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New MCE2VGA firmware OSD

ibmapc said:
I can't get Quartus to generate a new .jic file. It does generate a .soc file though. Is this a limitation of the "Lite" version? Or is there another step to perform after compiling.
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Never mind. I think I figured it out. Thanks again Retro Canada!!
 
ibmapc said:
The main characteristic is the size. The ones that don't seem to work completely, or not at all in my case, are very small (About the size of my thumb). The one that works for me is about the size of a pack of cigarettes and has the name ALTERA printed on it in bold letters. The most difficult thing for me was learning to use the Quartus software. It took forever to download and install. Then I spent two very late evenings to learn enough to update the firmware on my unit!!
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You could have just asked me :p

For anyone else wanting to update the firmware, all you need to do is run the Quartus Programmer. Click Hardware Setup and select your USB blaster. If it's not detected, install the driver in "quartus\drivers\usb-blaster" (windows) or change the port permissions (linux).

Then select the .jic file, check the program/verify boxes, and program it. The power must be on to the FPGA board. If it fails part way, you may need to retry it a few times.
 
ibmapc said:
OK, understood. What about my other suggestions?

1. I'd like to see a longer timeout on the display of the current parameter.

2. I wish the adjustments could be saved so that when the power is turned off, it would remember its last settings.

3. If number 2 is not feasible, Maybe the firmware could be reprogrammed once one finds the ideal settings for a particular setup so that the device defaults to those

settings. Could you give some pointers here. I'm not much of a programmer, but I think I could make the adjustments needed if pointed in the correct direction.

Best Regards,

Greg
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Retro Canada said:
2 is impossible. It would require some flash ram or eeprom chip added to the design.

For 1: in the Quartus II code there is a module callled ctrl_params.vhd there is a

peak: integer range 0 to 128*1024*1024 := 0;

make it to 256*1024*1024 in both lines (it sets the value after)

3: once you find the parameters you can edit the schematic.bdf for each CGA,EGA,MDA and HGC you can set the properties in the box that contains values for: c_phase, c_samples, c_top_border (vpos) and c_left_border (hpos). Again you change in the .BDF file (instance) not in the ctrl_params.vhd, the values there are there only for the time you instance it. Hpos and Vpos are reversed: 0 means all to the right/down and forward. Good luck and have fun. And a very fast multicore computer to compile the FPGA code...
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ibmapc said:
..The most difficult thing for me was learning to use the Quartus software. It took forever to download and install. Then I spent two very late evenings to learn enough to update the firmware on my unit!!
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Plasma said:
You could have just asked me :p
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Yes, but where's the fun in that? ;) Besides, I wanted to modify the code slightly as noted in my communication with Retro Canada. He's been very helpful. So I had to figure out where to make the changes and then recompile and make a new .jic file. Of course, I appreciate everything you have done ordering boards and parts and putting kits together.

By the way, @Plasma ,are you close to breaking even on this project? You took a risk buying everything without having firm orders, but we all have benefited because getting those firm orders in advance would have delayed thing considerably.

I was expecting a bigger response to this project. I didn't expect it to go like the XT-IDE, but the response has been underwhelming to say the least. So, come on members, lets get these things bought!!
 
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Well I will break even if I sell them all...there are five people who said they were interested that didn't follow through, and I bought a few extra on top of that. I might try to sell the rest on ebay or something.
 
Plasma said:
Well I will break even if I sell them all...there are five people who said they were interested that didn't follow through, and I bought a few extra on top of that. I might try to sell the rest on ebay or something.
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That's what I figured. You know I'm doing what I can to help. I've got three assembled units left to sell. I'm planning to take them to VCF Pacific North West Feb. 10-11 and put them up for sale in the consignment area. I'd be willing to take some of your kits there as well, but I'm not sure how the logistics would work. Let me know if this is of interest to you. Keep on mind that VCF keeps 15% for their commision on all consignment sales, so the price would need to be adjusted accordingly. If I sell out, I'll probably Buy more kits then also.

Best Regards

Greg
 
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patxiu said:
Hello,
I am also very interested
someone can sell me a kit?
Regards,
Click to expand...

Sorry, I've sold all of mine and I think Plasma is sold out also. I think Trixter might still have one that he may be willing to sell. I think you need to make a few more posts before you can send private messages though. So make some more posts and send a PM to Trixter to see if he'll sell his kit to you.

Greg

PS
Where are you? It's good to put at least a general location in your profile so that people can estimate shipping costs.
 
I was so impressed with the board that Greg sold me that I had a batch of PC boards made up and have assembled a few more. I have spare PC boards i can sell, the assembly is pretty straight forward assuming the ram IC soldering is something you can handle. Shipping a PC board to Spain would be less expensive than a full kit.

- Gary

ibmapc said:
Sorry, I've sold all of mine and I think Plasma is sold out also. I think Trixter might still have one that he may be willing to sell. I think you need to make a few more posts before you can send private messages though. So make some more posts and send a PM to Trixter to see if he'll sell his kit to you.

Greg

PS
Where are you? It's good to put at least a general location in your profile so that people can estimate shipping costs.
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Latest Firmware?

Latest Firmware?

Is the .jic file on GitHub the latest version? I don’t see the sample option which is in your YouTube video.

Thanks!

- Gary
 
Hello,

If you are located in EU. You might want to contact dreamblaster on Vogons. I got mine from him and he's about to sell them on his website
 
Hello Gary,

I want 1 unit and I prefer already assembled and tested.
I do not know anything about .jic, can CoreEP4CE6 be programmed with the .sof file?

Thanks, Patxi.
 
There is no more Samples option, I removed it as it got too complicated and I changed how things worked.

A .sof is a temporary program, whenever you turn it off it will lose it and is used only for testing.

The .jic is flashed into the SPI and restarted everytime.
 
gekaufman said:
I was so impressed with the board that Greg sold me that I had a batch of PC boards made up and have assembled a few more. I have spare PC boards i can sell, the assembly is pretty straight forward assuming the ram IC soldering is something you can handle. Shipping a PC board to Spain would be less expensive than a full kit.

- Gary
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Hello Gary,

can you send me 2 boards not assembled to Spain?

Regards, Patxi
 
Patxi -

While I'd be happy to ship you two boards, it might be about the same price to get a batch fabricated yourself. First class postage (the least expensive option) is about $14 US, + the cost of two boards. A batch of 10 thru ALLPCB or DIRTYPCB will be almost the same price shipped directly from China and you could pass the others to local friends.

- Gary

patxiu said:
Hello Gary,

can you send me 2 boards not assembled to Spain?

Regards, Patxi
Click to expand...
 
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