Archives of Genesis8 Amstrad Page from 1999 to 2024 about hardware, page 2 / 21





The Amstrad CPC romboard using a raspberry Pico by Matronica now adds Albireo support

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Matronica wanted to load programs on his recently bought Amstrad CPC 464 (at the start of 2023). So he did create his ROM emulator using a Raspberry Pico which was announced in April 2023. In June 2023 he added on his card an USB port which let him use either the Albireo or Unidos ROM.

See the initial announcement on CPCWiki about his Amstrad CPC romboard using a Raspberry Pico, the sources are available on Github.



No more little problems with this Amstrad CPC sound chip replacement by vRetro

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The small compatibility problems for this replacement chip for the Amstrad CPC sound chip have been corrected with more releaxed timings. Instead of buying an original sound chip for too much money, it is more interesting to buy this functional equivalent AY-3-8912 by vRetro.





The Picomem card by FreddyV for all 808x computers in video by Rodrik Studio

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The Picomem ISA card created by FreddyV is for all 808x computers and brings additionnal RAM (if you don't have 640 Kb), EMS memory, hard disk and disk drive images support, thanks to a Raspberry Pico (like the PicoGUS sound card). It's still work in progress. Rodrik Studio did two videos about the Picomem, one in english, the other in french :



Replacing the original sound chip of the Amstrad with an AY-3-8912 clone by vRetro

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Seen on CPCWiki, it is possible to replace an AY-3-8912 original sound chip (originals for sell are costly) by a replacement chip created by vRetro Design (better to put the chip in a socket after removing the original) : AY-3-8912 functional equivalent for 25 euros.

There is another replacement chip : AY-3-8912A-TS (Turbo Sound) but contrary to what was thought at the start of the CPCWiki thread, it isn't usable on an Amstrad CPC. It's only for ZX Spectrum and it offers 2 AY instead of one.

The clone had a timing problem but it has been corrected by vRetro on the 12 October 2023 as announced by SerErris.




Amstrad CPC CRTC Compendium v1.6 by Longshot (July 2023)

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Longshot has released version 1.6 of the Amstrad CPC CRTC Compendium (July 2023) which is a documentation about the CRTC 6845 (and some others circuits). Note that the CRTC is a generic component used in several computers including the IBM PC.

It is possible to check if an emulator is good with the SHAKER tests by Longshot. SHAKER is a program designed to run on CPC machines produced by AMSTRAD in the 80s-90s. The objective of this program is to carry out extensive tests on the video circuits of this machine. These video circuits are the GATE ARRAY and the CRTC 6845. AMSTRAD produced several series of GATE ARRAY and used CRTC models produced by different manufacturers (HITACHI, MOTOROLA, UMC, AMSTRAD). This has been causing compatibility problems on operations that exceed the functional specifications of these circuits. The identified CRTCs are numbered from 0 to 4.



Using an Amstrad CPC 464 keyboard as an USB one with a Raspberry Pico by Lee Smiths Workhshop

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Lee Smiths Workshop has done a video to use a retro keyboard (including an Amstrad CPC 464) as an USB Keyboard thanks to a Raspberry Pico. The code is available on this Github.




Play Amstrad CPC games with an IR controle remote by Poulette 73

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Why playing to Amstrad CPC games with a keyboard or a joystick (original or USB) when you can play differently : with an IR remote control ? It's what has done Poulette73 but you will need the RSF3 expansion by TMTLogic. And the programs must be adapted as you will see in two videos :

Poulette73 is presenting the RSF3 on CPCRulez.



The MegaLambda-x6(++) by LambdaMikel, a new Amstrad CPC expansion backplane with 6 slots

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Michael Wessel is the author of several hardware expansions for Amstrad CPC which I let you discover on his github and Youtube channel.

His last making is the MegaLambda-x6(++), an Amstrad CPC expansion backplante with no less than 6 slots. You can desactivate individually each connected card. It features :

  • Six standard MX4 expansion slots
  • Passthrough edge connector (like LambdaBoard I, II)
  • Passthrough pin header connector (like MotherX4)
  • Keyhole in edge connector for hardware that requires it (e.g., DKTronics Retro Speech Synthesizer, ...)
  • Wide signal traces for good signal conductivity
  • Extra wide traces for GND and VCC - unlike other backplane expanders for the CPC, MegaLambda is capable of powering the DDI-1 and DDI-3 without requiring an extra power supply
  • Backplane powered from either the CPC or an external 5V power supply via standard barell jack (center polarity positive)
  • Double jumpers (for better conductivity) to select between CPC power and external power
  • Power LED (only) if external power supply is used - polarity check!
  • The 5V / VCC line of the CPC expansion port is physically disconnected from the backplane if external power is used; only GND is shared with the CPC
  • CPC Reset button

Several presentation videos are available :



Vexed v1.11, an Amstrad CPC puzzle game by Under4Mhz

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Vexed by Under4Mhz is a new puzzle game for Amstrad CPC at the first 2023 semester. Match blocks and dont leave one or you must start anew the level.

Since the initial release, joystick support has been added in v1.08, so you should better download it again if you like Vexed.




Backbit Pro, a possible replacement for the C4CPC by Gérald ?

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The C4CPC isn't made anymore by Gérald due to lack of time and exploding costs (x3).

But the Backbit Pro could be a possible replacement. Beware it's more than 100 dollars, but you also have the to buy the corresponding Amstrad CPC+/GX4000 adaptater :

  • the adaptater has a chip for ACID protection bypass
  • The adapters include a solderless jumper (one jumper is included, and extra jumpers can be purchased, required for ACID bypass)
  • 3.5mm jack allows connecting a BackButton (to move back in the menu without touching the backbit pro, some systems such as Amstrad require an included solderless jumper) or a GenAssister
  • Supports cartridge images (BIN/CPR) up to 1MB in size
  • Real-time-clock remembers date & time even after shutoff. Useful when creating new files or versions
  • One-button diagnostic mode helps you identify system faults (on most systems)
  • Upgradeable via MicroSD card


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