Synetix SuperSprite or Third Millenium ArcadeBoard: Worth Cloning?

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Synetix SuperSprite or Third Millenium ArcadeBoard: Worth Cloning?

I'm curious if anyone else feels that it is worth trying to clone the Synetix SuperSprite, or the Third Millenium ArcadeBoard cards. It would open a new realm for software creation on the ][+ an //e that shockingly was never fully-eplored during the operational lifespan of the system.

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Definitely worth cloning

Back in the day, that was a premiere card but the price was pretty high.

Would be nice to be able to clone it.

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macnoyd wrote:Back in the day
macnoyd wrote:

Back in the day, that was a premiere card but the price was pretty high.

Would be nice to be able to clone it.

I don't own either (yet) but if I an get my hans on them, the logic shouln't be too hard to wor out, an I oubt they'd be prohibitively expensive to produce.

 

Adding better sound, boice synth, and sprites to the system seems a worth goal, if I can find sources for the original cards and anyone else willing to work with me on it. I think that we could make them, and some software for them, that'd rival the MSX and Coleco ADAM.  

 

The first thing of course, is gauging interest. The second is finding eample cards to use to create a schematic. 

 

I think that the Synetix card is better, because the Third Millenium card requires slot 4, which is also used by mouse cards.  The Synetix card OTOH, requires slot 7.

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Interested in Learning More, Perhaps Buying Either

Third Millenium Arcade Board - Article Creative Computing 1984.pdf

Hi folks,

I'm interested in learning more about both of these cards before offering an opinion on a choice between the two.  But I would be interested in getting one of them going, maybe.  Could anyone here post links to source information on these cards?UPDATE: Here's some scans of a Creative Computing magazine article on the two boards (see linked file above).It seems that the SuperSprite was superior.  HOWEVER, if someone were to clone either of these boards it would futile to do so without having all the software and documentation first.

 

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mutant_pie wrote:
mutant_pie wrote:

Third Millenium Arcade Board - Article Creative Computing 1984.pdf

Hi folks,

I'm interested in learning more about both of these cards before offering an opinion on a choice between the two.  But I woul

 

https://mirrors.apple2.org.za/Apple%20II%20Documentation%20Project/Interface%20Cards/Video/Synetix%20SuperSprite/

 

I'm unsure why the Third M card was designed to run in slot 4, particularly given that the slot 7 signals seem to make slot 7 the logicfal choice for it. That part (slot 4) makes it somewhat unattractive, compared tot he Synetix card. They both use a TI chip for sprites, and thre ArcadeBoard does show some good music in its demonstration. The voice synth feature of the SuperSprite is interesting, as well, and I'm unsure if the ArcadeBoard had that feature. 

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Disk Images

Thanks for the link TimeLord

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SuperSprite For sale on Fleabay
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mutant_pie wrote:Current bid
mutant_pie wrote:

Current bid $71

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Synetix-SuperSprite-card-software-Apple-II-2-vintage/293620027305

Watching it, but I have my limits. If someone bids this to US$200 or above, it goes to them. I won't overpay for a sample board to reverse-engineer, as that process alone is etremely time consuming, and as far as I am concerned, I have no desire or method to profit from reproductiions.

 

P.S. If someone wants to buy it and lend it out for me to break out in CAD, I can live with that, but please consult me first, so that we do not artificially inflate the price. I go through a third party for eBay purchases. 

 

Ten bids, 5 days to go, and already at US$70, tells me that it will likely exceed what I am willing to spend on a board just to R-E it. 

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