seastalker

I have the various 'Masterpiece' collections from the 90s on CD-Rom and always thought the 'Z[numeral]' formula just indicated revision number for bugfixes, improvements and such. Learned something new. For those of us with U1mb upgrades, I wonder how tricky it would be to add more Infocom to the roster.

I remember some of the twilight years of Infocom games didn't make it to our aging A8s, especially when they started adding graphics like they did with Battle Tech. I can 'believe' your list from Nord... through Arthur. Beyond Zork too. Trinity and 'A Mind Forever Voyaging' surprise me. I mean, I subscribed to their mailed magazines 'The Status Line' and whatever their newsletter was called. Even look at my screen name and thumbnail! I like the idea of porting any missing titles to the A8 but lack the skills. I'd love the SOUND version of Lurking Horror to get some love too.

I edited down the quotes for the relevant portions... of the first three statements... YOU are my friend. Of the latter two, my mind is officially blown. I had no idea there were ANY Infocom text adventures that were NOT released on the A8!! Nord and Bert MAYBE, but Bureaucracy?!?! Even Trinity surprises me. I looked up Bureaucracy and it even came out on the Apple II, so mind blown. I know I SAW Bureaucracy back in the day in computer shops and considered buying it. I would not have if it was not for my 800xl because I learned early on about incompatibility between 2600 carts and xl ones, IBM vs Apple, and though many titles had both C64 and A8 on the same disk, many did not: Always wanted 'Skyfox' to not be a c64 game. Did a TEXT adventure really push our beloved 64k beyond its ceiling??

@Japhy Riddle I really dig your WIP on the Action Max game! Have you thought of a title? Feel free to PM me on any progress, testing, etc. you may want in the future. That would be great to make a homebrew using older cameras of the era to match the look and feel of the original titles. Blue Thunder is the only one I have yet to find a sealed copy for. Agreed that the master tapes would be ideal. I wonder if viewing the end credits on the games might create a lead or contact that could have more info? I especially would love to find out any tidbits on the unreleased 'Fright Night', if even a footnote [nothing seems to have ever surfaced]. For years, I've considered making my own 'fan concept' edit for what such a game MIGHT have looked like if using footage from the film. I'd re-watch Blue Thunder (both film and game) prior, to try to get into the mindset of the editors on their team at the time. I don't think Fright Night had a lot of scenes where shooting at fast-moving monsters would work as in a 'Pops Ghostly' way, so such a title might have the pace of .38 Ambush Alley. The Action Max to me is a wonderful curiosity, and something I had and enjoyed, if not briefly in '87.

For others attempting this, I found these two very good links: Atari 800XL bill-of-materials (BOM): https://ezcontents.org/atari-800xl-bill-materials-bom Atari 800XL PCB - soldering and troubleshooting: https://ezcontents.org/atari-800xl-pcb-soldering-and-troubleshooting It's not an all-in-one-place option like a Console5 cap kit, but until if and when such a kit exists (maybe, minus the Atari specialty chips), it is a really good build list of the parts you need and where to get them.

I have one of these: GOLD PLATED - Atari 800XL C061851 REV D remake - PCB - as seen here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/194962210057 Now I need to build it I have some 8 bit spares, but would love to go brand new for this project. There is a BOM (Bill of Materials I think) list out there, but has anyone that built this already have some links to buy the parts affordably as possible? I'd still like quality parts, Japanese capacitors etc whenever possible for a NTSC build with modern upgrades.

I have and LOVE my 800xl with UAV and U1MB. I have a 4MB upgrade to install and a Sofia to maybe install in my other ataris [A400, A800,XEGS, A600Xl and 1-2 more 800xls]. I was wondering what the latest upgrades or REVISIONS to past gear there are. I need to catch up on things like Side 3, ultimate cart, etc. Are there any HDMI mods (Sofia can convert DVI easily with an adapter though). Also, as much as I love that projects like the 1088XEL and Eclaire exist, I'd love to start seeing projects for drop-in replacement boards for the XL varieties especially (like the C64, Vic 20 have). The icing on the cake would be a revised board for ease of install for the mentioned upgrades, HDMI and S-Video ports, dual pokey and streamlined modern components like with this reverse engineered Sega Game Gear project. Has anything close to this been attempted yet?

Ha! Yes on those fantastic commercials! Back then, advertising REALLY worked on me... 'Wait til they see Phantasy Star!" I loved my SMS I got for Christmas around 87-88. Never had problems with it until it got destroyed during a move. This SMS now is my first since then. I should rephrase my prior wording- when searching for the fix for my SMS cart reading issue, more than one Youtuber stated that this is a common problem, and I may be speaking out of turn by repeating their reports. I presume they have done this repair more than once to conclude this. Still, I don't think anyone is alleging any design flaw- just an observation of age-related wear; just as lasers and disc rot weren't problems back in the day but they might be now. I do stand by that IF anyone has this same problem (be it rare or common), try reflowing all the joints on the cart/card/controllers ' joints. It will likely fix the issue.

My jourmey with this topic is now complete. I now have two carts- the one mentioned and a flash cart (neither being read). I remembered I had an unused SMS adapter still in the box of my Analogue MegaSG, and both carts ran on it. My SMS was suffering from the common condition of carts not being read. Some youtube videos later, I re-opened my SMS, reflowed all solder points on the bottom of the the motherboard for the cart port, card port, and both controller ports for good measure. All work great now! I know the card port works because though I have no physical games for it anymore, the 3d adapter works. The 3d games were my main focus for even having SMS redundancy ( I have a Genesis v1, MiST, MiSTer, MegaSG, MegaSD, etc.) ...oh, and to answer the thread topic question, if you put a working Hang On/Safari Hunt cart in a SMS that has those two games built in, it plays the cart normally; that is, the same blue screen with the choice to select either game shows. It looks identical to the built-in version, though running from the cart instead of the built in.

After getting a SMS back in the collection (USA, NTSC) that is supposed to have Hang On/Safari Hunt [and Snail Maze] built in, at first I had no picture. I momentarilly thought there was a version where the games came packed in on a cart, but I was sure the lack of the Sega boot up logo and ability to do the snail game were baked in on all models. Too excited to wait, I had a Hang On /Safari Hunt cart on the way to at least make my experience feel more 'complete'. I found out my fatigue didn't notice I was just on the wrong video input on the tv... duh. All worked great. Still when the cart arrived, I wondered what would happen if I loaded the cart on a system that already had them built in. I got a software error black screen message (similar when I try to load up some bios varient in FPGA cores). I'm still left uncertain if that means I got a bad Hang On Safari Hunt cart or if this is a known incombatibility with my bios. If I ever sell the cart, obviously I'd prefer to know prior to doing so to ensure an informed condition or if I need to repair the cart first. I only like fair and honost transactions. Anyone know this tech issue?

I got my order in the moment the page went up. Not being a bot, I still did my best to copy/paste my shipping and payment info to shave moments off my timing from my failed order attempt years ago. I got the 3 minute wait thing too and am also in Q4 2022. It is indeed frustrating. I'm sure I will enjoy it though I don't expect developers to make much headway this year on adding 3rd party cores if it is this hard to get one in our hands. Speaking of Kevtris cores, I missed out on the NT Mini Noir, which had the cool oddball jailbreak ones mentioned in the OP of this thread. With the Pocket's ability to be handheld or docked, plus be compatible with a host of controllers (in future firmware), it seems to me the Pocket is the perfect Zimba 3000 opportunity Kevtris envisioned. Especially with the handheld controls not being too far off from a NES 8-bitDo controller, let's hope it gets his NT Mini cores. Please please please!! I'm surprised that essentially the entire Mega SG is now baked into the NT jailbreak (sans CD/32x HARDWARE support). If you can pair a Genesis 8bitDo to the NES wireless adapter of theirs, maybe they 'gave away the farm' so to speak? I'm happy for NT Mini owners that they did; I just wasn't expecting it. The Pocket is advertised to have future TG16/PCE/SGX support, but is their any speculation-only wonder about CD game support? On one hand, it would be kind of 'giving away' the upcoming Duo, yet they did it with the MegaSG... yet the Noir didn't get the SNES/SFC cores (yet?). Then there is the Sega Nomad elephant in the room question...

Have others that got in on the recent pre-order gotten their emails yet to know if they are Q1, Q4 or 2023 yet? Still waiting.

Can anyone demystify the three Nanoloop cable accessories the Pocket is selling? I need to learn Nanoloop when I get it but which do I order? I comprehend the one side on all cables is 'link cable' port to the Pocket or GB, GBC, or GBA (not OG GB). The USB-A let's you connect to a computer for to and from transfers. The MIDI-IN would let me hook a Pocket or GB with Nanoloop to an old-school synth keyboard. I'm confused about how these work. Can I add sounds from a Roland synth into Nanoloop (as named 'input' cable), or is it sending GB chiptune audio to a music keyboard? The USB-A is just to transfer Nanoloop creations to and from the Pocket to PC? The really confusing one is the 'Nanoloop Pocket to Analog Sync Cable'... what is that square port on the other end? Surely you can't plug that into another Pocket or GB? Ever part of that product description is confusing- what is this cable for exactly? Of the flood of youtube reviews, I only saw MLiG showing the white model. For those that ordered last year or yesterday, which one did you choose and why? Black or White? I got one of each and plan to decide which one will be mine. I'm leaning towards the white because it at least has some color contrast with the black bezel or bars in GBA mode. At least the MegaSG has some color in the buttons that stand out. The black pocket looks sleek but I wish both had the 'A' Analogue logo on it so it looked less 'generic' if that is fair before I see one in my hands. Also, in the 1990s I had a game gear (and lynx) but dreamed about the elusive Japanese game gear white. I think that is influencing me. Did others factor in the dock only comes in black? I don't mind the 'piano keys' look of the white in the dock. The takeaway I got from the MLiG review regarding the console handling is the white seems to get dirty easily while the black shows fingerprints more. I'm really curious which one others chose and why Analogue chose those two colors over the OG gameboy color.

I did see the other threads and appreciate you both for your additions here. I'm slowly building my current setup until such hypothesized alternative solution exists. I can't justify the cost vs brittleness of original 3d glasses so I have the same ASUS glasses (yet to try or even open) and the official sms glasses adapter. Sega Lord X has probably the best video on the 8 titles the glasses support. For some of the games' ebay prices, it is frustrating that I basically now need a Master EverDrive X7 and Power Base Converter JUST to play these 8 games when I already have a Terraonion MegaSD, Genesis, Analogue MegaSG, Mister and even a MIST! At least I have some Sega SMS light phasers. I get it that the ASUS glasses at the bare minimum would be required, but I hope for EVERYONE in the world that wants to try or relive the Sega 3D library that a clever, cost efficient alternative to this pricey daisy chain will someday exist. Sure, some of the titles are cheap, but who wants to spend the cash on the glasses for maybe 2 games and not be a completest? Then there might be the additional hurdle and cost (maybe) of converting PAL only titles to run on a NTSC machine. EDIT: A feature of the Master Everdrive that the MegaSD currently doesn't have is SMS save state support so there is a great benefit there for some. STILL, of note about the features of the Everdrive X7: "Save States function and In-Game menu function. NOTICE: In-game menu function only works on original base Master System hardware. It will not work on other consoles via the Power Base Converter, PowerBase Mini, or any other such converters." So for this scenario, one might even have to go full tilt and skip the Power Base Converter (and the A/V quality uptick it provides) and buy the more expensive original Sega Master System... then one must decide between a Japanese unit with built in 3d jack or debate FM vs PGM.. AHHH and ARRGH!!! THIS is why someone might make a fortune on a simple solution requiring JUST the original or aftermarket 3d glasses. I'd even consider a non-intuitive "Genesis to SMS game cart" bare pcb just to at least save some money by plugging my MegaSD into a power base converter. Needing a power base converter and original Sega 3d card slot adapter is tolerable, but damn would it be nice to bypass the need for those too.

I'm hoping for modern 2022 and beyond long term solution(s) for the masses for playing SMS 3-D titles. I have original Sega hardware and FPGA solutions, and flash carts. I've been looking into this for some time. The ability to relive the small handful of titles has never justified the costs to do so for me. One would need: A CRT, Original SMS 3D glasses and card slot adapter, and a SMS (or Genesis Power Base Converter with a Sega Genesis), and each individual game or flash cart solution (and possibly a Sega light phaser) I have yet to see ANYONE play via an Analogue MegaSG which would still need the Analogue DAC, the card adapter, and much of the gear [CRT, glasses set, etc.] With a MiSTer, Terraonion MegaSD, a jailbroken MegaSG, a real Sega Genesis, and a CRT and light phaser, I feel the SD format is the way for forward preservation. I'd love a simple solution, even if hypothetical-only and or if not fully compatible with all hardware. Since the SMS already has a card slot, AND the 'power base converter' is said to be the best 'SMS' A/V by piggybacking off a Genesis, I thought the simplest solution would be to consolidate as much of the SMS hardware requirements into a solution that can run off the Genesis and MegaSG (with DAC) hardware. I don't know if that means a custom pcb for the cart slot or the Sega CD expansion (ideally the former). I envision a product that would be akin to a feature-expanded, updated version of the PowerBase Mini design: https://stoneagegamer.com/powerbase-mini.html RetroRGB has pages on FM Sound as well as 3d support WIP ideas of using the Genesis audio port, but I hope for a plug n play; ideally a design that works as an inexpensive 'Sonic and Knuckles' type Genesis cart that a flash cart sits on top of. This middle-man cart would have a 3.55mm jack to accept original 3d glasses or modern equivalent. A deluxe version with slot for card support and perhaps built in FM audio would be the ultimate Sega Genesis accessory! How many others here think there is a market for one device that could replace the need (and costs) of: 1. a Power Base Converter 2. a working 3D Sega card adapter 3. each of the original game titles 4. the option to use original 3D glasses or find a cheaper modern equivalent that better fits adult heads 5. [optional] able to eliminate other 'Sega card' adapters and FM units with this all-in-one No expectations personally, but hope others would discuss design ideas.

Sorry friend- I haven't done any RGB or Component mods yet. I did get a cable/adapter to change Chroma and Luma to an S-Video input. I may mess around with my Commodore RGBi 80 column port on my C128 monitor.

To all VHS experts: at what point is this plan just diminishing returns? Can I truly just do this myself with consumer grade VCRs that are cleaned and get a generic transfer device to a PC? Do I not need a Techmoan level of gear?

@thanatos, True, and no guarantee we will never know unless trying it to compare. I would want the transfer to be done on a recently cleaned and maintenance ready VHS system to avoid signal problems, VHS artifacts, etc. I've cleaned my VCRs but they are consumer grade. I know of that DVD mentioned, and used to have it but lost it. It would be a great measure to see how mine or anyone's of shrink-wrapped new condition would fair against the current transfers. Worlds of Wonder formed in 1985 and have been defunct since 1991. I am certain these transfers could be done by even professional companies that would look the other way, but private methods are welcomed. @atari2600land, let's pm about your two titles. I'd like to collect and know all homebrew titles for the platform. So anyone with something close to a 'Sony BVM' equivalent of professional VHS and capture gear, please do contact me. Thank you.

Hello world, The much overlooked 1987 Action Max VHS console has had it's share of critique and even ridicule over the years. Around the time, I bought one for $20 on clearance as a gift for my brother, and we had great fun with it, despite its shortcomings. I have a vision now and hope others join me to preserve its history for what would be its 35th anniversary in 2022. Personal opinions of the quality of games need not apply here, nor the ultimately and obvious failure of the platform. Currently, Singe is a great option for emulation. There are also new light gun options like Sinden. With the MiSTer project as well, I think in some form, we can create an updated Action Max that worked better than the erratic light gun/console original. The games are already out there for download, but of uncertain transfer quality. I sold my original titles, but in recent years collected NEW and SEALED copies of the main 4 games of 5 total (the rare 'Blue Thunder' not included). THE SIMPLE PROJECT: I would like to loan my sealed copies to be opened and digitized as virgin transfers in the highest quality. Consider them as the best 'REDUMP' equivalent for worldwide archives for all future generations. Though I am hunting for a sealed copy of Blue Thunder to donate to this, I may have at least one contact that might consider lending their sealed copy to complete the games library backup. WHAT I NEED: a verifiable and trustworthy collaborator with professional grade high end VHS/digitizing gear to make the best available digital transfers of the game titles. Being sealed copies, ideally, there would be only one shot at this. I know a professional company that can do it, but I don't want to spend any more than what I did to collect the game VHS tapes to donate to the world. If there is a reputable youtube channel (like RetroRGB team, Game Sack, My Life In Gaming, etc) that has such high-end capture gear, I am open to discussion with them or others. I just want to do this correctly and give back to the community. FUTURE/BONUS: I'd like the video files to be master copies to transfer to VHS or DVD for real hardware, or to work with any (better) lightguns in emulators, or with MiSTer one day using the blasters for the NES, SMS, Atari XEGS, or whatever is possible. Also I have seen 'Action Max Homebrew' on youtube that would be great to include with the official releases. I even thought about a big project of editing a version of the film 'Fright Night' to create what might have been- had this originally intended title come to fruition instead of being an ever-elusive bit of game history. I welcome all here and in PM.

232 Euros Having a MiSTer, the past model was hard for me to justify. I think the blue shell against a white PC Engine would look nice. Supergrafx play-ability on base systems is great, using as much of the original hardware as possible. The ability to add FPGA cores to it like NES makes it very appealing. Just my opinion, but with added cores, I't would have been nice if they added 1-2 USB ports on it. That could also make it a Turbotap killer, but this may limit the cores a bit if NEC controllers are the only way. NES and SMS would make sense having similar rectangular two button shapes. I guess Atari, SG-1000 and Amiga cores could work. It is an interesting project upgrade.

I've been absent in this topic for too long. I have an U1MB and a Side 2. What does a Side 3 offer beyond my setup? I have other Ataris (400, 600xl, 800, XEGS) that might benefit from this, but prefer to put 'my best money forward' and waste the least.

This is a very cool project! I love the idea of remake PCBs in general. Especially so for those that include the ability for more modern upgrades like S-Video or even HDMI. I'd love to see the Genesis model 1 get this treatment too. Maybe this 800xl will get forked so a streamlined pcb that fits all/most A8 computers will happen one day. Many thanks for this PCB!

Thank you Stephen Moss. Interestingly, when powering on the CDI, the drive's motor does spin when the Red/Black lead is plugged in, and I saw the laser unit light up and try to read a disc, so the movement is there. Maybe it just needs a new laser? If it is as you say essentially a dumb unit, maybe whatever model laser in there is more common than replacing the drive? If so, maybe I can then Pop the circular magnet on top of a disc to get it to read? I could then at least prop up the drive to prevent shorts on run the CDI without the case cover. If all else fails, I can save my CDI in hopes Terraonion's MODE gets CDI (and 3DO) support. Or... maybe a MiSTer FPGA master core creator wants to use it (heck, decap it with acid if needed) to preserve its history?

My mistake. If someone needs to and can delete this thread, please do, thanks.

I am looking for spare parts for a CD-I and am posting here in the long shot that anyone has any consoles to part out. If no one has a Digital Video card, a spare CD drive, I suppose I will keep this space in case someone else needs spare parts and I have this incomplete one to part out.