Description
Give your RC2014 the cool graphics of the 80s. Based on the V99x8 VDP, used in the MSX2 computers. Output via 15-PIN DSUB/VGA connector.
What is it?
A complete kit to give your RC2014 the advanced graphic capabilities of the early to late 80s. This kit can be configured to use a V9938 or the more advanced V9958 Video Display Processors (VDP) which powered the MSX2/MSX2+ line of 8 bit Z80 computers.
This V9958 chip, was produced by Yamaha in the late 80s and was an update to the the V9938 chip, which was itself, a successor to TI’s TMS9918. The V9938/V9958 addressed many of the shortcomings of the original TMS9918.
The V9938 and V9958 are very similar in capability. See the associated github project for more details of the differences.
Some of the V99x8 key features include:
- Hardware acceleration (line and dot commands, horizontal scrolling registers, and others)
- Support for up to 19268 colours (V9958 only)
- 13 Screen Modes (12 for the V9938)
- Resolutions up to 512 x 212
Key features of this board
- Compatible with RC2014 (enhanced bus required)
- 128K of RAM
- RGB 15Khz output via standard 15 pin DSUB/VGA connector for easy connectivity
Revision 3.8
- Improved CSYNC processing for both V9938 and V9958 configuration.
Revision 3.4
- Optional 5V output on the RGB connector.
Revision 3.3
- Support for either a V9958 or a V9938 Video Processor.
- Pads for some components are slightly bigger to aid in soldering.
- Re-arrangements of some components to reduced output noise from nearby digital signals.
Video conversion/display options
The 15 pin DSUB/VGA connector, makes for a simple and easy solution for any up-converters that accepts a DSUB/VGA input, such as the excellent and low cost arcade based upscalers available on ebay, amazon and other places.
(Some VGA monitors may be able to process the output – but most will not, as the output is a lower resolution 15kHz signal.)
The RetroRGB upscalers article has a good description for some of the converter options.
Items such as retroTink and OSSC are very high quality converters – but also have a decent price tag.
I have found the low cost arcade converters such as the GBS-8200 and HD-VC9900 converters produce excellent results. The upscalers can be acquired through the usual ebay, amazon and other sellers at very reasonable prices.
The GBS-8200 can also be easily modified to produce more customisable and higher quality output – again RetroRGB has it all explained at GBS Control
Video Upscaling Testing status
I have tested both V9958 and V9938 versions of the kit with the low cost GBS-8200 and HD-VC9900 upscalers. These have produced solid stable images for the respective VGA and HDMI output. They seem very tolerant of CSYNC voltage signal levels.
My recommendation is to use GBS-8200 or the HD-VC9900 upscalers. The quality is fine and I do most of my testing on these converters. Just google their codes and you will find the usual retailers/marketplaces (eg: ebay/amazon/aliexpress) have plenty of purchase options.
Other upscalers, such as the OSSC and retroTink may work, but I am unable to verify and confirm. Your milage may very. Adapter cables would need to be constructed.
I have not tested the unit on a real RGB CRT monitor.
What is the ‘Yellow MSX Series of Boards’?
These are a series of boards that I am developing to achieve MSX compatibility for RC2014 systems.
The idea is that you can build each board one at a time, test it and play with it under RomWBW – and then once you have the set – load up some MSX/MSX2+ games!
The V9958 board is the first in that series.
More details can be found on my hackaday project
What’s included in this kit
The kit can be supplied with individually tested V99x8 and 4164C chips. Or you can choose to exclude these chips if you wish to source them yourself.
Everything else you need is included (PCB, passive components, crystals, sockets, connectors and other ICs)
The ATF16V8 is supplied new and programmed for immediate operation.
What else do I need to make this work?
- You need a working RC2014 system (cpu, RomWBW, Clock, etc – enhanced bus required).
- A compatible monitor or upscaler converter
Construction notes
Please note that due to the finer pitch pins of the V99x8, the soldering of this board requires a little more finesse than the typical RC2014 through-hole based boards. If you have built a few boards already, then you should be fine. It’s recommended that a finer pitch soldering tip be used as it can be easy to accidentally bridge some of the pins.
Extra care needed when inserting the V99x8 into its socket – there are lots of pins, take your time to avoid bending pins.
For more notes and any revisions please have a look at the github page
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