Poor C64. If I were to reactivate my old C64 for a project, I'd much rather keep the C64 intact and somehow try to connect a RPi externally. Maybe emulate a 1541 drive to transfer data from a network share? Are there are any projects or guides that do something like that?
The issues are usually on the video side - converting retro computer output to something that looks good on modern monitors or TVs usually requires scanline converters which cost significant amount of money.
I would imagine so because there are guides for do that with most 8bit micros. You can also get SD card readers that announce themselves as floppy disk drives for most retro computers (I've got an Amstrad CPC 464, BBC Micro and Atari ST all with various modern tech attached without altering the original hardware in any way shape or form).
On an LCD screen however, there's a whole new set of artefacts appear .. mostly vertical lines. There's ways to address this, some are more involved [0] than others [1]
Not so much a "conversion" as sticking an emulator in a C-64 box.
No cartridge port, user port, a/v port (important for audio in), or cassette port (important for power). So no interesting hardware add-ons will work with this.
All you can do is run software that came on a floppy disk. While that's the majority of software, if you're doing this you're a hardware tinkerer. And the C-64's hardware add-ons were amazingly diverse and interesting.
I'm doing something similar with a Sega Megadrive/Genesis.
However the plan is, unlike here, to add support for real hardware. For example:
- reading real cartridges (already have a breakout board for this)
- supporting original controllers (already done, inc 4 way adapters)
- supporting the expansion port (no idea how, but shouldn't be *awful* to do).
The key to me is the support for original hardware while updating the machine to also support more modern things (like HDD, USB, Bluetooth, Wifi/ethernet, etc)
If Phase 5 would deliver the replacement keycaps from their crowdfunded campaign three years ago we'd be able to do these conversions without touching a real 64. I haven't given up hope -- the machinery and molds are being moved to a company that specializes in this kind of low-volume production.
Old micro computers tend to be easy to repair. Given replicas of most retro hardware exists these days I'm generally of the opinion that I'd rather see original retro hardware restored rather than hacked. But ultimately it's not my place to say who can do what to their hardware otherwise - particularly since I'm the kind of guy who also like to hack their own modern devices as well.
Yeah, they are easy to repair, but I think the main point is that they are plentiful. I don't think a few little projects like this are going to put a dent in the overall market supply.
The problem is that is that the demand is already quite high at the moment (retro is cool is seems) and the supply is only finite. Given there are decent enough reproductions I feel it seems a little ill-advised hacking the irreplaceable originals as once they're gone they're gone for good.
Plus if we are completely honest, a refurbished original would also have more longevity than one with a raspberry pi which will have an initial novelty factor but then quickly get forgotten about once the Pi becomes obsolete.
