[Coco] The Tri-Annual CoCo 4 Thread

[S Klammer]

FPGA designs are definitely beneficial, whether propriety or "generic"
(like the Mist); however, is there not a finite number of 'rewriting' of
the core?

sk
On 2014-02-06 6:14 PM, "Nick Marentes" <nickma at optusnet.com.au> wrote:

>
> > > For me personally, this is exactly what appeals to me about any
> 'Coco4'.
> > > But I'd also add the ability to connect modern peripherals, such as
> > > keyboards, VGA monitors, CF/SD cards in lieu of floppy/HDD etc. And
> don't
> > > forget the ability to add functionality for 'real' enhancements that
> you
> > > would otherwise have to buy, such as Orchestra 90 cartidges, CocoMax
> etc,
> > > that can be built-in. So-called 'transparent' enhancements are a
> bonus, and
> > > even enhanced graphics, whilst not essential for me, would be welcomed.
> > >
> > > My dream is a replacement board that would fit in the Coco3 case, using
> > > the original keyboard, with a cartridge slot. But also with everything
> I
> > > mentioned above. Or it could sit on a bench, powered by a wall-wart,
> with
> > > PS/2 keyboard. Best of both worlds...
>
>
> Most of those things have already been created on some FPGA retro system
> somewhere and brings me to my opening post that started the CoCo4
> discussion.
>
> Why are we even talking about building an FPGA CoCo when the hardware is
> staring at us in the face?
>
> I highlighted the Mist FPGA but there are others to choose from. I liked
> the
> Mist because it was not just a development board but a ready made product,
> nice and compact, with a wider market potential beyond the CoCo to
> guarantee
> it of sales.
>
> It just needs a CoCo core to be added to it Atari and Amiga cores.
>
> Some bright spark could create an add-on board to provide it with CoCo
> specific I/O if need be.
>
> Like I said, I only highlighted the Mist but there may be another more
> suitable. The main criteria is to get one that has been popularized to tap
> in to it's "economies of scale" and offer more flexibility.
>
> Is there a lower cost DE1 compatible board out there?
>
> Nick
>
>
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