Swami Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 5 hours ago, Keatah said: Emulator Stella does it right on the money. This I don’t get, since fpga is supposed to hardware accurate. Must be some limitation in the fineness of the accuracy, or why can it not be hardware exact. We have these terms in science - accurate and exact, which are not the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_me Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Hardware can have bugs too. Even different models of the original atari 2600 aren't hardware exact with eachother. The intellivision ii isn't hardware exact with the original intellivision and some cartridges sound different. Programmers have to take into account all known hardware differences. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keatah Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 I'm fairly certain current FPGA cores only simulate the VCS console hardware and nothing extra. Any special hardware or logic or BankSwitch aids or DPC+ or sound chips IN the cartridge is not simulated in the FPGA. So if you use ROM + FPGA, where does that leave the other logic? Missing! And that's why you can't play all the new DPC+ games like Scramble or SuperCobra or Draconian as a ROM from an SD card on an FPGA console. Emulator Stella is aware of these bits and pieces of extra cart hardware, including the ARM processor. And in rough layman's terms it patches them in and turns them on as needed. Now the game code is happy and sees all the hardware it needs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroillucid Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Here's a 1st look 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_me Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 36 minutes ago, Keatah said: I'm fairly certain current FPGA cores only simulate the VCS console hardware and nothing extra. Any special hardware or logic or BankSwitch aids or DPC+ or sound chips IN the cartridge is not simulated in the FPGA. So if you use ROM + FPGA, where does that leave the other logic? Missing! And that's why you can't play all the new DPC+ games like Scramble or SuperCobra or Draconian as a ROM from an SD card on an FPGA console. ... Well, we know the open-source atari 2600 fpga can emulate the custom chip in pitfall ii and therefore also does bankswitching with rom files. It probably doesn't emulate DPC+ cartridges, but it could certainly play DPC+ cartridges through a cartridge port. People who buy FPGA consoles do so to replace old original consoles and that means cartridges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swami Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 49 minutes ago, mr_me said: Hardware can have bugs too. Even different models of the original atari 2600 aren't hardware exact with eachother. The intellivision ii isn't hardware exact with the original intellivision and some cartridges sound different. Programmers have to take into account all known hardware differences. I’m pretty sure if the core did a four switch woody exact replica it could handle pretty much anything (except cart internal hardware, which I guess can be added, too) as this is considered the most compatible of the 2600s. I do know sd card to fpga may not be handled as well as cart to fpga for technical reasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixelboy Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 1 hour ago, mr_me said: An fpga intellivision can support flashback controllers internally. If only sears/II intellivision controllers are supported, only a simple external adapter would be needed to use flashback controllers. That leaves the question open though: Is the DB9 pinout on the Phoenix compatible? If the ground pin is different between the ColecoVision and Inty controllers, then that alone will make the use of a passive adapter necessary. It probably wouldn't be difficult to do, but someone has to go ahead and do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_me Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 First someone has to create an Intellivision in fpga, from scratch no less. I expect each core to interact with the controller ports independently. Even if there is some limitation you could go through the expansion port in the back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digress Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 (edited) eaten alive by dogs. ha ha you have no bullets yet so best bet is to just grab the key by holding both fire buttons and run off the screen. Edited August 7, 2019 by digress Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
romeoteknik Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Looks interesting. Why is it only 480p? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bmack36 Posted August 8, 2019 Author Share Posted August 8, 2019 3 minutes ago, romeoteknik said: Looks interesting. Why is it only 480p? The HDMI is being driven directly by the FPGA instead of going through an extra HDMI transmitter chip. 720 is possible but might conflict with F18a as far as FPGA clock resources go, so that is being evaluated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loafer Posted August 8, 2019 Share Posted August 8, 2019 Loved the video, heck saw my name in the manual so once again, I’m famous! Lol 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loafer Posted August 8, 2019 Share Posted August 8, 2019 43 minutes ago, Bmack36 said: The HDMI is being driven directly by the FPGA instead of going through an extra HDMI transmitter chip. 720 is possible but might conflict with F18a as far as FPGA clock resources go, so that is being evaluated. Could your solution also lead to less input lag considering it’s not going through an extra chip? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMR Posted August 8, 2019 Share Posted August 8, 2019 I figure this has probably been asked before, but how powerful is the FPGA in this system? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bmack36 Posted August 8, 2019 Author Share Posted August 8, 2019 1 minute ago, CMR said: I figure this has probably been asked before, but how powerful is the FPGA in this system? Spartan 6 LX16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digress Posted August 8, 2019 Share Posted August 8, 2019 could a pico-8 core be possible? 16 colour 128x128 and 4 voice sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroillucid Posted August 8, 2019 Share Posted August 8, 2019 2 minutes ago, digress said: could a pico-8 core be possible? 16 colour 128x128 and 4 voice sound. Pretty sure it is possible Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixelboy Posted August 8, 2019 Share Posted August 8, 2019 (edited) 3 hours ago, mr_me said: First someone has to create an Intellivision in fpga, from scratch no less. Well, Kevtris did it, so how hard can it be? (* Runs away and hides behind the sofa *) Edited August 8, 2019 by Pixelboy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroillucid Posted August 8, 2019 Share Posted August 8, 2019 (edited) When I've first subscribed here in 2008, I did my very first game with the help on another fellow member here, I never ever thought we would someday release a ColecoVision FPGA console. I feel blessed and very thankful to have been part of this community for 11 years now, I would never have been able to do most of what we did so far all alone Since then, a bunch of folks joined CollectorVision Same goes for the Phoenix, Brian (bmack36) lead the project and surround himself with awesome people wich are all members here as well. They did a tremendeous job and almost did the impossible in only just 1 year (from prototype to final version) Also, a HUGE shoutout to Toby (coleco_master) who is doing all the assembling and shipping Just surround yourself with good people, awesome things can happen! Thanks to EVERYONE of you who are supporting us and believe in our crazy ideas Cheers! Edited August 8, 2019 by retroillucid 9 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+eebuckeye Posted August 8, 2019 Share Posted August 8, 2019 Still waiting on the Intellivision core for my Mini NT. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SegaSnatcher Posted August 8, 2019 Share Posted August 8, 2019 1 hour ago, Loafer said: Could your solution also lead to less input lag considering it’s not going through an extra chip? Bunnyboy's AVS doesn't use an HDMI transmitter, but he still buffers a few scanlines for his NES core. I'm sure you'd still have to buffer a couple scanlines for Coleco core as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imstarryeyed Posted August 8, 2019 Share Posted August 8, 2019 20 hours ago, retroillucid said: We're planning a cartridge adapter as well This is the add on I am most looking forward to! I have all of these amazing homebrew games and carts and don't care much to run ROMS, its that tactile experience of playing a cart. I never cared for "the kid in the candy store syndrome" of having all the ROMS and only skimming through a few before I say.. I think I will play something else.. carts for some reason don't give me that phenomenon. Hey Collectorvision, if you are going to do a 7800 core, can the add on slot work for both? If I can play my Colecovision, Collectorvision, 2600 and 7800 carts that would be ideal! Most of my homebrew carts I own are those 3 systems. I plan to use the SD Slot for any systems, if implemented, that are hard to get or are just rare.. (eg MSX, Astrocade, Super Cassette Vision, Casio PV-1000, etc.) This system is going to be so hype! 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroillucid Posted August 8, 2019 Share Posted August 8, 2019 6 minutes ago, imstarryeyed said: This is the add on I am most looking forward to! I have all of these amazing homebrew games and carts and don't care much to run ROMS, its that tactile experience of playing a cart. I never cared for "the kid in the candy store syndrome" of having all the ROMS and only skimming through a few before I say.. I think I will play something else.. carts for some reason don't give me that phenomenon. Hey Collectorvision, if you are going to do a 7800 core, can the add on slot work for both? If I can play my Colecovision, Collectorvision, 2600 and 7800 carts that would be ideal! Most of my homebrew carts I own are those 3 systems. I plan to use the SD Slot for any systems, if implemented, that are hard to get or are just rare.. (eg MSX, Astrocade, Super Cassette Vision, Casio PV-1000, etc.) This system is going to be so hype! Thanks! A L L N O T E D ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5200Fanatic Posted August 9, 2019 Share Posted August 9, 2019 ship 'em out boys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+lawdawg710 Posted August 9, 2019 Share Posted August 9, 2019 JF, Toby and Brian, thank you all (as well as others who have been part of project Phoenix) for creating this system for the community. Your passion and love for the Colecovision is beyond reproach and I personally cannot thank you enough. When I got back into the Colecovision scene several years back, and found this forum, I had no idea what a homebrew was lol, let alone the hardcore following the CV really has! I feel blessed and honored to be apart of all of this and to be able to buy your products to continue supporting ongoing projects that you all make available for us to enjoy. Through the ups and (sometimes) downs of this hobby I have seen you persevere through it all and this system is the culmination of all of the efforts you have pursued. Seeing you continue on has also helped me stay interested and active in this hobby. I almost threw in the towel a few times when there were, what I considered, low points and infighting within our community. But seeing you pressing forward through it all made me realize how special everyone here truly is. So I just wanted to tell you, THANK YOU, I cannot wait to see what the future may bring from you guys as well as the other talented "homebrewers" (that doesn't seem to be a good term to me anymore as I consider what you and the other publishers put out to be high quality products) have in store for us all. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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