Japaneses language so you'll need a good Google translator plug-in if you're using Firefox internet browser.
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Look at what has been done with the 2600 and a8 computers. The 7800 could be more capable then we think.
I've known that for a while now... The Maria chip works almost similar to the Atari Jaguar object processor; all you would need is the CPU to help it along.
You do know they did make Electrocop for a stock 7800 back-in-the-day. The proto was lost and so far hasn't been found yet.
I had no idea... I like to see if it pulled off effects like the Lynx; but then again, the Lynx coprocessors in them.
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"An Interrupt Driven Real-Time Clock for TMS 9900" 1982 Byte Article
in TI-99/4A Development
Posted · Edited by philipj
Here's a little article I ran into at "archive.org" from an 1980 "Byte" magazine... A link to the web-link is below. I haven't read it fully, but I do understand that those interrupts can be pretty fast when used properly, especially on the TI-99 with it's limitations. I've attached a PDF file to this post to specific article discussing an "Interrupt Driven Real Time Clock" with source code. I bet there's all sorts of useful things that can come from the article for anyone who's interested.
https://archive.org/details/byte-magazine-1980-09
An Interrupt-Driven Real-Time Clock for the TMS 9900.pdf