Early bird: World's first 100% new C64!
Added 2023-01-12 23:40:44 +0000 UTCVideo updated with a few tweaks and a configurator slide at 33:37 to help you pick the best new C64 for your tastes.
Original post: This was a mammoth project but it all came together in time to give you your much deserved early access. Thanks to the newly created C64 keycaps, and some rather magical motherboards, please meet (probably) the first ever all new Commodore 64!
Video: https://youtu.be/Qhdc-jgwqVQ
For those interested, as well as the normal challenges of filming so much content and cutting it down to 30-ish minutes, I had some gruelling technical problems with this one. Here's what happened and how I overcame it:
- Rode Wireless GO2 mic failure: I used to love Rode but they've gone downhill lately. Not only did a firmware update wipe the mic's recordings without any warning (I let them know), but after the firmware update it turned off the automatic record, meaning the entire first half of the video had no decent mic recording. I was able to take the terribly hissy audio from the Sony camera mic, run it through Adobe Podcast (formerly project Shasta) and the AI recreated my voice in podcast quality. You might detect it's a little "grainy" but it's more than usable I think! Phew! Crisis averted.
- The Sony camera corrupted my recording: Also the first half of the video was corrupted. All I did to deserve this was plug the Sony camera into the USB-C charger while it was recording. It decided to jettison out of the recording and report that the entire video was corrupted. Only after buying some video fix software for $50 was I able to restore the recording. Phew! Crisis averted again.
- I'm using a new desk mount for the camera which resulted in constant image wobble: Luckily running the angles through Final Cut Pro X stabilization removed any sign of wobble. There were other issues besides this but phew! Crises averted!
We've got lots coming up including new The Π―Retro Show and Ladyfractic and I are taking a trip to preview the new Super Nintendo World here in LA. You'll be coming with us via a 360 camera, and we'll be editing that after our visit next week.
Until then thank you for your ongoing support! ππΉοΈ
Your friend in retro, Perifractic
Comments
I always enjoy reading your comments Steven π
Perifractic's Retro Recipes
2023-01-21 23:52:33 +0000 UTCSeeing a completely new Commodore 64 be built from the ground up was absolutely amazing to watch. π The EVO 64 looks like an incredibly well put together prototype; I can't wait to see what the final revision with all of the improvements made will ultimately include. Although I'm no stranger to adjusting jumpers on hardware from my PC building days dating all the way back to the 90s, I'm glad that there will be keyboard shortcuts implemented in the future as I can easily see how having to open the case just to access the jumpers to make adjustments can get tiresome. The dual SID configuration sounds amazing and adds that extra layer to the SID tracks that until recently, I didn't even know I was missing. Although the original single SID configuration is what I remember fondly due to my memories of listening to different tracks over the years, the dual SID stereo configuration in particular is a most definite welcome variant. π The finished product, I have to admit, looked absolutely amazing with its light show in the case, and the versatility of being able to switch between ROMs on the Ultimate 64 allows that product to truly live up to its name. I've never had a problem with FPGA, and I actually believe it is the best way going forward to preserve these now aging technologies for future generations to come. You're absolutely right about that being a magical thing, Peri, and I, for one, can't wait to see what comes out next for the community. Thank you so much for taking us all on this journey with you, Christian, have a good one, and take care. π
Steven Mazurek
2023-01-21 22:40:50 +0000 UTCGlad you liked this. It was very enjoyable to film and edit. And the end result of each build very satisfying.
Perifractic's Retro Recipes
2023-01-17 04:07:33 +0000 UTCI super like this video. This is one that has had a couple rewatches already. Something about this gives me a lot of hope for the Commodore 64 platform. It's so much more than a computer at this point, it is something that is still new and fresh and has some serious legs beneath it. I just get excited watching this and even though I have... uh... 4 Commodore 64s, one PAL, plus TheC64 Maxi and my Commodore 64 Impostor (not a Commodore 64 at all) this tells me, I need at least one new one and the Ultimate 64 looks to be something really significant. I am trying to wrap my head around all the options out there at this point. I super love this sort of stuff. The Commodore 64, with all the new developments is not "obsolete" it is merely from another era.
CubicleNate
2023-01-17 03:33:21 +0000 UTC
