AtariAge acquired by Atari. Wow

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mrbombermillzy
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Re: AtariAge acquired by Atari. Wow

Post by mrbombermillzy »

@exxos

One thing that I think would be a very big enhancement for the ST range (although not sure how hard it would be to design/integrate/build) is some sort of COPPER chip.

I havent really had time to look deeply into the Amiga coppers true capabilities, but from what little I can glean from the chances I get to look into it, it can take some serious load off the CPU, as well as enhance the display/sound routines.
Im not sure anyone has thoroughly made use of it so far either. Seems to be untapped.

That would be very useful on an ST.
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exxos
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Re: AtariAge acquired by Atari. Wow

Post by exxos »

mrbombermillzy wrote: 09 Sep 2023 10:06 One thing that I think would be a very big enhancement for the ST range (although not sure how hard it would be to design/integrate/build) is some sort of COPPER chip.

I havent really had time to look deeply into the Amiga coppers true capabilities, but from what little I can glean from the chances I get to look into it, it can take some serious load off the CPU, as well as enhance the display/sound routines.
Im not sure anyone has thoroughly made use of it so far either. Seems to be untapped.
There's all sorts of ideas to improve things. I wanted to do a whole new sound system to offload the CPU. But it's all time and cost and still no developers to create it or use the extra functions.

But anyway, getting a bit off topic now. Point being Atari would also have the same issues. I doubt they would take on a full sized ST and work with original type hardware. I don't think there's a market need for another ST. There is MiST already and other than putting it in a ST looking case.. there's no point IMO. Even though there's stuff like the C64 which IIRC a small emulator board in a remake case and seemed to do well :roll:

Atari could in theory mass produce the H5 assuming we get the FPGA cores running. It's as close to a legacy machine as things are going to get. But the costs would be huge. The cheaper option is like they did with the 2600.. but the MiST again...

I doubt Atari have the funds to produce original chips again either. For me personally it has to have a real 68000 at least to be in the spirit of things.
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mrbombermillzy
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Re: AtariAge acquired by Atari. Wow

Post by mrbombermillzy »

@exxos Maybe have a chat with the guy? They may well go for the H5 concept (unfortunately, with perhaps the obvious required re-brand to Atari).

You never know, they may well pony up for the enhancements you planned for too.

It may be good for someone in the Atari community here to chat to this guy and size up what his intentions are and what he is about.

I mean Al seems to be positive about it.
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exxos
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Re: AtariAge acquired by Atari. Wow

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mrbombermillzy wrote: 09 Sep 2023 10:48 @exxos Maybe have a chat with the guy? They may well go for the H5 concept (unfortunately, with perhaps the obvious required re-brand to Atari).

You never know, they may well pony up for the enhancements you planned for too.

It may be good for someone in the Atari community here to chat to this guy and size up what his intentions are and what he is about.

I mean Al seems to be positive about it.
I have briefly spoken to a couple of the admin is in the past and they do seem like friendly people. Though realistically I doubt Atari even know though this forum or any of the projects even exists. I don't really see them being interested in legacy hardware.

Does not make most business sense to me to recreate the ST in "old hardware" they would want to do it as cheaply as possible which is understandable but that means a small single FPGA based system which is back to MiST again.

Think if anything Atari shouldn't ignore the ST line, but help to produce spares to keep the Legacy machines running. That is essentially what the H5 platform aims to do. But its not simple because the cartridge connector, cases, etc etc I doubt Atari have the resources to recreate the MMU as a plug in 5V compatible chip replacement. We back to FPGA again...

It's something I have wrestled with for a long time as people know, because at what point during the H5 development is it not a "ST" anymore.
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stephen_usher
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Re: AtariAge acquired by Atari. Wow

Post by stephen_usher »

Yeah, basing on MiST/MiSTer makes sense. Adding custom keyboard etc. to make it "feel" like an ST would make it "complete" and good enough for 99% of people to be honest.
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
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exxos
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Re: AtariAge acquired by Atari. Wow

Post by exxos »

Slightly off topic , but while on the subject of AA, has anyone noticed a "bug" on the AA forum ?

I don't know if it is a Chrome bug or not..

Basically if you skip ahead to page 29 for example then refresh the page, the last two posts or more "vanish" :shrug:
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Re: AtariAge acquired by Atari. Wow

Post by ijor »

I doubt very much they have any plans for any kind of hardware recreation, not even for the 8-bit.
http://github.com/ijor/fx68k 68000 cycle exact FPGA core
FX CAST Cycle Accurate Atari ST core
http://pasti.fxatari.com
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PhilC
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Re: AtariAge acquired by Atari. Wow

Post by PhilC »

My money is on them creating an Android based console that does everything if they even think about the ST at all, which I don’t think they will.
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
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stephen_usher
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Re: AtariAge acquired by Atari. Wow

Post by stephen_usher »

PhilC wrote: 09 Sep 2023 14:29 My money is on them creating an Android based console that does everything if they even think about the ST at all, which I don’t think they will.
Yeah, arcade machines and 2600 only is my bet.
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
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Re: AtariAge acquired by Atari. Wow

Post by WDB »

I doubt Atari will make any ST compatible hardware, what I would buy the instant it came out would be a modern mini x86 PC in a smaller MegaSTE / TT styled case, you could run any emulators you want on it. It will never happen but it would be awesome.

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