Having a real cartridge slot for extra compatibility would be nice too.
Like the OneChip MSX, which had SD storage but two cartridge ports so original cartridges could be used.
A next-generation Dragon?
Re: A next-generation Dragon?
Agree the cartridge slot shouldn't be removed and while there might not be that much enhancement that can be done; but what about having an internal cartridge slot for smaller cards which could be hidden inside the case?
Re: A next-generation Dragon?
Hello,
I think we should add to this list a few extra modules
- The WordPak2+ (by Luis Antoniosi) that offers a V9958 graphic chip as the MSX2+ with some 128k VRAM
this would be a great graphic improvement but not easily backwards compatible
And for people that likes to use more than one cartridge at a time, there are three choices
- A Tandy MPI 26-3124 *not* modified to work with a CoCo3
- mini-MPI by Ed Snider (two slots)
- mega mini-MPI by Ed Snider with four slots
And finally for full virtual DOS floppies support,
- CoCo-SDC should be taken into account because besides that it offers streaming for loading music, images and video ...
cheers
pere
I think we should add to this list a few extra modules
- The WordPak2+ (by Luis Antoniosi) that offers a V9958 graphic chip as the MSX2+ with some 128k VRAM
this would be a great graphic improvement but not easily backwards compatible
And for people that likes to use more than one cartridge at a time, there are three choices
- A Tandy MPI 26-3124 *not* modified to work with a CoCo3
- mini-MPI by Ed Snider (two slots)
- mega mini-MPI by Ed Snider with four slots
And finally for full virtual DOS floppies support,
- CoCo-SDC should be taken into account because besides that it offers streaming for loading music, images and video ...
cheers
pere
Re: A next-generation Dragon?
Great idea! I really like the internal cartridge slot idea!
This would allow us to have the MOOH module (512k RAM expansion) inside, leaving the cartridge connector free for other purposes
have a nice weekend
pere
This would allow us to have the MOOH module (512k RAM expansion) inside, leaving the cartridge connector free for other purposes
have a nice weekend
pere
- CaptainNemo
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2014 9:23 pm
Re: A next-generation Dragon?
Suppose we take it one step further and create the ultimate next-generation Dragon –- taking the best parts out of every 8-bit platform there is and adding new ideas of our own –- at what point does this machine becomes 'something else' and not a Dragon family member?
What are the basic properties a next-generation Dragon must preserve –- A 6809 processor?
What are the basic properties a next-generation Dragon must preserve –- A 6809 processor?
Re: A next-generation Dragon?
Here is another point of view.
I don't have a real machine anymore but I appreciate all the works of our community that make the Dragon live and evolve with hardware and software developments. I understand this nostalgia and could buy a new dragon machine like the C64 up to 300 euros. Perhaps 100 dragonists of our group could also do it ? Much more of them if the machine looks like a coco !
That new machine should have what I think is the heart of a Dragon : a box that looks like the original, with the keyboard + some extra keys, a 6809 and the ROMs of a D64 (or material equivalent) and the extended cart port. All other specifications should be up to date : hdmi for screen, USB or network for storage, USB(C) power. So not only a clone to play games but a machine that continue to live with the developments of the extension port.
I don't have a real machine anymore but I appreciate all the works of our community that make the Dragon live and evolve with hardware and software developments. I understand this nostalgia and could buy a new dragon machine like the C64 up to 300 euros. Perhaps 100 dragonists of our group could also do it ? Much more of them if the machine looks like a coco !
That new machine should have what I think is the heart of a Dragon : a box that looks like the original, with the keyboard + some extra keys, a 6809 and the ROMs of a D64 (or material equivalent) and the extended cart port. All other specifications should be up to date : hdmi for screen, USB or network for storage, USB(C) power. So not only a clone to play games but a machine that continue to live with the developments of the extension port.
Re: A next-generation Dragon?
The machine that I describe in the precedent post should be relatively easy to create, except for the extended port. You put a RPI in a box and install Xroar under Linux. But all I have read about this at the moment is that very few people are interested and I think Xroar is no very developed for the RPI. I never found a step by step wiki to do that. For the extended port, it would be necessary to create a hardware extension that could be connected by USB to the systems emulating the Dragon. Like the single board 6809 project I saw on this forum.
Re: A next-generation Dragon?
For me, the Dragon II already exists !
It is my PC with Xroar installed. I have a nice screen and a correct keyboard, I can emulate all the machines and many options, install joysticks and access easily to all the software.
I can also edit Basic programs out of the machine (with text edition) and load then directly in the Dragon with the .asc file extension.
I can edit the .rom and .bin files with a software like HxD and insert them in the memory map of the emulated machine.
Most of the hardware developments have been emulated
What is lacking in my happiness ?
- an emulation like DragonPlus for 80 columns
- a wiki step by step for the beginners
- and the hardware extension port
and the yellow box for nostalgia ...
It is my PC with Xroar installed. I have a nice screen and a correct keyboard, I can emulate all the machines and many options, install joysticks and access easily to all the software.
I can also edit Basic programs out of the machine (with text edition) and load then directly in the Dragon with the .asc file extension.
I can edit the .rom and .bin files with a software like HxD and insert them in the memory map of the emulated machine.
Most of the hardware developments have been emulated
What is lacking in my happiness ?
- an emulation like DragonPlus for 80 columns
- a wiki step by step for the beginners
- and the hardware extension port
and the yellow box for nostalgia ...
Re: A next-generation Dragon?
What do you mean by 'not very developed for the RPI'?Azerpy wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2020 3:34 pm The machine that I describe in the precedent post should be relatively easy to create, except for the extended port. You put a RPI in a box and install Xroar under Linux. But all I have read about this at the moment is that very few people are interested and I think Xroar is no very developed for the RPI. I never found a step by step wiki to do that. For the extended port, it would be necessary to create a hardware extension that could be connected by USB to the systems emulating the Dragon. Like the single board 6809 project I saw on this forum.
I just downloaded the source code and compiled it on my Pi model B+.
Of course, a Pi 1 cannot cope with an emulator, but a Pi 3 or 4 should be more than enough.
Re: A next-generation Dragon?
About Xroar on RPI :
You show me it is possible to emulate completely a Dragon with Xroar on a RPI, it's a good news for me.
But I am not yet able to do that.
On my PC I only use Xroar with Windows and it's fine.
I have got a PI3B+ and the only thing I can do is using Retropie.
For absolute beginners with Linux, it would be easier to have a sort of "wiki step by step" ?
You show me it is possible to emulate completely a Dragon with Xroar on a RPI, it's a good news for me.
But I am not yet able to do that.
On my PC I only use Xroar with Windows and it's fine.
I have got a PI3B+ and the only thing I can do is using Retropie.
For absolute beginners with Linux, it would be easier to have a sort of "wiki step by step" ?