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Post by Jeff Ledger on Mar 3, 2007 17:52:03 GMT -5
I'll be ordering the Parallax Propeller Demo Board this next week.
I've been reading the forums around this chip. It seems that SD read/write (fat16) is working well. I'm thinking that this leaves this chip one step away from becoming a possible IEC device, or similar for other retro computers. Not to take away from the great work done with the 1541-III, or the uIEC project, but there seems to be alot of people who are either unable to obtain or build these for one reason or another.
Got this thought that if some code were created for something like the Propeller demo board, people could spend a few bucks on a product that is produced commercially, drop in the SD connector (4 wires) and connect their retrocomputer interface of choice. (If someone will blaze the trail a bit) Could this become a "one-fit-for-all" device, transformed into one of several devices in 15mins?
With the demo board, VGA,Composite,PS2, etc are already wired, so those of us with old eyes, or lack of soldering skills could come up to speed quickly
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Post by gmoon on Mar 3, 2007 20:49:58 GMT -5
I'd say go for it, Jeff. It looks like an interesting uC, and 32 bit controllers are the future... Ya know, even before I posted this I checked the parallax site--the cost of the propeller has dropped to 1/2 what it was recently!!! (even the dev boards are reasonable.) So the long-winded msg I wrote just got dumped!Anyway--There are commercial dev boards for PICs and AVRs, and they still would be cheaper than the propeller (but the difference isn't nearly as large as before.) Here's a (40pin AVR) board for $16 (ATmega32 -- $8): www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=31Still, using a dev board isn't for everyone --they're pretty big. Also, you won't want to enclose them 'cause you'll want to use it for other projects. [That last objection makes less sense when the price has dropped so radically.]
No news on the X-ray?
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Post by Jeff Ledger on Mar 8, 2007 18:53:13 GMT -5
Ordered my Propeller stuff today... But didn't go the exact direction I intended. Earl warned me about the more limited connections on the "Demo Board" version, so I opted for the best of both worlds.
For less than $65. I picked up a Protoboard, Protoboard Kit, and Prop Plug (the programming plug) -- I figure I'll jumper the connection points from the protoboard onto my solderless breadboard.
A little research reveals that the main component of the Proboard Kit, the vga/ps2 connection (999-h15-ps2l571) can be had from digikey for around $8.00, but unless you intend to order more than $25.00 from them, expect a $5.00 handling fee. (In otherwords, single units are cheaper from parallax.)
After talking with one of their techs on the phone, this looks like a solid (and cheap) way to start playing with the Propeller.
Jeff
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Post by Jeff Ledger on Mar 15, 2007 22:08:52 GMT -5
Got my Propeller Assembled tonight. Even with my current vision issues, it was a snap! I'd encourage anyone who hasn't soldered much to use a soldering iron with a sharp point. Assembled and loaded the VGA test program in about 2 hours. Sweet! As soon as my female headers arrive from Sparkfun, I'll be soldering in some breadboard points all the way around the processor. Then everything can be jumpered to my solderless breadboard for experimentation.
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Post by Jeff Ledger on Mar 16, 2007 20:02:36 GMT -5
Day two...
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Post by Jeff Ledger on Mar 16, 2007 22:38:02 GMT -5
After playing with this thing for several hours tonight.. Here's what I'm able to do with some obviously simple hook ups. (See last post)
VGA Output text and graphics Composite output text and graphics Stereo sound (4 voices so far) PS2 keyboard and mouse input Simple input on any pin 3.3 volts Simple output on any pin 3.3 volts (testing with LEDs)
The demos I've run tonight with this chip just blow me away. I'll be adding an SD/MCC breakout sometime Saturday.
Not bad for a $20 board...
Oldbit
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Post by Jeff Ledger on Mar 17, 2007 22:19:08 GMT -5
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Post by Jeff Ledger on Mar 19, 2007 0:41:22 GMT -5
While I'm working out an interface between the 64 and the Propeller, (waiting for some more parts) I grabbed my vicREL cart off the shelf and put it to work. (Thanks for that Leif) The vicREL cart gives me 6 switches from the 64 that are nicely isolated from the Propeller chip inputs. At the moment I have a nice 6 bit address bus up and running with a Propeller waiting to do the biddings of my 64. ;D
You guys have got to pick up one of these.. I added the SD/MMC interface tonight ($14 from Sparkfun) with a few "pullup" resistors and loaded that FemtoBasic that Earl mentioned in the last podcast.
It's like having a microcomputer running BASIC, displaying in 80 column vga, which reads/writes to SD, (today's floppy disk) and one can "open the hood" to alter it. Reload to the chip and add functionality. What a blast.
jeff
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Post by gmoon on Mar 21, 2007 8:30:32 GMT -5
Jeff: what are the video capabilities (VGA/composite) of the propeller? I.E., resolution, color depth, etc?
Maybe post a pic or two of the output?
I know it has a built-in char ROM. It always seemed a strange design decision to use a big chunk of the on-board memory for a char set, and force designers to use a serial eeprom for the actual program (since not every project involves video.)
I'm guessing they decided that was the most flexible solution: No need for different ICs with varying amounts of on-board memory. If you need a bigger prog, just add a different eeprom...
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Post by Jeff Ledger on Mar 21, 2007 16:20:06 GMT -5
Let me preface this with.. (I'm no expert!) I will take some pictures of both my TV screen and my VGA monitor from the demo's
So far I've seen..
VGA bitmapped graphics 500x480ish VGA 40x25 VGA 80x25 Composite 40x13 (A little shaky) Composite 20x7 (perfect) 4 voice sound 8 fuctions running at once
I'll grab some pics tonight and post them.. perhaps that will help
Jeff
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Post by Jeff Ledger on Mar 21, 2007 19:19:26 GMT -5
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Post by gmoon on Mar 21, 2007 19:53:23 GMT -5
OK. Now that's impressive stuff for a uC--especially considering the propeller is doing it all.
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Post by Jeff Ledger on Mar 21, 2007 20:28:47 GMT -5
If you need a bigger prog, just add a different eeprom...Actually, now with the SD/MMC support I don't even have to do that. I can load modules from the SD without altering the design of the board if the program gets too big. I'm gonna get nasty letters about this, but I think I'll build another one, but this time build it into a C64 case using Jim's C=key to interface the keyboard to the PS2. (Yes, I'll gut a DEAD 64...) Jeff
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Post by gmoon on Mar 23, 2007 11:00:25 GMT -5
I notice that proto board (sans the keybd/mouse/vga connector) is on sale for < $20 USD. With the propeller included.
Sure looks like more fun than the xgamestation--more 'hackable.'
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Post by iamdenteddisk on May 7, 2008 0:09:16 GMT -5
prety impressive graphice for a uC you got me fixen to order I loved the bs2's from paralax and with those graphics and plenty of mem we are talking stand alone arcade machines or more. ty for the screen shots ,if theres asm support im buying..
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