3 Things You Can Do With THEC64 That AREN'T Games!

#Commodore64 #C64Mini #TheC64 #TheVIC20 #retrogaming #retrocomputing
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It's our 100th video, so let's celebrate by taking a look at one of my favorite modern retro devices: THEC64 by Retro Games LTD. There are still lots of questions floating around about this machine and many of them involve doing more than simply playing games. The good news is that it does so much more than that.
Here are a few non-gaming things that you can do with your C64 Mini, Full Sized, and THEVIC20!
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[@RetroTechToys]

We just hit 100 videos! Thank you so very much for all of your support! It means the world to me, and it helps the channel grow and improve every single day.

[@JanEspen]

What separates THEC64 from any other retro console is that it is an actual computer with it's authentic keyboard. It can boot directly into Basic programming language just like the good old days. Learning Basic is a good start to newcomers even today.

[@72dodge340]

@ammonitida Yes, but without the built-in full sized keyboard.

[@RetroTechToys]

@ammonitida A mini is perfectly fine. I have two of them. Grab a USB hub, a USB keyboard and you're off. :)

[@brostenen]

Authentic keyboard???? 🤣 The keyboard is not authentic. Different contact technology, no springs and different font on the keycaps. It might look much like the original, but I can say for sure that it is in no way authentic. Heck, it does not even have two layers of plastic in each keycap. The feel of the keycaps is only 90 percent close to the original.

[@brostenen]

It is not authentic.

[@dm8579]

@@brostenen I don't know what's worse - the original keyboard, which really sucked -or the fact that they tried to replicate it but only got 90% there.

[@pomakis]

Ever since I got my full-size TheC64 a couple of months ago, I've been in full geek-out mode on it, challenging myself with all sorts of fun programming projects, in both BASIC and machine language. I basically picked up where I left off in the early 90s when I put my retired my original Commodore 64. Honestly, TheC64 is such a faithful recreation of the original Commodore 64 that I often forget that it technically *doesn't* have a real 6510 chip in it.

[@brostenen]

Yes, it is an amazing re-imagination, of the real deal. And it is a nice emulator machine. But looks are decieving. Cosmetically it is in not way the same. Still close to a real machine. The keyboard is not fully up to standard as well, and when looking at the original that was crap anyway, I wish they had done more. One thing that could have made the keyboard better, would be springs. Also I am not a fan of that point, were the keys have a tactile feedback. The absolute worst part, is the same as with WinVice and SwinSID-Nano. It is a horrible recreation of the original SID. The only two solutions that come close to a real SID, are FPGA-SID and ARM-SID. None the less. I like TheC64, because it is an easy and cheap solution. However it does not come close to my two personal builds that I have done. One is a fully replica of the 250466 C64-C and the other is a way more rare machine in the world. It is the ATX64 machine, and I can tell you that there are not many of those in the world. On KZbin we are 3 or 4 people who have one. Both of my builds use ARM-SID.

[@8BitNaptime]

I finished the tail end of high school with an expanded 64: 1351 mouse, 1764 REU upgraded to 512K, and a 1581. The printer was a 1526, painfully slow but had crisp output. Handing in papers with GEOS clipart and different typefaces was a real trip!

[@smakfu1375]

I love the C64 Maxi, though technically mine is the Vic20 version - same machine, but with the awesome early Vic20 aesthetics (it's a dead ringer for my actual Vic20, which I've had since I was 7 years old in 1982). It's really easy to forget you're not on an actual C=64 / Vic20.

[@jalzate]

I used to use GEOS for word processing and drawing. A limitation with TheC64 is the inability to print, unfortunately. Other programs i used were PrintShop and Printmaster to make cards, calendars and banners (obviously printed needed). I practices Pascal on the 64. I also used music software like Music Shop.

[@fatherelijahcal9620]

Save what you want to print to a file then print it from a normal computer maybe? Perhaps a bit cumbersome, but that would be a workaround solution.

[@maxpolaris99]

Me too to all the above. 120 Character per second 9 pin dot matrix black ink printer! :)

[@MegaasAlexandros]

Do you mean a inability to print from the mini? The normal 64 could print, in fact i remember a school mate would use it to print his essays.

[@basicforge]

Great video. When I had my own original C64 back in the day I barely used it for gaming. Programming was my thing mostly, even with my VIC-20.

[@rog2224]

With the 1.6.1 firmware, there's mouse support added for GEOS.

[@Jammet]

Looking especially forward to that GEOS video. I also enjoy writing, and for reasons known not even to myself, I enjoy writing on the Commodore 64, or THEC64, and there I'm always struggling to find the best word processor. 80 columns mode would be nice, and easy saving and loading where you don't have to remember the documents filenames, but with otherwise free memory? Does such a word processor even exist? Jasword is pretty nice, but has many more features than I need. Can you link to the files one needs for GEOS and LOGO and CPM?

[@RetroTechToys]

I know of one word processor in particular that is pretty nice, but I can't recall the name. I have the actual disk in my SX-64's storage compartment, so I'll dig that out soon and look for a d64 image of it online too.

[@maxpolaris99]

I got CP/M for my Commodore 128 but it ran on the Zilog 80 not the 6510 CPU.

[@choppergirl]

Back in the 80's, we actually rarely played C=64 games. We could only afford a few of them, and you can imagine they got boring and played to the end fast and lost their shine. It was only the advent of pirating ROMs, the internet, and that you can have thousands of games on a USB stick fast loader cartridge, that people now falsely think in retrospect the C=64 was primarily a game machine. Back then, most of our time was actually spent writing our own games and programs in BASIC.

[@GeeEmJay]

I remember "Print Shop" on the C64 ;)

[@braillynn]

So some other things you can do is play SID tunes with SID Player. You can also create SID tunes with SID Wizard.

[@undeadtotheend6420]

Great video. The C64 maxi is really good.

[@dbtech4562]

I remember running the LOGO language on my Commodore 64. Simons Basic was really good too.

[@hai.1820]

Yea, there was a rumor that it was coded by a 14 year old

[@dbtech4562]

@@hai.1820 Yes, a 14 year old kid created Simons Basic. I wonder what ever happened to him in his career.

[@midnitepagan9118]

I used to use geos and an old dotmatrix printer to run my d&d campaigns back in the day.

[@SchardtCinematic]

I used the Sidplayer on my mini as an experiment. But I mostly use the VICE Emulator. I've been converting Gifs on my C64 to see how they turn out. It's hit or miss but fun to do.

[@mamusichmilan7729]

Back in the day, C64-s were used in Hungary, to run certain parts of the Paks Nuclear Powerplant.

[@richardblack5710]

Waiting for your video on setting up and using GEOS on The C64.

[@AssassinsCreedpro-xb2cf]

What about the Sega McDonald's lcd games

[@retroscener]

You can also run many awesome scene demos.

[@madcommodore]

theC64 is great for writing PETSCII programs, even if they are just databases with text box outlines etc. Too much of a pain to do it on a PC keyboard in an emulator.

[@luismiguelgramagerevert9754]

Hi friend! Congratulations for your channel! It´s fantastic! You have a new suscriptor. Greetings from Spain!!!

[@shayneerwin2809]

Great video. Can you do a video of how one can actually install GEOS and all its main apps on the C64 maxi?

[@weaselsworld]

The only downside I can think of for these new emulator boxes is that they're missing the old I/O options that offered more opportunities for hacking chicanery. For example, one of the last jobs my Commodore had was as a home security system. Each of those joystick ports provided at least 5 inputs (to start), with each direction and the fire button being a simple switch. Take that switch and mount it to a door and door frame, now the computer can tell when the door is open. Repeat for the windows, plug in a modem, and boom! A basic home security system that can call and alert a helpful neighbor while you're away! Can't really do that with these emulator boxes. Learning basic programming is okay, but you can also learn how to code in Assembler or machine language on these too, which can still be a relevant skill in some industries today!

[@zpacetree]

can u use this joystick as a keyboard? or at least as many buttons as it has

[@jalzate]

Not sure how CP/M runs in TheC64. Didn't it need a Z80 card to run in the original?

[@RetroTechToys]

It did. I'm not sure either, honestly, but it works!

[@youreallyplaythat]

Wow. KZbin took a while to show me this channel. This seems like my thing! Plus one subscriber!

[@LadyNicola]

Thank you. Just need to be able to save docs to the USB stick.

[@whitepaperkat67]

Can you modify it so you can use a modem lol are like one of those aftermarket Wi-Fi modems there that like acts like Hayes modem

[@randymulder9105]

I love that I can use this at my tv without having to lug out my c64 and CRT monitors, disk drive and disks. I don't have to wait for games to load forever either? Is it still slow loading? Is it still slow processing? Or is it faster now with new tech!?

[@randymulder9105]

What is the most recent version of the C64 Mini? I heard there was a newer one? Also, I hear Amiga 500 will have a mini too!

[@acied6200]

The c64 or any rom kernal based 8bit computer for that matter, are expandable fairly easy, with other roms giving more functionality on the fly. On the fly ? Yup no loading time whatsoever. Very easy robotic or led driving through the 8bit user port i/o. And last bit not least.. what computer has 2 A/D converters on board by default ? Tbey really had everything setup on thia machine to get you going just as easy as you now have the rpi, only..it was 30 years ago.

[@hitscanningscumbag9161]

Just got my C64 mini and I was very disappointed. I had been considering returning it for a few days now, but thanks to you I'm gonna give geos a Look! I've been considering turning it into a laptop as well but I gotta keep digging to find that. Anyway thanks for info!

[@RetroTechToys]

The mini is a bit more work than the full-sized but there are so many great things you can do with these. I'll work on another non-gaming video for these machines as soon as I can. :)

[@hitscanningscumbag9161]

Ay thanks dude. Yeah I was thinking I would probably pull the entire system out of the case and slap it into a custom laptop (you know get one of those 3d printed things of fivrr of something)? And then try to get a pcb which can connect keyboard and display. Probably be pricey more than challenging, but. I got nothing else going on so

[@RetroTechToys]

@@hitscanningscumbag9161 That's a really good idea and I'd love to hear about the finished product!

[@hitscanningscumbag9161]

Can do! It's gonna take me a while tho, since I don't have any money right now.

[@RetroTechToys]

@@hitscanningscumbag9161 Totally understand. Story of my life. :)

[@paulstubbs7678]

CPM on a 6502!, I thought it was 8080/Z80 only

[@hstrinzel]

Can the THEC64 do CP/M with 80 columns? Fairly well? Curious...

[@gklinger]

You said "you can program in BASIC almost exactly like you'd program with a C64" -- what is different? Also, DOS works a little like CP/M actually. CP/M came first.

[@RetroTechToys]

You are absolutely correct. Mostly, I wanted to use language that would familiarize folks who didn't know about CP/M for the C64 with the OS. I may have been too simplistic in my approach. Thanks for watching. :)

[@gklinger]

@@RetroTechToys No problem. I wasn't trying to bust your chops but was rather interested if there was a difference between the actual 64 and the Mini/Maxi. I understand that they use the VICE emulator which is, as far as I can tell, 100% accurate. If there's a difference, something isn't right somewhere, you know?

[@RetroTechToys]

It's okay! I really appreciate your comments and clarifications. All feedback is welcome here. Learning together is what it's all about. :)

[@3dtexan890]

Wasn't CP/M for the C128?

[@RetroTechToys]

There was a CP/M cartridge for the C64 that added a Z80 CPU so that it could be used. :)

[@dbranconnier1977]

I'm surprised that it can run CP/M. I guess the emulator in the C64 Maxi and Mini can also emulate the Z80 cpu. The original Commodore 64 needed a Z80 cartridge to run CP/M.

[@devorn904]

Yes, this is very surprising, and suggests that the Vice emulator which i suspect that The C64 is based upon includes a module to interpret Z80 machine code... Amazing

[@kanalnamn]

I think that is a version of Roßmöller’s CP/M Emulator, it emulates the Intel 8080 (Z80) instruction set and was released for their 6502 4Mhz accelerator cartridge. It will run unaccelerted... but sloooooow. So, it's not Commodores CP/M cartridge.

[@Centar1964]

With the recently released VISION BASIC just about anyone can program high end software for the C64 with ease.

[@patrickdeunhouwer5926]

How do you run CPM and a mini/maxi? This video does not really explain it. CPM needs an Z80 cpu which ofcourse also could be emulated but did not read anything about this.

[@vytah]

That version of cp/m contains an emulator, that's why it's so slow. It doesn't require any extra hardware.

[@gamepad3173]

People say that you can't run a Floppy drive, Yeah you can. you just need a USB floppy drive and with a bit of work you can use floppy disks much like you could from back in the day. as far as tape decks and cassettes go for the Commodore 64 Maxi I haven't tried that as of yet.

[@stephendouglas684]

Somebody, somewhere who is smart and bored, please create a docking station for theC64 with a raspi zero to hook up commodore peripherals such as cartridge, printer, floppy and modem.

[@BlackburnBigdragon]

You can learn Assembly Language!

[@RetroTechToys]

I've been wanting to do that for a while myself. I'm pretty familiar with BASIC but have always wanted to learn Assembly. Thanks for watching!

[@BlackburnBigdragon]

@@RetroTechToys Never a better time to do it. I've been running Merlin on it and downloaded a few books on Assembly from Internet Archive. I'm using one called, "Assembly Language for Kids Commodore 64". That one is pretty much on my level and hand holds pretty well. With Assembly, some of us DO need some hand holding. Back when I was a teenager, and had my C64, it was difficult to find both the software, and the books to help you learn Assembly where I live. It's nice that most of this stuff is readily available on the net and Internet Archive now. I'm finally able to, after all these decades learn this stuff that I've always wanted to learn. Believe it or not, I do more programming on The C64 than games. I used to write a LOT in Basic back in the day, and I'm back to it.

[@Tweaker420666]

can u telnet to a bbs

[@polluks2]

Now you have mouse support 😊

[@dr.ignacioglez.9677]

I LOVE C64 👍🥂🎩

[@inachu]

NASA used to use the hardware because it is all open source.

[@FishcatGames]

why r they so exclusive 😔

[@Corsa15DT]

Street Fighter 2 is 10 times worse

[@swordblaster2596]

Reality is, you wouldn't do any of these things on a 64. Because it's 2021.