Ultimately, I might never feel the need to use an actual c64 again if this is as good as it sounds!

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  • čas přidán 13. 08. 2022
  • The Ultimate 64? It must be, it says so on the board! We take the Gideon's Logic Ultimate 64 Elite board for a spin - and we like what we see!
    This episode has been sponsored by our good friends at PCBWay.com - Check out their website for all your PCB fabrication needs. pcbway.com - PCBs for as little as $5!
    Timestamps:
    00:00 Intro
    Follow the shack on twitter: / the_retro_shack
    Support the channel: ko-fi.com/theretroshack
    Check out our website at: theretroshack.uk
    Links
    Gideon's Logic
    ultimate64.com
  • Věda a technologie

Komentáře • 319

  • @TheRetroShack
    @TheRetroShack  Před rokem +17

    Thanks so much for watching! If you enjoyed the video, please subscribe as it really helps the channel to grow, and allows us to continue doing neat stuff like this :)

    • @Theineluctable_SOME_CANT
      @Theineluctable_SOME_CANT Před rokem +1

      Nice video, Sir.
      Great board.
      If that's your thing. (It's not mine....)

    • @gorrilaeatbanana3929
      @gorrilaeatbanana3929 Před rokem

      hey so i never knew but i slept ontop of a box of the full commodore setup it had the mouse commordore and the floppy drive and im supprised i never lnew for 3 years

    • @klaxoncow
      @klaxoncow Před rokem

      Disappointed that you didn't show us Driller running at 48MHz, after mentioning it.
      But a great video nonetheless.

  • @glenndoiron9317
    @glenndoiron9317 Před rokem +42

    Commodore 128 / 65816 emulation are basically the only things that this unit lacks.
    Want a PAL system? Check. Want an NTSC system? Check. Badline emulation for those games that use it? Check.
    Want a 1541, 1571, or 1581 drive? Check, you get two of those. Want a hard disk? Check.
    Want an REU? Check, up to 16MB. Want a faster processor? Check, up to 48Mhz.
    Want HDMI output? Check. Want chroma/luma output for your 1702 monitor? Check. Want composite output? Check.
    Want to use your old cartridges? Check. Want to use your old joysticks? Check. Want to use your old keyboard/case? Check.
    Want to use your old disk drives? Check. Want to use your old tape drive? Check.
    Want to use FTP to update the internal or external usb thumb drive? Check.
    Want to use Telnet to operate the menus on a remote machine without suspending the currently running program? Check.
    Want to accelerate that slow emulated 1541 with FastLoad, Jiffydos, or DolphinDOS? Check, check, and check.
    How about instant DMA loading for those 1-filed games? Check.
    You want audio? 6581/8580 emulated audio (x2) plus two sockets for real SIDs..
    The sheer quantity of features this unit has is ludicrous. Buying all the accessories and addons this simulates would cost thousands of dollars.

    • @andersjjensen
      @andersjjensen Před rokem

      Oh ghawd! You had me at telnet! 😜

    • @erwindewit4073
      @erwindewit4073 Před rokem +2

      Well, this is what I've been wondering about with the Ultimate64. If I play C64 software on the MiSTer, it really is cycle accurate. BUT, using my DB9 joystick via a (very low latency) USB DB9 converter introduces about a frame of delay. Who cares most people will say, but trying to play (Son Of) Blagger, Great Gianna Sisters or Bruce Lee 2 with that one frame of delay on the joystick input just makes a really hard game EVEN harder... Is there any delay on the DB9 joystick input on the Ultimate64? (Gidion?).

    • @klausstock8020
      @klausstock8020 Před rokem +4

      @@erwindewit4073 There's no additional delay. It *might* differ from the original by a few nanoseconds (maybe slower - or maybe faster), but neither you nor the game code will ever notice that.
      Considering that a USB DB9 converter has a minimum guaranteed latency of 1 millisecond, that should not matter much. Note that the USB HID standard specifies 10 milliseconds as the fastest polling interval, but the HID descriptor can be tweaked to allow for 1 millisecond polling; apparently, no operating systems actually checks whether the value in the HID description is actually within the specified limits. Yes, I did check that when I built my own USB DB9 converter in 2005 (called "CJoy", ancient design by now, schematics and firmware published on the C64-Wiki since 2005), at that time running with a 5 millisecond poll interval - that gave sufficiently low latency for emulation gaming. The idea to tweak the HID description with a (technically) invalid poll interval came up after emulation gamers complained that a commercial USB version on the Competition Pro design was too laggy for the sports games where you have to rattle the joystick like hell. So, 200 polls per second instead of the usual 100. Oh well, the (technically legitimate) 100 polls/second would probably have been good enough, as it turned out that the commercial chip had a bug - its HID descriptor asked to be polled every 80 milliseconds instead of the usual 10, so it had a rate of 12.5 poll/second. Yep, that was way too slow.

    • @erwindewit4073
      @erwindewit4073 Před rokem +2

      @@klausstock8020 Well, I am extremely sensitive to those timings I noticed. This USB DB9 converter has about 1 frame delay which is pretty incredible. Yet, I still notice. Well, on the C64 I do on the MiSTer, not on the Amiga, MegaDrive etc. I personally think it's a real pity that the MiSTer version of the C64 core dropped the SNAC support, as the MegaDrive makes it perfect.
      Still, now I really want to go try a Ultimate64. I've been thinking about it for a good while now. Pity it's not exactly cheap, and I still need a keyboard and case for it. But so be it. It's the C64 I love the most.......
      Thank you for your very elaborate explanation!
      I bought the Ultimate Deamon x2 by the way, as it is one of the fastest options out there...

    • @speedbird737
      @speedbird737 Před rokem +2

      for those who don't realise check means tick in UK English ;-)

  • @jandoor2068
    @jandoor2068 Před rokem +19

    As the owner of pretty much every hardware remake and add on for the C64 I have to say the Ultimate 64 Elite is by far the most impressive and full featured C64 replacement by a country mile (which I am told is 1.2 city miles ;) ).

  • @andersjjensen
    @andersjjensen Před rokem +46

    I'm amused that they used both an Altera (owned by Intel) and a Xilinx (owned by AMD) FPGA in the same machine.

    • @thadoctorreturns2999
      @thadoctorreturns2999 Před rokem +7

      Because the only perceived enemies Commodore had were Atari and IBM. 🤣

    • @eriksilveira9356
      @eriksilveira9356 Před rokem

      I had one notebook - not Mac - with Intel processor and ATI graphics card. The early hybrids graphics, the worst combination.

    • @ultramac1550
      @ultramac1550 Před rokem +3

      I guess with the Xilinx its more easy to connect 5V in and outputs to the fpga. Latest altera deviced uses 3.3 or 1.8V pins, so many conversions are nesessary

    • @HonestAuntyElle
      @HonestAuntyElle Před rokem

      2 different groups probably developed each of the programs? Vhdl?

    • @ShieTar_
      @ShieTar_ Před 10 měsíci

      ​@@thadoctorreturns2999 No, no, they also competed with Apple.

  • @igork3522
    @igork3522 Před rokem +11

    Ultimate64 is the best thing ever happened to C64. It is amazing peace of ingeneering and Gideon made it perfect. I have it in c64 casing connected to original floppy drive and datassette and also 1084 monitor. I use old media and my son likes it a lot. When I want it to be faster, I use usb for loading stuff. It is also connected to my network so I can send files directly to it. Just amazing replacement for C64 that will last forever.

  • @robertsissco2439
    @robertsissco2439 Před rokem +8

    Had a hick-up on my board, Gideon's site marked mine as shipped when it never was. Contacted him, and he responded on his July vacation to get it fixed in the system and my board was shipped out the first day back, so the customer service from the site is amazing. Still have not gotten it yet, but I have a case with a LED MEchboard64 keyboard all ready to go with RGB LED's and a white power LED put in, so I think it is going to look amazing.

    • @TheRetroShack
      @TheRetroShack  Před rokem +2

      Good service is worth a LOT - good to hear that Gideon's Logic are all over stuff like that.

  • @Dogboy73
    @Dogboy73 Před rokem +9

    As a C64 owner, some years ago when I was 11, circa 1982, this is the coolest / geekiest thing I've ever seen. I want one.

  • @braeguardplays
    @braeguardplays Před rokem +28

    I would absolutely love to see a C128 implentation of this.

    • @VenomStryker
      @VenomStryker Před rokem

      It looked like he already had it in a C128 case. Also, with the insane memory and CPU speed available on this thing, you could basically use it like a C128 and more!

    • @sierraromeoromeo2444
      @sierraromeoromeo2444 Před rokem +3

      @@VenomStryker That's a C64C case. The C128 also has a numeric keypad.

    • @c128stuff
      @c128stuff Před rokem +1

      @@VenomStryker the c128 has hardware the U64 doesn't emulate. There are people who use it for 128 mode instead of just a glorified c64.

    • @lordevyl8317
      @lordevyl8317 Před rokem +1

      @@c128stuff I never actually owned an actual C64 (at least in my youth), I went right from a VIC-20 to a secondhand Coleco Adam (briefly) to a C128, while I did spend a nice bit of time in C64 mode, I was one of the few who spent an equal amount of time in native 128 mode, primarily because I liked used GEOS, and GEOS was far better on the C128 than it was on the C64. Plus Infocom text adventures were much better in 80 column C128 mode then they were in C64 mode.

  • @thomasa76
    @thomasa76 Před rokem +23

    Have had the Ultimate 64 Elite a couple of weeks now, it’s just an amazing implementation of the C64. Love it!

    • @tommygron4636
      @tommygron4636 Před rokem +2

      Agree, got mine like a month ago and I'm completely in love with it...

    • @AlexKidd4Fun
      @AlexKidd4Fun Před rokem +1

      I need to build a MiSTer before long. Sure it's not as authentic but my love doesn't end with the C64 alone. I admit I love the speaker disk sound emulation though. 👍

    • @blackterminal
      @blackterminal Před rokem

      @@AlexKidd4Fun mister is very expensive

    • @little_fluffy_clouds
      @little_fluffy_clouds Před měsícem

      @@blackterminal MiSTer is not at all expensive once you realise how many systems it provides, everything from the Atari 2600 to the Nintendo 64. Simply astounding value for money.

  • @jotarokujo3395
    @jotarokujo3395 Před rokem +20

    This is actually a really interesting idea. I might have to pick myself one of these up to give it a spin sometime. Much better for the modern day.

    • @UNSCPILOT
      @UNSCPILOT Před rokem

      agreed, just found a real 1541 floppy drive for the C64 recently, seriously considering getting this (and 3D Printing a clear case for fun) and or the Commander X16, depending on which I can get first, it'll make a good companion for the Athlon 64 based XP PC I'm in the midst of building now

  • @gideonz74b
    @gideonz74b Před rokem +25

    Sounds like a nice board!😃

  • @elphive42
    @elphive42 Před rokem +5

    I have an Ultimate 64 Elite, and absolutely love it. Got a Commodore MAX-inspired silver custom case for it, and it’s so nice to just plug in a USB stick and play every game designed for the system without having to worry about failing discs or tapes.

    • @klausstock8020
      @klausstock8020 Před rokem

      ...and without the fear of a failing C64 power supply which would fry the unit.

    • @blackterminal
      @blackterminal Před rokem

      Something to be said for using real disks though. It's an experience

  • @lochinvar00465
    @lochinvar00465 Před 14 dny

    About that "classic 1541 drive sound". After a thorough clean and lube, my 1541's were so quiet that it was hard to tell if it was working unless you looked at the drive activity light. That sound is a result of improper lubrication of the drive head rails(looking at you, Commodore) They could have been very quiet from the factory except of course during the head rattle(which can be turned off).
    Meanwhile, I am blown away with this machine. May have to get a junked 64 just for the case and get one of these if for nothing more than to play "Driller" without losing my mind. Thank you for posting this.

  • @TatsuZZmage
    @TatsuZZmage Před rokem +1

    "Tuneful Eight" seems to be the only thing that has made use of the 8 sid chips ability lol, nice bit of music.

  • @Hellwyck
    @Hellwyck Před rokem +2

    Superb conversion of the Master System Sonic.

  • @Jasonsadventures
    @Jasonsadventures Před rokem +2

    I've been the proud owner of board number 38 for many years (from the very first batch), still going strong

  • @Stryder_The_Nite_Owl
    @Stryder_The_Nite_Owl Před rokem +10

    I purchased one from Gideon back in 2019 and I'm so glad I did. The Ultimate 64 is truly the best way to experience the C64.

    • @peterjensen3162
      @peterjensen3162 Před rokem +7

      After my opinion C64 is the best way to experience the C64

    • @surfinbirdzx
      @surfinbirdzx Před rokem +1

      @@peterjensen3162 I totally agree.

    • @McRcFly
      @McRcFly Před 11 měsíci +1

      I bought mine around the same time.
      Love it.

  • @haysoos123
    @haysoos123 Před rokem +2

    The Ultimate 64 board is amazing, but it's a real shame that the Ultimate II+ has been so hard to get. I'm glad I got one well before the worldwide shortages, because it's a great piece of kit that allows you to have all the modern conveniences using original hardware.

  • @johncabrer2328
    @johncabrer2328 Před 11 měsíci +1

    IMHO no cart will take the top prize until I see MIDI In/Out and a pass-through cartridge interface.

  • @SeanChYT
    @SeanChYT Před rokem +2

    Everyone likes different things. For me I like to modify the old motherboards with armsid, static ram, plankton/neatpla, modern ROMs, c0pperdragon rf mod replacement (analog only), DCDC converters instead of 7805/7812, modern 8701 replacements, new connectors / power switch, new el. caps, heatsinks and a refurbished case/keyboard. That is my sweet spot. Others will think my choice is "too much modern replacements" too, but for me I prefer to have the original VIC-II, processor and motherboard.

    • @tommygron4636
      @tommygron4636 Před rokem

      I love my retro computers and consoles, but got limited space. So I have to choose, Having this instead of a complete C64 setup with diskdrives and whatnot, allows me to divulge in other systems I also love... And tbh. I'm just like you with the system closest to my heart, the Atari ST

  • @inphanta
    @inphanta Před rokem +5

    You’ve just put Gideon’s orders through the roof! 😂

  • @chrisallen6010
    @chrisallen6010 Před rokem +1

    I hope the team who did this are able to make a good living and continue what they are doing. Just seeing the pictures and hearing the sounds is enough to trigger a massive nostalgic smile.

  • @0kti
    @0kti Před rokem +3

    Received almost month ago. Great hardware. Installed led strip and dual led. Works great.

  • @bloombergwhistleblower

    It is amazing how your channel grew so quickly from a couple of thousand to 20k+. Always am enjoying your content. Thanks.

    • @6581punk
      @6581punk Před rokem

      They're well made and the narration is good. If the person doing the talking is boring it unfortunately means the channel probably won't get anywhere.

  • @KingMob4313
    @KingMob4313 Před rokem +3

    Those marks that look like gouges are from resting against power cords for the C64, IIRC. Something about the chemical in the cords that melts the plastic.

  • @RetroNowTV
    @RetroNowTV Před rokem +2

    I've had one of these for a couple of years now and it's a great way to build a new C64 with some modern features like HDMI output. I made a couple of videos on it over on my channel, where I take you through what was my 'lockdown' project, including the various options I considered at the time. I've acquired several more C64s since including a THEC64 and one built with the Faszination C64. Of course I also have a few vintage C64s as well but in reality, these don't see much use except for when I need a real nostalgia hit.

  • @KiraSlith
    @KiraSlith Před rokem +24

    Usually my take away from an FPGA based product is "Ew, too expensive for what it does, lame." like the MiSTer MSC, but that's actually surprisingly cheap for a complete, hardware compatible main board upgrade. They seem to have taken full advantage of every advantage an FPGA could offer too. If I was into the C64 I'd jump on this like a mad dog.

    • @beatchef
      @beatchef Před rokem +2

      I agree with the Mister MSC but that is just a mostly unnecessary expansion board and case. Getting the Mister on its own with a ram board is amazing value to play every 4, 8 and 16 bit consoles and computers really accurately for £130 on something the size of a box of matches. This Ultimate C64 is nice if you really really really want something that exactly fits in a C64 case and can natively attach to real hardware, it's a shame it can't also do other consoles or dual boot to Mister, especially as it costs twice as much as a Mister...

    • @KiraSlith
      @KiraSlith Před rokem +1

      @@beatchef Thus why I specified the MiSTer MSC and not "MiSTer" in general.
      I wouldn't be surprised if basic FPGA emulation for other home computers from the era is added to Ultimate C64 later, It's seemingly the only FPGA feature they didn't take full advantage of, even though the hardware is more than capable of it.

    • @surfinbirdzx
      @surfinbirdzx Před rokem

      Why bother when you have an emulator on a PC? The only good in this board for me is ZIF sockets for real SIDs. I like real hardware. Real c64s are still avaliable and with pi1541 and new power supplies they are very reliable.
      I like the idea of putting ZIFs to give opportunity to insert original chips like 6502, VIC2 and SID. That will be the board I consider to buy.

    • @KiraSlith
      @KiraSlith Před rokem +4

      @@surfinbirdzx Because it's not emulation, it's not software, the FPGA is effectively recreating an entire C64 in hardware, accurate down to the gate. Even on modern computers that'd be a brutal emulation to run and would lack the satisfaction of real hardware. The ZIF sockets for SID chips are just there to satisfy the people who like the imperfections of an original SID, it can recreate 9 of it's own SIDs without an original, all hooked up to the proper registers and crystal clear.
      Look, FPGAs are an incredibly complicated technology to explain, way too much to explain in a CZcams comment. Even then they're one of those thing where even to an enthusiast like myself, technology starts to resemble magic.

    • @jesperjohnsen5336
      @jesperjohnsen5336 Před rokem

      Well you could get a reloaded mkii aswell from icomp probly the best real c64 solution or a mister if Fpga is your thing

  • @Duvoncho
    @Duvoncho Před rokem +2

    Thank you for the video, this looks like a very fun project. I have an old C64 in the cupboard along with a Megadrive. I toyed with the idea of harvesting the audio chips to make a DIY synth (which I could still do with the Megadrive). Perhaps I'll have a look at this for the C64. Hmmm you've given me lots to think about! 👍

  • @thedungeondelver
    @thedungeondelver Před rokem +4

    That 48mhz clock is drawing me closer and closer. I would love to play Gunship, Elite, Echelon, subLOGIC's Jet, Access' golf games, and so many others at a decent frame rate. Great video, thank you.

    • @screenname1
      @screenname1 Před rokem +1

      Can't you do that with an emulator?

    • @klausstock8020
      @klausstock8020 Před rokem

      Elite will run too fast, it doesn't use any frame sync. Not sure whether any of the other games does, just tried Elite.

    • @LaepsynPaepsyn
      @LaepsynPaepsyn Před rokem

      I don't think there are many games at all that won't run too fast, I'm afraid. Hardware accelerators such as the SuperCPU weren't an attractive target for development as practically nobody had them due to their price and lack of software support. I'm not sure about Driller and the other games in that series, though!

  • @geehaf
    @geehaf Před rokem +1

    Great video. I have one too. Great bit of kit. Interested to find out more about using the FTP server. Cheers.

  • @rodoherty1
    @rodoherty1 Před rokem +3

    I bought an Ultimate 64 (not the elite) a few years ago and I love it!! To me, it's an authentic C64 experience (tapes and peripherals) while still benefiting from modern conveniences (HDMI and SD cards) Are there any interesting demos/games with 2 SIDs? I don't think I've experienced music tracks with 2 SIDs.

  • @SirChristian100
    @SirChristian100 Před měsícem

    Good job on the paintjob!!

  • @chainq68k
    @chainq68k Před rokem +3

    Yeah, now you understand why people are all over the Ultimate II+ cart. That lets you use most of these goodies (minus some obvious bits like the higher clocked CPU) with any regular C64. I'm about to order my 2nd Ultimate II+, and I'm very heavily contemplating getting an Ultimate 64 board too. Not like I don't have enough toys, and I'm not even really that much of a C64 person... But it's just too good.

    • @LaepsynPaepsyn
      @LaepsynPaepsyn Před rokem

      The UII+ is absolutely brilliant, completely agree!

  • @forkless
    @forkless Před rokem +1

    The "best" cartridge for C64 I've ever owned was a Final Cartridge (1 or 2, I don't remember it's been too long) with custom ROM. Not because it was the fastest of the bunch, but it had so much functionality. It supported my C64 with 256kB RAM expansion (from 64'ER magazin) and was able to hold a bunch of tools (most notably custom Turbo Assembler with label support and FCopy III+, that allowed 1541 floppy disks to be copied in one go without swapping the disc). You could even bank switch between multiple games.
    ps. I also remember the toxic rivalry between C64 and Amiga owners -- also know as the OG fan bois -- back in the day. Ah, nostalgia!

  • @JeffreyvanderSchilden

    Awesome board. Awesome video. Cheers!

  • @gregclare
    @gregclare Před rokem +3

    That’s an awesome implementation. Might even consider getting one… if they are ever available again.

    • @Labelwhore6040
      @Labelwhore6040 Před rokem

      There’s always been a waiting list for these. There was when I got mine long before the chip shortage. Put your name on the list, it’s worth the wait.

  • @SidebandSamurai
    @SidebandSamurai Před rokem

    Brilliant video. I really love your channel. Never covered the cost of the Ultimate 64. You got a like from me. I am simply amazed at how technology has come from the days when the C64 came out.

  • @3089io
    @3089io Před rokem +3

    You could use a bunch of virtual SID chips for some kind of ambisonic chiptune orchestra.

    • @UNSCPILOT
      @UNSCPILOT Před rokem

      pipe that threw some effects and back it up with some other instruments or synths and that could be a lot of fun!

  • @SkyCharger001
    @SkyCharger001 Před rokem +1

    I know of one SID-file Septet in the HVSC, but AFAIK these files were made to run on 7 synchronized C64s, not one C64 with seven SIDs.

  • @douro20
    @douro20 Před rokem +2

    Pi1541 has been ported to the ESP32, and I think that's a much more appropriate platform as you don't really need something as fast as a Pi Zero to fill that task.

    • @desiv1170
      @desiv1170 Před rokem +1

      Nice to know it has been ported to the ESP32. That said, the Pi Zero is barely fast enough for that task. In fact, you have to overclock the Pi0 to run the Pi1541 (and you can't use HDMI on the Pi0 while running Pi1541).

  • @MrMaxeemum
    @MrMaxeemum Před rokem +2

    I have no problem painting cases so long as they damaged / repaired like this, I have few cases with melted cable marks and look great in garish colours. I would never do it to a case that isn't damaged though.

  • @JerryJ26
    @JerryJ26 Před rokem

    I had a C64 from the 1982 until the mid 90's. One of the best things I did was get the stereoSID cartridge with the StereoSID player for making and playing 6 channel music.

  • @thadoctorreturns2999
    @thadoctorreturns2999 Před rokem

    Really nice video. Informative, not over the top, and has that "How It's Made" vibe to it.
    I use an Ultimate 64 to run my BBS. Although it will answer using its internal ACIA, I prefer an actual Turbo232 cartridge.

  • @kelvin1316
    @kelvin1316 Před rokem +1

    Awesome bit of kit. If I were more into the C64 I would think about it. I do feel that they integrate to much into these sorts of things. Half the fun of having the kit is plugging in things, inserting disks or tapes etc. I wonder if it could be made cheaper by removing the tape/disk/cart/sid etc emulation and having them as plug in options attaching to the ports, so you could buy the addons you need/want rather than all of them, even if you aren't going to use them.
    Still this is a great bit of kit and defiantly worth it!

  • @6581punk
    @6581punk Před rokem

    I ordered one and it arrived the same day as my Spectrum Next did. What a funny coincidence, two FPGA machines on the same day.

  • @boydpukalo8980
    @boydpukalo8980 Před rokem

    I bought an Ultimate 64 Elite what 3 years ago now before the chip shortages/pandemic/board redesign and its awesome. I also got brand new black and sx64 colored C64C injection molded cases from Europe along with the LED strip, internal speaker, exterior badging, and just this year a brand newly built Mechboard64 mechanical keyboard/mounting plate w/blue switches. The only thing I need is a brand new set of keycaps. I wish someone made them.........Everything is brand new. Oh year ARM SID too.

  • @MrTompkins
    @MrTompkins Před rokem +2

    Strange looking Commodore 64 case! I dont remember ever seeing this design before 0.o

    • @k4be.
      @k4be. Před rokem +5

      Looks like a typical C64C. This version came out after the C128 and was made to look similar.

  • @HifiCentret
    @HifiCentret Před rokem

    That is NICE! Unfortunately not available at the moment due to chip shortages. Hadn't I already ordered a Reloaded MK2 I might have ordered this. Oh well. The reloaded is nice for testing most of the chips. Eventually I'll get this or if the Ultimate-II+ cartridge has FTP as well. That is nice you don't have to swap USB drives.
    Oh well I'm only on ordinary paychecks and I already ordered a heck of a lot of parts for a(n almost) new C64 with 466 board. Still need the board though as I want it in blue or purple (only red and black available at the moment). Must both machine have new cases (one new is on the way) and mechboards which I'll not start out with then they're going to be quite expensive.
    How large USB drives does it support? Does it support other than FAT formatted drives? NTFS or at least exFAT would be nice. If you want to load up the entire HVSC and a ton of games the FAT file system can become unstable in my experience. Does it support .tap files too? Found a site which have about 1900 tapes in tap format and availabel in a single zip file - nice

  • @speedysandisk78
    @speedysandisk78 Před rokem +3

    Are there any display options? Fuzziness, scanlines? I have a pi 4 with retropie and a BMC64, both in original cases with original keyboards but my preference goes to the pi 4 because of the full featured Vice emulator that allows me to soften those horribly sharp HDMI pixels.

    • @crackerwax
      @crackerwax Před rokem

      Scanlines only I'm afraid. They're pretty decent on a fully HD, or better, monitor but I was scratching my head when I plugged it into a 20", 720p Sony set I picked up recently.
      It looked awful.
      Nice crisp pixels is my preferred route anyway though...

    • @StefanHolmes
      @StefanHolmes Před rokem

      Scanlines is the only option. However, you can still go to the trouble of finding a compatible CRT monitor like the Commodore 1084S and connect to that for some true nostalgia.

  • @lennaertedens4624
    @lennaertedens4624 Před rokem +1

    The algorithm gods have worked! Amazing video!

  • @fmichlick
    @fmichlick Před rokem +1

    Love my ultimate 64 elite and couldn't do without it. I got a 6581 and 8580 SID in it. Of course I got some "real" C64s as well.

  • @curtisscott9251
    @curtisscott9251 Před rokem +1

    It's a really good idea to put a heat sink on that SID chip...

  • @charlesjmouse
    @charlesjmouse Před rokem +1

    Very good! Thanks.
    "...and I promise you it won't be mustard yellow." Now that's an awesome idea! Paint an old case to look like it's yellowed. Give it another 30 years and a subsequent owner will be really puzzled when the darn thing won't Retr0Brite. :-D

    • @blackterminal
      @blackterminal Před rokem

      I hate retro Brite. I'll never believe it doesn't damage the plastic

  • @Labelwhore6040
    @Labelwhore6040 Před rokem

    I have a fairly early revision, and it’s every bit as awesome as it sounds.

  • @davedavenport8673
    @davedavenport8673 Před rokem

    In the mount and run menu if you choose DMA load it will load nearly instantly. Unless of course you want to wait for disk load like the old days.

  • @rockyhill3
    @rockyhill3 Před rokem +2

    Great video!

  • @UCs6ktlulE5BEeb3vBBOu6DQ

    I've been dreaming of this for Nintendo NES

  • @8BitRetroReFix
    @8BitRetroReFix Před rokem

    The 1541Ultimate cartridge rocks ive 2 of them .. But i really want the Ultimate 64 full board now .. Great video mate :) ... Note if you use the ultimate64 kernal you can use DMA for instant loading :) ..

  • @talideon
    @talideon Před rokem +1

    This is quite impressive!

  • @RiptideRoach
    @RiptideRoach Před rokem +7

    I was on the fence about the black paint job even though it technically matched the board but after i saw the decal..
    Looks mf NICE

  • @dougjohnson4266
    @dougjohnson4266 Před rokem +1

    You will love the U64E.

  • @bovenwijs2001
    @bovenwijs2001 Před rokem

    Nice video. I own the Ultimate-II + for a couple of years now and find the cartridge great. This should be the next step. I noticed that all your screenshots are wide screen. The video output from the Ultimate-64-Elite should be 720x576 (PAL version) so I imagine that your settings on the HDMI monitor or capture device don't take the right aspect ratio into account. Can this be the case?

    • @stefanweilhartner4415
      @stefanweilhartner4415 Před rokem

      the horizontal resolution of 720 pixels per line doesn't have anything to do with the c64.
      everyone made his own home brewn horizontal resolution back in the days. sometimes they used the quarz oscillator to make the color carrier for the individual video standard as a base frequency and derived the pixel clock and cpu clock from it. sometimes the color carier frequency with a fixed ratio from the quarz oscillator.

    • @bovenwijs2001
      @bovenwijs2001 Před rokem +1

      @@stefanweilhartner4415 the point here is that the aspect ratio of 4:3 is the standard those days and not the 16:9 that is shown in the video. I only want to point out that the screenshots don’t do enough justice although they give an overall great picture. The Elite outputs the 4:3 aspect ratio (see documentation) so I figured there must be a setting on the monitor or capture card that isn’t quite right.

  • @agentmith
    @agentmith Před rokem

    Just once I’d like to be able to find one of these retro hardware remake videos, learn about something I’ve been wishing would happen for years, then just be able to order it. 100% of the time its out of stock. Every single time. This one hurt, too. I’ve been wanting to get something like this for what seems like forever.

  • @Jimfowler82
    @Jimfowler82 Před rokem +1

    Disk drive noises! Cassette loading

  • @skaltura
    @skaltura Před rokem +1

    Shame, sold out! :(
    Haven't played with C64 in decades, but this looked so good i was about to buy the board and figure out the chassis later despite my very restrictive schedule.
    Sonic the hedgehog looks AMAZING for C64 :O :O

  • @madpuppet666
    @madpuppet666 Před rokem +1

    so tempted to get this but my 2 c64s are working so it would be sacrilege to gut real c64s for this. maybe if I get a broken c64 with a working keyboard, this would be perfect.

  • @mikelukasik9996
    @mikelukasik9996 Před rokem

    Great Idea but I cannot find where do order one, one question will the board output NTSC

  • @davedavenport8673
    @davedavenport8673 Před rokem

    Look for Tuneful 8 by LMan. It is a multi SId song. I think there are instructions out on the internet somewhere on how to set up UltiSid to play it properly.

  • @pickholder6189
    @pickholder6189 Před rokem +2

    What mic are you using. Sounds great !

    • @TheRetroShack
      @TheRetroShack  Před rokem

      Thanks! I'm using a Samson G-Track Pro and a FiFine K678 in the studio at the moment :)

  • @kaptnwirrbart4467
    @kaptnwirrbart4467 Před rokem

    Oh and this vid just scratched the surface a bit. Owning two Ultimate-Boards I really can tell you, it's the best piece of Hardware a C64 enthusiast can buy. Make yourself a wonderful present as long boards are in stock.

  • @braillynn4903
    @braillynn4903 Před rokem

    I really want one of these!

  • @merman1974
    @merman1974 Před rokem +1

    Excellent. I thought the board needed extra bits to fit into a C64C case?

    • @TheRetroShack
      @TheRetroShack  Před rokem +1

      On some c64c cases the keyboard clips into the top section of the case, so no mounting blocks are required :)

  • @IronMan3582
    @IronMan3582 Před rokem

    I thought it was going to be a port/conversion of the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive release of Sonic and how in the heck how that would work…but it’s the one for the Master System which suddenly makes a lot more sense…and it runs it extremely well.
    Also, dare I say that release (Master System) in many ways better than the Genesis/Mega Drive counterpart

  • @kyorin6526
    @kyorin6526 Před rokem

    Will it work with the USB joysticks that come with the Maxi/Mini?

  • @Theineluctable_SOME_CANT

    THIS ABSOLUTELY CRACKS ME UP!!!!!
    What a CRAPPY CPU!

  • @philrod1
    @philrod1 Před rokem

    Great. Something else that I don't need ... but I REALLY REALLY want!

  • @Colin_Ames
    @Colin_Ames Před rokem +1

    Nice piece of hardware, for sure.

  • @eponymousarchon
    @eponymousarchon Před rokem

    Okay, so we could see you had the .d64 file for it on the storage there - how well _did_ Driller run in massively-overclocked mode? 😉
    (Smooth as silk, ridiculously oversteering controls - or both at once?)

    • @ChrisM541
      @ChrisM541 Před rokem +2

      Exactly.
      It all depends on how the game did it's frame updates - as long as the player controls routine was tied to a timer, and that timer stayed at the same speed, then all should be ok. Additionally, the gxf update component would need to be the opposite so it is indeed speeded up by that 'CPU overclock'. There are many C64 games where this is not the case for the player input - here, everything speeds up, including player movement speed - and the game becomes unplayable. Vice64 etc have similar speedup options - test Driller out here.

  • @rkadowns
    @rkadowns Před rokem +2

    What about demos that require a 1541 to function properly? Do those work?

    • @TheRetroShack
      @TheRetroShack  Před rokem

      Let me know a specific one and I’ll test it :)

  • @JGreen-le8xx
    @JGreen-le8xx Před rokem +21

    I would have loved to buy this but at $330 CAD it's a little too spicy for my pockets. Had it been $100, I'd be saying "Where do I sign up?!!!"

    • @c128stuff
      @c128stuff Před rokem +6

      Making that price point however is not really possible, especially not at the moment.

    • @0xD1CE
      @0xD1CE Před rokem +3

      The FPGA chip itself costs like $100

    • @fmichlick
      @fmichlick Před rokem +1

      Selling it under cost for a side project isn't really possible though.

    • @c128stuff
      @c128stuff Před rokem +1

      @@fmichlick not to mention.. with the current price, supply is a much bigger issue than demand, especially with the current lead times for fpgas.

    • @JGreen-le8xx
      @JGreen-le8xx Před rokem +1

      OMG! It's sad when I have to REPLY TO MY OWN POST! Do any of you think that I don't know things COST MONEY or that an individual is doing this on his own. Had ANY of you read my post, I SAID "it is too spicy for my pockets." IN OTHER WORDS, I DON'T HAVE 300 BUCKS TO JUST CHUCK AWAY AT A COMMODORE EMULATOR!... LAST TIME I CHECKED, KEEPING A ROOF OVER MY HEAD AND FOOD ON MY PLATE ALONG WITH BILLS BEING PAID COMES FIRST. But I guess all the people in chat must be made of MONEY!

  • @adilsongoliveira
    @adilsongoliveira Před rokem +3

    I'm a fan of Commodores but they were never sold here in Brazil and find one around is almost impossible and will cost you an arm and leg. This might be an interesting alternative.

    • @stephenpalmer9375
      @stephenpalmer9375 Před rokem +2

      Except you’ll need the case and keyboard

    • @adilsongoliveira
      @adilsongoliveira Před rokem +4

      @@stephenpalmer9375 Yes but those are easier to find or import.

    • @speedysandisk78
      @speedysandisk78 Před rokem +1

      Wow, you guys didn't even have clone 64's over there? I heard you could buy Sinclair Spectrum clones in the 80's and 90's in Brazil, I kinda assumed the c64 had a similar treatment

    • @klausstock8020
      @klausstock8020 Před rokem +1

      @@speedysandisk78 The C64 used custom chips manufactured by Commodore while the ZX Spectrum used standard chips, except for the ULA, which was a (rather primitive) programmable gate array. The ULA could be cloned easily (some GDR clones even did so with standard logic chips).
      Reverse engineering of the C64's VIC and SID was still ongoing in the 2000s, and a perfect recreation of the 6581 SID is still considered a "holy grail" today. I am, however, very much impressed by the quality of the emulation in the Ultimate 64.

  • @RichardBarnes0
    @RichardBarnes0 Před rokem

    Seems like these are not available until late this year. Can't get the FPGA's to build them. So I am looking for a different solution. I think I might just have to build my own from-scratch PCBWAY here I come.

  • @janet.snakehole
    @janet.snakehole Před rokem

    @4:42 what was the name of the product you used to fill in the blemishes? 2 part ____? 🤔 thanks ✌️

  • @SelfIndulgentGamer
    @SelfIndulgentGamer Před rokem

    Omg, I have no words!

  • @Vermilicious
    @Vermilicious Před rokem

    Ooh. Pricey.

  • @jmtx.
    @jmtx. Před rokem

    Sounds to be an awesome board, literally. Definitely getting your money’s worth this one. Not sure how they emulator the Epyx Fastloader since it depended on very timing-sensitive charging and discharging of capacitors.

    • @GarryGri
      @GarryGri Před rokem

      Well I would think you could rebuild that with the FGPA approach.
      Wonder if they'd ever consider building a 'fully loaded' VIC 20 version?

  • @gdawwg1125
    @gdawwg1125 Před rokem

    I have no desire to play any C64 games
    But I still enjoy this content

  • @sandmanxo
    @sandmanxo Před rokem

    While it's a very cool board, I don't regret preordering an ultimate 2+ about a month ago. I really wish I had ordered it in 2018 like a planned but got busy with real life. I'm hoping it ships before the end of the year.

  • @davidfisher7800
    @davidfisher7800 Před 10 měsíci

    Do you remember the Superboad two computers . It would be great if you could feature one

  • @Dianaranda123
    @Dianaranda123 Před rokem

    This is actually really cool, if i can find an old C64 case i might even do this to, i loved my old C64 to this day i regret selling it.

    • @iguanac6466
      @iguanac6466 Před rokem

      You can buy brand new 64C cases relatively inexpensively (you'll also have to buy the keyboard standoffs for the 64C case with this board and a used keyboard off somewhere like Ebay)

    • @Dianaranda123
      @Dianaranda123 Před rokem

      @@iguanac6466 think i'd rather buy a somewhat none functional C64 for a cheap price and use the keyboard etc from there, i still got some plastic stand off laying around so that isnt an issue.

  • @meneerjansen00
    @meneerjansen00 Před rokem +1

    I hope there's a way to fix the aspect ratio?

  • @garyjohnson4608
    @garyjohnson4608 Před rokem +1

    Does Commodore still exist in one form or another ? If it does, who owns what is left of it ?

    • @TheRetroShack
      @TheRetroShack  Před rokem +1

      I think Cloanto own most of the IP these days?

  • @CaptZenPetabyte
    @CaptZenPetabyte Před rokem +2

    This should fit into a breadbin c64 as well?

  • @misterdrez
    @misterdrez Před rokem

    hey does this work with real 64 drives or carts? i have a 1581 and a action replay but i REALLY WANT TO PAY SOMEONE TO DUMP THOSE DISKS (they are all home made) and i have a real arv6 but i use a cart image with vice (will that work with this?)

  • @zonegamma8197
    @zonegamma8197 Před rokem

    Very cool video

  • @retroblogit
    @retroblogit Před rokem

    Good luck in finding one up for sale

  • @sporthaas
    @sporthaas Před rokem

    i love this product. I can recommend every Commdore fan to buy one.

  • @RobotnikPlays
    @RobotnikPlays Před rokem

    I imagine having all those SID chip options are for the people that use the C64 to make music

  • @dadawoodslife
    @dadawoodslife Před 7 měsíci

    Is that the Royal 'We' that you are using or just pretension?

  • @paparansen
    @paparansen Před rokem

    do you know, there is something called aspect ratio ?