Hi folks,

[Clueless]

Hi,

Wow it looks like the Amstrad is even more popular than when I owned one back in the 80's (A lot more... I was seemingly the only person in my village with one. Everyone else had Spectrum and Commodore). 

I got back into retro gaming mid last year after having sold all my child hood systems in the early-mid 2000's. I've just got around to making room in my setup for an 8bit micro, and was drawn to back the Amstrad due to nostalgia (though the NEC PC 8801 looks pretty cool too).

My head is spinning after a 30 min search on the state of CPC , there's a desktop OS, graphics & sound cards???
How and where do I get all these toys (the AMSdap and the V9990 really caught my eye). What other bits and bobs do I need / are really cool? Sorry I really need to catch up on 30+ years of Amstrad.

Right now I'm just working out my budget for a CPC 464 and the RAM, ROM and a Gotek to do a 6128-ish upgrade. But would happily welcome any advice, links and pointers on restoring and tricking out the system.

Cheers.

[norecess464]

Hi & Welcome,

Wow it looks like the Amstrad is even more popular than when I owned one back in the 80's

I would say that 2000 was a dead zone ; 2010 lots of things maturated ; 2020 is the decade of great things!  

For a 464 owner, I would suggest to look at the DDI-5 device (https://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/36061). That will basically turn your 464 into a 6128 with 512KB RAM expansion with a Gotek drive as drive A. It's expensive, but it's working great and it comes with a great case. The new DDI-7 device is even more expensive, but provides a ROM board too.

CPC-Power.com is a nice website to find software for your Amstrad.
As a really first start, I would suggest to look at Pinball Dreams (game), Easter Egg's RType (2012 game release), Orion Prime (if you like adventure games) and Batman Forever (the best demo).
There is of course so much more to discover.

Then just follow the white rabbit, it's easy to enter into the Matrix. 

[Clueless]

Thats awesome thanks! Am I locking myself out of any better uses of expansion slot with this (where the chips and rom parts for the mod are <£15)?

Or can this be added to some kind of breakout port extender ?

[norecess464]

Personally I'm using the DDI-5 device with a Flash Gordon (ROM Board). See the attached photo.

That being said, I wouldn't recommend a 464 for further expansion... the 6128 is probably better suited for that if you want to look at mass storage expansions (USB sticks etc) and even more.

ps. Warning: these things can quickly become expensive and time-consuming. I suggest you take your time and not rush, making sure to read through online resources carefully. Also, the DDI-5 is my recommendation but I'm just an isolated user, maybe someone else here has a better suggestion to provide :-)
 

[Prodatron]

My head is spinning after a 30 min search on the state of CPC , there's a desktop OS, graphics & sound cards???
How and where do I get all these toys (the AMSdap and the V9990 really caught my eye). What other bits and bobs do I need / are really cool? Sorry I really need to catch up on 30+ years of Amstrad.

Indeed, you can run Windows NT on your CPC
The Amsdap will probably be produced by @gflorez again, I am not sure about the V9990, as the base chip is very rare today. I just hope that an FPGA version will appear sometime.
The OPL4 (originally called "Moonsound" for the MSX) is a very cool sound device including the ability to play Adlib and Amiga MOD files on a CPC, using SymAmp for SymbOS. It is still available for sale.

[Clueless]

My head is spinning after a 30 min search on the state of CPC , there's a desktop OS, graphics & sound cards???
How and where do I get all these toys (the AMSdap and the V9990 really caught my eye). What other bits and bobs do I need / are really cool? Sorry I really need to catch up on 30+ years of Amstrad.

Indeed, you can run Windows NT on your CPC
The Amsdap will probably be produced by @gflorez again, I am not sure about the V9990, as the base chip is very rare today. I just hope that an FPGA version will appear sometime.
The OPL4 (originally called "Moonsound" for the MSX) is a very cool sound device including the ability to play Adlib and Amiga MOD files on a CPC, using SymAmp for SymbOS. It is still available for sale.

Thank you so much ☺️🙏, it's a real shame about the V9990... But I guess when the Amsdap is back in production we can reap any advancements coming from MSX development in that area too?

That OS looks awesome, can't wait to start playing with it🤩
I'll keep an eye out for that OLP4 too.

Thanks again, loving the warm welcome from the community ❤️

[Prodatron]

Thank you so much ☺️🙏, it's a real shame about the V9990... But I guess when the Amsdap is back in production we can reap any advancements coming from MSX development in that area too?
That OS looks awesome, can't wait to start playing with it🤩
I'll keep an eye out for that OLP4 too.
Thanks again, loving the warm welcome from the community ❤️

Thank you, it's always very nice when someone likes to come back to this community and also has that feeling for this fascinating stuff! So it's great to hear from you and that you joined us! By the way, what country are you from if I may ask?

Amsdap allows you to connect I/O based MSX hardware to the CPC; a lot of MSX hardware is slot based (meaning it's memory mapped and uses the advanced banking features of the MSX that aren't possible on a standard CPC). But most sound hardware (like OPLxx, even MP3) but also the V9990 graphics card is I/O based, so we're very lucky and can connect some of the coolest MSX hardware stuff from the late 80s/90s/2000s to the CPC as well.

[gflorez]

Of course, I will continue making AMSDAPs as long as anybody wants one. But I go very slow with them, because I mount all the minuscule SMD components by hand forcing my poor tired eyes...

[dodogildo]

Welcome mate. It's indeed the best era to own a CPC. So much greatness, thanks to the talented (and friendly) people of this community. I still can't stop being surprised sometimes because they're creating such great gadgets and expecting so little in return. M4, AMSDAP, ULIFAC, RSF3, AMSTEAM, Dandanator (and others) every single one of them is awesome. Of course, let's not forget the software: Symbos, FutureOS, mind-blowing homebrew titles such as Corsair Trainer, Mighty Steel Fighters, Pinball Dreams and countless others..

If you manage to get yourself an AMSDAP, check the Wozblaster Reloaded (MSx Sunrise Moonsound cartridge clone) https://theretrohacker.com/product/msx-opl4-wozblaster-reloaded-cartridge-ymf278/ It works great with AMSDAP + SymbOS.

[Clueless]

Thank you so much ☺️🙏, it's a real shame about the V9990... But I guess when the Amsdap is back in production we can reap any advancements coming from MSX development in that area too?
That OS looks awesome, can't wait to start playing with it🤩
I'll keep an eye out for that OLP4 too.
Thanks again, loving the warm welcome from the community ❤️

Thank you, it's always very nice when someone likes to come back to this community and also has that feeling for this fascinating stuff! So it's great to hear from you and that you joined us! By the way, what country are you from if I may ask?

Amsdap allows you to connect I/O based MSX hardware to the CPC; a lot of MSX hardware is slot based (meaning it's memory mapped and uses the advanced banking features of the MSX that aren't possible on a standard CPC). But most sound hardware (like OPLxx, even MP3) but also the V9990 graphics card is I/O based, so we're very lucky and can connect some of the coolest MSX hardware stuff from the late 80s/90s/2000s to the CPC as well.

I'm in the UK (Scotland), and my wife's family are Catalan, so we spend time in Spain a few times a year. So two countries where the CPC was popular 😄 .... IIRC Barcelona Comp' Sci' course has/had a homework module based on the CPC (or so I heard).

Thanks for the overview of what MSX components work and why (it's kinda making me want an MSX too)

[Clueless]

Welcome mate. It's indeed the best era to own a CPC. So much greatness, thanks to the talented (and friendly) people of this community. I still can't stop being surprised sometimes because they're creating such great gadgets and expecting so little in return. M4, AMSDAP, ULIFAC, RSF3, AMSTEAM, Dandanator (and others) every single one of them is awesome. Of course, let's not forget the software: Symbos, FutureOS, mind-blowing homebrew titles such as Corsair Trainer, Mighty Steel Fighters, Pinball Dreams and countless others..

If you manage to get yourself an AMSDAP, check the Wozblaster Reloaded (MSx Sunrise Moonsound cartridge clone) https://theretrohacker.com/product/msx-opl4-wozblaster-reloaded-cartridge-/ It works great with AMSDAP + SymbOS.

Thanks for the link ❤️....
That trhmsx they sell looks like a great way to get into MSX (having gone onto a Japanese proxy site looking for MSX2+ and seen the prices, poor conditions and shipping costs). I may get one of them come payday then I can double dip all this cool hardware and run it on both (slots Vs. I/O differences permitting ) 

[Clueless]

Of course, I will continue making AMSDAPs as long as anybody wants one. But I go very slow with them, because I mount all the minuscule SMD components by hand forcing my poor tired eyes...

🥳, fantastic ❤️.... I'll keep checking in as my Amstrad (and now possibly MSX) hardware starts arriving. Thank you.

[Clueless]

Well that escalated quickly 



Just purchased this for £83.... cartridge slot hinge is loose and some keys stick. Pretty sure I can fix sticking keys and a loose/broken hinge ... still its tidy and boxed for <£100 (we'll see what the shipping costs 😬

I hate to admit that how rad the box looked swayed me in the impulse purchase

[Clueless]

Looks like it can be modded into an MSX2+ which is nice: https://tabajara--labs-blogspot-com.translate.goog/2019/08/transformando-o-msx-panasonic-fs-a1.html?m=1&_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp

I've also got a RetroSix CleanPower mod sitting in a draw, so I can modify it to power from USB-C while I'm
I'm there 😊

[Prodatron]

Wow, that was quick indeed, congratulation!
So welcome to the fascinating MSX world as well.

Best place in the internet:
http://www.msx.org

(we have a big MSX meeting in The Netherlands again in 1,5 weeks; btw a catalan friend from Barcelona is also coming)

There are several kits for upgrading an MSX2 to an MSX2+, but also for switching between 3,5MHz and 7MHz Z80 speed (for me it seems, that every second Philips NMS8250 has these mods).

[Clueless]

Wow, that was quick indeed, congratulation!
So welcome to the fascinating MSX world as well.

Best place in the internet:
http://www.msx.org

(we have a big MSX meeting in The Netherlands again in 1,5 weeks; btw a catalan friend from Barcelona is also coming)

There are several kits for upgrading an MSX2 to an MSX2+, but also for switching between 3,5MHz and 7MHz Z80 speed (for me it seems, that every second Philips NMS8250 has these mods).

Thank you, I'd struggled to find overclock mods so hopefully someone there can help . I've submitted my membership request email, just awaiting approval...

Turns out I'd forgot a cheeky low offer I made on a CPC 464.... the seller just accepted so I've now a CPC on the way.
My partner is going to freak out, I've an FM Towns, CPC and MSX turning up over the course of the next few days 😅

[Clueless]

FM Towns arrived, amazed at how tidy it is. I purchased it for spares and repairs, but it's hardly been used (was sold as junk as a CDROM was stuck in the drive .... took me 30 seconds to un-junk it 😄)

[Clueless]

Sorry getting very off the topic of CPCs here...
So when my CPC gets here I need to weigh up the 6128 upgrade, an M4 (which I hear does the upgrade and more) and the DDI-5.

Is there an overclock mod that's not gonna mess up the sound and drives? (I hear the MSX one manages this).

Anyway plenty of research to be getting on with. Thank you everybody for the warm welcome and mountains of advice ☺️

[Nich]

IIRC Barcelona Comp' Sci' course has/had a homework module based on the CPC (or so I heard).

You may be thinking of the University of Alicante. The #CPCRetroDev contest ran from 2013 to 2023, and students in one course (I can't recall which one) had to develop a game for the contest, although it was also open to the wider CPC community. Lots of great new games were released thanks to this contest.

Nowadays the students have to write a game for the Game Boy.

[norecess464]

So when my CPC gets here I need to weigh up the 6128 upgrade, an M4 (which I hear does the upgrade and more) and the DDI-5.

Warning here.
I'm not sure if the M4 is compatible with the 464 (it probably does, I never tested myself); but the DDI-5 also includes a new AmsDOS ROM, so I have no clue how good the two expansions would work together... (cf. colliding features)
Maybe it might work, but that seems to be a risky bet to me. I would suggest first to triple-check to see if it's doable.

Is there an overclock mod that's not gonna mess up the sound and drives? (I hear the MSX one manages this).

No, not on the Amstrad. At least, it's absolutely not common. I've already heard on this forum about successful attempts to double the Z80 CPU speed, but it likely comes with a TON of software and hardware incompatibilities.

[Clueless]

So when my CPC gets here I need to weigh up the 6128 upgrade, an M4 (which I hear does the upgrade and more) and the DDI-5.

Warning here.
I'm not sure if the M4 is compatible with the 464 (it probably does, I never tested myself); but the DDI-5 also includes a new AmsDOS ROM, so I have no clue how good the two expansions would work together... (cf. colliding features)
Maybe it might work, but that seems to be a risky bet to me. I would suggest first to triple-check to see if it's doable.

Is there an overclock mod that's not gonna mess up the sound and drives? (I hear the MSX one manages this).

No, not on the Amstrad. At least, it's absolutely not common. I've already heard on this forum about successful attempts to double the Z80 CPU speed, but it likely comes with a TON of software and hardware incompatibilities.

Thanks for the pointers.

I've got a video queued up for tomorrow titled "using the m4 board on the CPC 464" so I  based my assumption on that.

I'd put weighing up the M4 with the DDI-5 on my todo list when the unit arrives.

And it looks like CPC store stocks 4 port backplane extensions so I don't have to worry about the 464's port limitations too much.

Thanks again ☺️

[dthrone]

Nowadays the students have to write a game for the Game Boy.

Had no idea it had switched to Game Boy!

[Clueless]

IIRC Barcelona Comp' Sci' course has/had a homework module based on the CPC (or so I heard).

You may be thinking of the University of Alicante. The #CPCRetroDev contest ran from 2013 to 2023, and students in one course (I can't recall which one) had to develop a game for the contest, although it was also open to the wider CPC community. Lots of great new games were released thanks to this contest.

Nowadays the students have to write a game for the Game Boy.

Ahh maybe, it was an old memory from hearing Roland talk on a podcast I had on in the background a while ago, so I may have misremembered 😅.

Why the switch to GB? Are they now easier to come by in Spain? (Still easy to pick up a GB here in the UK, Amstrads less so)

[Nich]

Why the switch to GB? Are they now easier to come by in Spain? (Still easy to pick up a GB here in the UK, Amstrads less so)

I don't know. I'm speculating that it may be because the #CPCRetroDev contests were themed around the 30th anniversary of a particular game, and in the last contest in 2023, it was mentioned that 1993 was the end of the commercial life of the CPC, so I think that for the 2024 contest, the organisers moved to another platform (i.e. the Game Boy) that was still commercially relevant in 1994. All of this is just a guess, though.

[eto]

Too sad they stopped doing it for the CPC but it's understandable. It's probably much more attractive for students to write a game for the Gameboy.