CPC Plus cartridge replacement : one more

[gerald]

Looks like the plus cartridge replacement hot topic poped again while I was away 

I therefore feel the need to give an update on the work I started one year ago and hinted in the cartridge filesystem topic.

The current status is rather good

• Form factor prototype, fitting in the original cartridge shell.

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• Direct accessed to 16 cartridge image (.cpr) using dip switches. Images are stored on a micro SD card.
• A cartridge selector running on the CPC if you need more than 16 images.
• Loading of cartridge from PC using USB port.

What still need to be done

• Fix PCB from some stupid bug  . (double check is not enough !!!)
• Improve cartridge loading time (currently 6sec for a 512k)
• Find a way to assemble cart at reasonable price
• and maybe think about a shell for this 

10/05/2015 : Status update

• All 1st batch interested people have been contacted and most of the cards have been shipped. If you have stated interest in the cards before the 23/03/2015 and have not been contacted ( ) by PM: PM me ASAP
• I am still taking reservation for the second batch. If you are interested in  a card, just PM me.
• Second batch card price is not fixed yet, first batch cards were 60 euro.
• New price will be fixed according to component price (linked to dollar/euro parity) and number of cards reserved.
• Target date for 2nd batch is end of June (but may be earlier)

More info on the card are on the wiki dedicated page : C4CPC - CPCWiki

23/06/2015 : Second batch assembly and shipping started. I will contact everyone in due time 
06/07/2015 : Vacation time  . 2nd batch shipping will resume during last week of july with reservation done after the 10th of May.
8/8/2015 : All second batch people have contacted.
13/11/2016 : All cards have been sold.
04/08/2017 : Batch 4 exhausted. Time for a small break 

[TFM]

Awesome work done!!! I bet you had a lot of fun soldering all that SMD parts. 


So each of your Cartridge images can store 512 KB, right? That's pretty neat!


Can you upload data from the CPC or do you need a PC? (You told about a cart selector, but I got no idea what this is).

[Ast]

Does it run on real Cpc plus?

Ps : same Times as Tfm as lastest Time ^^ we are so connected.... Arrrr

[gerald]

Awesome work done!!! I bet you had a lot of fun soldering all that SMD parts. 

Not sure 'fun' is the right word 

So each of your Cartridge images can store 512 KB, right? That's pretty neat!

Yes, 512k, no less.

Can you upload data from the CPC or do you need a PC? (You told about a cart selector, but I got no idea what this is).

The cart selector is a CPC side SW that allow you to browse the file on the SD card and load it. The SD is fully handler by the uC, the CPC only get the file list and control the uC.
You cannot put data on the SD nor the emulated EPROM from the CPC. While this is not impossible, it is not planned mainly because I am running low on code space in the uC 

[gerald]

Does it run on real Cpc plus?

As far as I know, even on GX4000

[mr_lou]

Where can I get one?! 

[gerald]

Where can I get one?! 

Well, I need to sort the "when" first.
My biggest issue is manufacturing.
Soldering 0.5mm pitch IC is ok for few pieces, not for a production.

[andycadley]

This is awesome. 

[TFM]

....The cart selector is a CPC side SW that allow you to browse the file on the SD card and load it. The SD is fully handler by the uC, the CPC only get the file list and control the uC.
You cannot put data on the SD nor the emulated EPROM from the CPC. While this is not impossible, it is not planned mainly because I am running low on code space in the uC 

Oh well, that's not a big problem. I mean how often does one need to update the content of the SD-Cart? Maybe once a year? Of course such a Cartridge will motivate people to do Cart software, but still it takes it's time.


It's really great that you can select from CPC side in an easy way... 

[CraigsBar]

Well, I need to sort the "when" first.
My biggest issue is manufacturing.
Soldering 0.5mm pitch IC is ok for few pieces, not for a production.

"when" you sort that out, I'll have 2 please LOL


Craig

[mr_lou]

Well, I need to sort the "when" first.
My biggest issue is manufacturing.
Soldering 0.5mm pitch IC is ok for few pieces, not for a production.

Well... maybe production isn't even necessary.
Maybe there's not such a big demand.
I mean, it's not like the topic has come up repeatedly multiple times within the last year with the exact same questions over and over again......  oh wait. Right. 

Hm... I'd say, a few devoted developers should be allowed to buy one of the manually soldered ones, to boost their CPC cartridge-game development urges.
What do you reckon' the price for one of those will be, fully assembled?

[gerald]

Well... maybe production isn't even necessary.
Maybe there's not such a big demand.
I mean, it's not like the topic has come up repeatedly multiple times within the last year with the exact same questions over and over again......  oh wait. Right. 

It's not easy to correlate the demand to the number of topic 

Hm... I'd say, a few devoted developers should be allowed to buy one of the manually soldered ones, to boost their CPC cartridge-game development urges.

That's on the plan, 1st to beta test, second to get a full box of eggs

What do you reckon' the price for one of those will be, fully assembled?

It's down to the batch quantity, but I hope to keep it below 80 euros for small quantity batch (without casing).

[Ast]

How do you make this cartridge working without acid rom?
Can you use old Cpc Plus cartridge games ? (All .cpr games?)


Take one for sure..... Just to know, How will it cost ?

[gerald]

How do you make this cartridge working without acid rom?

ACID is emulated within the PLD

Can you use old Cpc Plus cartridge games ? (All .cpr games?)

I've tested all CPR available. While I did not played all the games, I did not get any problem so far.

[Ast]

Can you give us an idea of price ?


Just to know, who Will be interested in this project? This can give an idea to Gerald for a future development....

[gerald]

It's down to the batch quantity, but I hope to keep it below 80 euros for small quantity batch (without casing).

[arnoldemu]

I'm away for a week......

and when I get back we've got this fantastic cart.

I want.. I want

[Ast]

1 more Gerald.

[TFM]

Well, I would be interested too. Would speed up my game development. 

[gerald]

5 pieces so far 

[CraigsBar]

Yay.

[seanb]

If its within my budget I'd be interested too

[TFM]

As Gerald told, about 80 Euros. Which makes sense. However one can always expect some change, depends on prices for parts. IMHO that's really worth.

[seanb]

Exactly. If it hopefully gets released I'll see what the price is then and my budget might be a bit more favourable then

[mr_lou]

5 pieces so far 

Are you taking pre-orders? Is that what you're doing?
Putting together a list of people who has pre-ordered the device?

If so, make sure my name is on that list too.