Apollo Team announces the Vampire V4

[TuKo]

After the big success of the Vampire 600 V2 and Vampire 500 V2+, Apollo Team is proud to announce their next generation FPGA device: the Vampire V4.

The Vampire V4 is made with a standard “one design to fit them all” and comes in three flavors depending on customer need:

• The Vampire V4 Standalone System

• The Vampire V4 for Amiga Classic compatible with
  • Amiga 1000/500/2000/CDTV
  • Amiga 600 with kippa’s adapter (if produced)

• The Vampire V4 for Amiga 1200

This new Vampire V4 packs many upgraded specifications and brings Amiga Classic systems to another new performance paradigm thanks to its new Altera Cyclone 5 A5 FPGA and fast DDR3 memory.

The Vampire V4 standalone system will be a complete new Amiga system powered by the 68080 CPU core and the complete SAGA chipset (AGA compatible).

Vampire V4 is powered by:

• FPGA : Altera Cyclone V A5 (77k LE, 28nm technology)

• RAM : 512MB DDR3 (up to 1GB/s)

And supports:

• FastIDE with 40/44-pin connectors

• Digital Video-out up to 720p@60Hz

• Dual Kickstart-flashrom (for safety)

• MicroSD Storage

Certification: Vampire V4 is CE, WEEE and RoHS compliant



PCB is populated by:
1. IO Header #1
2. IO Header #2
3. IO Header #3
4. Ethernet
5. USB
6. USB
7. DB9 (standalone only)
8. DB9 (standalone only)
9. FastIDE 40-pin
10. FastIDE 44-pin
11. FPGA
12. Digital Video Amplifier
13. Digital Video Output
14. DDR3 RAM
15. JTAG Header
16. MicroSD slot
17. MicroUSB Power (standalone only)

All other details are documented in this PDF.

Apollo Team wishes you a GREAT summer :-)

[Amiga1992]

This looks like a pre-existing motherboard, like the ones that were discussed here before , is it? Not condemning it, I think it's a good thing to use something that's already out there and focus on the core.

Also a bit confused. I don't really know who "Apollo Team" is, besides Gunnar, is majsta involved with this at all?

[CMTX]

I don't think so Akira, it looks like it has a 68000 header on it

I thinks it's perfect, except for the Serial/Parallel ports. Maybe they can be accessed through the I/O ports, i hope.

It's also a pity that it doesn't include Analog audio, but that isn't a major issue as you can always use an HDMI audio splitter.

[E-Penguin]

I'm going to need another A600 then.

I hope the cores for the V2 continue to improve and don't get forgotten in the rush for the next shiny thing.

[trixster]

I can see a load of "old" V2s now getting flogged on eBay.

[Amiga1992]

Originally Posted by CMTX

I don't think so Akira, it looks like it has a 68000 header on it

Good point, I had not noticed that.
Well, standalone is the way to go in my opinion, waiting to hear about pricing on these things.
My main concern with a standalone option is connectivity. I see I/O headers and the DB9 ports, but will we be able to connect:

- Amiga keyboards (external or internal types)
- Amiga floppy drives (external and internal)
- Serial devices
- Parallel devices
- Amiga RGB monitors through 23 pin video board
- Genlocks

Because otherwise it joins more of the "reconfigurable computer" ranks rather than a "replacement for my amiga" rank. The Ultimate64 is great in my opinion because it accepts all peripherals.
And please no "Amiga's future" talk about it. if this thing will have the "Amiga" name on it, I expect it to be compatible with Amiga peripherals. If not, fine, it's another product, I am not dismissing it. Just need to be clear on what one gets if one goes that way.

An A1200 or A600 as an I/O interface sounds like a sad and unwanted solution

Originally Posted by E-Penguin

I'm going to need another A600 then.

Be careful, note the text, that says: "Amiga 600 with kipper’s adapter (if produced)"
Said adapter might not be produced.

[supaduper]

Great news, great work, Kudos to the Apollo team once again...you are spoiling us

[spudje]

Woohoooo!!! Awesome announcement Apollo team! Finally I can join the vampire crew

[antiriad76]

My A1200 is waiting in-patiently. I still haven't had the chance to try the V2+ on my A2000 or A500. I have it sitting in its box.

[TuKo]

Originally Posted by CMTX

I don't think so Akira, it looks like it has a 68000 header on it

I thinks it's perfect, except for the Serial/Parallel ports. Maybe they can be accessed through the I/O ports, i hope.

IO headers can be used as you wish, also for analog audio if needed.

[demolition]

Great news guys. Looking forward to seeing some demos of this and what the final price ends up being.

I also hope that some of the stuff from the V4 trickles down to us V2 users so we don't get left behind.. As long as we got room in the FPGA it should be possible but of course there may not be room for all the new shiny stuff.

[talybont]

Originally Posted by Akira

This looks like a pre-existing motherboard, like the ones that were discussed here before , is it? Not condemning it, I think it's a good thing to use something that's already out there and focus on the core.

This is a new board designed by Christoph 'Chris' Höhne. You can see an earlier version design of it posted here:

http://saku.bbs.fi/discus/messages/3/10509.html

https://s13.postimg.org/msjxcu6af/phoenix.jpg

[emufan]

good news. is there a working prototype already? sysinfo benchmark?

[Signman]

I can't wait to see all those who post their improved Sysinfo scores.

[Mr-Z]

Originally Posted by demolition

Great news guys. Looking forward to seeing some demos of this and what the final price ends up being.

I also hope that some of the stuff from the V4 trickles down to us V2 users so we don't get left behind.. As long as we got room in the FPGA it should be possible but of course there may not be room for all the new shiny stuff.

Well Gold 3 core still has to come for V2, and that will be the biggest update ever.

[mintsauce82]

So... is this the A1200 Vampire we've all been waiting for? I'm a wee bit confused.

[Marlon_]

Originally Posted by mintsauce82

So... is this the A1200 Vampire we've all been waiting for? I'm a wee bit confused.

The Vampire v4 will come in 3 editions:
* standalone
* for 500/600/1000/2000
* for 1200

[nogginthenog]

Originally Posted by Marlon_

The Vampire v4 will come in 3 editions:
* standalone
* for 500/600/1000/2000
* for 1200

No love for the A4000

[Toryglen-boy]

So A1200 owners have to wait again, for all other versions to be released? even the standalone?

[IanP]

Originally Posted by Marlon_

The Vampire v4 will come in 3 editions:
* standalone
* for 500/600/1000/2000
* for 1200

Whilst the first two share a common design* (just add/remove DB9, micro USB power, CPU socket connectors and load appropriate core) I believe the A1200 version will be a different design with the 32bit 150 pin bus connector and trapdoor form factor.

*600 version would require a PLCC to DIL socket adaptor board.