C64 Video Decoding: Signal Acquisition

Ok… Since we decided to decode the C64 video signal, let’s start by recording the signal and having a look. The video signal is available on the A/V jack on the rear of the C64. Most C64 models have an 8-pin jack that provides separate luma (brightness) and chroma (color) signals on pins 1 and 6, and a composite video signal on pin 4. Some early models have a 5-pin jack that only provides luma and composite video. Read more...

#c64 #video #rigol

C64 Video Decoding: Intro

Some time ago, the power switch of my vintage Ancona CL 861/80 monitor broke. The monitor would only stay on for as long as the power switch was being kept pressed down. Needless to say, this was quite annoying. The monitor is already way past its expiration date and I know it’s CRT and associated high voltage electronics won’t last forever. That the power switch would prove to be the weakest link did come as something of a surprise, though. Read more...

#c64 #video

Blindganger: Sewer Map Visualization

Previously, we squashed a bug in the game Blindganger that was originally published in 1988. The goal of Blindganger is to guide a blind person out of the sewers and back onto the streets, while avoiding pitfalls as well as the occasional flush of the sewer system. Blindganger does not use graphics, only sound: The player has to navigate the sewers by ear. At the end of the game, a map of the sewers is displayed, highlighting locations visited by the player in yellow and the exit in white. Read more...

#c64 #blindganger #self-modifying-code

Blindganger: Fixing bugs like it's 1988

I grew up in the 80’s, the decade home computers went from curiosity to mainstream. In primary school we had several Philips P2000T home computers and a pair of Apple Macintosh — ehm, Macintoshes? Two of those, anyway. A friend had a C64 we used to play games on, and at some point my dad bought a C128 for his financial administration. (What I really love is the fact that, to this day, he is still doing his financial administration on a C128, albeit an emulated one. Read more...

#c64 #blindganger