Part 2: 10 cool things you will do with a MEGA65

Part 2: 10 cool things you will do with a MEGA65 | 6 to 10 with bonus and guest

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Check This Fun MEGA65 Video: "📺️ The Silent Enigma: New MEGA65 Demo by Gürçe (1970s-Style Interview)": • 📺️ The Silent Enigma: ...
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Commodore computing fans will soon have a new device to add to their collection of retro-computers, the MEGA65. In part 2 of this video and companion blog post, I look at what makes the MEGA65 special and then share items six through ten of the ten cool things you will do with the MEGA65 that you can't do with any other Commodore-inspired recreations such as The C64. As promised, I include a bonus item (with a special guest) for a cool dozen things you will do with the MEGA65.
Read the companion blog post:
www.stevencombs.com/mega65-3
Watch the complete MEGAPhone video:
• MEGA65 Development Str...
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00:00 Introduction
00:19 Bumper
00:29 Part 1 Errata
02:30 Companion Blog Post
02:56 #6 - Use Storage Devices
05:00 #7 - GEOS
07:50 #8 - M65 Connect
09:34 #9 - Play .SID and .MOD Files
15:11 #10 - Install Cores
19:56 Bonus 2 - MEGAPhone
22:31 Paul's MEGAPhone Demonstration
26:21 Conclusion
#mega65 #commodore #10coolthings

Пікірлер: 81

@antonschneider-michallek8544 3 жыл бұрын

Great video ! i've been looking forward to it. Thanks alot ! One thing to mention, the currently available cores are MiSTer ports. We work together with MiSTer teammembers and they are developing a conversion tool, that should make it easier in the future to port MiSTer cores over to the MEGA65. Also they are working atm on porting the C64 MiSTer core to the MEGA65, which will turn the MEGA65 into an almost 100% compatible C64. And here is one extra cool thing you can do with the MEGA65: during the design of the MEGA65 pcb we decided, that we put some unused FPGA lines and 2 so called "PMOD"-connectors on the pcb, which will allow the MEGA65 to receive hardware expansions in the future like: - Userport - Tapeport - CRT video connector - SIM card reader (The MEGAphone is using those i.e.) - USB port ... whatever the community is fancy developing on it. the final MEGA65 case will have breakout ports in the unused space of the case, to make it easier to attach those hardware expansions. Here is a link, what you can use PMODs for: shop.trenz-electronic.de/en/Products/Digilent/Peripheral-Modules/

@retroCombs 3 жыл бұрын

This one as held up in review as well. Again, apologies. This is great info! I'm pinning the comment and will add to companion blog post if that's okay with you.

@antonschneider-michallek8544 3 жыл бұрын

@@retroCombs Absolutely ! Please feel free ! :-)

@retroCombs 2 жыл бұрын

Finally got around to adding this information to the companion blog post at: www.stevencombs.com/mega65-3#video-errata So appreciate the information, Anton.

@mkrleza 2 жыл бұрын

Steven, thank you so much. I am really enjoying your videos. So much so, that I've started replaying your older ones (the ones that I missed before I found about your channel). Also, I am very excited about M65, I hope I'll be able to afford it... Ahh, the good, old, carefree days...

@retroCombs 2 жыл бұрын

Some of my early stuff is rough. I've made some improvement but always looking for feedback on content and to make the channel more enjoyable and informative.

@dougjohnson4266 2 жыл бұрын

The Ultimate 64 Elite has the IEC port and so does the MK2. Looking forward to this device, should be fun.

@retroCombs 2 жыл бұрын

Turns out the MEGA65 will have a way to add an IO and cassette port! Found that out after this video.

@sandcat-maurice 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you fot this video and MEGA65 ‘teaser’. Can’t wait for the release 🙏 Wrt the Cores, I was also planning to solely use them for CBM machines. Hopefully there will be a VIC-20, C64 and C128 core in the future ps, I fill the need for a third episode: the amazing (speed and functionality) improvements of BASIC65

@retroCombs 3 жыл бұрын

Great idea. As BASIC gets more attention, that would make a great follow up. Thanks for watching.

@bugbloke1975 3 жыл бұрын

Another great video Steven! Really enjoyed learning about the Mega65 in these two. What a great little machine! 😊👍

@retroCombs 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Chris! This thing is a blast and with each core, ROM update, and software development, it's been like Christmas every week.

@f1lupo 2 жыл бұрын

pre-order 1st day sent me here 🤟❤️

@retroCombs 2 жыл бұрын

And thanks for stopping by. Be sure to check out all my MEGA65 content at: www.stevencombs.com/mega65

@f1lupo 2 жыл бұрын

@@retroCombs thanks will definitely do while waiting for my MEGA65 to arrive👍

@themaraudershideout3010 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for doing this Stephen! Great video...

@retroCombs 3 жыл бұрын

Enjoyed putting it together. Thanks so much.

@Noone-of-your-Business 2 жыл бұрын

As much as I loved the idea of a graphical user interface on my C64, GEOS was simply far too demanding for the machine. I did get myself the 1351 mouse, but the sheer lack of speed in _everything_ about GEOS was simply not practical. For any productivity task, I used other products like the _Final Cartridge III_ for disk operations (down to really primitive things like displaying the directory of a disk _with one press of a single F key.)_ For graphics, I used _Amica Paint,_ which supported the Lo Res *multicolor* mode rather than _GEO Paint's_ Hi Res 2-color mode. *And* Amica Paint was compatible with Koala Painter format, which was the closest thing to a standard there ever was for C64 graphics. For text, I used Viza Write, which was *much* faster than _GEO Write,_ and so on and so forth. And on top of all that, GEOS was a completely closed system that refused data exchange with other popular applications of the time. Sorry, no can do. I was so stoked about playing around with the mouse and graphic UI for a few days, but disappointment set in soon enough so that I quickly gave up trying to do anything _productive_ on GEOS. It was simply too much for the computer it was running on.

@retroCombs 2 жыл бұрын

I used the GEOS C128 version all through college. The extra umpf helped and I found it a good experience. On the MEGA at 40MHz and high resolution graphics makes it very interesting.

@mcd3379 2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely agree. GEOS just struggled on a stand alone C64 with a single 1541. Word processing was for more doable on a C12D running in 80 columns using a program like Superscript 128.

@retroCombs 2 жыл бұрын

I never used Superscript and need to check it out. We need a good word processor/text editor for the MEGA65. A port might be just the thing.

@Tristinfate 2 жыл бұрын

This does look cool, and I understand the price but $900 is out of my affordability for a device like this.

@retroCombs 2 жыл бұрын

I completely understand. As more devices go to manufacture, the price should drop. Of course the current shortage of chips won't help. :(

@AppleUser 2 жыл бұрын

Hopefully for $800 plus, yes I did pre-order one today... gulp, they include at least 1 joy stick, hopefully 2. And in the future a list of printers that will work with it. I am excited.

@retroCombs 2 жыл бұрын

No joystick included but I recommend these two: amzn.to/2TVS3kU and amzn.to/3iVpE9j. Excellent quality, retro feel, and low price. (#ad)

@LeifBloomquist 3 жыл бұрын

Leif Bloomquist @3:04 the Ultimate 64 also has an IEC port !

@retroCombs 3 жыл бұрын

This is true. Good catch! Does the U64 still require you to bring your own SID chip?

@LeifBloomquist 3 жыл бұрын

@@retroCombs It has SIDs emulated in the FPGA (up to 8!), but also sockets for 2 real SID chips for those who prefer the real thing.

@retroCombs 3 жыл бұрын

This sounds like a device I would like to try out some day and compare, but alas, they are unavailable.

@danield.7359 2 жыл бұрын

were you running GEOS on a M65? I remember how sluggish the GEOS desktop was. Now in the video it seemed incredibly zippy.

@retroCombs 2 жыл бұрын

Yes I was and yes it is. There's an updated version of GEOS in development for the MEGA65. It's going to be amazing! Still a ways to go but showing a lot of promise.

@HelloKittyFanMan. 2 жыл бұрын

"You connect the Mega65 to a _computer..."_ Oops, I thought the Mega65 IS a computer.

@retroCombs 2 жыл бұрын

Connecting the MEGA65 to a PC via USB allows you to do things like transfer files, take screen shots, or even use the remote computer's keyboard. It's pretty slick and I use this capability regularly.

@HelloKittyFanMan. 2 жыл бұрын

@@retroCombs: I understand that, but saying "connect the Mega65 to **A** computer" instead of "...to _another_ computer" is like trying to say, implicitly, that the 65 "isn't a computer itself."

@retroCombs 2 жыл бұрын

@@HelloKittyFanMan. I'd say if folks don't realize the MEGA65 isn't its own computer, we've got some bigger fish to fry! 😂

@HelloKittyFanMan. 2 жыл бұрын

@@retroCombs: I'm not saying that they won't. I'm just saying that it's the wonky wording that gives it that sound, hence the need for a word like "other" or "remote," etc.

@retroCombs 2 жыл бұрын

Wonky wording appears to be my schtick. It won't be the last time, I'm sure.

@henrikvendelbo1117 2 жыл бұрын

Spot on retro computing without the physical design experience is useless

@retroCombs 2 жыл бұрын

Nailed it, Henrik!

@HelloKittyFanMan. 2 жыл бұрын

Even though the Mega65's internal floppy drive might have HD support, the real Commodore 65's floppy drive is an internal 1581, isn't it (like the built-in 1571 in the 128D and the built-in 1541 in the SX-64)?

@retroCombs 2 жыл бұрын

It's not technically a 1581. It's a PC drive configured to read and write to 3.5" Commodore formatted floppies. There are huge technical differences. Check out Paul's blog for all the details: c65gs.blogspot.com/2022/01/more-work-on-hd-floppies-rll-encoding.html

@HelloKittyFanMan. 2 жыл бұрын

@@retroCombs: What's the Newtronics or Alps drive mechanism inside a 1541? That can be used as a PC drive too, with the appropriate controller. (Isn't it the controller that decides GCR, FM, MFM, etc.?) The same Alps drive is fitted with a different bezel and stuck in the Apple IIc. But fit it with the Commodore 1541 controller and the overall drive is a 1541. Same with the 1571D and SX-1541, right? So then what's the internal drive mechanism inside the 1581 case with 1581 controller? Same thing, is it it not: A Mitsumi or NEC drive mechanism that you can stick into a PC or an Amiga and use as that kind of drive, depending on some jumpers or switches and the controller used (MFM, etc.), correct? I understood that the plan with this drive for the Mega is to make it work with HD disks, so in that sense, it has a different level of controller than the 1581 has, since they were too cheap to make the (at least external) 1581 HD like they should have (I thought HD technology had come out for 3.5" by the time the 1581 rolled out). But I'm asking about the _original_ Commodore 65's drive. So is even the drive controller inside the original Commodore 65 not a 1581 controller, in the same sense as the 1571D and SX-1541 controllers?

@retroCombs 2 жыл бұрын

Made an edit to my previous comment.

@HelloKittyFanMan. 2 жыл бұрын

Haha, good, @@retroCombs! I also edited mine accordingly. The rest is made up of questions that are still waiting for answers. Thanks!

@MrRobbyvent 2 жыл бұрын

is the emulated vic 3 chip in specs with the original never released prototype vic 3?

@retroCombs 2 жыл бұрын

That's correct! Check out the Developer's Guide (files.mega65.org?id=ffd575e5-5d9c-47ff-b553-fcec80fd77a3) on the Files host for more information.

@IsaacKuo 3 жыл бұрын

Cool info! There's just one design decision of the C65 (and MEGA65) which kind of annoys me a bit ... joyports on the left side. Commodore computers have joyports and usually power on the right. Even the Amiga 1000 with its expansion port on the right also had the joyports on the right (which was awkward ... should have put the expansion port on the left rather than copy the IBM PCjr's placement).

@retroCombs 3 жыл бұрын

Admittedly, I'm enjoying them on the left more than I thought. Especially when I use a mouse with the mouSTer.

@IsaacKuo 3 жыл бұрын

@@retroCombs Yeah, there's nothing inherently wrong with putting joyports and power on the left. It just feels like it goes against tradition.

@PaulGardnerStephen 3 жыл бұрын

@@IsaacKuo its like which side of the road people drive on. It becomes a pretty deeply grained habit. But as the Swedes showed, its possible to change. Or you could make your own "Swedish MEGA65" where you hack the ports off the left and onto the right hand side ;)

@antonschneider-michallek8544 3 жыл бұрын

The C65 design had the Joystickports also on the left. So we only took over from what Commodore had originally planned.

@IsaacKuo 3 жыл бұрын

@@antonschneider-michallek8544 I know. That's why I point out my annoyance at the design decision of the C65. I am still annoyed by it. They could have just placed the floppy on the left. The original PET2001 had its built in drive on the left. Tons of C64 users put their drive on the left, since it was the only location that didn't block any ports.

@AppleUser 2 жыл бұрын

what is the physical size of the 65 '

@retroCombs 2 жыл бұрын

46cm wide, 22cm deep, ~7cm tall.

@AppleUser 2 жыл бұрын

@@retroCombs thank you

@retroCombs 2 жыл бұрын

@@AppleUser Happy to help. I had to reach out to the developer for that one!

@HelloKittyFanMan. 2 жыл бұрын

"...from the _mechanical_ floppy"? As if there were any other type? The other drives just aren't _even_ floppies, period.

@retroCombs 2 жыл бұрын

Well, there are floppy disk images (.d81, .d64, etc) which are pure digital. So there's that.

@HelloKittyFanMan. 2 жыл бұрын

@@retroCombs: But they're just floppy-disk _images,_ not actual floppy disks. So the differentiation need only be _images_ vs. actual _floppy disks._ But I guess I can see enough people thinking of the disk _images_ as "disks" in shorthand that some differentiation clarity word like "actual" or "physical," as in, "an actual disk," could be used. I guess I was just used to thinking that even with disk images, I guess I was just used to thinking of the words "floppy disk" without a modifier as always referring to the actual object. (Many of those _floppy_ disk images are sitting on _hard_ disks somewhere, hence also the need for the word "floppy" in the full terminology, like you have been saying it, at least, so that's good). And the actual disks are purely digital too; there's nothing analog on them like there is with the audio-tape-based format.

@mattmyers9351 3 жыл бұрын

Does the MEGA65 have a 128k mode?

@retroCombs 3 жыл бұрын

Do you mean, does it include a C128 mode or are you asking about how much memory it can address?

@mattmyers9351 3 жыл бұрын

@@retroCombs yes, C128 mode. My bad, I did write 128k when I meant C128 mode! Lol!

@mattmyers9351 3 жыл бұрын

@@retroCombs plus, if it is mentioned in the first video, forgive me, it's been a while since I've watched that one.

@retroCombs 3 жыл бұрын

It does not. The C65 mode replaces it and in good ways. GEOS is based on the 128 version, and so there are some similarities.

@mattmyers9351 3 жыл бұрын

@@retroCombs cool!

@HelloKittyFanMan. 2 жыл бұрын

"Commodore C64"? Oops, no such thing. But if you meant "Commodore 64" core, then why bother doing that, if, assuming the Mega65 developers finish the Mega correctly, it will already have 64-mode via the GO64 command that works just like the 128's?

@retroCombs 2 жыл бұрын

The C64 emulation the MEGA team is working will never be 100% compatible. They code the C64 emulation to take advantage of the additional MEGA65 hardware (graphics, memory, sound) directly from C64 mode which will most likely always cause some issues with older software (which is the case currently). A true C64 core will not provide access to additional hardware and will more accurately work with C64 code and peripherals. The MEGA65 has room for six more cores, so fill 'em up!

@HelloKittyFanMan. 2 жыл бұрын

Hm, interesting, @@retroCombs.

@HelloKittyFanMan. 2 жыл бұрын

"In _less than_ 64K"? *64K _OR less._

@retroCombs 2 жыл бұрын

Sorry. Not sure what you are referring to. Are you asking about the semantics of a statement I made? If so, six of one and half dozen of the other. IMHO.

@HelloKittyFanMan. 2 жыл бұрын

@@retroCombs: 6 and half a dozen are the same exact thing. But "less than [x]" and "[x] or less" are _not._ One is not inclusive of upper number; the other one is. So for the Commodore 64, you don't have to fit something in _less than_ 64K if you have 64K to fit it into. You can fit it into _all_ 64K.

@retroCombs 2 жыл бұрын

Only problem though is the C64 never gave us access to all that memory unless you knew some hardcore assembly code as evidenced by the start up screen: images.app.goo.gl/DDJfnMDxpvnooC1n6

@HelloKittyFanMan. 2 жыл бұрын

@@retroCombs: Start-up screen: *BASIC* bytes free. You can use the 64K without some of it being in BASIC.

@retroCombs 2 жыл бұрын

I think we both just wrote the same thing! Cool.