Hello everyone,
I just want to inform you that i i make and sell through ebay these very useful items for Amstrad: (http://www.ebay.ie/sch/m.html?_odkw=&_ssn=ikonsgr74&_armrs=1&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2046732.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XAMSTRAD.TRS0&_nkw=AMSTRAD&_sacat=0)
INCLUDES:
-RIBBON CABLE AND Y POWER CABLE ADAPTER FOR 3.5" FLOPPY DRIVE OR HxC FLOPPY EMU
-POWER SUPPLY FOR AMSTRAD 6128/664 + 3.5" FLOPPY DRIVE AND RIBBON CABLE
-COMPLETE KIT INCLUDING A 3.5" DISK DRIVE + RIBBON CABLE + Y POWER CABLE ADAPTER
-RGB VIDEO/AUDIO SCART CABLE 1Meter (can be also done in any length you want to)
-TWO JOYSTICK / GAME PORT Y ADAPTER SPLITTER
-AMSTRAD 464/664/6128 PAUSE SWITCH AND RESET BUTTON ADAPTER
-AMSTRAD CPC PLUS ADAPTER FOR AMSTRAD CPC MONITOR OR SCART CABLE
-9 PIN JOYSTICK TO 15 PIN GAME PORT ADAPTER (http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Amiga-Atari-Amstrad-Commodore-DB9-Joystick-DB15-GamePort-supports-Usb-Adapter-/272348471848?hash=item3f693be228:g:DFgAAOSwa51ZbkEg)
- POWER SUPPLY FOR JOYSTICK PORT (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/provide-power-supply-to-joystick-port-enabling-autofire-joy-adapters-etc/) , for supporting autofire function and enable usage of the following adapters:
- DB15 gameport PC Joystick adapter (http://www.ebay.ie/itm/272222183107?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649)
-Amiga/Atari ST mouse adapter for Amstrad, C64, Atari 8Bit (https://www.ebay.ie/itm/273069157318?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649)
- Wireless Bluetooth Joystick Adapter (http://www.ebay.ie/itm/272811116348?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649)
*notes:
- I also make some usefull stuff for amiga too. Check this (http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/m.html?_nkw=amiga&_sacat=0&_odkw=amstrad&_osacat=0&_armrs=1&_ssn=ikonsgr74) out.
- All ribbon cables can also be made for CPC plus and schneider Amstrad with centronics connector, instead of the classic edge connector. Cost is 2 pounds extra
- All power supplies that i use are "universal" ones, meaning they accept as input ANY voltage from 110 to 240 AC 50/60hz, so in practice, you can use them all over the world!Only extra thing you might need is a very cheap and easy to find AC plug converter
I would not buy a power supply from another country as I do not know if it would give the right voltages, I think UK uses 240v, Europe uses 220v.
Technically correct, but electrical equipment that connect to the mains are designed and built to accept anything between 220VAC and 240VAC and frequencies between 50Hz and 60Hz, so they will work correctly anywhere in Europe. The only real issue is the shape of the plug, which does tend to vary from country to country. PSUs from the U.S. and Japan are a completely different matter, as they are made for 110VAC.
Bryce.
Quote from: Bryce on 15:58, 08 December 11
Technically correct, but electrical equipment that connect to the mains are designed and built to accept anything between 220VAC and 240VAC and frequencies between 50Hz and 60Hz, so they will work correctly anywhere in Europe. The only real issue is the shape of the plug, which does tend to vary from country to country. PSUs from the U.S. and Japan are a completely different matter, as they are made for 110VAC.
Bryce.
And therefore the cables out of the door are called "Squirrel Highways". With only 110 Volt you need a lot of Ampere (what a waste anyway).
Quote from: Bryce on 15:58, 08 December 11
Quote from: steve on 15:44, 08 December 11
I would not buy a power supply from another country as I do not know if it would give the right voltages, I think UK uses 240v, Europe uses 220v.
Technically correct, but electrical equipment that connect to the mains are designed and built to accept anything between 220VAC and 240VAC and frequencies between 50Hz and 60Hz, so they will work correctly anywhere in Europe.
As I understand it, mains voltage in UK is specified as 240v +- 10%, and Europe is 220v +- 10%, so it's expected that equipment for either would work at the nominal voltage for both. I also believe that in practice, most people actually design for 230v because technically either would be within tolerance then. In practice, the actual voltage only affects large AC motors and maybe the brightness of old style lightbulbs and usually it's not going to matter about the exact voltage because you'll be regulating it down to something small at some point.
The frequency is a bit more of a thorny issue, as there's a lot of stuff that doesn't care what the frequency is, typically anything that ends up as DC anyway, but motors etc are obviously significantly affected by frequency.
I remember watching an interesting program about power generation once and actually what they struggle with is maintaining a constant frequency (I think they rely on it being between 49.5 and 50.5 Hz) as it needs to be uniform across the entire grid and when there's a power surge the tendency is to reduce the frequency as the turbines driven by steam (as per the majority of types of power stations) struggle to maintain a constant speed as the load increases.
I see that there is some confusing about power supplies,so let me straight some things out:
All power supplies that i use are "universal" ones, meaning they accept as input ANY voltage from 110 to 240 AC 50/60hz, so in practice, you can use them all over the world!
The ac plug outlet is an issue, but for that purpose there are adapters who convert one plug to another. You can find them almost everywhere and usually they are VERY cheap (i recently bought one which was also a "universal" adapter, meaning convert any plug (US, UK etc) to european plug with only 0.5euro!)
Anyway, i already sold many of these kits all over Europe(and one to USA :) ),most of them to UK, and no one has a problem with the power supplies!
The ONLY thing you might need is a very cheap and easy to find ac plug converter.
Other things that would be nice...
CPC/PLUS and PLUS/CPC monitor converter...
Basically a DIN6+jack to DIN8 converter and a DIN8 to DIN6 (no really need sound as the PLUS have a jack plug too...)
Other usefull stuff :
Power supply "extension cable" and DIN6 (ou DIN8) "extension cable"... so we can connect the amstrad farer from the monitor...
Also if you could find some components for PLUS cartridges such as "man in the middle" cartridge connectors (what are they ?)... this would be very helpfull...
Quote from: MacDeath on 02:39, 09 December 11
Other things that would be nice...
CPC/PLUS and PLUS/CPC monitor converter...
Basically a DIN6+jack to DIN8 converter and a DIN8 to DIN6 (no really need sound as the PLUS have a jack plug too...)
Good idea. Of course this kind of converters requires to already have a scart cable for 6128 or 6128 plus. The only problem is that i don't have a cpc plus to test it! Of course it's very easy to do this kind of converter and if you pay a little attention on the wiring and soldering then it will work ok for sure! :)
Quote from: MacDeath on 02:39, 09 December 11
Other usefull stuff :
Power supply "extension cable" and DIN6 (ou DIN8) "extension cable"... so we can connect the amstrad farer from the monitor...
As for the power supply extension, i think that is much easier to use an AC power extension cord instead.
For the video/audio scart cable it can be done, but for lengths of more than 3-4 meters i think you will start to get "visible" deterioration of picture quality (some ghosting,moire etc) due to crosstalk on the cable and other interferences. Of course for larger lengths you can use a high quality individually screened cable (meaning every internal signal cable has its own shield) to minimize these effects, but the possibility of having problems will be greater than with smaller lengths.
Anyway, i can make scart cables at any length if you want! ;)
Quote from: MacDeath on 02:39, 09 December 11
Also if you could find some components for PLUS cartridges such as "man in the middle" cartridge connectors (what are they ?)... this would be very helpfull...
Unfortunately you find me completely unaware on the subject...
In any event,i think that the reason you can't find easy support,gadgets,kits etc for amstrad "PLUS" models, is ,in the end, a matter of "timing". Older amstrad models came out in the mid 80's where 8bit home computers where "kings of the home market" and especially the disk drive models(664/6128) was a revolution on the home market at that time. So old amstrad models and especially 6128 sold in MILLIONS all over the world for at least 6-7 years. Unfortunately the "plus" models, came out 'too little, too late". By early 90's, when "plus" models debuted, the era of the 8bit home micros was ended...16bit home computers like amiga 500 and atari 520st, became so cheap and so MUCH MORE powerful resulting a total domination of the market. An so, amstrad "plus" models sold MUCH,MUCH less and commercially "died" before they even strart....
I think MacDeath is referring to a 6-DIN to 8-DIN monitor adapter, so that you can use a classic 6128 on a Plus Monitor, or a CPC Plus on an old GT/CTM monitor (with additional Audio Out), so no SCART required.
The cartridge connector he is referring to for the "Man In The Middle" is the black connector which can be seen in this picture: http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/File:MITM2.jpg (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/File:MITM2.jpg) It's a 36way (2x18) 2.54mm Pitch, 1.5mm PCB edge connector with long PCB solder pins. I've tried (unsuccessfully) to source these for quite a while.
Bryce.
I've just updated the list of items with some changes and additions.
Hello!
I've just bought one of your kits.. should be with me some time this week :)
I look forward to getting it ;)
cheers
Dave
I bought a RIBBON CABLE AND POWER SUPPLY FOR 3.5" FLOPPY DRIVE OR HxC FLOPPY EMU last week, cheap and works great :D
Wahey! My kit arrived yesterday- super fast delivery! Well impressed :)
I'm glad you are all satisfied!
Thanks for your support! ;)
You forgot me, mate ;)
Ok, thanks for "inner" support too! :D ;)
No, literally you forgot me; never sent me an invoice after those ebay messages! :D
sorry mate, you've got a message on ebay! ;)
Yup, thanks :)
I add a couple of extra things for amstrad
- AN EXTRA LONG (4Meters) JOYSTICK EXTENSION CABLE
-A PAUSE SWITCH AND RESET BUTTON ADAPTER
I really enjoyed the last one fellows. It's very annoying (and maybe a little silly....) to have to switch off/on your amstrad every time you want to load something else, because most games disable CTRL+SHIFT+ESC function!
But the most important, how many times i couldn't answer the phone or even go to toilet because there was no way to pause the f!@#$ing game! :)
I really regret i didn't have these 2 buttons back at those days... ::)
Nice little thingie!
Here's the direct URL: AMSTRAD 464/664/6128 PAUSE SWITCH AND RESET BUTTON ADAPTER | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AMSTRAD-464-664-6128-PAUSE-SWITCH-AND-RESET-BUTTON-ADAPTER-/121043981108)
We pay in pound or can we pay in €uros ?
I was refering to PLUS/CPC monitors adapters...
I guess all you need is a pair of Din8 and DIn6 male to female cables, cut them then exchange the pairings.
Would also need a small jack for the sound on the PLUS monitor.
To get the PLUS on a CPC old monitor on the other hand would just need to disconnect the sound, as the Audio jack plug could be used (CPC old monitors don't have sound output).
Or it could be something like your joystick doublers... no cable just a pair of plug sticked together (and eventual jack for the audio I guess...
How much would it cost ?
It's ebay.CO.UK so prices are in pounds, I guess, but on paypal you pay in whatever currency you deal with...
Any plans to make the pause/reset unit with some sort of pass through so we can attach other things to the CPC like multiface II/LowerROM/Megaflash/Symbiface II etc?
I've been after a joystick extender for a while so will probably pick one up in the New Year... I guess the next thing would be a 4m poll with a mirror on top to push the keys then I'd never need to get out of bed... :laugh:
It's like gryzor's said, on ebay prices can be only in pounds, but you can pay with any currency you have in your paypal account (they make automatically the exchange).
Now about what mac death propose, these are sure very nice ideas for adaptors BUT, as i wrote in the past the main "problem" is that i don't have a cpc plus to test any of these adapters! As easy as it could be to make any of these ,there is always the possibility of something go wrong (for example a "cold" soldering somewhere, or even make a wrong connection by mistake) and although (judging from my personal experience) these kind of things rarely happen, it DOES happen and that's why i need to test anything i make! I would really hate it, if i send something and get a "not working" answer! ;) :)
On the other hand, i wonder, how many amstrad (either cpc or plus) monitors are still function in the world? We are talking for crt monitors 20-30years old! And of those still function, the picture you'll get would be rather horrible (btw, coloured CTM monitors had crappy picture from the start anyway :) ).
Quote from: beaker on 15:12, 28 December 12
Any plans to make the pause/reset unit with some sort of pass through so we can attach other things to the CPC like multiface II/LowerROM/Megaflash/Symbiface II etc?
That would be a nice idea, the only problem is that there is no male edge connector to make this kind of pass through rather easily and cheap.
In order to do something like that, you must obtain a special pcb board coated on both sides, attach a 50pin ribbon cable on the edge connector and then solder every cable on the board! To get an idea, take a look here: Expansion Converter - CPCWiki (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Expansion_Converter) . Imagine something like this but instead of the centronics you'll have the adapter with the edge connector! As you can understand this kind of adapter would require much more effort (and cost) so price would be much higher.
In the end, how many amstrad users today, have something on their expansion ports,anyway (besides you, who surely have your amstrad's expansion port occupied! :) )?
Ah, no worries if there's a cost issue.
I was just thinking with Bryce making the LowerROM (which has a reset switch so can probably be discounted) and MegaFlash recently, as well as Prodatron selling a new batch of the Symbiface II card this month, all using the expansion slot, that you may be limiting your market. But I am not sure what sort of numbers they sold in and if it's cost prohibitive then no worries :D It still looks very nice as it is. Good luck with it.
The easiest male edge connector is to use a PCB like the one in the link Ikonsgr posted, ie: 50x 2,54mm strips, but instead of soldering all the connections to the flat cable, you just connect a female edge connector to the cable and push this board into it.
Bryce.
Nice idea bryce, and you save all the trouble of soldering so many pins! ;)
Now, i will see if i can find a ready made pcb we need for this, with strips on both sides. That way, only little extra work needed, and the hole project will not be so cost effective.
My friend beaker, i think the pause/freeze switch is way more useful of the reset button, this mainly gives value to this adapter and i don't know any other hardware that offers this functionality! I've tested it with a couple of games and it's amazing! You can freeze the game at any time for as long as you want,, or you can have a "frame by frame" effect by continuously pause/unpause, it's really funny! :D I even noticed that free pausing, helps very much at "tough moments" in a game, or when you want to think for a second what to do, without having the stress of playing and not loose at the same time! As there are many,many games that don't offer a pause button, this is truly something very useful for any amstrad retro gamer! ;)
Anyway, i firstly made this adapter for my personal use and i just think it might be handy to others too.And as you can see, i offer it at a very low price, i never had any "mass market production" or "big profit" intentions at all! :)
You're making me tempted to buy it now! :D Perhaps I'd wait for the pass-through version – just in case I ever need it, which is unlikely, but why not.
After spending so much time on software, I'm now looking forward to collecting a few hardware bits and bobs – starting with your 3.5" drive set, which will arrive soon...very exciting. :)
I made a little search and i managed to find something very "close" to what we need:Card Edge 34 Position Male to Male Board (http://www.connectworld.net/cgi-bin/ccc/CE34M-M)
Unfortunately, i couldn't find any ready made 50pin version of this, but even so, if you just look at the price you will find out that this board alone is more expensive than the hole adapter i make!So even if this was a 50pin board, price of a pass through version of the adapter would be more than double!
Anyway, good thing is, that i try some pieces of ready made boards i had spare and they seem to match the step of the edge connector just fine.Only problem is
they are printed only in one side. If i could find a dual side version of these, at a relative low price, then it might be possible to make a pass through version of this adapter for less than 10pounds....
But i don't know if any of you would buy such an adapter even at this relative low price... ::)
Yeah, £10 doesn't sound too bad :)
Quote from: ikonsgr on 22:48, 28 December 12
Nice idea bryce, and you save all the trouble of soldering so many pins! ;)
Now, i will see if i can find a ready made pcb we need for this, with strips on both sides. That way, only little extra work needed, and the hole project will not be so cost effective.
My friend beaker, i think the pause/freeze switch is way more useful of the reset button, this mainly gives value to this adapter and i don't know any other hardware that offers this functionality! I've tested it with a couple of games and it's amazing! You can freeze the game at any time for as long as you want,, or you can have a "frame by frame" effect by continuously pause/unpause, it's really funny! :D I even noticed that free pausing, helps very much at "tough moments" in a game, or when you want to think for a second what to do, without having the stress of playing and not loose at the same time! As there are many,many games that don't offer a pause button, this is truly something very useful for any amstrad retro gamer! ;)
Anyway, i firstly made this adapter for my personal use and i just think it might be handy to others too.And as you can see, i offer it at a very low price, i never had any "mass market production" or "big profit" intentions at all! :)
nice piece of kit,mine has arrived and works perfect............... whats next on the drawing board
What's next you ask?
Well, i'm in completion of an amiga mouse adapter for amstrad! ;)
Quote from: ikonsgr on 10:57, 10 January 13
What's next you ask?
Using the Amiga-mouse adaptor of the CPC to remote control the Amiga, using it as slave for the CPC.
List (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/classifieds/amstrad-kits-and-cablespower-supplies-3-5%27-drive-connection-scart-joystick/msg35332/#msg35332) updated with 2 new items: amiga mouse adapter and auto fire switch adapter! ;)
Just tried out the Amiga mouse adapter that arrived today and works well with Operation Wolf and Arkanoid :) It seems to fit around the machine nicely and works is using the same power supply used for the HxC and the 6128.
[attach=2]
[attach=3]
Does anyone know if it's possible to "fix" Lemmings to have a constant mouse pointer rate rather than it starting off slow then speeding up (if it's not already been done)? It's really ruining the experience of trying to play it with a mouse when compared to Operation Wolf...
[attach=4]
Hi Ikonsgr,
Would it be possible to make a one off AMSTRAD 464/664/6128 PAUSE SWITCH AND RESET BUTTON ADAPTER with a second edge socket on the end of the cable similar to the one in the attached picture (this one is from an a RAM box I bought which coverts from a centronics to an edge connector whereas I would want an edge connector on both sides)? I am hoping to use the PCB in the picture to connect stuff to the 6128 like the SSA-1 which doesn't normally fit because of the power cable.
Thanks in advance,
Beaker
Unfortunately my friend, i couldn't find any ready made edge adapters!
As i see it, the alternatives to make these are:
- Make it yourself e.g. design the pcb, print it on a transparent sheet and then use it to "print" the strip board on a real pcb board! Imo, the hole procedure is rather costly and time consuming for making just this edge connector.Personally i never involved with pcb making procedure, and to tell you the truth i don't want to mess with all the chemicals required for this! ::)
- Ask someone else to do it. Unfortunately were i live, it's very unlikely to find anyone to make these boards,at least in small number and small prices at the same time.
- Find a cheap chinese pcb maker, give him the pcb layout and ask him to make these boards! This way you might get a rather cheap price/item, but this also comes with drawbacks:
1) The hole procedure might take months to complete
2) Most probably pcb maker would require a rather big batch (at least 50 or even 100 items) of these boards in order to make them.
The third option is probably the one that gives a rather small price (so the total price for the reset+pause adapter would be reasonable enough) but since we don't know how many people might be interested in this, it's a rather big risk to get along with it, don't you think?
Anyway, if anyone can find this kind of edge connector, i can perfectly make the adapter with 2 CF-50 edge connectors in order to use it along with other hardware too! ;)
I will open a thread to a special forum about electronics we have here in Greece and ask if anyone knows were i could find these adapters.
Btw, i updated the list of items: Now, the mouse adapter can be used also for connecting atari st mouses too!
I made a small adapter for this and give it along with the mouse adapter.
Note also that this adapter ca be used to connect amiga mouse to atari st or atari st mouse to amiga too! ;)
I also make a Y power cable to offer as an option to anyone who already has amstrad monitor or power supply for amstrad, and want to use it for powering HcX emu or a 3.5" floppy drive, instead of a separate psu!
I found some guy which lives in the same city with me and told me he got exactly what we want for! :)
I'm waiting to tell me how much they cost and how many he can provide!
Maybe i can satisfy Beaker and all heavy "pimp my amstrad cpc" guys after all! :D ;)
Got a reset switch, but a pause one would be great as well...
I finally got the strip boards, but unfortunately the pitch doesn't fit with amstrad's edge connector :(
Ah nuts.
?? You mean they're no 2.54mm? Wouldn't it be easier just to have a strip of board made professionally and cut it to the lengths needed?
Bryce.
Yes, they are ~4mm, and the guy gave me these boards for free.
The problem with these boards is that they need to be double sided. Until now, i cant find any cheap ready made double side pcb's. Everything is single side only.
The only double strip boards i found was 36pin, and they are sold at very high price anyway.
So Bryce, if you ask for "professionally made" boards, because batch would be rather small, price/piece would be ridiculously high!
The other option is to make them yourself, but then again, the time and cost for this (if you don't have already the required equipment/chemicals/tools) would be also very high,especially for just making 1-2dozens of small strip boards!
I have all the equipment to make PCBs, I just don't get to do it that often at the moment. The next time I'm doing something I'll cover the spare PCB space in double-sided 2.54mm pitch stripes. They'll need to be tinned (lightly covered in solder) though because bare copper oxidises way too fast.
Bryce.
Οk then, if anyone would be interested, he could take the pause+reset bridge adapter with the two cf50 edge connectors from me, and the required strip board from you! :)
[attachimg=1]
I am interested :D How much will your unit cost?
Gear looks nice and is well priced!
Payment made for Amstrad 3.5" floppy drive cable kit with power supplies, black face floppy drive, 1.1m scart cable and pause/reset switch.
Now I have to play the waiting game...... which sux, so I'm off to play some Hungry Hungry Hippo... :)
I just update the list of things i make for amstrad.
I finally add some "support" for all you cpc plus lovers,as i now offer an option with the ribbon cable (for connecting a 3.5" floppy drive or HxC floppy emu) for cpc plus along with classic amstrad cpc and schneider cpc.
I also made an adapter for connecting a cpc plus to a cpc monitor, or a cpc scart. So if you happen to have a scart for amstrad cpc, with this adapter you can use it for cpc plus too! ;-)
I can also make the opposite adapter, meaning to connect an amstrad cpc to a plus monitor. This one will also have an extra 3.5mm stereo audio jack in order to transfer both video and audio to cpc plus monitor. If anyone want this adapter please contact at: ikonsgr@hotmail.com
I have added a new joystick adapter (http://dsa.ebay.co.uk/sch/m.html?_odkw=&_osacat=0&_armrs=1&_ssn=ikonsgr74&_trksid=p2046732.m570.l1313.TR3.TRC0.A0.X9+pin+to+15+pin&_nkw=9+pin+to+15+pin&_sacat=0&_from=R40), it's an adapter that allows you to connect any old joystick equipped with a 9 pin D connector, to a 15pin pc game port or even to a usb port if you combine it with this cheap adapter (http://dsa.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=USB+to+15+pin+Gameport+to+Game+Joystick+Adapter&_sop=15). I have already bought a couple of these and they work perfect,i can now use my old 9pin D cms joystick i had for amiga and amstrad cpc, to play mame on any pc or laptop equipped with usb port! ;)
Gryzor, maybe this topic should be stickied?
Ikonsgr, I was thinking something that might be useful is to make a kit for connecting a VGA adapter (like this one replace Amstrad CPC 464 664 6128 old Monitor to LCD video converter , in UK. | (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160907450505)) with power supply etc. Some people would find this useful I think (Hello from a new member - and advice request (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/general-discussion/hello-from-a-new-member-and-advice-request/)).
Quote from: Munchausen on 08:46, 11 August 14
Gryzor, maybe this topic should be stickied?
Ikonsgr, I was thinking something that might be useful is to make a kit for connecting a VGA adapter (like this one replace Amstrad CPC 464 664 6128 old Monitor to LCD video converter , in UK. | (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160907450505)) with power supply etc. Some people would find this useful I think (Hello from a new member - and advice request (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/general-discussion/hello-from-a-new-member-and-advice-request/)).
How much would a complete one cost (I have no soldering or electronics experience)? I'm still trying to decide whether to get that cable (which would work with both the external monitor I use with my laptop for dual screen, or my HDTV) or the cheaper SCART cable (that has the power and thingies all done but would only plug into my TV).
Yes the GBS board works alright with a cpc (i'm using one myself for a couple of years now) ,in fact you can use it with any old home micro that gave RGB video out (amiga, atari st,amstrad cpc etc) to give picture to any vga monitor. The bad news is that, picture quality, although it's ok, it's definitely worst than what a scart cable can give you. And of course this happens because of the various A/D D/A conversions of the video signal.
As for the idea to offer a kit with this board,a box, a psu and a ready made video cable with a common connector (like a female scart connector for example) it doesnt sound a bad idea, but the total cost of doing such a kit would be rather expensive (i assume more than 50pounds). Also, even for small batches of 5-10 kits i would need 100's of pounds to buy boards, boxes etc which unfortunately i can't afford.
Quote from: ikonsgr on 21:17, 07 September 14
Yes the GBS board works alright with a cpc (i'm using one myself for a couple of years now) ,in fact you can use it with any old home micro that gave RGB video out (amiga, atari st,amstrad cpc etc) to give picture to any vga monitor. The bad news is that, picture quality, although it's ok, it's definitely worst than what a scart cable can give you. And of course this happens because of the various A/D D/A conversions of the video signal.
As for the idea to offer a kit with this board,a box, a psu and a ready made video cable with a common connector (like a female scart connector for example) it doesnt sound a bad idea, but the total cost of doing such a kit would be rather expensive (i assume more than 50pounds). Also, even for small batches of 5-10 kits i would need 100's of pounds to buy boards, boxes etc which unfortunately i can't afford.
I was thinking you could just offer a pre-made cable for CPC->VGA converter RGB input, and maybe a PSU, because some people are put off by having to make their own cables.
@Munchausen (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=792) : stickied :)
Quote from: Gryzor on 19:01, 14 September 14
@Munchausen (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=792) : stickied :)
Thanks! I wanted to use the @Gryzor (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1) thingy to draw your attention to this earlier, but it wasn't working for me for some reason.
It worked this time :D
It's a bit sensitive depending on browsers and stuff, BUT even if you start writing @Munch... and nothing happens, if you complete the user name and post the message it will work anyhow :)
I've got one of the disc drive kits that uses power from the monitor... how can you write to the 3.5" discs on it? I can't seem to format or copy to them!
I just updated the Y joystick adpter:
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/272348469598?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649 (http://www.ebay.ie/itm/272348469598?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649)
I finally manage to make a pcb board for it, so now it can be made much faster, but most important, MUCH CHEAPER! ;-)
As you can see, the board is not pluged dirtectly to cpc joy port, but instead a small ribbon cable is used , so it can be pluged easily on any cpc model, and without blocking other connectors (for example, pluging it on a cpc 6128 , doesn't block audio out or tape connector).
Keep watching, more updates coming soon! ;)
i recently bought the previous version and it works very well.
What do you mean by "it can be made much faster" ? You mean for you to build it ?
Exactly! :)
The previous version with the Y cable, needed much more effort to be done, all the connections with the numerous diodes and cables was custom made, one by one.
With the pcb board, the same thing is done in less than half time!
New 5volt power supply for joystick port, cheaper and neater ;-)
New adapters added, Usb/Ps2 gamepad/joystick adapter, 15pin pc joystick adapter, wireless bluetooth joystick adapter.
All can be used now, by adding the new power supply for joystick port adapter
Quote from: ikonsgr on 10:32, 03 September 17
New adapters added, Usb/Ps2 gamepad/joystick adapter, 15pin pc joystick adapter, wireless bluetooth joystick adapter.
All can be used now, by adding the new power supply for joystick port adapter
And to use classic PC Gamepad (XBox pad for example) on my CPC what i have to buy additionaly ?
The 6128/6128 Plus/MP3 switch that I have linked to a Plus monitor still works after 25 years so it is a practical piece of kit. The only problem with creating a new one might be the work involved + how much would be a fair price?
Cheers,
Peter
Quote from: Arnaud on 13:34, 03 September 17
And to use classic PC Gamepad (XBox pad for example) on my CPC what i have to buy additionaly ?
If you mean xbox controller with usb connector, if it recognised by windows as gamepad, without any extra drivers, most probable the usb adapter should work.
Quote from: ComSoft6128 on 14:14, 03 September 17
The 6128/6128 Plus/MP3 switch that I have linked to a Plus monitor still works after 25 years so it is a practical piece of kit. The only problem with creating a new one might be the work involved + how much would be a fair price?
Well i make a cpc<->plus video connector converter, but if you want a switch box, with select knobs/buttons, multiple connectors mounted and all, that would indeed require much more effort to do, which i don't think it worth the trouble and cost...unless you do it yourself ofcourse! :-)
Quote from: ikonsgr on 17:18, 04 September 17
If you mean xbox controller with usb connector, if it recognised by windows as gamepad, without any extra drivers, most probable the usb adapter should work.
Ok, just bought on your shop.
Thanks, but note that i haven't tried the adapter with an original xbox controller, so i don't know for sure if it works, although it worked fine with this (http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTA5MFgxMDAw/z/UjcAAOSwXeJYCPUp/$_57.JPG)cheap xbox clone controller