Chamelon facts thread

tsampico · Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:18 pm Post subject:

Very nice! Can't wait for the final version of it. Very Happy

polishedball · Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 9:48 pm Post subject:

How i wish this had joy ports or a simple cart slot mod to add them.

lukasSid · Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 7:48 pm Post subject:

how you use amiga cdtv remote with it? and what can you do with it?

Wiesel · Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 10:00 pm Post subject:

lukasSid wrote:

how you use amiga cdtv remote with it? and what can you do with it?

You can use it to control the menus and as joystick replacement. Tricky at first, but you'll get used to it. The mouse/joy switch selects one of the two joystick ports, and one of the two fire buttons is autofire. Other keys are F-keys, cursor keys, enter, space, run/stop, arrow left - the frequently needed keys.

If someone explains to me how I can attach a PDF to this post, I'll upload the manual page.

Jens

lukasSid · Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 10:18 pm Post subject:

That's awesome Jens

maraud · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 3:09 am Post subject:

I got mine today and got it working in stand-alone mode. Took me a while to dig out a PS/2 keyboard. Was hoping my USB one would work with the "old school" USB to PS/2 adapter, but no dice.

I also tried it on a 64C but it didn't work. It booted but key repeat was all whacked as was the screen. Will test with another C64 tomorrow to see. I was running it with a 64C and a C64 1764 PSU so power should be fine.

I did get a program to run, but it had to be a PRG file on the SDcard. I need to dig up the MMC64 docs to see how to use D64 containers.

How does one enable the "turbo" mode, or is that not available yet? I ask as I have LOADS of disks I'd like to ZIPCODE and that would make it super fast.

Thanks!
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Wiesel · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 2:11 pm Post subject:

Maraud,

if you have a bug report, please send it to the Yahoo list, together with all information you have about that incompatible C64 model, like board assy, any modifications, switches and so on. The information you're giving here is worthless for two reasons: 1.) you don't give enough info for us to reproduce and fix the bug and 2.) you're posting it to a random forum where it's not guaranteed for us to see it. I'm here often, but not on a regular basis, so if you want something fixed, inform us through the contact form of the website or through the mailing list, as mentioned in the manunal.

Chameleon has PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports. Some USB keyboards support PS/2 protocol, but not all. This is not a shortcoming of Chameleon, but of the keyboard you're trying.

MMC64 only loads PRG, that's correct. Try the TNT browser and the TNT d64 mounter, which makes use of the always-enabled RR. I'm aware that this cannot replace a full 1541 emulation, which is not available in the current beta core, but it can shorten the wait.

There is no turbo in the current beta cores. We're working on it.

Jens

maraud · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 7:26 pm Post subject:

Wiesel wrote:

Maraud,

if you have a bug report, please send it to the Yahoo list, together with all information you have about that incompatible C64 model, like board assy, any modifications, switches and so on. The information you're giving here is worthless for two reasons: 1.) you don't give enough info for us to reproduce and fix the bug and 2.) you're posting it to a random forum where it's not guaranteed for us to see it. I'm here often, but not on a regular basis, so if you want something fixed, inform us through the contact form of the website or through the mailing list, as mentioned in the manunal.

Once I determine it is a bug I will post it to your Yahoo list. I haven't done so as I've not yet ruled out the C64 as the cause and as such don't want to submit a "false bug" It was simply a statement of my experience so far, nothing more.

Wiesel wrote:

Chameleon has PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports. Some USB keyboards support PS/2 protocol, but not all. This is not a shortcoming of Chameleon, but of the keyboard you're trying.

I realize that, which is why I didn't say anything about the Chameleon causing the problem - simply letting folks know I tried it and it didn't work. Save them the trouble.

Wiesel wrote:

MMC64 only loads PRG, that's correct. Try the TNT browser and the TNT d64 mounter, which makes use of the always-enabled RR. I'm aware that this cannot replace a full 1541 emulation, which is not available in the current beta core, but it can shorten the wait.

I'll have to research the TNT browser of which you write. I got the built in file browser to work but can't remember how to mount the D64. I'll keep digging through my old docs, it's in here somewhere. Smile

Wiesel wrote:

There is no turbo in the current beta cores. We're working on it.

Gotcha!
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c64web · Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 10:10 am Post subject:

Day off today giving flashing the the beta-3 core to the Chameleon a go.

The ChaCo software to control the Chameleon worked on my Windows 7 laptop first time no problems and flashing the beta-3 core in stand alone mode was easy. read the instructions and the Chameleon worked just like the instructions said it would no surprises. Great!

Loaded Commando from my 1571 drive no problem.
Recommend buying http://www.vesalia.de/e_cdtvremote.htm for joystick control.

TV/Monitor pictured will power the Chameleon from the USB port a Bonus.

enjoy.
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Bieno · Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2011 2:14 pm Post subject:

In the future updates, are planed the option for play with 2 CDTV pads at the same time?
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Wiesel · Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2011 2:30 pm Post subject:

Bieno wrote:

In the future updates, are planed the option for play with 2 CDTV pads at the same time?

It's impossible to operate two IR remotes at the same time. They do not communicate with each other, so one might clash with the other, and both signals are mangled - no chance, sorry.

Jens

Wiesel

Hi Lemoners,

I have just uploaded the Beta-4 core and the first roms that include the menu system. The update archive is available from http://beta.icomp.de

Enter the menu by holding down the left arrow on power-up, or by holding the freeze button (middle blue button) for longer than 0.7 seconds. Expect bugs in this menu, especially if you're in one of the cart emulations. The MMC64 browser cannot be "frozen". Note that the new menu system will fully replace the MMC64 emulation at some point, so we're not going to fix this.

Changes for Beta-4:

- Emulated SIDs registers are cleared on reset (no more hanging sounds)
- Jittery VGA screen on NTSC fixed.
- Diagonal movement possible with emulated joystick on PS/2 keyboard.
- PAL/NTSC mode switchable in standalone mode.
- Mode of VIC-II in cartridge mode can be read-out from config register
- IR eye can be disabled (the party mode!)
- PS/2 mouse can be disabled to allow the use of paddles without unplugging the mouse.
- PS/2 mouse reports scroll-wheel movement. Uses Micromys protocol. Try MMTEST.PRG
- PS/2 mouse can be switched between port 1 and 2.
- Holding space pauses bootrom, so information presented can be read
even if VGA monitor takes long time to sync.
- Pause key on PS/2 keyboard is RESTORE
- GeoRAM/NeoRAM emulation implemented
- More possible resolutions on VGA output (more pixelclock options).
- REU fix for reading from flashmemory.
- VIC-II data timing adjusted to increase the setup-time of the data (to be
compatible with more VIC-II revisions)

The archive also contains the latest ChaCo version, which is the march 1st version (no update here). To install this update, power up Chameleon either in stand-alone mode or with a C64.

If powered from a C64, then DO NOT CONNECT THE USB CONNECTOR OF THE BREAKOUT CABLE. The USB connector on the Breakout cable may only be connected if Chameleon is in standalone mode. Note that the USB on the breakout cable is a power-only connection.

Use the mini-USB connection to make a data connection to the PC, then launch ChaCo, which should display "Found Chameleon on USB bus". If it doesn't, then please check the USB data connection - make sure that power is applied to Chameleon and that your USB port supports full-speed USB devices (problems have been reported with USB3.0 ports).

To install the Beta-4 update, please follow these steps:

1. select slot 0 (no change required)
2. tick the box "Flash additional Rom"
3. click on "Flash rbf/Rom"
4. select file "chameleon_v5_beta4.rbf" in the first file requester
5. select file "rom-menu.bin" in the second file requester

If you have a monitor connected to Chameleon, it will turn to a black screen now. The flash slot is erased (takes about 5-7 seconds) and flashing is started. The flash process takes less than two minutes, and progress is displayed in the progress bar above the "Start from selected slot" button.

After the "Flashing complete" message, you can press the "Start from selected slot" button. Chameleon will now start with the new core.

The Beta-4 core displays some info on startup. This display is gone pretty quickly, so you may not even see it if you have a slow-syncing VGA monitor. Press and hold space on power-up to halt the initial startup message.

Greetings from Peter, Tobias and Jens

Wiesel · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 10:43 pm Post subject:

Hi,

I have just uploaded the commandline version of ChaCo (the Chameleon Control software) to http://beta.icomp.de.

The GUI version caused some trouble, and while we're busy sorting out the threading problems of that GUI, the commandline version and batch file will solve these problems.

Jens

Wiesel · Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 8:38 pm Post subject: ChaCo for 32-bit Linux

Hi guys,

I have compiled ChaCo, the Chameleon Control software, for 32-bit Linux. Both a commandline and a GUI version are available on http://beta.icomp.de .

Please report back on the Yahoo list if this works for you.

Jens

ntrs · Newbie Joined: 28 Apr 2010 Posts: 3

any idea how and where vga size can be changed in chameleon (read the technical but not sure where to poke or how to change) on my tv with vga input the screen appear 50 % smaller than full size of the screen

thanks

smariotti · Groupie in Training Joined: 23 Jan 2011 Age: 44 Posts: 94

I'm going to suggest that your monitor deals with lower resolutions by centering the images instead of upscaling to full screen size. Some monitors do this. Some of them upscale but look crappy. I think it's pretty dependent upon the monitor's own electronics.

The Chameleon outputs 800x600 VGA, correct?

Wiesel · Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2011 10:26 pm Post subject:

Yes, Chameleon will output 800x600 at the moment, using a refresh rate of 72Hz. You can change the screenmode, but that's not even Alpha at the moment, as neither the scaling factor, nor screen centering, nor un-initialized memory are handled by the software. If you still want to give it a try:

Flash the latest core (Beta-4), start the unit, "klick" yourself through to the READY prompt, then press and hold the middle (freeze) button for more than 0.7 seconds. This will launch the menu. Play around with the settings, but keep in mind that you can't save these settings at the moment, and you should NOT leave the menu with the reset button, but only with one of the menu items.

Jens

Admiral Commodore · Groupie Joined: 25 Jan 2011 Posts: 290 Location: Germany

Just to be clear, there is no way to connect a joystick to the Chameleon in standalone mode? And considering you can only connect one CD32 remote, no two player action is possible?

Not even a couple of pads on the PCB where you could connect a cable?

rubikWizard · Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 12:14 am Post subject:

Admiral Commodore wrote:

Just to be clear, there is no way to connect a joystick to the Chameleon in standalone mode? And considering you can only connect one CD32 remote, no two player action is possible?

Not even a couple of pads on the PCB where you could connect a cable?

I have purchased a Chameleon and it should be delivered very soon to me. As I understand there is no joystick connection (yet). I have to say that standalone mode is my major requirement so I hope this is implemented soon.
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Wiesel · Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 8:41 am Post subject:

Admiral Commodore wrote:

Just to be clear, there is no way to connect a joystick to the Chameleon in standalone mode? And considering you can only connect one CD32 remote, no two player action is possible?

Not even a couple of pads on the PCB where you could connect a cable?

There's a huge connector with lots of signals: The expansion port. This one is unemployed in standalone mode and will be used for the docking station.

I think I can say this over and over again, but you guys still want a docking station. However, one more time: The C64 is the best docking station for Chameleon that I can think of. I'll have a hard time beating that.

Jens

c64web · Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 12:05 pm Post subject:

Could in time, a small interface be built that will push over the expansion port with two joystick ports only. Would make a nice add on.

Joystick ports where always going to be a source of many questions from customers.

Keep up the great work.
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jerrykurtz · Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 12:25 pm Post subject:

Wiesel wrote:

Admiral Commodore wrote:

Just to be clear, there is no way to connect a joystick to the Chameleon in standalone mode? And considering you can only connect one CD32 remote, no two player action is possible?

Not even a couple of pads on the PCB where you could connect a cable?

There's a huge connector with lots of signals: The expansion port. This one is unemployed in standalone mode and will be used for the docking station.

I think I can say this over and over again, but you guys still want a docking station. However, one more time: The C64 is the best docking station for Chameleon that I can think of. I'll have a hard time beating that.

Jens

You can go ahead and keep saying it, but the idea of using the C64 as the docking station negates the idea of a stand-alone mode and somewhat kills the portability of the device.

All I keep seeing are requests for joysticks, so maybe a small breakout box for just that purpose would be an excellent place to start. Trying to be all things to everyone all in one shot will probably just drive you crazy.

Jerry
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maraud · Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 2:47 pm Post subject:

Just updated mine to the latest firmware and played some games (using the CDTV remote which ROCKS). This was in standalone mode with a 1541 attached.
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rubikWizard · Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 9:19 pm Post subject:

Just received my Chameleon today and really love it Very Happy

However I have come across a little problem. I have been playing some games from the SD card and using the Commodore CD remote for the Joystick in port 2. All works fine when the Chameleon is plugged into a C64 but in standalone mode it will not.

Here are 2 games that failed

Lethal (CD remote works when plugged in C64 but not in standalone)
Bombjack (Works fine when plugged in C64 but in standalone mode the CD remote will operate in the cheat menu but once the game has started it fails)

Has anyone else seen this behaviour?

I will also post in the Yahoo group when my membership is approved.

Thanks for any help.

EDIT: This question has now been answered by Peter at the Chameleon Yahoo group

Quote:

Hoi,

Experienced same problem with the game "exterminator" (by Ken Grant).
I've traced it back to missing emulation of "paddle mux bits" in the CIA.
Although the mux bits don't play a role in the joystick emulation, some games
depend on them to have the proper value as they don't mask them out. In
cartridge mode the bits come from the C64 itself so you won't notice the problem
in that configuration.

It also effects the joystick emulation on the keyboard and is not restricted to
the CDTV remote. It will be fixed in one of the next firmware releases.

Greetz
Peter

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Wildstar · Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:56 pm Post subject:

Wiesel wrote:

Admiral Commodore wrote:

Just to be clear, there is no way to connect a joystick to the Chameleon in standalone mode? And considering you can only connect one CD32 remote, no two player action is possible?

Not even a couple of pads on the PCB where you could connect a cable?

There's a huge connector with lots of signals: The expansion port. This one is unemployed in standalone mode and will be used for the docking station.

I think I can say this over and over again, but you guys still want a docking station. However, one more time: The C64 is the best docking station for Chameleon that I can think of. I'll have a hard time beating that.

Jens

Is it possible to just activate some of the lines like the data lines and necessary power lines and do on needed to drive joysticks. You should be able to get two joysticks (with one or two buttons with the 8 data lines.) Because in standalone mode, the expansion port is inactive, data and address lines would be undesignated I/O lines. I don't know about the POT lines at this time but for ordinary digital joysticks, it should be relatively straightforward to do.

I think you have something more in mind and I'll accept that.

It might even be something that will give the clock-port its "clock signal" or whatever it needs. Great work Jens.