exxos's Atari, Amiga & retro forum

rubber_jonnie wrote: 11 Nov 2023 09:56 This looks appealing: PiStorm Lite

I'm not a big A1200 user, and the accelerator I have installed is problematic in that in memory certain configurations blocks the PCMCIA ports, and I'm thinking this is a relatively inexpensive and flexible option to replace it.

Anybody tried it?

It is good. Give you loads of horsepower. You can run 060 demos!
Main thing to be aware of is the HDMI out won't show the normal Amiga native display, only the high Res 'RTG' modes. There are solutions being worked on, feeding Amiga display signal into RPi camera port, so everything comes out the HDMI, but it is not available yet.
So you either need 2 displays or a HDMI/DVI which also takes 15khz. Although I find with the A1200 even with compatible LCD screens I get vertical banding.
(Scandoublers are quite expensive, so best to wait for RPi camera solution).

I read yesterday about a little program that will add on a 'PiStorm partition' to a normal Amiga HD image. I've not tried it yet, but then if you don't install the RTG high Res drivers, then you can use your normal Amiga HardDrive image with just a standard 15khz screen.
The 'CaffeineOS' a lot of people use, uses RTG so you get quite a modern looking Workbench over HDMI.

Sorry not sure if you know about Amiga RTG graphics. Basically PC resolutions, but they are not 15khz.

Higgy wrote: 13 Nov 2023 12:22

rubber_jonnie wrote: 11 Nov 2023 09:56 This looks appealing: PiStorm Lite

I'm not a big A1200 user, and the accelerator I have installed is problematic in that in memory certain configurations blocks the PCMCIA ports, and I'm thinking this is a relatively inexpensive and flexible option to replace it.

Anybody tried it?

It is good. Give you loads of horsepower. You can run 060 demos!
Main thing to be aware of is the HDMI out won't show the normal Amiga native display, only the high Res 'RTG' modes. There are solutions being worked on, feeding Amiga display signal into RPi camera port, so everything comes out the HDMI, but it is not available yet.
So you either need 2 displays or a HDMI/DVI which also takes 15khz. Although I find with the A1200 even with compatible LCD screens I get vertical banding.
(Scandoublers are quite expensive, so best to wait for RPi camera solution).

I read yesterday about a little program that will add on a 'PiStorm partition' to a normal Amiga HD image. I've not tried it yet, but then if you don't install the RTG high Res drivers, then you can use your normal Amiga HardDrive image with just a standard 15khz screen.
The 'CaffeineOS' a lot of people use, uses RTG so you get quite a modern looking Workbench over HDMI.

Sorry not sure if you know about Amiga RTG graphics. Basically PC resolutions, but they are not 15khz.

Appreciate the info, thanks. The RTG thing is new to me, TBH I've been away from the A1200 for some time, but I would like to get back to it.

Not sure if anybody is using one, but if you have a RAM2E II card from Garretts Workshop for your Apple II, it may support 16MB of RAM rather than just 8MB:


I just tried on mine and now have 16MB, though it is fair to say that not all cards support it, though worth checking, you never know.

rubber_jonnie wrote: 11 Nov 2023 09:56 This looks appealing: PiStorm Lite
Anybody tried it?

I have a Pistorm32 Lite + RPi4 (from AmigaKit, currently the lowest price provider). I think in the future I'll get the adapter(s) which convert it into a non-lite and a CM4 instead of RPi4 (but 2GB CM4's are currently unobtainium)

Higgy wrote: 13 Nov 2023 12:22 So you either need 2 displays or a HDMI/DVI which also takes 15khz. Although I find with the A1200 even with compatible LCD screens I get vertical banding.

I currently use an LCDTV which has HDMI and RGB SCART and use the remote to change inputs.

Well, that's just fine and dandy...

I pre-ordered a couple of Evercade items off Amazon back in October, so 3 weeks ago.

Both are now showing as delayed with no estimate of when they actually will arrive. Not best pleased :(

rubber_jonnie wrote: 16 Nov 2023 10:39 Well, that's just fine and dandy...

I pre-ordered a couple of Evercade items off Amazon back in October, so 3 weeks ago.

Both are now showing as delayed with no estimate of when they actually will arrive. Not best pleased :(

So, odd to quote myself, but...

I complained to Amazon about my items, because both were ordered via BOETech (Blaze Online Entertainment, makers of the Evercade).

At the point I complained, BOETech were showing the items on Amazon for next day delivery, but the numpties at Amazon couldn't get it into their heads that the item was in stock, with the people I ordered it with, and why was my order unfulfilled?

Long story short, I spoke to somebody 'the next level up' who assured me that it would be resolved in 48-72 hours and even sent me an email to say so. 72 hours later, nothing. Radio silence...
So I cancelled my orders, re-ordered exactly the same items from BOETech via Amazon and got them next day.

Customer service, what customer service. :dizzy:

Anyways, here is the Hyper Mega Tech! Taito Super Pocket:


I'm pretty astonished, for £49.99 it is just great. 18 Taito games installed, and a slot at the back for Evercade cartridges, of which I have a few now. And yes @Icky , as a handheld it does run the Namco Collection that won't run on my Evercade VS due to licensing issues :)

The screen is quite impressive, and sound is really very good for the size of it. Surprisingly heavy too and arrived fully charged and ready to go.

I'd recommend it as a stocking filler for sure :)

Sweet little machine !

8-)

HigashiJun wrote: 22 Nov 2023 22:27 Sweet little machine !

8-)

It is, and they do a yellow/blue Capcom version too, but seems a little irrelevant if you have the Taito one. The fact that it can take an Evercade cart as well as the base game install (18 games in the Taito version, I think 12 in the Capcom) really does give it a boost for sure.

@rubber_jonnie, nice!

I dont understand Blades business model here as it undermines the Evercade. Why would anyone want an Overcame if this is cheaper, fits in the pocket and runs all the carts. Mind boggles.

Mind you I think I have a more serious problem with Evercade:

Icky wrote: 23 Nov 2023 09:30 @rubber_jonnie, nice!

I dont understand Blades business model here as it undermines the Evercade. Why would anyone want an Overcame if this is cheaper, fits in the pocket and runs all the carts. Mind boggles.

Mind you I think I have a more serious problem with Evercade:


IMG_3307.png

I don't quite agree it undermines the Evercade, it can't truly replace a device with a bigger screen like yours, or an attached to TV device like mine, but it does provide an inexpensive hook into retrogaming for the younger generation for whose hands it is definitely targeted size wise, who will hopefully move onto the more expensive Evercade stuff later.

I have a problem too, but not as serious as you!


And the HyperMega with it's little £10 friend from AliExpress: