I always wanted a C64, but it was beyond our means back in the day. I entered the raffle - if there is a chance that I could relive my youth AND get to enjoy a project this amazing, it's well worth it. Thank you Perifractic - you are one of the top YT creators. Definitely one of the most human!
So proud of the team for the results. I can remember David commenting years ago, in several videos, about 'if I designed my own retro computer'. And now it's here :)
And obscenely expensive. I lived through those old days and hated the hours spent waiting that ill never get back. I gave away a new in box c64 last year because I had no interest in it other than recapping it first. I like my 4090 haha
The FM chip and PSG combo is the best part of the design for me ❤ very Mega Drive like sound and with the extra channels there is plenty of space for big chords and epic percussion 👍
Bro, I'm and EE and CS schooled engineer and have worked in what can only be called "I.T." for 30+ years. I'll be 50 soon and you name it, I've done it. But you really got my attention when you mentioned your late mom. I too lost my mom, back in 2020, and I swear, I had to put all my projects on hold. Good to see you stayed strong, did what needed to be done and got back at it. She'd be proud. Can't wait to dig into this system of yours.
Thanks for sharing your artwork for the X16 manual. It's great! I've been enjoying my Commander X16 for a couple months now, and really appreciate all the work y'all put into it.
That concept X16 manual art is stunning! If that doesn't see light of day, then something is wrong! That machine is a thing of beauty. I'm currently trying to learn 6502 assembly programming... hopefully from there, I'll learn Z80 (as I had an Amstrad CPC 464 & later a 6128 as a kid). David and the team have done a fantastic job bringing this machine to life! Well done everyone!!! 👏
My X16 is just mounted with some standoff screws on a nicely looking wooden board. Sticked some rubber feet underneath and made a strain reflief for the power cord.
I have to agree with some of the other comments about the case. The Perifractic case looks so much better than the one shipped. It looks like a 'Good Enough' solution instead of doing it 'right'. Especially when you showed the faults of the rear of thr case as well as the power / reset buttons being so close to eachother. I appreciate they are trying to keep the costs down. Especially as the costs have spiraled away from Davids initial cost goal.
Congratulations on babyfractic! I know this is old news and the chances of you seeing it are also low - I've been watching your videos for several years, but have had to cut down on the youtube since my wife and I had our daughter back in 2022 - I'm only just getting back to it now and I'm super happy for you all :)
I would so buy Puppyfractic's spiral-bound MAPPING the X16. Show me how to get the most out of this new machine! Locations I can affect, the new BASIC commands, the built-in programs, dealing with VERA, getting sounds to play, the new opcodes, reading mouse and controllers, raster and timer interrupts! Woof!
I don't think the fact that the X16 uses an FPGA in itself was a problem... In fact, I got in touch with Mr Murray quite early-on in the project, and suggested that a small FPGA might be the only practical way to get decent specs for video/audio, but also ensure availability of the chips for future batches. The main issue some people had, was that David said at the start (in his own video) that he was very much against the idea of using a CPLD or FPGA anywhere in the machine. I said the only other way to get video output with fair quality without using an FPGA, was to maybe look at getting hold of an original chip like the Yamaha V9990. That could have offered almost "Mega Drive quality" graphics. The problem with the older chips, of course, is getting hold of enough of them, and making sure that none of them are fakes, nor dead-on-arrival. Anywho, it's good to see the project finally getting nearing the finish line. I know a ton of work went into it. Great to also see Michael Steil worked on the kernel ROM. His talk "The ultimate commodore 64 talk" is well worth a watch for any nerdy C64 fan. ;)
Really wonderful work. Hoping to acquire one of these someday, and I already grabbed some raffle tickets. The bridge being created by this project really hits home. I remember playing games like Double Dare and The Railroad Works on my grandfather’s C64, and at that age it felt like it was powered by magic. He would load up his saved railroad, and I would be amazed at the whole process. I know you must hear this all the time, but thanks to you and your family for making these videos. They are truly meaningful, and your viewers will always remember how you made them feel.
Wonderful review Perifractic! Really love your artwork on this machine and now i understand the Logo and the name (X16). This project is a really gift to the whole retrocommunity.
Very cool. I went the Foenix F256K route, and should hopefully be receiving mine next sometime next month. I preferred the all-in-one slab design, MMU banking scheme, stereo SIDs, and Tiny Vicky graphics solution...
I've been watching this project since the start and I gotta say I love your case much more than the official one. Yours had style and accommodated everything in the original design. The official one seems to lack planning and feels like a "good enough for now" approach. Bummer. Might be a cool project once the pricing and design reaches maturity. Love your X logo and artworks! As always great video and thank you for sharing with all of us.
I've been following this lightly (not exactly paying attention, but watching random videos of it when I catch them), but conceivably you can still make your own based on the needs of the board, yes? Kind of like other projects that have come up recently?
I was a bit skeptical of this product at first, but I'm actually really happy to see this thing released. You can tell that a lot of thought was put into it because the design is top notch! To be honest, I would prefer a strictly FPGA based system (for the sake of a future proofing), but you can never have enough of these products on the market. What I would really love to see is a brand new system that has the capability of replicating the HD2D pixel art style of modern day, but done so using 16-32 bit hardware.
I was 12 when my brother and I got our C64. We had two 1541 disk drives and typed in hundreds of lines of basic out of commodore magazines, it was really fun and our IBM 370 programming Dad was very proud.
I love the sentiment and humour in your videos, and how you mix the old with the new. Mr.Perifractict are you able to do a video on the history of the facsimile machine maybe some time in the future, this was a fascinating invention and technology way back before the internet and sending email began. I was really hooked on this technology and it was also a new dimension that opened up so many windows of opportunity for us back in the 80’s. It was a cool part of our history. Even sending resumes to employers and friends. Sharing information and even sending pictures in black and white was quite amazing. Only you could feel and share how awesome this old technology was for us.😊
Imagine how far we've come since the Vic-20. We can design and mail order circuit boards. Print our own cases. Write our own operating systems. We are in the golden age of personal technology.
This looks out of this world and i love how everything has a name on the board, as for the keyboard i like it and the soft feel for the keys wouldn't bother me one bit if anything it would give me a more retro feel to it. As for the artwork HELL YEAH how cool is that pure 80s to 90s vibe an yes am thinking of getting a mug with it on. The sound it pumps out is pure class as well so all in all one cool bit of kit that said i'd add maybe a few more LED to it but how you had it setup was great. As always a super great video and am looking forward to seeing the next one so until then you all take care and have a great weekeend.
Wooooh nice video again! Now I remember I did some top secret badges a couple of years ago for the X16…. Love the concept and the work you did for it 😊👍
What a great sound experience from this machine. A very impressive project which has been brought to life by you all. Just add a mechanical keyboard and that would be a seriously amazing 8-bit esque computing experience. So the Commander X16 has been conceptualized as an X-Wing destroyer craft in your illustration. That should make Darth Sidious weep in terror. Nice video Perifractic and a fantastic machine that you have all brought into being using retro midichlorians no doubt. Just remember to set the parity bit.
I LOVE that you've made preservation of this older but incredibly influential tech a FAMILY affair. Wife and Baby fractic are all in on it. So are the pooches LOL! love love love
@RetroRecipes I've loved this journey. Thank you What's your favourite Partridge series.. *Knowing me knowing you *I'm Alan Partridge 1 or 2 *Mid morning / the day today? Nice to see the X16 comes in a box. A bit like Tony Hayres x
The banking design is similar to the way the PDP-11 took a 64 K byte minicomputer to eventually 4 Megabytes of memory. Of course things must be much simpler starting from a 6502 base, but some amazing stuff was done on the '11, dating back to the 8 bit era. There was even a time-sharing system, without memory protection, which ran a version of basic. Amazing stuff can be done from such a very simple tech base. Good luck friends.
First off: artists are amazing! Second: as an occasional dabbler in electronics, it's sad to see thru-hole components getting rarer because modern surface-mount stuff seems so much harder to work with. This looks like it was a bunch of work, so good job guys.
When you thought that the school yard fights between Speccies and Commies were behind us for the past 40 years, it's starting all over again with the ZX Spectrum Next and the Commander X16 🤣
You’re leaving the Atari 8-Bits out of that brawl when we have the official Atari 400 Mini for sale, not to mention homebrew hardware like the Mini ITX “NUC” motherboards and 3D printed cases, 65816 CPU upgrades, the PokeyMAX sound chip upgrades, the SOFIA and other RGB video upgrade boards, and now the external repro 1090 Expansion PCB with hopefully the chassis on the way soon. Even SpartaDOS is still being actively developed.
I read this comment, thought "nonsense, we're all adults now", and then realised that I'm a Spectrum Next owner who is actually annoyed by how much better the X16's sound is.
@@TheJeremyHollowayTo be fair, the Atari 400 mini is "just" an ARM based emulator in a particularly nice case, replicating original hardware... so not quite the same as the Next or the X16. Neither of which really appeal to me, even though the Next isa stunning looking machine. But as an Atari 8 bit fan, POKEY will always be the best, especially considering they were released a whole 3 years before the "Commode C64". 😉
You say this might become the ultimate 8-bit chip tune creating 8 bit computer. You might want to check out the huge list of music extensions made for the MSX standard. It's not impossible for the X16 scene to do the same as the MSX scene did. But there's a job to be done then.
I'm not a fan of what the X16 turned into after the 8 bit guy first mentioned the idea, it's a victim of too many competing compromises. I also know that the core of the original MSX machines were mainly off the shelf parts, cobbled together with a huge set of compromises, meaning individual manufacturers struggled to sell them in any great numbers. Just like the X16. 😁 If you happen to have a nice, working, 40 year old MSX lying around with enough mod cons to make it usable in 2024, by all means use it. But all these '80s and '90 retro computers are getting rarer by the day, and consequently more expensive. The results you get aren't unique to MSX. The custom sound hardware of Atari 8 bits and the Commodore 64 are far more appealing than any common, off the shelf chips.
@@another3997 My reply is more about how many soundchips are available. Off the shelve and MSX1 and MSX2 just had a PSG. Later machines already had an YM2413 onboard. The list of audio addons in the shape of cartridges is larger than I can summarize without peeking in some list. The list does cover a great majority of chips used in 80s/90s consoles and homecomputers. VGM files can almost always be played on the original chip on an MSX. Because MSX is often forgotten (mostly unintentionally), I thought it was worth mentioning. :)
This is an amazing bit of kit, beautiful just to look at, it's perfect for porting all the decompiled 8-Bit games to for reference quality preserved playable versions of all the best legacy games, and maybe even powerful enough to have run ports of all the decompiled 16-Bit games, all with perfect OPL and MIDI music, talking of which It's amazing for too, that is playing and making authentic synth music, I bet someone has already made a tracker player for it too.
100% best use case! LOL Makes me dream I was ambitious enough to create a full on keyboard/sequencer style interface rig for this hardware and make it all modular and easily transportable. Also I'd either have to find a nice already created synth software solution or create my own homebrew Basic music synth software suite which would allow me to record and save as well as loop synth tracks in live performances using this retro gear! I miss those OG C64 saw tooth and wave filter effect bass synth vibes. Probably won't get that with this. Probably might get much better with this? Right??? This has so much more options and implementations for awesome sounds then what the OG C64 sound chip could do. Does sound different. Sounds really awesome actually. Needs a really well developed Synthesizer suite for it now!
@@cerberus50caldawg It does have a lot of potential, I'll be honest though, what I really want is and all-in-one bit of kit dedicated to chiptune/tracker/MIDI/MIDI-2.0, on an FPGA with nuked MT32/SC-55/SC-88/OPN/OPL/SID, and a modern high-end DSP to add in some more modern hardware accelerated synth, along with all the EQ & filters, add in some hyper low latency audio RAM for soundbanks and soundfonts, changeable OP-AMPS, a decent pre-AMP based on a Marantz-8 circuit, some nice DAC's dedicated to both input and output and one for each channel, that can be aggregated through a mixer pre-amp, a bit-crusher built in, as well as a vintage AMP simulator mode (they can be pretty damn good and vintage amps are not cheap now), all that in one module would be a pipe dream, maybe add in a CFexpress slot and playback controls, so you can just use it for pure enjoyment and listen to legit hardware-synth music without firing up your main system, could even give it streaming capabilities so you can have legit synth audio through wireless, obviously the choice of equipment you hook it up to from there would be dealers choice, but a synth module like would allow you to get rid of so much bulk and save you a small fortune, not to mention sound better if done right, it would be perfect for both production and just using for enjoyment of music, video games, whatever uses synth equipment you would have it in this module.
I’d really like to see a breakdown of all the Motorola/MOS/Rockwell/WDC family of support chips someday. Like CIA vs PIA vs RIOT vs VIA, not to mention between the MOS 6551 ACIA - and 2nd source variants - and the Motorola MC6850 ACIA. It was like the support chip Wild Wild West in the 8-Bit and 16-Bit eras throughout the Apple, Atari, and Commodore platforms.
Looks great. The custom keyboard is an interesting concept - could you manufacture LCD keys for custom key positions? You could use specific LCDs to change to show emulation modes. Then you could get say a micro PC using a reasonable AMD Apu and emulate a c64, Amiga, Spectrum etc- all at the press of a button.
26:40 There is a strut, which I think will be provided with the case, that goes underneath the (beautiful) top cover, to give it a little more strength. Heavy monitors or the like sitting on top might be a bit too heavy, otherwise.
A great video from you. As far as the graphics chip purist, they don't have to use the advanced capabilities or they can fund/design a retro video expansion board for the X16 three expansions slots and use that instead. Also 256 colors existed on 8bit micros in 1985 and 1986. So when they say it's not historically accurate for the era they are definitely wrong. That being said I wouldn't mind using a Yamaha VDP or National Semiconductor graphics IC for mine when I buy one as an era accurate retro graphics solution.
The colour palette isn't the issue, it was getting all 256 on the screen simultaneously on the same scanline like in the arcades. Atari 8 bits could get all 256 colours down the screen via DLIs but it was limited to only a handful of colours horizontally, more using some tricks like PMG and PAL blending but nowhere near 256. The c64 could display all 16 colours horizontally in high res without any tricks despite the small palette. Computer manufacturers of the day had to compromise colours for resolution and so forth.. that means saving as many transistors as they could whilst choosing the best features they could think of. You couldn't have both without increasing costs significantly.
Hey Perifractic! I am not sure, but it seams to me, that the last RAM chip you inserted does not sit well in its socket. ;-) The left hand side needs a bit more push, I suppose. Am I right?
Good job. Well done, mate. Really appreciate the work you and the team have done. My thoughts to you and the family - losing a parent is very hard to describe - thanks for sharing Very inspiring video (BTW you and Cukoo - synth guy on here somewhere (spellling?) talk very much alike, even though he's a Greek Swedish Greek Swede youtuber/gearhead). God bless.
24:44 Reset Butt, yep Kevin labeled that on purpose :) 25:15 to be a little more tidy, you can run the PSU power cable under the VERA board. On the other side of that picoPSU is some 5V and 12V pins, to you can "self power" a small flat panel screen, or connect a USB (phone) charger. I'd suggest in a follow up video to showcase BASLOAD, it really deserves a proper introduction to the world (no line numbers + symbolic branching). LowerDecks wasn't in your top 3? Dang :P
Wow sir, I enjoyed this video immensely, then again that's nothing new. I was going to buy the C64's expensive keyboard as it's something I've always wanted, but then the options overwhelmed me. It felt like I needed to be a Cherry expert to choose, which made the decision difficult. Otherwise, it would have been a no-brainer! Now I'm worried that I won't pick the right option. So, I got overwhelmed and decided to wait. This isn't a criticism, just letting you know I wasn't sure how to proceed. It happens. Again, love you guys a lot. I even bought a raffle ticket today, hoping to win. :) ;) :)
I recommend getting into keyboard vids on TH-cam. Lots of creators demonstrating the different key clicks with a nice close mic. Also you can buy samplers on Amazon that have all the key click types on one small mini board to play with. Lots of fun and addictive! I personally like a linear "thocky" sound.
Excellent work! Congratulations to the team! Really nice computer. Although I'm an Apple //c owner since 1984 (with my heart more on the side of the 6502), and after seeing the graphic capabilities of this machine, is - not without certain pain - that I'm inclined for the Agon, with the Z80 (in its modern version the eZ80). Ok, they are different, I know. But it's cheap, with no FPGA and so simple, it's mind-blowing. If I could I would have both...
Happy to see the project has kind of gotten to the finish line. I was quite intrigued by the vision and pitch from the very beginning, but I have felt like the project strayed from that vision somewhat under way. During the veery long development several other projects have kind of hit those dreams both better and (especially) cheaper, imho. And I have to chime in on the case kerfuffle. The abandoned case looks like it would have been the better choice. I hope the machine gains enough traction to stay relevant and maybe get to those proposed cost cutting revisions. Not holding my breath but fingers crossed. And I love the space ship logo design, almost forgot to mention ❤ would be a crime if left unused.
@@Robbnlinzias the guy who designed the clock stretching circuit for the X16: I have no idea. I got rid of the clock selection jumpers on my own OtterX hardware and replaced it with a socket for the oscillator. If one *really* wants other frequencies, then they can swap the oscillator. My primary use for the socket is bumping the clock to 10MHz. I rarely go below 8MHz except for debugging timing problems.
It's such great logo! Also I'd like to mention that it's unfortunate that you have to use a credit card to enter raffal auctions, some more options would be awesome as I don't have(or need) a credit card.
I'll get one eventually but I just received my Spectrum Next only a little while ago and that's keeping me busy. I'm hoping there will be a more immediate plug-and-play solution for the X16 eventually. I think we just got so spoiled by the Spectrum Next with the integrated wi-fi, glossy box and manual, Sega style 6-button controller compatibility (why this rumor that you can't use standard Atari/Commodore 9-pin ports to have more than 1 action button persists I'll never understand, Sega kind of demonstrated 6-button pads working with the standard 9 pin connector over 30+ years ago now which the Next team quickly integrated in the bios of the Next. There really was no reason to use proprietary SNES style controller ports on the X16 to get more buttons, but I digress), Full backwards compatibility with older joysticks, peripherals, old & new Spectrum software, and a super sleek small integrated case/keyboard. I'm waiting for that same sort of polished "finished product" feel from the X16 before jumping in. Right now it still feels kind of experimental and "DIY". Cheers!
You've brought a goofy grin to my face yet again, Peri. Thank you for your dedication to bringing the best parts of our past back to us! I very much want to get my hands on an X16. Despite the public nature of posting this - I wanted to let you know that my late father (with whom I experienced all of the wonders of the Commodore 64 and beyond, including "The Very First" demo) has a boxed Commodore 128 and an Amiga 500 Plus in his garage - would they be of any use to you? I know it would have made him happy to know they had gone to a good place. Perhaps drop me a DM if they would be of interest? Or point me in the right direction. All the best to you and your wonderful family.
That's extremely kind of you and I'm sorry for your loss. As you know I too love The Very First (I went through it on a Christmas video a couple of Xmases back). For your kind offer, I'd have to decline taking something so special. Giving away my original items and ones my Dad used (well he gave them away but still) is still a huge regret. I'd warmly encourage you to hang onto them forever ❤
Comment #2... A flexible ribbon out the cartridge port gap or out the back and into a 3d box for your card that doesn't fit that would a help like a side docking type thing? Its just optional options.
Nice! I would love to see the modem and wavetable card working. Also how to update the various firmware bits would be cool too. I have a DEV board from the first run last year of a 100 or so. Your board looks a bit different. Is there a list of changes anywhere between the earlier 2023 revs and the late 2023 version? Nice video as all Starfractic.
When you unboxed the mouse, it made me wonder what it would’ve been like if there had been one attached to the different C64 models we owned when I was growing up. We only had the 2 joysticks. They did what they were meant to. Wonder what playing UpNDown, JumpMan, Ghostbusters, Donkey Kong or any of the other games we played would’ve been like with a mouse. Even without being able to install that expansion board, will the X16 still be able to connect to a modem?
A USB 3+ connector to a PCB with all 'old' connectors could be an alternative too. Then you could have Atari, Sega, Sony cartridges, dial up , 9pin dins, scarf, etc.
I hope you've got plans to write some new music of your own on this machine? I think the tracks you recorded previously using the C64 were great, so I'd love to hear what you can do with the unique sound system in the X16!
Thanks for watching! You could win the X16 or KITTesla at raffall.com/retrorecipes ... or even both! Just don't get them mixed up. 🖥💨 🚓
I always wanted a C64, but it was beyond our means back in the day.
I entered the raffle - if there is a chance that I could relive my youth AND get to enjoy a project this amazing, it's well worth it.
Thank you Perifractic - you are one of the top YT creators. Definitely one of the most human!
@@carledwards9477 Thank you for your kind words! ...apart from when I'm AI ;)
can you enter in canada?
I REALLY like that earlier case design as shown at 3:41.....soooo sexy!
so if it's 8 bit, why isn't it the commander x8?
So proud of the team for the results. I can remember David commenting years ago, in several videos, about 'if I designed my own retro computer'.
And now it's here :)
And obscenely expensive. I lived through those old days and hated the hours spent waiting that ill never get back. I gave away a new in box c64 last year because I had no interest in it other than recapping it first. I like my 4090 haha
The FM chip and PSG combo is the best part of the design for me ❤ very Mega Drive like sound and with the extra channels there is plenty of space for big chords and epic percussion 👍
Bro, I'm and EE and CS schooled engineer and have worked in what can only be called "I.T." for 30+ years. I'll be 50 soon and you name it, I've done it. But you really got my attention when you mentioned your late mom. I too lost my mom, back in 2020, and I swear, I had to put all my projects on hold. Good to see you stayed strong, did what needed to be done and got back at it. She'd be proud. Can't wait to dig into this system of yours.
Thank you for your kind words and I'm sorry for your loss 🙏
I am always floored by the production value of your videos. Some of the best on TH-cam.
Thanks for sharing your artwork for the X16 manual. It's great! I've been enjoying my Commander X16 for a couple months now, and really appreciate all the work y'all put into it.
Thank you!! Glad the collective effort is appreciated!
That concept X16 manual art is stunning! If that doesn't see light of day, then something is wrong! That machine is a thing of beauty. I'm currently trying to learn 6502 assembly programming... hopefully from there, I'll learn Z80 (as I had an Amstrad CPC 464 & later a 6128 as a kid). David and the team have done a fantastic job bringing this machine to life! Well done everyone!!! 👏
I think it was 1992 when I was a kid and got my first desktop, oh what we all accomplished years later, Thanks for sharing this
My X16 is just mounted with some standoff screws on a nicely looking wooden board. Sticked some rubber feet underneath and made a strain reflief for the power cord.
i am so sorry for the loss of your mum, i hope your ok
I got my X16 two months ago and it's still sitting in the back. Thanks to this video I will break it out this weekend and finally get to try it out.
I helped populate chips and test several of the boards at David’s house about a month ago. So I literally had a hand in a few. Lol.
I grew up in K********e. You have no idea how proud this makes me.
Nicely done man, a perfect example of how to highlight your achievements without diminishing those of others. Thanks!
I have to agree with some of the other comments about the case.
The Perifractic case looks so much better than the one shipped.
It looks like a 'Good Enough' solution instead of doing it 'right'. Especially when you showed the faults of the rear of thr case as well as the power / reset buttons being so close to eachother.
I appreciate they are trying to keep the costs down. Especially as the costs have spiraled away from Davids initial cost goal.
Still hopeful for a version 2.0
I love my Commander X16! I got the Black Lazer3D case. It really is a beautiful board.
Congratulations on babyfractic! I know this is old news and the chances of you seeing it are also low - I've been watching your videos for several years, but have had to cut down on the youtube since my wife and I had our daughter back in 2022 - I'm only just getting back to it now and I'm super happy for you all :)
Thank you for your kind words! Means a lot 👍🕹
I would so buy Puppyfractic's spiral-bound MAPPING the X16. Show me how to get the most out of this new machine! Locations I can affect, the new BASIC commands, the built-in programs, dealing with VERA, getting sounds to play, the new opcodes, reading mouse and controllers, raster and timer interrupts! Woof!
I don't think the fact that the X16 uses an FPGA in itself was a problem...
In fact, I got in touch with Mr Murray quite early-on in the project, and suggested that a small FPGA might be the only practical way to get decent specs for video/audio, but also ensure availability of the chips for future batches.
The main issue some people had, was that David said at the start (in his own video) that he was very much against the idea of using a CPLD or FPGA anywhere in the machine.
I said the only other way to get video output with fair quality without using an FPGA, was to maybe look at getting hold of an original chip like the Yamaha V9990. That could have offered almost "Mega Drive quality" graphics.
The problem with the older chips, of course, is getting hold of enough of them, and making sure that none of them are fakes, nor dead-on-arrival.
Anywho, it's good to see the project finally getting nearing the finish line. I know a ton of work went into it.
Great to also see Michael Steil worked on the kernel ROM.
His talk "The ultimate commodore 64 talk" is well worth a watch for any nerdy C64 fan. ;)
Really wonderful work. Hoping to acquire one of these someday, and I already grabbed some raffle tickets.
The bridge being created by this project really hits home. I remember playing games like Double Dare and The Railroad Works on my grandfather’s C64, and at that age it felt like it was powered by magic. He would load up his saved railroad, and I would be amazed at the whole process.
I know you must hear this all the time, but thanks to you and your family for making these videos. They are truly meaningful, and your viewers will always remember how you made them feel.
Wonderful review Perifractic! Really love your artwork on this machine and now i understand the Logo and the name (X16). This project is a really gift to the whole retrocommunity.
Woo comments are back!
Yes. I’m happy for that too.
Why were they gone anyway?
@@LQ_LQ_LQ trolls apparently
I'm looking forward to the spiral bound manual(s). Thanks for the update, I'm glad they're still in the works.
3:45 No way! You guys got Arne on board? You've got my attention
Thanks for spoiling the end of the very hungry caterpillar, I'm only half way through.
I apologise very munch
It’s not that great. There’s a big hole in the plot…
@@MarcWeertsMusicoh get out of here!!! lol
I bet all you guys are dads
@@MarcWeertsMusic LOLZ! YES! Best Dad joke I've heard today. Definitely gonna file that in the ole Brain Rolodex
Very cool. I went the Foenix F256K route, and should hopefully be receiving mine next sometime next month. I preferred the all-in-one slab design, MMU banking scheme, stereo SIDs, and Tiny Vicky graphics solution...
I've been watching this project since the start and I gotta say I love your case much more than the official one. Yours had style and accommodated everything in the original design. The official one seems to lack planning and feels like a "good enough for now" approach. Bummer. Might be a cool project once the pricing and design reaches maturity. Love your X logo and artworks! As always great video and thank you for sharing with all of us.
Thank you for your kind words sir
I've been following this lightly (not exactly paying attention, but watching random videos of it when I catch them), but conceivably you can still make your own based on the needs of the board, yes? Kind of like other projects that have come up recently?
I was a bit skeptical of this product at first, but I'm actually really happy to see this thing released. You can tell that a lot of thought was put into it because the design is top notch! To be honest, I would prefer a strictly FPGA based system (for the sake of a future proofing), but you can never have enough of these products on the market. What I would really love to see is a brand new system that has the capability of replicating the HD2D pixel art style of modern day, but done so using 16-32 bit hardware.
Christian another awesome episode. your case design was far better, love the scifi pic you did for it, very awesome design
Thank you for your kind words! Means a lot 👍🕹
I was 12 when my brother and I got our C64. We had two 1541 disk drives and typed in hundreds of lines of basic out of commodore magazines, it was really fun and our IBM 370 programming Dad was very proud.
The case looks great, nice to see the vision become a reality.
Oh wow! This is wonderful. The old Commodore was amazing back in the day and seeing the CommanderX16 is perfect. Btw gotta love PCBWay. Lol
But with the exception of the missing slots in the case, it’s absolutely stunning 🤩Incredible work by all involved 😊
I love the sentiment and humour in your videos, and how you mix the old with the new.
Mr.Perifractict are you able to do a video on the history of the facsimile machine maybe some time in the future, this was a fascinating invention and technology way back before the internet and sending email began. I was really hooked on this technology and it was also a new dimension that opened up so many windows of opportunity for us back in the 80’s. It was a cool part of our history. Even sending resumes to employers and friends. Sharing information and even sending pictures in black and white was quite amazing. Only you could feel and share how awesome this old technology was for us.😊
I can't believe this made me cry. Actually cry. This is an amazing achievement guys. I'm just in awe.
Amazing! This is certainly on a want list for me! I think I'd re-do the switch wires... no need for them to be soooo long 🙂
Imagine how far we've come since the Vic-20. We can design and mail order circuit boards. Print our own cases. Write our own operating systems. We are in the golden age of personal technology.
This looks out of this world and i love how everything has a name on the board, as for the keyboard i like it and the soft feel for the keys wouldn't bother me one bit if anything it would give me a more retro feel to it. As for the artwork HELL YEAH how cool is that pure 80s to 90s vibe an yes am thinking of getting a mug with it on. The sound it pumps out is pure class as well so all in all one cool bit of kit that said i'd add maybe a few more LED to it but how you had it setup was great. As always a super great video and am looking forward to seeing the next one so until then you all take care and have a great weekeend.
Glad you like the machine and the vid!
Wooooh nice video again! Now I remember I did some top secret badges a couple of years ago for the X16…. Love the concept and the work you did for it 😊👍
I've been watching for years. Not a single disappointment .
What a great sound experience from this machine. A very impressive project which has been brought to life by you all. Just add a mechanical keyboard and that would be a seriously amazing 8-bit esque computing experience.
So the Commander X16 has been conceptualized as an X-Wing destroyer craft in your illustration. That should make Darth Sidious weep in terror.
Nice video Perifractic and a fantastic machine that you have all brought into being using retro midichlorians no doubt. Just remember to set the parity bit.
Outstanding work Perifractic the team has built a gem of an 8 bit system. Cheers
Thank you!!
I LOVE that you've made preservation of this older but incredibly influential tech a FAMILY affair. Wife and Baby fractic are all in on it. So are the pooches LOL! love love love
wow thats some great work guys. Love the sound so 80"s with a modern touch.
Dope, I can't believe y'all overlooked the expansion card case compatibility 😂
That was a “D’oh!” moment. I couldn’t believe that.
@RetroRecipes I've loved this journey. Thank you
What's your favourite Partridge series..
*Knowing me knowing you
*I'm Alan Partridge 1 or 2
*Mid morning / the day today?
Nice to see the X16 comes in a box. A bit like Tony Hayres x
I'm Alan Partridge 1 & 2 equally. Ahaaa! Do you have a battery for an Ericsson?
Is that Trev Storey that worked for Acclaim? Newcastle lad. I worked with him there and also at Atomic Planet. Very good artist.
I believe so!
The clear case lid is a little reminiscent of the 9-pin guy's brother's case for his Apple-1 replica.
You mean me? Thanks for the nice comment!
Lovely use of Suno at the end for the song. 27:09
The banking design is similar to the way the PDP-11 took a 64 K byte minicomputer to eventually 4 Megabytes of memory. Of course things must be much simpler starting from a 6502 base, but some amazing stuff was done on the '11, dating back to the 8 bit era. There was even a time-sharing system, without memory protection, which ran a version of basic. Amazing stuff can be done from such a very simple tech base. Good luck friends.
The "9-pin guy's dream computer" 😂
First off: artists are amazing! Second: as an occasional dabbler in electronics, it's sad to see thru-hole components getting rarer because modern surface-mount stuff seems so much harder to work with. This looks like it was a bunch of work, so good job guys.
I loved this video! Such good work! I entered the Raffle! Good luck everyone!
Hi! We need the beginner guide to program on the X16.
the low profile case is nice looking, but darn, makes most of the slots impractical to use, so yeah, need that taller profile case
When you thought that the school yard fights between Speccies and Commies were behind us for the past 40 years, it's starting all over again with the ZX Spectrum Next and the Commander X16 🤣
You’re leaving the Atari 8-Bits out of that brawl when we have the official Atari 400 Mini for sale, not to mention homebrew hardware like the Mini ITX “NUC” motherboards and 3D printed cases, 65816 CPU upgrades, the PokeyMAX sound chip upgrades, the SOFIA and other RGB video upgrade boards, and now the external repro 1090 Expansion PCB with hopefully the chassis on the way soon. Even SpartaDOS is still being actively developed.
I read this comment, thought "nonsense, we're all adults now", and then realised that I'm a Spectrum Next owner who is actually annoyed by how much better the X16's sound is.
@@TheJeremyHollowayTo be fair, the Atari 400 mini is "just" an ARM based emulator in a particularly nice case, replicating original hardware... so not quite the same as the Next or the X16. Neither of which really appeal to me, even though the Next isa stunning looking machine. But as an Atari 8 bit fan, POKEY will always be the best, especially considering they were released a whole 3 years before the "Commode C64". 😉
15:50 hope you've put that last ¼MB RAM in correctly before turning the system on.
27:35 …well, at least it didn't short out
Indeed a really great X blaster picture!!
You say this might become the ultimate 8-bit chip tune creating 8 bit computer. You might want to check out the huge list of music extensions made for the MSX standard.
It's not impossible for the X16 scene to do the same as the MSX scene did. But there's a job to be done then.
I'm not a fan of what the X16 turned into after the 8 bit guy first mentioned the idea, it's a victim of too many competing compromises. I also know that the core of the original MSX machines were mainly off the shelf parts, cobbled together with a huge set of compromises, meaning individual manufacturers struggled to sell them in any great numbers. Just like the X16. 😁 If you happen to have a nice, working, 40 year old MSX lying around with enough mod cons to make it usable in 2024, by all means use it. But all these '80s and '90 retro computers are getting rarer by the day, and consequently more expensive. The results you get aren't unique to MSX. The custom sound hardware of Atari 8 bits and the Commodore 64 are far more appealing than any common, off the shelf chips.
@@another3997 My reply is more about how many soundchips are available. Off the shelve and MSX1 and MSX2 just had a PSG. Later machines already had an YM2413 onboard. The list of audio addons in the shape of cartridges is larger than I can summarize without peeking in some list. The list does cover a great majority of chips used in 80s/90s consoles and homecomputers. VGM files can almost always be played on the original chip on an MSX.
Because MSX is often forgotten (mostly unintentionally), I thought it was worth mentioning. :)
This is an amazing bit of kit, beautiful just to look at, it's perfect for porting all the decompiled 8-Bit games to for reference quality preserved playable versions of all the best legacy games, and maybe even powerful enough to have run ports of all the decompiled 16-Bit games, all with perfect OPL and MIDI music, talking of which It's amazing for too, that is playing and making authentic synth music, I bet someone has already made a tracker player for it too.
100% best use case! LOL
Makes me dream I was ambitious enough to create a full on keyboard/sequencer style interface rig for this hardware and make it all modular and easily transportable.
Also I'd either have to find a nice already created synth software solution or create my own homebrew Basic music synth software suite which would allow me to record and save as well as loop synth tracks in live performances using this retro gear!
I miss those OG C64 saw tooth and wave filter effect bass synth vibes.
Probably won't get that with this.
Probably might get much better with this?
Right???
This has so much more options and implementations for awesome sounds then what the OG C64 sound chip could do.
Does sound different.
Sounds really awesome actually.
Needs a really well developed Synthesizer suite for it now!
@@cerberus50caldawg It does have a lot of potential, I'll be honest though, what I really want is and all-in-one bit of kit dedicated to chiptune/tracker/MIDI/MIDI-2.0, on an FPGA with nuked MT32/SC-55/SC-88/OPN/OPL/SID, and a modern high-end DSP to add in some more modern hardware accelerated synth, along with all the EQ & filters, add in some hyper low latency audio RAM for soundbanks and soundfonts, changeable OP-AMPS, a decent pre-AMP based on a Marantz-8 circuit, some nice DAC's dedicated to both input and output and one for each channel, that can be aggregated through a mixer pre-amp, a bit-crusher built in, as well as a vintage AMP simulator mode (they can be pretty damn good and vintage amps are not cheap now), all that in one module would be a pipe dream, maybe add in a CFexpress slot and playback controls, so you can just use it for pure enjoyment and listen to legit hardware-synth music without firing up your main system, could even give it streaming capabilities so you can have legit synth audio through wireless, obviously the choice of equipment you hook it up to from there would be dealers choice, but a synth module like would allow you to get rid of so much bulk and save you a small fortune, not to mention sound better if done right, it would be perfect for both production and just using for enjoyment of music, video games, whatever uses synth equipment you would have it in this module.
A C64-like with a retro Yamaha FM audio chip. What a time to be alive. :)
Perfect use of Vic and Bob. Chapeaux
I have an incredible Vic Reeves first hand story. Might have to share it on the channel some day... though it's a little risqué, and long.
@@RetroRecipes Oh please do. As a huge Jim and Bob fan I would love to hear it.
I’d really like to see a breakdown of all the Motorola/MOS/Rockwell/WDC family of support chips someday. Like CIA vs PIA vs RIOT vs VIA, not to mention between the MOS 6551 ACIA - and 2nd source variants - and the Motorola MC6850 ACIA. It was like the support chip Wild Wild West in the 8-Bit and 16-Bit eras throughout the Apple, Atari, and Commodore platforms.
Looks great. The custom keyboard is an interesting concept - could you manufacture LCD keys for custom key positions?
You could use specific LCDs to change to show emulation modes.
Then you could get say a micro PC using a reasonable AMD Apu and emulate a c64, Amiga, Spectrum etc- all at the press of a button.
Looks awesome! I also like the one that is black and red. PS Prayers and much condolences on your loss. 🙏🙏
26:40 There is a strut, which I think will be provided with the case, that goes underneath the (beautiful) top cover, to give it a little more strength. Heavy monitors or the like sitting on top might be a bit too heavy, otherwise.
Great work. I (aka "edrive" on the cx16 forum) just subbed.
Feels like it's been ages for this to come into existence :)
A great video from you. As far as the graphics chip purist, they don't have to use the advanced capabilities or they can fund/design a retro video expansion board for the X16 three expansions slots and use that instead. Also 256 colors existed on 8bit micros in 1985 and 1986. So when they say it's not historically accurate for the era they are definitely wrong. That being said I wouldn't mind using a Yamaha VDP or National Semiconductor graphics IC for mine when I buy one as an era accurate retro graphics solution.
The colour palette isn't the issue, it was getting all 256 on the screen simultaneously on the same scanline like in the arcades.
Atari 8 bits could get all 256 colours down the screen via DLIs but it was limited to only a handful of colours horizontally, more using some tricks like PMG and PAL blending but nowhere near 256. The c64 could display all 16 colours horizontally in high res without any tricks despite the small palette. Computer manufacturers of the day had to compromise colours for resolution and so forth.. that means saving as many transistors as they could whilst choosing the best features they could think of. You couldn't have both without increasing costs significantly.
The spaceship graphic reminds me of the old Maplin catalogue art (Chris Foss)
Oh yeah!
Hey Perifractic! I am not sure, but it seams to me, that the last RAM chip you inserted does not sit well in its socket. ;-) The left hand side needs a bit more push, I suppose. Am I right?
I like that early concept yellow case render 🦋🧈
Good job. Well done, mate. Really appreciate the work you and the team have done. My thoughts to you and the family - losing a parent is very hard to describe - thanks for sharing Very inspiring video (BTW you and Cukoo - synth guy on here somewhere (spellling?) talk very much alike, even though he's a Greek Swedish Greek Swede youtuber/gearhead). God bless.
Great work & video!
Amazing. And while I'm not too fan of retro based computers, the sound and music is outstanding.
24:44 Reset Butt, yep Kevin labeled that on purpose :) 25:15 to be a little more tidy, you can run the PSU power cable under the VERA board. On the other side of that picoPSU is some 5V and 12V pins, to you can "self power" a small flat panel screen, or connect a USB (phone) charger. I'd suggest in a follow up video to showcase BASLOAD, it really deserves a proper introduction to the world (no line numbers + symbolic branching). LowerDecks wasn't in your top 3? Dang :P
Wow sir, I enjoyed this video immensely, then again that's nothing new. I was going to buy the C64's expensive keyboard as it's something I've always wanted, but then the options overwhelmed me. It felt like I needed to be a Cherry expert to choose, which made the decision difficult. Otherwise, it would have been a no-brainer! Now I'm worried that I won't pick the right option. So, I got overwhelmed and decided to wait. This isn't a criticism, just letting you know I wasn't sure how to proceed. It happens. Again, love you guys a lot. I even bought a raffle ticket today, hoping to win. :) ;) :)
I recommend getting into keyboard vids on TH-cam. Lots of creators demonstrating the different key clicks with a nice close mic. Also you can buy samplers on Amazon that have all the key click types on one small mini board to play with. Lots of fun and addictive! I personally like a linear "thocky" sound.
Love the zap64 inspired graphics! Almost too cool for the 16
Excellent work! Congratulations to the team! Really nice computer. Although I'm an Apple //c owner since 1984 (with my heart more on the side of the 6502), and after seeing the graphic capabilities of this machine, is - not without certain pain - that I'm inclined for the Agon, with the Z80 (in its modern version the eZ80). Ok, they are different, I know. But it's cheap, with no FPGA and so simple, it's mind-blowing. If I could I would have both...
Happy to see the project has kind of gotten to the finish line. I was quite intrigued by the vision and pitch from the very beginning, but I have felt like the project strayed from that vision somewhat under way. During the veery long development several other projects have kind of hit those dreams both better and (especially) cheaper, imho. And I have to chime in on the case kerfuffle. The abandoned case looks like it would have been the better choice. I hope the machine gains enough traction to stay relevant and maybe get to those proposed cost cutting revisions. Not holding my breath but fingers crossed. And I love the space ship logo design, almost forgot to mention ❤ would be a crime if left unused.
This reminds me, I haven’t watched war games in a long time.
It's here! Can't wait!
The speed jumpers, could they not be wired to a Turbo button type thing on a case so you don't have to open it up every time you need to change speed?
Agreed. But why would you want to mess with it? There are no wrong answers here I’m not even challenging you just curious. :)
@@Robbnlinzias the guy who designed the clock stretching circuit for the X16: I have no idea. I got rid of the clock selection jumpers on my own OtterX hardware and replaced it with a socket for the oscillator. If one *really* wants other frequencies, then they can swap the oscillator. My primary use for the socket is bumping the clock to 10MHz. I rarely go below 8MHz except for debugging timing problems.
It's such great logo!
Also I'd like to mention that it's unfortunate that you have to use a credit card to enter raffal auctions, some more options would be awesome as I don't have(or need) a credit card.
I love the mobo! Clean and stylish! ❤️
I'll get one eventually but I just received my Spectrum Next only a little while ago and that's keeping me busy. I'm hoping there will be a more immediate plug-and-play solution for the X16 eventually. I think we just got so spoiled by the Spectrum Next with the integrated wi-fi, glossy box and manual, Sega style 6-button controller compatibility (why this rumor that you can't use standard Atari/Commodore 9-pin ports to have more than 1 action button persists I'll never understand, Sega kind of demonstrated 6-button pads working with the standard 9 pin connector over 30+ years ago now which the Next team quickly integrated in the bios of the Next. There really was no reason to use proprietary SNES style controller ports on the X16 to get more buttons, but I digress), Full backwards compatibility with older joysticks, peripherals, old & new Spectrum software, and a super sleek small integrated case/keyboard. I'm waiting for that same sort of polished "finished product" feel from the X16 before jumping in. Right now it still feels kind of experimental and "DIY". Cheers!
You've brought a goofy grin to my face yet again, Peri. Thank you for your dedication to bringing the best parts of our past back to us! I very much want to get my hands on an X16.
Despite the public nature of posting this - I wanted to let you know that my late father (with whom I experienced all of the wonders of the Commodore 64 and beyond, including "The Very First" demo) has a boxed Commodore 128 and an Amiga 500 Plus in his garage - would they be of any use to you?
I know it would have made him happy to know they had gone to a good place.
Perhaps drop me a DM if they would be of interest? Or point me in the right direction.
All the best to you and your wonderful family.
That's extremely kind of you and I'm sorry for your loss. As you know I too love The Very First (I went through it on a Christmas video a couple of Xmases back). For your kind offer, I'd have to decline taking something so special. Giving away my original items and ones my Dad used (well he gave them away but still) is still a huge regret. I'd warmly encourage you to hang onto them forever ❤
Comment #2... A flexible ribbon out the cartridge port gap or out the back and into a 3d box for your card that doesn't fit that would a help like a side docking type thing? Its just optional options.
Congrats! It looks awesome!
That ram chip wasn’t pushed all the way in and this really bothered me hahaha. I love what you did with the X16 design
Nice rainbow sticker for the motherboard would be great, and some led lights, just a thought
It has LEDs at leaast if you look when I power it on :)
Nice! I would love to see the modem and wavetable card working. Also how to update the various firmware bits would be cool too. I have a DEV board from the first run last year of a 100 or so. Your board looks a bit different. Is there a list of changes anywhere between the earlier 2023 revs and the late 2023 version? Nice video as all Starfractic.
Nice to see 'LAZER3D' did such great SE&I to keep up with the design changes. 🥴 ("What a concept.")
Hopefully it will be available in the UK soon so I can buy it at the start of September.
When you unboxed the mouse, it made me wonder what it would’ve been like if there had been one attached to the different C64 models we owned when I was growing up. We only had the 2 joysticks. They did what they were meant to. Wonder what playing UpNDown, JumpMan, Ghostbusters, Donkey Kong or any of the other games we played would’ve been like with a mouse.
Even without being able to install that expansion board, will the X16 still be able to connect to a modem?
Let's play global thermonuclear war. Loving that Ericcson by the way!
Real shame they did not go with your cover yet as it's brilliant =D
A USB 3+ connector to a PCB with all 'old' connectors could be an alternative too.
Then you could have Atari, Sega, Sony cartridges, dial up , 9pin dins, scarf, etc.
Maybe you could rerecord The Lost Years on the X16.
I guess my dream version of this would be home computer sized, with networking built-in.
I hope you've got plans to write some new music of your own on this machine? I think the tracks you recorded previously using the C64 were great, so I'd love to hear what you can do with the unique sound system in the X16!
I'd really love to! Just a question of time...