CreatiVision Console re-Creation

[Editor]

For those interested in the CreatiVision project, I've just recently added to the MECB GitHub repository, the following:

• CreatiVision ROM0 + ROM1 images for MECB_1MB_ROM_Expansion containing 16 CreatiVision Cartridges (plus a .PDF describing all 16 selectable CreatiVision Cartridges).
• 28C256 ROM image for MECB_6502_CPU, for the CreatiVision “Diagnostic B" cartridge, to allow CreatiVision / Controller testing (without a 1MB ROM Expansion Card).
• ATF16V8 compiled .jed files now added to all WinCupl folders, to allow easy direct PLD programming of various configurations (without the need for a WinCupl etc. install).

Have fun exploring your retro gaming console re-creation!

[djrm]

The initial post has now been updated for the final Part 4 of my CreatiVsion series, which presents my CreatiVision Mechanical Keyboard add-on to the Controller. This is also the culmination of my RetroChallenge 2024/10 project.

I ashamed to say that I did not realise that the RetroChallenge included an competition with a vote. I thought it was simply a personal challenge without the competitive element. I missed the vote but would have voted for the keyboard and controller if I'd have known in time, sorry about that. I'm following #RetroChallenge on Mastodon ready for next time anyway...

Best regards, David
NZ-3 and counting.

[Editor]

I ashamed to say that I did not realise that the RetroChallenge included an competition with a vote. I thought it was simply a personal challenge without the competitive element. I missed the vote but would have voted for the keyboard and controller if I'd have known in time, sorry about that. I'm following #RetroChallenge on Mastodon ready for next time anyway...

Not a worry at all! I didn't view my RetroChallenge participation as a competition entry anyway. It was just a bit of fun to keep me on-track to completing this overall project. Otherwise, I probably would've made a call for votes.

I'm just happy that the project went well and my personal October challenge was successfully delivered!

My biggest challenge now is lots of end-of-year tasks and commitments, taking me away from my available retro project time (I guess that's why they do RetroChallenge in October, and not later in the year!).
But, I have plenty of projects already in progress, just waiting for my next free time!

[djrm]

I've been itching to build this since it arrived whilst on vacation.

I have just finished building and testing my new keyboard and controller kit, everything seems to work with the creativision diagnostic B rom.
It works with an actual PS2 keyboard and the new Creativison recreation kit keyboard.
No problems building the kit everything fitted nicely, had a bit of a scare getting the diagnostic to run with a dodgy old eprom but ok on the 28c256.
something is a bit odd about the right arrow key in the diagnostic, it seems to be a fire button too, I see the same in Gregs video.
I need to find a joystick next, I think I still have an old blue one somewhere, perhaps I'll also find an old dead PS2 keyboard to rob its long cable.

I love the mid size keyboard and custom key caps, a work of art.

I'm thinking this design could be adapted for an OSI C1P keyboard which also uses a X/Y matrix layout.
Best regards, David.

[Editor]

Thanks for sharing this David. Much appreciated.

something is a bit odd about the right arrow key in the diagnostic, it seems to be a fire button too, I see the same in Gregs video.

Yes. I believe it's just the way the Diagnostic works. Each of the Joystick buttons is also represented by a Keyboard key.

What I found is that when I power-up the Diagnostic B, and initially have a blank screen (without hitting reset / NMI), it is the best way to test. With the blank screen, each keypress / joystick action displays the key / joystick action, in the keyboard grid, and below also shows the keypresses detected.

When you do this, it is clearer that each joystick button-press is a button + associated keyboard keypress.

I need to find a joystick next, I think I still have an old blue one somewhere, perhaps I'll also find an old dead PS2 keyboard to rob its long cable.

I highly recommend the recently released Atari CX78+ Wireless joypads! It's proven to be a really nice 2 button controller, and it's really awesome to use a controller without wires!

I hope you enjoyed your NZ visit. I'm hoping to get back into my many "retro projects in-progress" soon. But I've been struggling with the around 30 degree heat in my work-room, during our peak summer months. Also, I've been busy with family in addition to my usual new year home related projects (this year has been flat-pack furniture, and setting-up a new Dartboard space, complete with DIY AutoDarts scoring system). It's awesome!
But, must get back to my videos again soon.

[djrm]

I think I may have given away my old joystick some time ago, cant find it anyway. Just the excuse I need to get one of your recommended CX78+ wireless joypads and one is now on order. Maybe there is an old wired one at the museum I can use for a test. I'm not sure which of the old ones are compatible, i.e. with switches not analogue.

I put your games collection into a couple of roms and have these all working so plenty to try, Basic and Sonic Invader tested so far. Maybe try the other diagnostic roms too.

Does anybody know if the source code for a matrix keyboard read is available anywhere? I haven't found the Basic or games source code.

We had a fantastic time in NZ, We visited Napier for a few days in 28C hot weather where we even managed a swim in the warm sea. Then touring around the south island with the family then afterwards a few days in Wairarapa region. Finally attended my son's wedding before the long journey home. A lot of people we met were complaining about the slow start to the NZ summer, we couldn't have been happier leaving the worst of the UK winter weather back home.

Thinking about the next trip already...

[Editor]

Does anybody know if the source code for a matrix keyboard read is available anywhere? I haven't found the Basic or games source code.

I put the source code for the CreatiVision Mechanical Keyboard on github, here: CreatiVisionMechanicalKeyboard

All the other resources for the CreatiVision I mostly sourced from the CreativEmu website here: CreativEmu

On that website you can find original cartridge ROM images, as well as various Books which no doubt also provides some source code and examples for the CreatiVision Basic etc.

As the MECB CreatiVision re-creation is a hardware accurate replica, all of the CreatiVision ROM images / any 6502 source code, should just run, unchanged.

We had a fantastic time in NZ, We visited Napier for a few days in 28C hot weather where we even managed a swim in the warm sea. Then touring around the south island with the family then afterwards a few days in Wairarapa region. Finally attended my son's wedding before the long journey home. A lot of people we met were complaining about the slow start to the NZ summer, we couldn't have been happier leaving the worst of the UK winter weather back home.

Thinking about the next trip already...

Awesome to hear. We had UK relatives over for the first week of Jan. Summer only really started kicking in after they left. So far, Feb has been really awesome, nice days with minimal wind, just a bit too hot for my liking. If coming again, perhaps try and target February for the best NZ summer weather. I'm guessing Feb also probably coincides with the worst / coldest of the Northern hemisphere winter?

[djrm]

Thanks for the pointers, what I actually meant was is there an example of 6502 code which can be used to build a program to read from the MECB keyboard, I haven't seen and rom disassembly listings, perhaps I'll have a go at this myself one day - just for the keyboard functions.

Last time we were in NZ during April, thinking of a similar time for the next trip - perhaps a bit before NZ Autumn 2027

Its pretty miserable here, it hardly got light before it started to get dark again yesterday. Seville oranges were still for sale when we got back, I'm making a years supply of marmalade today.

The local shopkeeper said to me, you should have stayed there until at least February was over - I'm inclined to agree with him. David.

[djrm]

Here is the my full Creativision system, in the photo you can see I have attached the keyboard interface to the rear of the Motorola I/O card so its not loose on my desk, two of the mounting holes match those on the I/O card. its not perfect but will do.

I found an old PS2 keyboard to sacrifice to re-use its cable for the MECB keyboard, the board header fitted the new PCB without modification.

Also shown is my FTDI USB to TTL cable obtained from AE, I had to re-jig the cable pin order to suit the I/O card but having done that it makes a nice compact interface which is easily used. (n.b. RTS from the terminal drives CTS on the I/O card)

Next I'll add some protection to the rear of the keyboard PCB, maybee Acrylic or cardboard and arrange for a slight forward facing angle with short and long feet and a better cable strain relief.

[Editor]

Thanks for the pointers, what I actually meant was is there an example of 6502 code which can be used to build a program to read from the MECB keyboard, I haven't seen and rom disassembly listings, perhaps I'll have a go at this myself one day - just for the keyboard functions.

As expected, there are CreatiVision BIOS functions to read the keyboard / game ports. My original thoughts were to create a more generic PIA port matrix keyboard (and Joystick interfaces), and then to modify the BIOS to use the more generic interfaces.

But, my research also showed that many of the CreatiVision game cartridges don't actually use the BIOS, they instead use their own direct keyboard / joystick interface code. So, this would then entail disassembling, identifying and modifying each individual game. Certainly, not ideal, and not the solution I wanted.

The Creativision's controller interface is also quite unique, using dual buttons for each keypress. Hence the complexity of re-creating the controller interfaces and the need for the MT8816 Switch Array (and also why I went to the trouble of low-level interfacing the PS/2 key-press & key-release actions to CreatiVision key actions, for accurate hardware replication).
Doing it this way, not only ensured 100% hardware re-creation software compatibility, it opened the opportunity of the controller design also being used with an original Console (to replace original controllers).

Now, although I thought I was done with the CreatiVision project, I’m still toying with a few ideas, including the idea of making a MECB specific Card that’s effectively a combination of the Motorola IO Card (PIA + Sound only), and the Creativision Controller Card. Combining a MECB Card like this, together with a 6502 PLCC CPU Card (with on-board ROM expansion), would then make a nice all-in-one 3 Card MECB CreatiVision re-creation.

Well, 2025 is still young, who knows what will eventuate!