OT, sort of:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferroelectric_RAM
wow, I so misunderstood the tech with a FRAM, thought it was a form of Flash. A new take on the old woven ferro core memories!
481 Jun 21, 2013 8:47 pm
Re: modify a gameboy cart to use a li-po instead of battery (49 replies, posted in Nintendo Handhelds)
482 Jun 21, 2013 5:19 pm
Re: modify a gameboy cart to use a li-po instead of battery (49 replies, posted in Nintendo Handhelds)
Bamboori wrote:
well, the FM18W08 has 8x32k, so 256k
shouldnt be a problem, unless the gameboy cart only can address one of the banks. if thats the case, well have to look for a 1x128k or more.
I think you are confusing bits and Bytes. Without researching this chip in particular, the common convention is to list the bit size of a device - 256Kbit or 256Kb, this can also expressed as 8x32K. as in a 32KByte, 32KB device. This can be very confusing, but manufactures use the bit size because some devices can be used in 8bit or 16bit data bus systems. I think Kitsch mentioned the pitfall of this mistake ( I feel your pain Kitsch, have done the same!!).
483 Jun 20, 2013 9:06 pm
Re: what should I do with my NES? (17 replies, posted in Nintendo Consoles)
All good things come to those who wait One thing I've learned messing around with homebrew projects is: 'How to que up"
The NESK-1 is pretty cool, but I would have to build some sort of Control Surface out of the 4 game pads; don't think I could handle all those controllers (but guess thats part of it's charm).
Neil Baldwin has some changes coming, sync input to his software,
http://blog.ntrq.net/?p=589 . So that will be very cool; PR8 or Pulsar on a PowerPak synced to the rest of a Midi sequence. Looking forward to THAT!
484 Jun 20, 2013 7:13 pm
Re: what should I do with my NES? (17 replies, posted in Nintendo Consoles)
float.bridges wrote:
Thanks guys!
Has anyone tried Chip Maestro with a microKORG XL? I think it's the only thing I have that can serve as a MIDI controller. It just looks a lot more fun than using a tracker, ahaha.
Chip Maestro looks very cool, but it's just now getting into backer's hands. Still a bit of a wait for general sales.As to your KORG, well should work. Simple midi implementation, NoteOn NoteOff and some CC I think.
Hopeful, more features will be added over time. Would like to see more automation in the waveform handling, Arp and echo type things handled by the AVR. Thats where a tracker shines!
485 Jun 20, 2013 5:11 pm
Re: modify a gameboy cart to use a li-po instead of battery (49 replies, posted in Nintendo Handhelds)
Bamboori wrote:
only if you can get it cheap or you have many carts to mod otherwise. ill only have 1 or 3 carts, so ill rather mod them. also, all the transferers only have parrallel plugs, so you have to use an old computer for backing up your saves.
True nuff. Sounds like Bitman's insight would be useful, drop in replacement with FRAM, never have to worry bout batteries
486 Jun 20, 2013 4:49 pm
Re: modify a gameboy cart to use a li-po instead of battery (49 replies, posted in Nintendo Handhelds)
Bamboori wrote:
but wouldnt that basically be a usual gameboy transferer? or did i still not understand you? D:
Sorry, yes; didn't know bout the transfer dock. total noobie with all things GB. Whatever it's cost, it has to be cheaper then modding a stack of carts?
487 Jun 20, 2013 4:36 pm
Re: modify a gameboy cart to use a li-po instead of battery (49 replies, posted in Nintendo Handhelds)
thebitman wrote:
I've looked into the possibility of throwing FRAM into non-FRAM flashcarts. Still on the fence about whether or not to do it, but technically there are drop-in replacements for chips I have isolated in some of my cartridges. Just want to let you know that option also exists though it has mostly gone unrealized.
Cool. I had looked at some of Microchip's FRAM not too long ago, but they were serial devices and the offered densities were low compared to similar serial ram devices.
488 Jun 20, 2013 4:17 pm
Re: modify a gameboy cart to use a li-po instead of battery (49 replies, posted in Nintendo Handhelds)
Bamboori wrote:
uhm... i dont really get what you mean ._.
Well, had the cart reader for the PS1 in mind. Some combination of PC softs and a hardware interface to access the address and data bus on the cart.
489 Jun 20, 2013 4:07 pm
Re: Penguin AVR (6 replies, posted in Other Vintage Computers & Consoles)
I'd run across the Noiseplug, cool project, very minimalist.
chunter wrote:
Have you not read the other versions of this discussion? It doesn't matter what context it's given, it usually turns out the same.
Yes I've read a few, and I agree with your point. This thread just poses this question again for me, Is 'chip' a music genre or more of a 'tech' scene? I enjoy both aspects but was wondering how others feel on the subject.
Sorry if I hijacked this thread, should have let it die. 
490 Jun 20, 2013 3:32 pm
Re: modify a gameboy cart to use a li-po instead of battery (49 replies, posted in Nintendo Handhelds)
I just brought up the Dallas chip cause this thread reminded me of the last time I work on a similar problem. I'm sure if you look into Maxium;s current lineup you will find a charger/controller chip, these type of circuits are used in every phone/mp3 player/Ipad shipped. The biggest problem is dealing with the SMT packaging, not DIY friendly!
If you look at the problem from a diff angle, why not a dock to dump the sav data from a stock cart. A uController connected to the cart's bus contacts that reads out the RAM's data, and could also write to it. Throw in a USB connection for control and archiving to HD. I know this is do-able, (it's prob already been done for the GB? )
491 Jun 20, 2013 2:48 pm
Re: modify a gameboy cart to use a li-po instead of battery (49 replies, posted in Nintendo Handhelds)
Generally, RAM chips hold their data down to around 2V, but check your data sheet for specifics.
I would suggest that you approach the charging problem with a automatic circuit, charging the battery when the cart is docked. Dallas Semi, and I'm sure others did also, used to make a RAM supervisor chip to control switching from mains to batt.
There is never going to be a 100% fail-safe design; the batts will drain if the cart is left in a box for years, or the batts will fail over time with reg use. Battery backed RAM is not a permanent media, could be why we don't see too many RAM based devcarts.
For truly 'safe' you need to back it up. A batt will buy you some time, but only diamonds are forever.There are some newer chips out that operate as RAM and save to Flash on power fail, but speed and density may be an issue ATM.
492 Jun 20, 2013 2:11 pm
Re: Penguin AVR (6 replies, posted in Other Vintage Computers & Consoles)
Sorry to drag up this thread, but it kind'of touches a nerve that I've been scratching at for a little while. This platform looks fun and the idea of a tracker for it is interesting, but could it be 'chiptunes'? I mean, is a Meeblip or AVRsynth really 'chip'? I'm working on a MidiBox SID project, and though is has SIDs in it, it's far removed from the C64. Though it can do 'C64' it can also go far beyond. For that matter, I plan to include some SwinSIDs in it, a SID EMU running on a AVR controlled by a PIC!
Don't get me wrong, as far as I'm concerned, bits are bits. For me there is enjoyment working with the old(and NEW) hardware, but in the end it's really more about the sound, how ever it's made. What do you think?
493 Jun 17, 2013 1:25 am
Re: Tritone (GTIA beeper engine) (5 replies, posted in Atari)
Read thru the thread, can't wait till the XM converter is done! Wondering what settings are needed for Milkytracker.
495 Jun 16, 2013 2:33 pm
Re: Making a passive mixer. (97 replies, posted in Other Hardware)
my.Explosion wrote:
Valid point. I'm probably going to have to invest in a multimeter for future projects- I've just started with building custom stuff. ^^.
yea, good investment if you plan to do more
my.Explosion wrote:
....and actually has the top fashioned from such a case since I didn't have any other plastic at hand. It's all wrapped up in tape so it's a sight for sore eyes. But it works.
Sweet. like'n the post-apocalyptic look
496 Jun 12, 2013 1:32 pm
Re: Making a passive mixer. (97 replies, posted in Other Hardware)
As Chunter pointed out above, use a pot in place of the R. In a test circuit, adjust it to your liking, Then remove and measure the value with a multimeter. You can then replace with a fixed resister.