MiSTer FPGA Forum

LamerDeluxe wrote: ↑Thu Jul 29, 2021 12:02 pm Really cool looking design!

RTC module support would be good. What kind of cartridges are planned? I would like Commodore/Atari compatible DB-9 combined with Audio In (ADC). The cartridge shape also looks like it could support a display.

Thank you.

You can fit the official MiSTer RTC module - that was one of the only modules that was not worth adding to the mainboard as it has it's own connector anyway on the DE10-nano.

Audio In is on the front section so you can use the ATARI SNAC and connect the 3.5mm jack directly into the analogue port - alternativly dual DE9 connectors and the analogue could be done as a 'cartridge module'

You could also have analogue joysticks / spinners and other Arcade controls as dedicated cartridge expansion options.

And yes, the port supports display expansion - JAMMA and other output like composite video or s-video could be done as an expansion module.

Cheers,

Rich.

multisystem wrote: ↑Thu Jul 29, 2021 12:20 pm

LamerDeluxe wrote: ↑Thu Jul 29, 2021 12:02 pm Really cool looking design!

RTC module support would be good. What kind of cartridges are planned? I would like Commodore/Atari compatible DB-9 combined with Audio In (ADC). The cartridge shape also looks like it could support a display.

Thank you.

You can fit the official MiSTer RTC module - that was one of the only modules that was not worth adding to the mainboard as it has it's own connector anyway on the DE10-nano.

Audio In is on the front section so you can use the ATARI SNAC and connect the 3.5mm jack directly into the analogue port - alternativly dual DE9 connectors and the analogue could be done as a 'cartridge module'

You could also have analogue joysticks / spinners and other Arcade controls as dedicated cartridge expansion options.

And yes, the port supports display expansion - JAMMA and other output like composite video or s-video could be done as an expansion module.

Cheers,

Rich.

Great to hear that all of that is possible. Really awesome project.

Looks amazing. I know lots of people use Twitter, but if you could also provide a method on which to be kept in the loop without Twitter... that would be great.

I've been trying to convince myself on buying another MiSTer setup for a BVM I'm currently working on. So, this is definitely something of interest. The design lends itself more to being "carried" around. So, I like that aspect. I'm the only one in my social circle that has one and I think this will probably get more people into it. I can only spread the gospel of the MiSTer so hard.

Anyway, thank you for this and I'm definitely interested in acquiring one when available.

Looking forward to this!

Fantastic board! When will it be available and at what price approximately?

d909 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 11:40 pm So close to perfect.
But I sure do wish it had composite and/or svideo. Us Americans never had RGB back in the day, and all our old CRT tvs use composite.

adding composite and SVideo to the board would have required adding an AD724 chip and extra circuitry. There is limited space on the mini-ITX standard. I think they looked at the market for this device and realized hdmi, scart, vga was all that was needed in general to appeal to the widest base.

For AV and SVideo, one could still use this dongle device plugged into the VGA port:

https://www.antoniovillena.es/store/pro ... o-adapter/

multisystem wrote: ↑Thu Jul 29, 2021 11:47 am Please keep on asking questions and I'll post more about the hardware development of this MiSTer motherboard and the expansion options possible.

MiSTer Multisystem key points (short summary) -

• Integrated SNAC support with onboard level-shifters for classic game pad’s and peripherals.

SNAC is one of the most variable areas; is this set up with a USB3-shaped connector, or a HDMI connector ?
Also, the on-board level-shifters will be useful for 5V peripherals, but will 3.3V peripherals also be supportable (say, via a switch) ? Some systems like Gameboy Advanced would require 3.3V connections.

aberu wrote: ↑Thu Jul 29, 2021 1:39 pm

d909 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 11:40 pm So close to perfect.
But I sure do wish it had composite and/or svideo. Us Americans never had RGB back in the day, and all our old CRT tvs use composite.

adding composite and SVideo to the board would have required adding an AD724 chip and extra circuitry. There is limited space on the mini-ITX standard. I think they looked at the market for this device and realized hdmi, scart, vga was all that was needed in general to appeal to the widest base.

I intend to do a composite and s-video expansion module along with also a JAMMA expansion - both may have a limited number of users, but I fully understand that it's good to have options especially for regions where RGB/SCART is not common - even here in the UK we often had composite or RF as standard and didn't upgrade to RGB cables for years after the consoles were released.

dshadoff wrote: ↑Thu Jul 29, 2021 2:53 pm

multisystem wrote: ↑Thu Jul 29, 2021 11:47 am Please keep on asking questions and I'll post more about the hardware development of this MiSTer motherboard and the expansion options possible.

MiSTer Multisystem key points (short summary) -

• Integrated SNAC support with onboard level-shifters for classic game pad’s and peripherals.

SNAC is one of the most variable areas; is this set up with a USB3-shaped connector, or a HDMI connector ?
Also, the on-board level-shifters will be useful for 5V peripherals, but will 3.3V peripherals also be supportable (say, via a switch) ? Some systems like Gameboy Advanced would require 3.3V connections.

Yes. This is the USB3.0 port for 5v tolerant SNAC adaptors - and you can also use the serial user port in 3.3v mode for something like the MT32pi connecting directly to the raspberry Pi for example - and it has enough power to supply the Pi correctly - not trying to squeeze high current via the USB3 connector.

twonunpackmule wrote: ↑Thu Jul 29, 2021 12:38 pm Looks amazing. I know lots of people use Twitter, but if you could also provide a method on which to be kept in the loop without Twitter... that would be great.

I've been trying to convince myself on buying another MiSTer setup for a BVM I'm currently working on. So, this is definitely something of interest. The design lends itself more to being "carried" around. So, I like that aspect. I'm the only one in my social circle that has one and I think this will probably get more people into it. I can only spread the gospel of the MiSTer so hard.

Anyway, thank you for this and I'm definitely interested in acquiring one when available.

I understand - I will be here on this Forum as much as possible. Neil over at RMCRetro is handling the beta testing stage, and sales of the multisystem.
I will make sure we keep up to date on here. Twitter will have regular updates and other social media / websites etc.

I hope a few people will pick up on the project and talk about it, all interest is good and frankly if we can make sales it brings down the unit price for everyone.

The goal is to get it out to people who want it, not to get rich. We are looking long-term support and development in the community on this and more, building trust, community support and a good brand.

MiSTer does what Next-Gen don't

This looks really cool, very nice work! Sort of similar to the MiSTix ITX board being made by Edu Arana, but more of a focus on making it a "console" instead of a "computer". Definitely looking forward to this going on sale.

This looks awesome. I know Neil loves the MiSTeR so good to see him involved... just another reason to stay subscribed to his channel

Any chance of an early release for the members of this forum?

Hi Everyone,

A quick update on the MiSTer Multisystem price and availability -

Neil posted some further details up on Twitter about the price and availability of the MiSTer Multisystem - (Available Oct 2021) - https://twitter.com/RMCRetro/status/1425840941936566272

And also an update on the development side -

The tweaks, fixes and production changes for manufacturing are all going well. We plan to have another batch built to the final production design during August after feedback from testers.

We also started sending out to beta test units to people in the UK, USA and Canada (* sorry no European / Japan testers quite yet)...

And one more update on the 3D printed cases as a lot of people have been asking -

Just doing a few minor tweaks to the 3D printed enclosure design so it's both easier to print and stronger, then we plan to release the files so people can print / test and evolve the 'reference design'

The reset button, user buttons light pipe for the 3 LED's are all 3D printed.
The 'Light pipes' are just semi translucent 3D printing filament, but even if you don't fit the filament light transmission is very good up to the top case.
Also any feedback on the enclosure colours / options would be greatly appreciated. I'm liking the grey 'NES look' case, but the bright white is also a great finish and looks more like the PC Engine

If you want a french tester

throAU wrote: ↑Thu Jul 29, 2021 11:24 am so long as this is compatible with 2x memory boards for the upcoming cores that may need that, I'll be all over this.

There is no cores announced that would use two Memory boards.
But if and when it does happen, you have to abandon Analog video output. As there not enough GPIO Pins.

dot-bob wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 9:33 pm

Use USB C 5V or USB C power delivery instead of a barrel connector. With USB C you don't have to worry about someone using the wrong power adapter with the board plus it makes the design feel more modern and refined.

I completely disagree with this. Not all phone chargers are made the same, and some barely puts out 2 amps.
Barrel connectors are designed for power delivery. USB C got roped in as power delivery by stupid marketing execs and forced Engineers to a "square peg in a round hole" solution with no clear documentation or standard.

The Nintendo Switch is a horrible example by the way, as there nothing there that follows USB C PD power delivery specs, as the USB C PD specs were still being discussed when Nintendo decided to use USB C for something it wasn't intended to at the time.

It's not that hard to find a decent Wall Wart.

Knowing how thorough Neil is, I suspect, there will be some game-changing add-on's in the pipeline too.

loving the colour options, Reminds me of a konix or pc engine !

Wish they had gone for a flat top. That two semi-circle cut out is just nasty!

darksakul wrote: ↑Thu Aug 12, 2021 7:34 pm

throAU wrote: ↑Thu Jul 29, 2021 11:24 am so long as this is compatible with 2x memory boards for the upcoming cores that may need that, I'll be all over this.

There is no cores announced that would use two Memory boards.
But if and when it does happen, you have to abandon Analog video output. As there not enough GPIO Pins.

No, but pretty sure I saw something here by sorgelig about possibly using the second GPIO for another memory board for better memory bandwidth for future cores that require it.

And yes, you'd give up analog IO as it stands.

Hello there, have you tried the fuzzy skin setting in one of the latest Cura updates ? I think It gives a more premium looking result...

Let me know if you need testers in EU, I have two different full setups already so don't need to keep the hardware once done.

Cheers

Does this include a WiFi network card as well or do you need a dongle still

Shuffle7 wrote: ↑Sat Aug 14, 2021 9:51 am Does this include a WiFi network card as well or do you need a dongle still

No it has all 7 USB ports, so easy to add a dongle and you could put one inside the case as the USB ports can be connected to directly inside.

It has the Ethernet port out the back so a wired connection is also easy.

Wifi dongles are so low cost it does not make sense to add one onto the PCB.

Best Regards,

Richard.

A quick update on the SSD mass storage and possible CDROM/DVDROM enclosure options -
'Tower of Power' - Lower expansion - internal connection inside the case for CD Drive and / or SDD HD and NVNME M2.SATA Module
The lower expansion bay also blocks off the two used USB ports so you don't accidently connect them -

It would be really nice if the Cores could support the use of real CD's for Megadrive / PC Engine and the AO486 cores.

We could get some streamed audio tracks for CD based games...

Any core dev's and Linux side planning to support real CD drives?

Cheers,

Richard.

It looks nice, but I've seen a trend over the past 10 years for emulators to drop support for real CD drives because of compatibility issues (i.e. not all drives behave as expected, and building a mountain of special-case behaviours is a losing battle/waste of time).

I think using that space for a hard drive makes more sense.

I, for example, would not invest the effort on the PC Engine core or related support in Main_MiSTer, because I expect it would be a support nightmare with no new features to compensate.

What is the point of a DVD drive ?