[Coco] FPGA CoCo and video

[Frank Swygert]

I find it interesting, but as Mark noted, there are several camps as to what an "upgraded CoCo" should be. I personally don't think a cartidge port is important, but some form of I/O for experimenting purposes is, and the I/O port, at least as a pin header if not a cartridge slot, is probably the easiest way to go. The ability to connect a 5.25" 360K floppy might be a good idea, though even that can be worked around. Most CoCo works are available as .DSK files or some other format over the Internet now, so is it REALLY important to have a floppy drive? Desireable, yes, but could it be lived without? Also I think yes. Using a standard PC keyboard is again a big convenience. Someone mentioned that they would like the ability to use a CoCo keyboard, but at what cost? Basically something like the Puppo adapter would be needed on the circuit borad, only in reverse. Well, maybe use a genuine PIA and that circuitry, but then you need ROM code and such too. A PC KB is much easier and cheaper. So there are lots of considerations. 

The board used for the display is a general purpose experimenter board for the Altera FPGA used. I custom board might be cheaper, but only in quantity. Are there even 50 people willing to spend around $200 on a small board CoCo? Especially with the inevitable compromises that would have to be made -- PC KB, maybe a double row pin header instead of a cart slot (of course someone could make an adapter for that), maybe no floppy drives, etc. Some or all of those may have to be done to keep cost and complexity down, and it will still run in the neighborhood of $200 whether an existing experimenter board is used or a custom PC board is made.  

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Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 16:41:30 +0000 (UTC)
From: Mark Marlette <mmarlette at frontiernet.net>

As this is exciting there are several hurdles that still need to be jumped and lots of testing that needs to be performed.

There are several camps on what a CoCo is, then on a personal level what a CoCo is to you. One shoe does not fit all. I can say I like all the shoes!  :) 

What makes the CoCo fun is personal and different to each.

There are two platforms. I am only familiar with the Altera which the price was listed. That product is shipped from Taiwan, add ~$35 (to the ~$150 for the test board) as I recall. 

Regards,

Mark

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Frank Swygert
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