Mega65

[zhulien]

I have CPCs and Commodore 64s, Amigas, MSXs, Spectrums and Sega computers among others... I really like the Mega65 and past CPC FPGA projects had proven to be pretty good too.

I'd love a good core for Mega65, especially one that could be open sourced and enhanced over time giving support for new hardware.

Mega65 has basic hardware that could be in a CPC core such as RAM expansion, ROMboard, Ethernet, basic v9990 support perhaps, MultiPlay, SID support, AY support, AMDRUM, 3.5"FDD etc... a really good base CPC... lacks numeric keypad but I'm sure a key combo could sort that out.

Perhaps even Plus machine or... more enhanced CPC++...

For the time being they are plentiful and if more people such as CPC users bought them I am sure there will be more batches.  Perhaps Tobiflex can make a core?

Don't let the Mega65 history being Commodore related affect your bias, Commodore made some fantastic computers too.  And if you like other FPGA based computers why not this one?

Ultimately I'd love new CPCs because my old ones require maintenance too often, but I don't see Zaxon making 100s of his awesome Just CPC ATXs and T-Rex and Commodore One are no longer produced. Minimig I think is ugly as is a Raspberry Pi (although they do fill a market gap).  More choices are better even if I don't want that one.  Unfortunately I don't think Trevor (who makes Amiga X5000s) would want to make new CPCs either.

Mega65 is definitely the best fit of all FPGA machines so far!

I could imagine having a few Mega 65s to replace some of my CPCs if it had an awesome full featured CPC core.

[eto]

How does a Mega65 feel different from good emulation? You can't even connect real expansions.

a few Mega 65s to replace some of my CPCs

What do you do with several machines in parallel?

Several 800€ machines is quite an investment just to avoid a bit of maintenance. Btw: what maintenance? 

[zhulien]

How does a Mega65 feel different from good emulation? You can't even connect real expansions.

a few Mega 65s to replace some of my CPCs

What do you do with several machines in parallel?

Several 800€ machines is quite an investment just to avoid a bit of maintenance. Btw: what maintenance?

I can't emulate the physical feel and physical appearance of an 8bit computer. 

Network them, it is more fun networking more than 1 computer with the router.  Especially 8bit ones.

800euro for several machines.  I do get it not every country has equivalent incomes and neither does everyone in one country... but thinking back when I did have my Amiga 4000 with Cyberstorm PPC Cybervision 3D, Ariane, Peggy+ etc... which actually cost me about 7000euro all up i think 2400euro is not bad at all for 3 cool computers.

Yet some people even pay more than 2500euro for a Windows PC?

[SkulleateR]

I love my Mega65, the keyboard ist the best I ever typed on and Basic in 40mhz is really fast

There ist already a really good ZX Spectrum core so I would love to see a good CPC core 

[HAL6128]

If I would choose then I would prefer a Ultimate64 similar machine which is as close as the original (with the help of original chips or emulations) and the same expansion ports / interfaces.

[SkulleateR]

If I would choose then I would prefer a Ultimate64 similar machine which is as close as the original (with the help of original chips or emulations) and the same expansion ports / interfaces.

Well, Expansion slot is there and working with a real great C64 Core  

There are already plans to implement a user and tape port too with an expansion board 

[zhulien]

If I would choose then I would prefer a Ultimate64 similar machine which is as close as the original (with the help of original chips or emulations) and the same expansion ports / interfaces.

But the ultimate64 is even further from CPC 

[HAL6128]

Yeah, but a similar approach with a CPC target would be nice. Not necessary but a nice project.

...the XiAleste project comes close...
https://hackaday.io/project/188511

[zhulien]

Yeah, but a similar approach with a CPC target would be nice. Not necessary but a nice project.

...the XiAleste project comes close...
https://hackaday.io/project/188511

I totally agree, but I am thinking something that can be brought to market ASAP, how many CPC users stop using their CPC because it breaks?  

To let you know, I had a 10 year gap because of frustration with my old CPC back in the 2000s.  I did use emulators here and there, but for me it isn't the same.  I don't mind a Mega65 appearance - I could change the logo to MegaCPC if I was using a CPC core and it really does offer a lot in hardware that can be configured as a CPC using it's FPGA.

I actually have a Terasic T-Rex and I did own a Commodore One before when the CPC Core was the only useful core on it.  The T-Rex is really good, but the core is a bit old and doesn't have all the other hardware that a Mega65 has which the CPC Core can use - Mega65 in Commodore modes has 4 SID chips - so of course we can have SID and AY in CPC mode or 3 AYs for internal and PlayCity simulation, Digiblaster & AMDRUM too... possibly SSA-1 if someone wants to digitize the allophones.  It has 3.5" floppy that CPC users can use if FPGA allows, it has dual SDCARD and Ethernet so simulation of M4 could work in addition to XMAS simulation, it has 8mb RAM - so maybe that can be 4mb RAM + 4mb ROM of CPC.  It has some good Graphics Modes, that now exceed CPC modes - so why not simulate additional modes so that Symbos has more colours and higher resolution, but perhaps without too much work for Prodatron to make work.  It works with Amiga mouse just like Multiplay.  Perhaps CPC Plus features can be progressively added.

To me... MegaCPC using Mega65 hardware could be a no brainer!

[zhulien]

I would have thought that there would be more than 3 people who would want a new CPC based on FPGAs...  Maybe that is why we don't have an equivalent to a SpectrumNext and Mega65 - there is just a market of 3, 3 = 3rd place like the old days.

It isn't much, but if anyone was to create a good Mega65 CPC core, I will give them a 6128Plus computer* without monitor (not sure if I have a basic cart and floppy may or may not work, but you can always add a SD Card if it doesn't).

* while stocks last - I have about 12 of them and haven't intended to sell any, but would if I could get a good new CPC replacement.

[zhulien]

the image of the bars at the top looks like those that don't want a Mega65 are giving their middle finger!

[zhulien]

[SkulleateR]

Already tried a kind of "CPC Simulation" on that machine ...

see :


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7UBHeisb6A