VICMIDI release date?

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Schema
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Re: VICMIDI release date?

Post by Schema »

brain wrote:I am starting to put material here
Cool. Needs a link to that page from http://store.go4retro.com/vic-20-midi-cartridge/ as well. I'm not sure what the "main" page for the product should be to point folks to!
brain
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Re: VICMIDI release date?

Post by brain »

The page has been fleshed out more:

http://www.go4retro.com/products/vicmidi/
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majikeyric
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Re: VICMIDI release date?

Post by majikeyric »

There is a difference between VICMidi and UltiMem in the use of the switch0 :

On VICMidi : holding down switch0 on reset, well disables BLK5 but also for all subsequent resets.
The VIC20 need to be restarted to access the boot-menu again.

On UltiMem :holding down switch0 on reset, only disables BLK5 for that reset.

Is it a normal behaviour for the VICMidi ?
brain
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Re: VICMIDI release date?

Post by brain »

They operate the same way on my units here.

Can someone else verify?

If not, then it might just be an issue with your unit and we might need to replace.
alterus
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Re: VICMIDI release date?

Post by alterus »

Hey, I was just looking at the VICMIDI store page ( http://store.go4retro.com/vic-20-midi-cartridge/ ) and see that the Schema's midi software is now included in the cart. Is there some update firmware we can load up? Also, is there an editor we can use to select which software we'd like to be included on the cart?

Thanks
brain
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Re: VICMIDI release date?

Post by brain »

alterus wrote:Hey, I was just looking at the VICMIDI store page ( http://store.go4retro.com/vic-20-midi-cartridge/ ) and see that the Schema's midi software is now included in the cart.
Yep. FLash:

http://go4retro.com/downloads/VICMIDI/midi/ultimem.bin

to your unit.
Is there some update firmware we can load up? Also, is there an editor we can use to select which software we'd like to be included on the cart?

Thanks
Not yet. It should be easy to create, so I am hoping someone can help.

JIm
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majikeyric
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Re: VICMIDI release date?

Post by majikeyric »

No VICMidi owner can verify if holding down switch0 on reset, well disables BLK5 but also for all subsequent resets
and therefore the VIC20 need to be restarted to access the boot-menu again ? :(
traymond20
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Re: VICMIDI release date?

Post by traymond20 »

Hi all and Jim Brain :)

If using a Flat Screen TV in Composite Mode and Zooming as far down as you can for the Vic-20 or C64 screen.
powering up works fine. I ran Jims program to flash all the games to the cartridge that seemed to flash okay.

Using this TV (Above info) With Cartridge switch on the Rom wouldn't come up, just said NO SIGNAL.
I finally wondered about this TV so I dragged out my 1084 Monitor tried again, walla it finally did work, and I used Jim's
VIC Midi program that booted okay and my Midi keyboard works okay with different Channels, cool.

I also did get from here the pokes to use in basic for Expanded Ram, so awesome to be able to do this with a few pokes and no dip switches, and
the reset switch is very useful.

As to the Flat Screen TV signal I'm using a CBm monitor cable that uses the DIN connector and the other ends plug into the monitor, would
I need to instead use the VHF RCA video connector instead for the Video connection to get the correct signal?

When I have time I will tinker with some snapshots I seem to remember having Cannonball Blitz was always my favorite in High School on the
Apple II, was this a Donkey Kong version at all?

Thanks again everybody for your help I may need help with my snapshots, well these were Vic snapshots I had downloaded years ago
some I figured out which memory banks were used etc, I always used my 2 CBM 8K memory expanders using their dip switches, so
I might write some loaders.

BTW here on this forum can we upload Vic programs, or game snapshots?
traymond
alterus
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Re: VICMIDI release date?

Post by alterus »

brain wrote:
alterus wrote:Hey, I was just looking at the VICMIDI store page ( http://store.go4retro.com/vic-20-midi-cartridge/ ) and see that the Schema's midi software is now included in the cart.
Yep. FLash:

http://go4retro.com/downloads/VICMIDI/midi/ultimem.bin

to your unit.
Is there some update firmware we can load up? Also, is there an editor we can use to select which software we'd like to be included on the cart?

Thanks
Not yet. It should be easy to create, so I am hoping someone can help.

JIm

I downloaded the new ultimem.bin file, but its only 8 kb. Is that right? The previous one was 444 kb. I don't want to mess up my VICMIDI with a corrupted image... Thanks!
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majikeyric
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Re: VICMIDI release date?

Post by majikeyric »

AFAIR There is just the vicmidi software in this 8k ultimem.bin.
brain
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Re: VICMIDI release date?

Post by brain »

majikeyric wrote:AFAIR There is just the vicmidi software in this 8k ultimem.bin.
Correct. I can see about making an ultimem binary with all the games and the midi SW, if wanted.

Jim
alterus
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Re: VICMIDI release date?

Post by alterus »

brain wrote:
majikeyric wrote:AFAIR There is just the vicmidi software in this 8k ultimem.bin.
Correct. I can see about making an ultimem binary with all the games and the midi SW, if wanted.

Jim
That would be great! But even better would be letting us all know how to make our own ultimem binaries... I would really love to put together my own collection.
brain
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Re: VICMIDI release date?

Post by brain »

Understood.

I'll see if Marko can put together a "how to" on building an image.

Jim
brain
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Re: VICMIDI release date?

Post by brain »

majikeyric wrote:No VICMidi owner can verify if holding down switch0 on reset, well disables BLK5 but also for all subsequent resets
and therefore the VIC20 need to be restarted to access the boot-menu again ? :(
OK, figured it out.

It appears the 10K pullup resistors on the 2 switches were not installed during manufacturing. It's my fault, I forgot to update the bill of materials before final manufacturing

The good news:
  • I found the issue
  • The fix is pretty small (2 resistors)
  • I will fix the issue on all unsold units
The less good news:
  • They are 0402 resistors (1 mm by .5 mm in size, approximately)
  • They have to be soldered on
Luckily, I know who all bought them, so I'll be getting in touch with each buyer.

There are a few options:
  • Do nothing for the moment. Though I do want to fix all of them at some point, some of the units already have residual pullup current on the line (a function of CPLD pin leakage, I think) and function fine. Note that they all tested fine here and we use the switch during testing.
  • Order 2 resistors and solder them on yourself. Not recommended for most folks, as they are small
  • Work with me to swap units. I'll take care of all shipping
  • If you come to a show I will be at, bring the unit and swap
If you want to see where they go, look for R26 and R27 right to the left of the top mounted switches.

My apologies.

Jim
alterus
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Re: VICMIDI release date?

Post by alterus »

Hey, I've been trying to get the cartridge prg files from zimmers to run with the VIC MIDI. I enable all ram and the programs wont start. Does anyone know how to get these working? Here are the files i'm trying: http://www.zimmers.net/anonftp/pub/cbm/ ... index.html
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