My Retro 8-Bit Journey & CreatiVision re-Creation & Console Add-ons

[GregZone]

I just thought I'd add a post here, for anyone interested in my on-going journey.

Since introducing myself, after finding CreativEmu a couple of years ago, I've been slowly working on my own flexible retro 8-bit computer enthusiast modular card based system design.

Inspired mostly by two things: Firstly, the rediscovery of my early 80's MC6809 based wire-wrap Eurocard designs. Secondly, by missing out on a Dick Smith Wizzard auction (which lead me to finding CreativEmu) and my recollection of playing with TMS9929A VDP chips back in the day.

Once I'd documented a mechanical board design standard, for my modular card based design, which I've called Minimalist ECB (or MECB), and then developed a Backplane & Prototype card, I first designed a TMS992xA VDP Video Card which also featured a new Alternative VRAM design.

Then, I moved on to a 6809 CPU card and a Motorola I/O + Sound card.

Of interest to folk here, is that the I/O + Sound card was also partly inspired by the CreatiVision design, with a SN76489 Sound Generator connected via Port B of a MC6821 PIA.

I started with a MC6809 CPU card, simply as the Motorola 6809 remains my favourite 8-bit CPU to program (and recreating my early 6809 designs was one of my goals).

But, next I've started work on a 6502 CPU card, with the thought that this could also be configured with a memory map to allow it to mimic the CreatiVision, when paired with the existing TMS Video Card and Motorola I/O + Sound card.

But before I jump the gun (this is a slowly progressing and wider 8-bit retro computing project), I thought some folk here might be interested in the latest step in my journey.

You see, in order to more thoroughly test my initial 6809 modular system, I used the CreatiVision "Christmas Demo" (written by Kurt Woloch), and re-wrote it for the 6809. This enabled me to test Interrupts as well as the Sound interface.

This was an interesting exercise. So, if anyone here wants to see / hear the "Christmas Demo", running on my modular 6809 system, feel free to view my latest video (linked below).

Also, if you want to know more about my journey so far, be sure to visit my Blog at https://digicoolthings.com
Specifically, the menu link "MECB" will take you to a page that documents my journey so far.

So, without further ado, here is the link to my latest video on my Youtube channel.

https://youtu.be/hW4b1gyMIX0

[Scouter3d]

Wow! this is very nice work! Cheers, TOM:0)

[GregZone]

For those interested...

Further to the above, I've since finished my MECB based 6502 CPU Card.

This provided me with all the configurable MECB based hardware Cards that I needed in order to re-create the CreatiVision hardware.

You can view me successfully running CreatiVision code (unchanged), on my Part 1 video (linked below). There is also a Blog link, if you prefer to read about it (although seeing it all in action is a bit more fun!).

Remember, my overall MECB platform intention has been to create a flexible and configurable 8-bit platform for experimenting with retro 8-bit CPU's and peripherals. Hence this is a multiple "Card" CreatiVision re-creation, not a dedicated function single PCB solution.

Therefore, this CreatiVision re-creation will be of more interest to those enthusiasts who like dabbling / experimenting with retro 8-bit hardware, as opposed to someone who just wants a CreatiVision clone to play games on! Although, the super sharp and colour correct RGBS output of the MECB TMS992xA VDP Card, is really nice!

Minimalist Europe Card Bus MECB - 6502 CreatiVision re-Creation (Part 1)

[MADrigal]

This is absolutely amazing! The video looks impressive and I will shortly read all on the blog
Once the system is fully up and running (and tested with keyboard and joystick), I would like to create a little page to promote it via the CreatiVEmu webpage - similarly to this: https://www.madrigaldesign.it/creativemu/megasdcart.php
All I need is some descriptive text, links and 4 or 8 photos.
I understand the project is not commercially available, however if you decide to distribute it one day, I will be happy to also add an 'order form'.

[GregZone]

This is absolutely amazing! The video looks impressive and I will shortly read all on the blog
Once the system is fully up and running (and tested with keyboard and joystick), I would like to create a little page to promote it via the CreatiVEmu webpage - similarly to this: https://www.madrigaldesign.it/creativemu/megasdcart.php
All I need is some descriptive text, links and 4 or 8 photos.
I understand the project is not commercially available, however if you decide to distribute it one day, I will be happy to also add an 'order form'.

Thanks for your kind feedback.

For the Controller Interface, I've so far got my v1.0 prototype Controller PCB designed, manufactured and in-transit to me. I've also finished writing and initially testing some 8-bit AVR code.
The intent is to provide a Controller Interface to support a couple of Atari Joysticks and a PS/2 Keyboard, for connection to either a genuine CreatiVision console, or directly to a PIA (for CreatiVision re-Creations).
More on this will be featured in a Part 2 and an update on your forum, when appropriate.

I currently sell the individual Card PCBs for my MECB system (and some optional component packs), on my Tindie Store.
I may possibly do the same with the Controller Interface PCB (and optional component packs), once completed and verified working!

If there is interest, I suppose it might be helpful for some, to have a bundle of the MECB Cards & Controller PCBs, needed to make your own CreatiVision re-creation. But, I suspect a multi-Card re-creation might only be of interest to those that also have a more general interest in playing with Retro 8-bit hardware? (which is MECB's flexible design primary intent).

[MADrigal]

I look forward to the next update.
Please feel free to email me if you wish for me to add the promo page to the CVE website.
Meanwhile I will be posting updates on the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/madrigalcreati ... kfcmsmRy2l

[GregZone]

I look forward to the next update.

I've just posted Part 2, where I share my CreatiVision Controller design journey.

The Video / blog post is a bit longer than my usual, as I wanted to ducument my design journey, instead of just demonstrating the end result.

But, for those who manage to last to the end, there is a... one more thing!

Part 2 can be found here: Minimalist Europe Card Bus (MECB) – 6502 CreatiVision re-Creation (Part 2)

[MADrigal]

This is fantastic news. I will post about it with the next website update

[GregZone]

Just in case anyone is interested, I decided to enter RetroChallenge 2024 with my CreatiVision Keyboard project.

Well, not intended as an actual "competition entry", but more just a case of putting added pressure on myself to ensure that I complete my next CreatiVision project intentions (before going on to my waiting list of other pending Retro / MECB based projects).

If interested in following my progress, you can find my RetroChallenge blog here: RetroChallenge 2024/10 (RC2024)

[MADrigal]

I really like the blog entry, everything is very well explained. I don't know about this 'competition' but it looks cool. Of course you have fans here