C64 Direct-to-TV

The C64 DTV (DTV stands for direct to TV ) is a technology developed in the U.S. single-chip version of the Commodore 64, which is built into a joystick housing and equipped with a ROM for 30 games. Developed the C64 DTV by Jeri Ellsworth, who previously developed the emulation board C -One. The C64 DTV can be extended with minor tinkering in an almost full-fledged C64.

Versions

The C64 DTV exists in several versions. The DTV1 is a pure NTSC version with 2 MB of read-only memory (ROM) and was sold in the USA / Canada from the end of 2004. The DTV2 (sometimes called C64D2TV ) was sold from late 2005 in Europe and also supports PAL. In DTV2 2 MB instead of 128 KB of RAM are included, as well as the read-only memory to flash memory has been replaced. The DTV2 / 3 has a fitting error, which manifests itself in poor color rendering ( in some games, the player character poorly visible and text is unreadable ). When DTV3 finally a small problem of the blitter has been corrected in transparent Blits. In addition, there are the so-called lobster game console version, which uses the same chip as the DTV3, but sitting in a wheel - housing and runs on just a car race that has been specifically written for the DTV3 CPU.

Hardware

  • Housing / terminals integrated into a joystick housing
  • Pure battery operation (4 x AA )
  • Composite video, monaural audio (both RCA)
  • Joystick port 2, additional buttons are connected to lines from port 1
  • Joystick looks like a Competition Pro, but it is built easier ( thinner plastic, rubber buttons instead of microswitches)
  • NTSC ( from DTV2: NTSC / PAL)
  • Programmable range (4 bits luma, chroma 4 bits )
  • From DTV2: 256 color mode, fast image manipulation by blitter
  • Filters are not supported
  • From DTV2: 8 bit digital output, additional options for the envelope
  • DTV1: 128 KB RAM, 2 MB ROM
  • From DTV2: 2 MB RAM, 2 MB Flash Memory
  • DMA engine to copy RAM / RAM and ROM / RAM
  • From DTV2: Access to the RAM 64 KB bank switching and blitter ( in addition to the DMA engine )
  • ASIC, 0.35 micron, 32 MHz
  • From DTV2: Improved CPU ( fast / burst mode, additional registers and commands, support of illegal opcodes of 6510 )

Games Included

The following games are included on the device ( PAL version ):

Software differences for C64

The C64 DTV uses a slightly different to the original C64 Kernal. Primarily datasettes routines were removed and added instead charging the built-in ROM routines. For accessing the device 8 (LOAD "*", 8) are forwarded to a floppy, if connected, the ROM can be ( read only) addressed via Device Address 1. In this case, accessing a stored in the ROM very simple directory structure and copies the file from ROM to RAM.

There are so unlike the usual C64 emulators ( VICE etc. ) No floppy images or an emulated floppy. Therefore, at least run the programs that access during program to the floppy without changes not from the flash of the C64 DTV. However, there are of some games adapted for the C64 DTV versions. Developments of DTV software or customization of software for the DTV can be realized relatively easily with VICEplus (see links).

Modding

Since solder pads exist for some essential lines and are labeled the C64 DTV is easy to extend. Some modifications are possible only with the version DTV2.

Hardware modifications

  • DIN or 2 keyboard
  • External joystick (Port 1 and Port 2)
  • Floppy Connector
  • AC adapter connector
  • Correction of the chromatic aberration of the PAL version
  • S -Video connector
  • User Port

Other hardware

  • Data Transfer Cable PC-Parallelport/Joystick-Port DTVTrans

For Modding the C64 DTV you do not necessarily need a floppy. DTV side you can type up a small bootstrapping software for the DTVTrans cable and thus get a more comfortable transfer software and flash utility on the DTV.

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