BMC64 DIY Tiny & Fastest C64 Emulator on a Raspberry Pi

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5 ай бұрын

Create a compact retro computer emulator for the Commodore 64.
Despite its size, it boasts some impressive features:
- It boots in around 4 seconds.
- It can be powered off at any time without worrying about corruption.
- It's extremely fast with low latency.
- It exhibits high compatibility with original C64 software.
- It offers high-quality HDMI video output.
- It comes equipped with ports for original joysticks, as well as USB connectivity for modern game pads.
Jumps:
02:09 Getting the PCBs
07:07 Construction
25:48 Software Installation
27:37 Testing
Links:
- PCBWay Projects:
If you want to help me out without it costing you anything, please consider signing up for PCBWay using this referral link if you intend to order any PCBs. This will give me credit to order other PCBs for future videos:
pcbway.com/g/31u3E2
1. DIY COMMODORE 64 BMC64 CONFIG 2 WITH WORKING C64 KEYBOARD
www.pcbway.com/project/sharep...
2. COMMODORE 64 KEYBOARD FACEPLATE FOR TACTILE BUTTON KEYBOARD PROJECTS
www.pcbway.com/project/sharep...
3. BARE METAL COMMODORE 64 EMULATOR GEEKS EDITION GPIO CONFIG2
www.pcbway.com/project/sharep...
4. BMC64 Keyboard/Joystick PCB
www.pcbway.com/project/sharep...
- Randy Rossi:
Toronto PET Users Group Talk:
• World of Commodore 201...
Github:
github.com/randyrossi/bmc64
- Accentual BMC64:
accentual.com/bmc64/
- RETRO is the new black - Installation and Config Video:
• Installing & config of...
- Details:
How does it manage so much in such a small package? Well, it runs on a Raspberry Pi but operates as a bare-metal emulator. In simpler terms, there's no Linux installed; it communicates directly with the Pi's hardware.
And if that weren't enough, it was designed as a replacement for a Commodore 64 motherboard, allowing direct wiring to the original C64 keyboard. This is a simple way to modernize an old C64 unit while preserving the original aesthetic and user experience.
Although I won't be doing that in this video, I will be providing details on how that is done. And this is something I will be attempting in another video:
Considering a Raspberry Pi 3 can be acquired for around $40, this method seems like a bargain when you consider the costs involved in updating an original unit.
If you want to get an original C64 going, then you have some of the following costs:
- A new power supply because the original ones have a tendency to blow up the motherboard. I recently paid $80 for one.
- A third-party device upgrade for the graphics to attach it to a modern TV.
- Probably some sort of fast loader device, etc.

Пікірлер: 7

@DazAu78 5 ай бұрын

Cool project, Gerry. Will be following it. Subbed. Nice to see a a fellow Aussie keeping the C64 alive.

@GerrysTech 5 ай бұрын

Cheers, yeah for some reason I cant get enough of the 64 at the moment :)

@DazAu78 5 ай бұрын

Best micro ever!

@TheAceWolfe01 5 ай бұрын

Would be interesting to install this in the full size The C64 from Retrogames

@GerrysTech 5 ай бұрын

I’m definitely gonna put this into an original case. I don’t have a c64. But I do have a vic20. I think that will be hilarious because the emulator supports multiple commodore machine. So theoretically I can switch between vic20 and c64 from the controller. Also, there’s a lot of other cool stuff that the emulator can do. Which I would like to explore in other videos.

@TheAceWolfe01 5 ай бұрын

@@GerrysTech I do have an original C64 that's not working. But the case has a lot of issues due to age. Would be really interesting if this could also use a floppy drive and original physical cartridges

@GerrysTech 5 ай бұрын

I don’t think this is possible with bmc64 or other software -based emulators. when I get to putting it into a case, I’m gonna see if I can’t make it so they can both exist in the same case, the original motherboard and the emulator that way you could have the best of both worlds. Might be a bit tricky but it would be fun to try 😀 to get true emulation that could support real hardware I would have to use an FPGA based emulator like MISTER. Trouble is that’s incredibly expensive in comparison but ultimately I’d like to try that.