|
Post by vtk on Aug 23, 2016 12:05:35 GMT -5
hi bob can i ask a noob question, what is the flicker like on screen when using your cart (i'm guessing it must be really low due to the nature of how your cart operates with the vectrex?) (low flickering even when the screen is quite full up with 'gfx' ?)
|
|
|
Post by bob on Aug 23, 2016 12:17:05 GMT -5
what is the flicker like on screen when using your cart You should expect it to be about the same as with a native Vectrex game. The SmartCart doesn't cause the screen to get drawn faster - screen drawing is still done by the 6809. But it moves all the game logic off of the 6809 and onto the PIC32. In theory, that gives the 6809 time to draw more lines (or, alternatively, it lets the 6809 refresh the screen at a higher rate). Keep in mind also that the SmartCart is running a BASIC interpreter, which takes more instructions to do a given task than 6809 machine code does. The PIC32's clock speed is 125 times faster than the 6809's, but it's an open question whether the end result is more or less speed. I haven't done benchmarks, so I really can't say if a game will run faster or not. What I can say is this: the SmartCart makes writing and debugging games far easier than it's ever been; the SmartCart removes memory limits that have constrained 6809 games; the SmartCart has advanced features built in (and executed by native PIC32 code - not interpreted) for magnifying, rotating, and clipping shapes. Hope this helps. - Bob
|
|
|
Post by mountaingoat on Aug 24, 2016 7:09:11 GMT -5
Fantastic idea, just ordered one myself.
I was thinking about trying to hook up an Arduino to a dual-port SRAM to a Vectrex, it is great that there is a ready-made solution like this!
|
|
|
Post by mountaingoat on Aug 28, 2016 7:24:00 GMT -5
Got the cartridge already. Very nicely made, really like the laser etched cover. Built-in game is fun, also has some demo example sound effects as well. The one issue I have now is that as my laptop and dev Vectrex are set up, I do not have a long enough mini-USB cable so I cannot quite try the programming just yet. Hopefully this problem will be solved in 2 days when my package of a long USB cable arrives from Amazon :-) Will keep you guys posted on the development pieces as well. Since my kids are using Scratch all the time, I am hoping that they will be able to create some simple Vectrex games. It would be awesome!
|
|
|
Post by VECTREXER on Aug 29, 2016 9:27:33 GMT -5
*** Since my kids are using Scratch all the time, I am hoping that they will be able to create some simple Vectrex games. It would be awesome! Perhaps a Scratch block to BASIC translation for the Vectrex32? That would be interesting. On another note, there are already Arduino and serial add on projects to allow Scratch to interact with the real world. Vectrex32 interfaces via USB serial port. So your kid's Scratch projects it should already have the possibility to interact with the Vectrex32.
|
|
|
Post by bob on Sept 3, 2016 11:25:04 GMT -5
According to my tracking, most (all?) of the people in the US who ordered a SmartCart have received it. The first overseas buyer received his today. I realize y'all haven't dropped everything else in your lives and devoted all your time to trying out the SmartCart, but I'd love to hear some feedback.
|
|
|
Post by hcmffm on Sept 3, 2016 17:42:09 GMT -5
This noon the small parcel with the Vectrex32 Smartcart did arrive here in Frankfurt (Germany). Thank you, Bob, for the fast shipping! During the day I was busy and wanted to try the SmartCart out quickly before going to bed. I plugged in the cartridge, switched on the Vectrex and: Nothing! I switched the Vectrex off and on. Again, nothing. I guessed that one would need a connection with the PC to run anything, but when reading the Quickstart Guide (yes, trying and reading afterwards is my style) it confirmed that my procedure was correct. After a short time of headscratching and writing the first part of this post I had a suspect. I've tried with my second Vectrex, a "normal" buzz Vectrex and here the menu of the SmartCart appeared. Hurray! I've tried Lunar Lander for a very short time - the game plays well and graphics are very smooth and stable. Only, it could be a bit noisier on the moon. ;-) So: The Vectrex SmartCart seems not to be compatible with the non-buzz Vectrexes. That's not a big deal because the non-buzz Vectrexes are not that common. But important to know. Perhaps you, Bob, can create a Vectrex32 ROM that is compatible to both model types? Again, thank you Bob for this great cartridge! Already, I'm very curious what Basic programming is like and what is possible performance-wise. Since I think it's very essential that first programs appear, soon, showing the possibilities of the Vectrex, I might give a graphics demo a go. But please don't expect this by tomorrow. ;-)
|
|
|
Post by bob on Sept 3, 2016 18:36:41 GMT -5
That's puzzling. From what I know of the buzz fix, it should not affect the SmartCart. Is this a Vectrex that buzzed and you fixed, or is it a late-model Vectrex that the manufacturer had fixed? Does it have the newer BIOS? The Vectrex Wiki article about the 72-game multicart says "The 72 Game Multicart was not tested on original non-buzz Vectrex units (checksum 7ADB or serial numbers 4xxxxxx and 311xxxx). The BIOS causes play problems with these units." So is there a significant difference between old and new BIOSes - significant enough to cause some games to fail? - Bob
|
|
|
Post by hcmffm on Sept 3, 2016 18:46:00 GMT -5
That's puzzling. From what I know of the buzz fix, it should not affect the SmartCart. Is this a Vectrex that buzzed and you fixed, or is it a late-model Vectrex that the manufacturer had fixed? Thanks for your prompt reply, Bob. It's the new Vectrex model which hasn't got the buzz (serial 311xxxxxx). Does it have the newer BIOS? The Vectrex Wiki article about the 72-game multicart says "The 72 Game Multicart was not tested on original non-buzz Vectrex units (checksum 7ADB or serial numbers 4xxxxxx and 311xxxx). The BIOS causes play problems with these units." So is there a significant difference between old and new BIOSes - significant enough to cause some games to fail? On theses Vectrexes Minestorm hasn't got the Level 13 bug and I guess the BIOS has been modified slightly, too. But that's just guessing.
|
|
|
Post by vtk on Sept 14, 2016 20:39:14 GMT -5
hi again all, i just read an update on the vectrex32 smartcart forum, that the first batch had all sold out, but now a there is a second batch available if anyone is interested they are back in stock, to purchase one, go here: vectrex32.com/buy/
|
|
|
Post by Vectronic on Sept 14, 2016 23:54:22 GMT -5
Hi all! Hi tested my Vectrex32 and have had similar problems. First I just connected my new Vectrex32 directly to a PC to back-up the original on-board files (Just like VecMulti, in case you have to start from scratch, anew in a worst case scenario) (I have, twice!). This has happened to me and others, so best to take precautions. It did not work. Since I have limited time to test, I put off further experimentation. After hearing about this scarily similar event, I HAD to test things out again.w hat I found was thus: Original American unit with low serial number: Would not start via Vectrex, PC, nor Vectrex to PC interface. Tried it on my Dutch/Euro Vectrex and all the same hook-ups - no go. With just the Euro Vectrex and the Vectrex 32 plugged-in and on - with just the right cartridge orientation, it would WORK! VERY finicky, but either pressing down to make the leads connect, or up to make the leads connect between Vectrex and Cart, made all the difference it seems! Play/Test with this, and it may fix things for you as it did mine! Hope this helps! Man wish I had time to play with this further!
|
|
|
Post by bob on Sept 15, 2016 6:08:21 GMT -5
Hi all! Hi tested my Vectrex32 and have had similar problems. What "similar problems". Helmut said the SmartCart didn't work with his no-buzz Vectrex - is that what you're referring to or are there other problems? You said you also saw a problem with an older Vectrex but that it started working after a little fiddling. I have seen a couple of instances where it crashes on startup. It's especially likely if you plug in the USB just as the SmartCart is booting up - too many things happening at once I guess. (It seems to be OK if you plug in the USB BEFORE turning the Vectrex on or after the SmartCart is up and running.) However, when I've seen a crash, I can always fix it by turning the Vectrex off and on again. Have you not seen that? - Bob
|
|
|
Post by Vectronic on Sept 16, 2016 22:52:57 GMT -5
The similar problem is that the Vectrex32 wasn't booting up when inserted in the Vectrex (No USB attached) It would just default to Minestorm. But I found that the cart itself was just a bit loose and needed to be inserted just right to work. It works in all my Vectrexes with a bit of finessing. That was all. Just something to try if the cart isn't booting.
|
|
|
Post by Mayhem on Sept 17, 2016 15:24:09 GMT -5
RTFM for me heh. Vectrex32 won't be recognised in PC until also plugged into Vectrex. With that, I've been having a play around. It's a nice bit of kit. I'll have to see if I have time to program on the device...
|
|
|
Post by bob on Sept 17, 2016 15:26:40 GMT -5
Vectrex32 won't be recognised in PC until also plugged into Vectrex. Right. The SmartCart can't be powered from the USB; it needs to get power from the Vectrex. - Bob
|
|