Improving the Graphics Gremlin #16

spark2k06 · 2023-02-05T17:03:23Z

More info:

https://hackaday.io/page/14228-improving-the-graphics-gremlin-project

- Video page management - Expansion of the video memory from 32Kb to 128Kb Note: Shared main memory with video memory is not possible due to the design of the hardware section. As a consequence, some games and/or applications that make use of it will not display correctly.

schlae

looks pretty good although i still need to test it on the real hardware.

one general comment: i'm not a huge fan of renaming mda to hgc because the logic is still mostly copied directly from the MDA schematic in the IBM tech ref. can you keep the MDA names but add hgc_ to all the Hercules signals that you added, making it super clear these are HGC-specific mods?

verilog/cga.v

verilog/cga_pixel.v

README.md

spark2k06 · 2023-02-06T06:10:50Z

looks pretty good although i still need to test it on the real hardware.

one general comment: i'm not a huge fan of renaming mda to hgc because the logic is still mostly copied directly from the MDA schematic in the IBM tech ref. can you keep the MDA names but add hgc_ to all the Hercules signals that you added, making it super clear these are HGC-specific mods?

I think that's right, as soon as I can I'll review all your comments and rethink the code according to your criteria.

My changes are not based on schematics, but on behaviour according to the HGC and Tandy 1000 technical manuals.

On the other hand, I may not have been very careful with the names of the registers and wires, you are free to rename them as you think is clearer for the project.

Only a couple of modified registers are kept for use in Hercules.

In addition, some texts are corrected

I have modified many of the texts to MDA/HGC, rather than just MDA, as suggested. However, it is at the author's discretion to update these files as appropriate.

spark2k06 · 2023-02-06T09:30:59Z

I've added new commits to my fork, but I don't quite know how to add them to this pull request:

https://github.com/spark2k06/graphics-gremlin/commits/main

@jotego

Adlib is based on JTOPL2 by @jotego. Others can be added later, e.g. CM/S at the same time in the same bitstream.

spark2k06 · 2023-02-12T16:24:42Z

I add bitstream 3 in my repository, initially with Adlib.

Adlib is based on @jotego's JTOPL2. Others can be added later, e.g. CM/S at the same time in the same bitstream.

spark2k06@a3fc3b2

Later, when you review the pull request, you may consider adding this commit to your main repository.

Bitstream 3 now consists of: * Adlib * Game Blaster (CMS) https://youtu.be/O5jq5LvJR_M

spark2k06 · 2023-02-16T14:39:37Z

Added Game Blaster (CMS) to Bitstream 3, now together with Adlib:

spark2k06@570dd63
spark2k06@60bb9b6

@somhi

Thanks to this change, some parts of the area5150 demo that didn't look right, like the dancing elephant, are now displayed correctly. Thanks @somhi for noticing this detail in MiSTer PCXT core.

spark2k06 · 2023-02-17T06:48:08Z

Improvement taken from the MiSTer PCXT port based on Graphics Gremlin, thanks to which some scenes from the Area5150 demo now look good:

spark2k06@42bff7b

Other graphical glitches were also not solved in the Graphics Gremlin part of the PCXT core, such as the initial text in the demo, with ghost lines appearing.

@gyurco

Thank you @gyurco for the idea and the tips for implementation. Several glitches of AREA5150 have been solved.

spark2k06 · 2023-03-12T19:02:16Z

CGA and Hercules CRTC updated to UM6845R

spark2k06@8453503

before:

after:

skiselev · 2023-07-20T14:22:25Z

The latest commit spark2k06@8453503 breaks CGA scan doubling.

@spark2k06 in his email mentioned that he intentionally disabled scan doubling because his VGA monitor works better with 15 kHz mode
In my tests with 3 different LCD monitors (spanning from early 2000 to a 2020 models) none of them were able to work with 15 kHz mode
I tried re-enabling scan doubling by reverting the relevant changes around cga.v lines 438-446 and all the cga_top.v changes. That somehow still didn't work
Finally, the scan doubling was re-enabled by reverting the spark2k06@8453503 commit (the other change there seems to be moving to a different MC6845 implementation)

explit7 · 2024-06-18T07:37:05Z

The latest commit spark2k06@8453503 breaks CGA scan doubling.

* @spark2k06 in his email mentioned that he intentionally disabled scan doubling because his VGA monitor works better with 15 kHz mode

* In my tests with 3 different LCD monitors (spanning from early 2000 to a 2020 models) none of them were able to work with 15 kHz mode

* I tried re-enabling scan doubling by reverting the relevant changes around cga.v lines 438-446 and all the cga_top.v changes. That somehow still didn't work

* Finally, the scan doubling was re-enabled by reverting the [spark2k06@8453503](https://github.com/spark2k06/graphics-gremlin/commit/8453503e26fb3384a3a737d101b5e054cf8a72e5) commit (the other change there seems to be moving to a different MC6845 implementation)

On my old Nokia Display from 1999 this commit also don't work. I get black screen. But the improvement of CGA glitches in this commit are really cool. @spark2k06 Is it possible to add this improvements but disable 15 kHz mode ?
At the moment you are the only one, who make active development on this project. It would be really a gift for the Retro PC community.
Thanks

explit7 · 2024-10-05T16:49:41Z

The most progress was made in the last commit spark2k06@8453503
Unfortunately the CGA Scandoubling doesnt works on "normal" "not Multisync" VGA Displays.
Maybe you can fix it, so it works with all VGA displays, @spark2k06

Please, Please, Please!!!

spark2k06 · 2024-10-08T03:56:08Z

The most progress was made in the last commit spark2k06@8453503 Unfortunately the CGA Scandoubling doesnt works on "normal" "not Multisync" VGA Displays. Maybe you can fix it, so it works with all VGA displays, @spark2k06

Please, Please, Please!!!

Sorry, I have been disconnected from the project for a while now. My daily work and chores are also limiting me a lot at the moment.

I hope someone else can collaborate, but if one day I find the time to take it up again, I will let you know.

explit7 · 2024-10-12T15:17:09Z

i fully understand you, @spark2k06

Let's hope, you will find time and motivation to bring it to the end. thank you very much!

spark2k06 added 4 commits February 5, 2023 12:22

Tools for new Tandy/CGA features

aee48a7

MDA upgrade to Hercules

ba0b633

Update binary and READMEs

7910875

spark2k06 mentioned this pull request Feb 5, 2023

MDA upgrade to Hercules #15

Open

schlae requested changes Feb 6, 2023

View reviewed changes

spark2k06 added 4 commits February 6, 2023 09:55

HGC names revert to MDA text

af90f89

Only a couple of modified registers are kept for use in Hercules.

Delete unused regs

0210d4b

revert to using none in default_nettype, instead of wire

4c934dc

In addition, some texts are corrected

Modification of READMEs to refer to MDA

e8a42ec

I have modified many of the texts to MDA/HGC, rather than just MDA, as suggested. However, it is at the author's discretion to update these files as appropriate.

Bitstream 3 available with Adlib soundcard

a3fc3b2

Adlib is based on JTOPL2 by @jotego. Others can be added later, e.g. CM/S at the same time in the same bitstream.

Added CMS to bitstream 3

570dd63

Bitstream 3 now consists of: * Adlib * Game Blaster (CMS) https://youtu.be/O5jq5LvJR_M

spark2k06 added 2 commits February 16, 2023 15:55

Normalize texts of sound registers

60bb9b6

Memory map selection according to video mode

42bff7b

Thanks to this change, some parts of the area5150 demo that didn't look right, like the dancing elephant, are now displayed correctly. Thanks @somhi for noticing this detail in MiSTer PCXT core.

CGA and Hercules CRTC updated to UM6845R

8453503

Thank you @gyurco for the idea and the tips for implementation. Several glitches of AREA5150 have been solved.

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Improving the Graphics Gremlin #16

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Improving the Graphics Gremlin #16

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Improving the Graphics Gremlin #16

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