On my last post “the first perfect computer” I mentioned that I wasn’t done with the A1000. I finally upgraded it with an internal RGB2HDMI adapter. For those unfamiliar with RGB2HDMI, it’s a brilliant and affordable open-source project that converts “digital” RGB video signals from vintage computers into crystal clear HDMI video with very low latency. At its core, there’s a combination of a RaspberryPi Zero running bare-metal code and a CPLD (complex programmable logic device) ...| celso.io
The C128 is a fascinating and unusual machine. It was the last 8-bit Commodore machine before the Amiga and co-existed with the C64 series for a while. They sold ~8 million units worldwide (vs ~17 million C64). I never owned one, but I fondly remember playing with one at my friend’s place and seeing them in computer shops. It’s fully 99.8% backward compatible with its predecessor in C64 mode, but in native C128 mode it takes advantage of its 128 KB RAM, higher clocked 2 MHz 6510 variant (...| Celso Martinho
Last year, I decided that I was going to build a Commodore 64 from scratch. This is the blog documenting the project. It’s no secret that I love fiddling with retro computers, especially those I owned when I was a kid. When I revisit ancient technologies and hardware that were part of my younger years, I’m overwhelmed with that warm nostalgia feeling. But it’s not only that. Understanding how old computers work is also educational and helps me look at the modern world with a wiser persp...| Celso Martinho
As part of our T-shirt challenge this year at Pixels Camp, we decided that one of the steps would require the hunter to access some sort of retro-computer in the venue, enter some secret codes, and get the instructions for the next step, if successful. As some of you know, I’m a sucker for all things 8-bit. I had multiple Spectrum and C64 machines in my youth (still own a few today) and at that age, I was somewhat proficient at BASIC, Z80 and 6510 assembly code.| Celso Martinho