Greetings all Amstrad cpc users! :P
Some familiar names I see on here from the old cpc zone forum, thought it was about time I got on the board for cpcwiki to check out whats happening.
Anyhow for those who don't remember my user name, I will (re)post a picture of my fave toy. Then check out what the reactions are from you guys!!
cheers!
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/Image14.jpg)
Great picture!
Welcome here and...
Greetings program!
Welcome mate, good to have you back! :)
What does it run? It doesn't have a stick, so....??
Hope you stick around. This place is going from strength to strength!
Is that an amstrad monitor?
Ohhh crap I think you're right!
Great DIY but where is the keyboard ??? :o
This is an amstrad Monitor too... ;D
It's a Russian clone! :o :laugh:
hopefully the following pile of images will answer any questions.... exept Gryzor's mention of the lack of joystick >:( its what all my mates gripe about when hammering away at 1943. All I can say to that is ZXFC !!
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/Image12.jpg)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/Image11.jpg)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/Image10.jpg)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/Image7.jpg)
the jumble of orange wires enable the front panel buttons to connect to any keyboard or joy 1& 2 pins
cunningly the 464 pcb has a spare row of solder holes (18 I think?) to enable external controls
Very clever, just two questions.
Do you load software from tape?
Does the monitor overheat after a few hours?
Well, you can add a cooler fan.
Also, a bit of a shame : only 64K...
Tape ? perhaps a MP3 device would be better then.
But, it is a bit dusty too...
built it about errr... 7-8 years ago I think. Yep tape loading, but only need to load in a game once, then the power supply unit stays always on, theres a power switch under the blue panel at the front which knocks off the monitor & amp only when not in use. The monitors good as gold. I guess if you had it at more of an angle it might get the arse and overheat.
MacDeath- there are plans afoot as we speak to build another console using a 6128 running one of them new fangled HxC floppy emulators amongst other tricks! what you see above was as good as I could get with what I was capable of at the time. In reality its totaly impractical as some games require the buttons to be reconnected differently, deffo not fun after a few drinks!
But still I love it.
What I'm up to next is what I'll be hopefully posting up on here for you chaps to see as it progresses. Stay tuned!
You could use Bryce's Megaflash to have 512KB storage without having to keep the power on.
Although with that name it should have 1MB flash. ;D
The main thing is : what do you run on this...
This can be As much an awfull speccyport station as a guenuine axesome stuff...
Sadly not the best format to play "Sid Meyer's Pirates!"...
;)
Quote from: steve on 01:54, 20 November 11
You could use Bryce's Megaflash to have 512KB storage without having to keep the power on.
Although with that name it should have 1MB flash. ;D
Well is has 4 Mbit Flash :) It's a good idea to use it for a games launch menu in a CPC arcade :-)))
Quote from: TFM/FS on 06:51, 20 November 11Well is has 4 Mbit Flash :) It's a good idea to use it for a games launch menu in a CPC arcade :-)))
Then again cartridge work by the same solderer might come to something like the multicart Demonstrator (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/GX4000_cartridge#Demonstration_System) (inside a single module with today's technology, will need a new acronym though) which if run on a GX4000 may help avoid butchering a Plus.
Amazing ! i really love that !
Quote from: Lazy Dude on 21:45, 19 November 11there are plans afoot as we speak to build another console using a 6128 running one of them new fangled HxC floppy emulators amongst other tricks! what you see above was as good as I could get with what I was capable of at the time. In reality its totaly impractical as some games require the buttons to be reconnected differently, deffo not fun after a few drinks!
But still I love it.
What keymapping do you use ?
just looking at the 464 pcb picture on the wiki hardware bit shows a 1983 version, mines a 1984 which has slightly different keyboard connection.
left in pic shows a white molex connector and the board is blank next to it, where as mine has 2x membrane connectors in the "blank" space leaving a spare row of solder holes (where the '83 has the molex) for me to tag off & connect up to arcade buttons.
couple of pics from a dead 464 to elaborate~
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/IMG_1471.jpg)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/IMG_1473.jpg)
as for the games, 64k is just fine! Galactic plague never looked better- superb game... (just kidding!)
Ikari warriors, who dares wins 2, silkworm, wec lemans, 1943, prohibition all get a good run out.
Some great upgrade suggestions guys, but as this unit was completed almost 10 years ago, development has ceased.
A new chapter is beginning with a donor 6128, its disc drive had died and so becomes the ideal candidate for the transformation.
I'd like to get one of these for my cpc6128~
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350244621369?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_nkw%3D350244621369%26_sacat%3D0%26_odkw%3DItem%2Bnumber%253A%2B350244621369%26_osacat%3D0%26_trksid%3Dp3286.c0.m270.l1313%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350244621369?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_nkw%3D350244621369%26_sacat%3D0%26_odkw%3DItem%2Bnumber%253A%2B350244621369%26_osacat%3D0%26_trksid%3Dp3286.c0.m270.l1313%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1)
it looks to be the right thing, anyone know if this is ok for use in uk? not sure if theres any issues with pal vs ntsc here.
Can't say I'm interested in anything using composite video or getting a lcd telly for my cpc
This is lovely, must have been lots of fun to build it!
It could do with some side artwork, though - vinyl printing is really cheap for such a project! Or at least maybe some stickers from RetroGT :)
I'm holding back for as long as possible before posting up the visuals of what I'm after for the new toy!! ;)
Quote from: steve on 01:54, 20 November 11
You could use Bryce's Megaflash to have 512KB storage without having to keep the power on.
Although with that name it should have 1MB flash. ;D
The name originally came from when I built the very first MegaROM, which had 1Mbit of ROM, the MegaFlash ended up having 4Mbit of Flash, so the name stuck.
Bryce.
wow time flies! so for hardcore cpc fans who read this thread from the start will have a little clue as to what is coming next :)
I have finally decided to turn my attention to building a "new" Amstrad arcade. Hard work dusting down stuff that's been in storage for years! Anyhow I will post up plenty of pics tomorrow of how its been progressing and concept pics of how I visualise the finished product.
A quick look at whats on the design bench right now, and will get on it for a little chit-chat soon.
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/IMAG0062.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/lazy-dude/media/IMAG0062.jpg.html)
More pics please :)
how do you manage the keyboard ?
Oh wow. Not only does it look ueber-cool, it would be the best prank to play at a company's server rack :D
Ahh it's 2013 we don't use keyboards now!!! ;D
So firstly the waffle- the first unit I built was a chipboard cabinet with a jumble of wires tucked away inside. Vey basic.
Technology has evolved and the age of wood is over. What I have planned for the 6128 is a metal open frame design. All the components will be 19" rack mount. Google MAME and everything is MDF boxes!! I have a blacksmiths nearby and intend to submit a more useable plan for them to work from but here's a couple of basic pictures to show the look I'm after (tron artwork optional!!)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/A4Zzhoblique.jpg) (http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/A4Zzhoblique.jpg)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/ARNOLDside.jpg) (http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/ARNOLDside.jpg)
@ Gryzor - lol ;D
about to post up internal gubbins pictures
...are you really going to build that?
wow. :o
looking at the mock-up pics the actual 6128 blackbox will be mounted on rackstrips at the middle point of the Z shape, along with Amstrad speakers, amp and a patch unit. The top panel will have arcade sticks and buttons with a reconditioned 6128 keyboard lifted out of the donor unit (I could write a whole article on keyboard fluff with all what I had to go through to get it nice and shiney!)
Another key point to the build was to incorporate as many styling cues as possible from original Amstrad CPCs, (hence the use of an original Qwerty board) take a look at the rear view of the 6128 box for another subtle retro touch
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/IMAG0064.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/lazy-dude/media/IMAG0064.jpg.html)
internal speaker grille with speaker from a 464 and actual serial number sticker from main 6128 donor unit
sockets on the right are for video out to a LCD panel, and a 44 way bad boy to take all 18 keyboard wires and 2 joysticks plus 12 & 5 volt DC lines to the patch unit, audio out jack and a re-mounted volume control for the internal speaker
ok here is a selection of internal box shots. This thing took some going to complete, yet is only the beginning of the cabinet as a whole - much tea drinking (and vodka!) was required to get thus far.
*warning* controversial and confusing material is included!
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/DPP_0018.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/lazy-dude/media/DPP_0018.jpg.html)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/IMAG0061.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/lazy-dude/media/IMAG0061.jpg.html)
front panel switches are for FDD ready, side A/B, and system pause. I'll let you guess what the one under the led does ;)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/DPP_0013.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/lazy-dude/media/DPP_0013.jpg.html)
yep a donor MP2 modulator does the powering, I did try using some modern fangled thing from china - but it went bang after 20 minutes of use!! Best to stick with what works. I cut out the power transformer section and cut the DC circuit away from the video UHF bit that has no use. (I think I can hear users howling in pain at the thought of dismantling such hardware!)
Piggy-backing off the main transformer is a neat addition, the PSU for the video convertor.
Here's a cool addition to the main pcb, as featured in Amstrad Action 33 page 16.......
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/DPP_0010.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/lazy-dude/media/DPP_0010.jpg.html)
also clear is the point where the 18 keyboard wires are attached, the original membrane sockets I de-soldered will be used in the keyboard panel (which I ain't built yet!)
Ok who's scratching about for AA33 yet? :laugh:
A joystick splitter? Looks nice and tidy :)
The whole thing is a thing of beauty - I love the label at the back :D But if I were you I'd probably switch the speaker with something better...
yeh there was room for a bigger & better internal speaker, but as its only ever going to be used in the testing stages of the project, sound quality isn't a priority, I just added that one because I could!
the jack socket on the back is for stereo line out & will be using a 30 watt PA amp 2x 5 inch mid-range cones and 2x 3 inch tweeters - all lifted from my first arcade cabinet (yes she's due to be scrapped.... shhhhh I never said that bit)
A really nice and tidy build there LazyDude. However, that powersupply is an accident waiting to happen! If anything on the 230V side fails you could end up with a live chassis, even more critical now that you've moved from wood to metal. You really need to house it in plastic and cover the live joints better.
Bryce.
A really nice build!
Where did you get that nice small VGA converter? I've got one of these: replace Amstrad CPC 464 664 6128 old Monitor to LCD video converter , in UK. | (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160907450505), but it's a much bigger board.
@ Bryce- hint taken, will look at what I can do for insulation. At least the bottom part is the original MP2 plastic casing that's attached to the metal case. There's plenty of electrical insulating stuff laying around just waiting to be used!!
@Munchausen- it was an Ebay find, made and sold by Ambery Corporation USA. After testing and seeing it work well with my 6128 and a 17" LCD I then took the product out of its plastic housing to pop in my new box.
Exitement: postie delivered new stuff and I spent last weekend hammering things into shape!
so far I have remounted the keyboard into a 3u panel and wired to a D-sub connector.
Dynamic pic for dramatic effect!-
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/IMG_4962.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/lazy-dude/media/IMG_4962.jpg.html)
practical pics to see detail-
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/IMG_4958.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/lazy-dude/media/IMG_4958.jpg.html)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/IMG_4954.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/lazy-dude/media/IMG_4954.jpg.html)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/IMG_4951.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/lazy-dude/media/IMG_4951.jpg.html)
happily I gave the membrane strip space to curve into the fitting, slotting them home before carefully turning the connector assembly over to mount on the board.
Next comes the arcade sticks and buttons...
That is one brand-new looking keyboard!
That is seriously professional looking! Very nice work, very clean and thought out.
Bryce.
cheers guys :D
a fair bit of it is down to my "just in time" hardware delivery app (aka ebay!!) for panels & bolts etc
had a good session in the shed earlier using my new 30mm hole cutter prepping the arcade panel
also popped into the blacksmiths to chat about getting the main cabinet knocked up
lots to do & no time to think about it!!!
Blimey it's been almost a year since we saw some action on this thread.....
proper lazy dude :laugh:
well time for some updates, and share the continuation of my Amstrad 6128 arcade
console project - scuse me while I get my stuff organised here!
Bit of waffle first then some juicy pics.
So I left off at the point of creating an arcade style control surface to complement
the 6128 keyboard, 2 player with joysticks and an autofire circuit like whats featured
in the latest AA mag (AA 34 page 27!) so I went ahead and bought the autofire
components as listed using the given Maplins catalogue numbers - yep after all those
years 99% of the cat nos were the same, great!
Then I built it as it shows - ok not rocket science, works great. Then switched from 9v
battery to the CPCs own 5v DC power - result was a screen full of random characters -
after many hours of swearing etc.. I discovered that the circuit has one of the
transistor legs bridged to the power neg line (wtf - its what the plans say to do!) so
one track cut later and presto all good.
Never happy with leaving stuff standard I then went on to redesign the circuit, made it
available for 2 player and shrunk it by 50% - cool.
Pics of auto fire plans old & new-
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/IMG_5004.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/lazy-dude/media/IMG_5004.jpg.html)
wired up pics-
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/IMG_4975.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/lazy-dude/media/IMG_4975.jpg.html)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/IMG_4976.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/lazy-dude/media/IMG_4976.jpg.html)
all good then I wanted to design a button/ sticks layout that had a nod to the CPCs
look. My solution was to use the 6128 colour logo next to the power led as the styling
cue.
pic of early plans-
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/IMG_5006.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/lazy-dude/media/IMG_5006.jpg.html)
mmmm... it's all CAD planning you know!!
pic of final result on a 3U panel-
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/IMAG0079.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/lazy-dude/media/IMAG0079.jpg.html)
and an underside shot partially wired, showing reinforcing bars bolted on-
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/IMG_4974b.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/lazy-dude/media/IMG_4974b.jpg.html)
ok more on the way, its all go.....
just a short post on the speaker system I'm using (mainly to keep Gryzor happy, cos he
didn't like the weedy internal speaker in the 6128 box lol!)
again 19" standard panels, using 1980s Amstrad Hi-fi components. 2x8" bass/mid cones
and 2x 3.5" tweeters (they big enough mate?!!)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/IMG_4971.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/lazy-dude/media/IMG_4971.jpg.html)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/IMG_4973.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/lazy-dude/media/IMG_4973.jpg.html)
no pics of the amp, my friend told me amps are boring (she's a girl though!!)
It gets more exiting next........
Ahh so whats it all about I here you say.
Quick recap of my project- to design an Arcade console using a CPC 6128 pcb as the
guts. To be sited in my entertainment room, and replace the old crap as shown on page 1
:( because life is not all about MDF/chipboard arcade cabinets!
the concept images for an open frame 19" wide steel frame-
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/ARNOLDside.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/lazy-dude/media/ARNOLDside.jpg.html)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/A4Zzhoblique.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/lazy-dude/media/A4Zzhoblique.jpg.html)
Not many arcade consoles look that wacky I think!
the proportionally correct plans (original side view drawn at 1/4 scale)-
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/sp1.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/lazy-dude/media/sp1.jpg.html)
so it now takes into account height of control surface, LCD monitor size and viewing
angle etc...
Worked up onto a computer image to get a feel for overall look-
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/3dskeleton1.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/lazy-dude/media/3dskeleton1.jpg.html)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/3dskeletonp4bb.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/lazy-dude/media/3dskeletonp4bb.jpg.html)
right so armed with plans/ sizes coloured pics and its off to the local blacksmiths to
have a chat with a man named John Long.
6 months later! and a shape has appeared (oo I hate waiting!)
2 side profiles in 2"x1" mild steel complete, tack welded upright with bars and an
awful looking front curve-
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/IMAG0130.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/lazy-dude/media/IMAG0130.jpg.html)
1 week later I returned to see the final shape (cool, but still rusty!) rolled it into
my workshop and nailed in some 19" rack stripping-
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/IMG_4996.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/lazy-dude/media/IMG_4996.jpg.html)
Next up the stripping was removed and I had the frame shipped off to the local paint
shop for shot blasting and powdercoating - got any RAL numbers? who the hell knew there
were so many shades of black to choose from!
A friend suggested midnight black - I told him to go f....
2 weeks later and a bubble wrapped shape appears outside my pad. Neat!
I instantly get to work installing the hardware.
So here we get some up to date pics of how Arnie looks so far-
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/IMG_5010.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/lazy-dude/media/IMG_5010.jpg.html)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/IMG_5019.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/lazy-dude/media/IMG_5019.jpg.html)
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/IMG_5013.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/lazy-dude/media/IMG_5013.jpg.html)
note: monitor overlay Perspex not yet fitted (its still in the workshop!)
pretty sick huh! oh and one more pic for the benefit of Bryce the hardware health n
safety guru-
(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o114/lazy-dude/IMG_5016.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/user/lazy-dude/media/IMG_5016.jpg.html)
so did you spot the chassis earthing lead? good!
Its been a mission getting it this far (it feels a mission posting it all up for you
guys to check out too!)
Still lots to do as theres sod all in the way of wiring. Looms are looming, I have
plans for a patch unit to get the arcade panel to play ball with the CPC....
An thats all for now folks- any questions or comments and I'll happily chat away!
Wow! Double Wow!
Any plans I ever had for making an MDF mame cabinet just got permanently cancelled :)
:P yeh I was shocked at how much wood there is when u google image MAME projects. It shows no design flair banging together a box. The only great thing to come of old style arcade cabinets is the cool graphics on the sides.
I think my idea came from looking at military spec workstations - an olive green finish was optional!!
Seriously good work and you also take the title for worlds heaviest CPC! :D
Bryce.
:D yeh maybe carbon fibre is the next step!!
Hi,
What an impressive make. :-)
Do you remember the model no# for the vga converter?
Would like to get one myself.
Regards,
Bjørn
its an American product, so it has a very complicated model number-
it's an Ambery AV-1 ;D
Whoa... seriously cool. And yes, those speakers should do the job :D Not really sure about Amstrad sound quality, but they should be enough for the poor AY. If they were in a traditional arcade cab you'd get much oomph from it acting as a chamber (not sure about the English term) but even so it should be superb!
CPC had great sound when coupled with a proper stereo hiFi... contrary to many other AY machines, it was in stereo...
I remember my CPC was connected to a stereo output and tunes like Robocop or HATE or many others were great...
yet I hope you'll include built in X-MEM +CTC- AY cards just to soup-up the specs... :)
Quote from: MacDeath on 15:19, 30 June 14
CPC had great sound when coupled with a proper stereo hiFi... contrary to many other AY machines, it was in stereo...
I remember my CPC was connected to a stereo output and tunes like Robocop or HATE or many others were great...
I have some cheap speakers & subwoofer thingy I bought from a car boot sale plugged into my CPC and even earlier I was loading up Glider Rider and listening to it's fantastic music through the speakers. Sounds lovely. :D
This cab thingy looks great. :)
Don't forget Vindicator! Awesome on a stereo hi-fi!
Was it? I just love the tune, but I've never heard it on a hi-fi...
My best memories with a 20 W Blaupunkt amplifier are the Thundercats. 20 W back the day is about 200 W today ;-) It had tubes, not transistors.
So does this thing actually work? Think it deserves a video presentation review!