The main purpose of this release is to support the new 2024 version of the MEGA65 (aka "R6") which sports enhanced hardware and better compatibility for Commodore 64 cartridges. Moreover, this release also delivers improvements for all MEGA65 models such as improved sound-over-HDMI compatibility, bugfixes such as the "long-reset bug" and it improves the compatibility of the core with demanding demos. Last but not least it makes the MEGA65's Real-Time-Clock (RTC) available in GEOS.
New Features: 2024 MEGA65 only
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Heavily improved quality of the analog audio output via the 3.1mm audio jack thanks to utilizing MEGA65's new audio DAC.
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The hardware of the MEGA65's Expansion Port (aka cartridge port) is now 100% compatible to the C64's hardware as it has bi-directional signals for RESET, IRQ and NMI. The C64 core is currently only leveraging the bi-directional signals for RESET, but this allowed us to make the core compatible with even more cartridges. Three examples that stand out are: (1) You do not need the
"reset workaround" for the Kung Fu Flash (KFF) any more that is documented for the R3 board in doc/cartridges.md. (2) Reset buttons and "special" buttons at most freezer cartridges are working now. (3) MSSIAH works.
New Features: All MEGA65
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The MEGA65's Real Time Clock (RTC) is now able to power the date/time in GEOS as soon as the appropriate GEOS driver is installed. From a technical perspective, we are simulating the "CP-Uhr F83" by Jörg Sproß which uses a PCF8583 chip that is connected via the tape port.
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You can now close the "About & Help" screens also by pressing Run/Stop.
Improved HDMI Compatibility: All MEGA65
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Some monitors (e.g. the Philips S-line 275S1AE) did not output audio when displaying HDMI. The problem was related to a parity error in the IEC60958 channel which is fixed now.
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Fixed random micro cuts of sound that occured on on some HDMI displays. (Fixed GitHub issue #13)
Improved C64 Accuracy & Compatibility: All MEGA65
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Added VIC-II compatibility fix from MiSTer by gyurco which improves the core's compatibility with several demos (Fixes GitHub issue MiSTer-devel/C64_MiSTer#160)
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Improved disk change detection for multi-disk demos. This fixes for example Royal Arte/Booze Design. (MiSTer's GitHub issue 160 was "re-used" for this fix which is completely independent from the above-mentioned one, this is why we are linking to a specific comment: MiSTer-devel/C64_MiSTer#160 (comment))
Bugfixes: 2024 MEGA65 only
- HDMI backpower is no issue any more
Bugfixes: All MEGA65
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The "long-reset" feature was broken in V5. (Fixed GitHub issue #79)
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Fixed missing ".." in folders created with certain macOS versions (Fixed GitHub issue #111)
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Fixed a crash in the file browser. (Fixed GitHub issue #95)
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Stabilized the REU simulation. This fixes a known glitch plus it ensures that the REU simulation will run more stable also on the newer HyperRAM revisions that are built into 2023 and 2024 batches of the MEGA65: Treu Love demo: Fixed very rare REU/HyperRAM issues (GitHub issue #55)
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In V5 we introduced a new feature: You can go one menu-level up (from a sub-menu to the main-menu) by pressing Run/Stop. Subsequently you can also close then the main menu via Run/Stop (additionally to via Help). But if you did so, the Run/Stop keypress that happens to close the OSM was propagated to the C64. (Fixed GitHub issue #80)
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The "Audio improvements" feature only worked with analog audio (3.5mm jack) but not with digital audio via HDMI. (Fixed GitHub issue #100)
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MEGA65's internal floppy drive kepts spinning when a floppy was inserted. (Fixed GitHub issue #110)