Soldered on some header pins, downloaded and installed the NovaVGA library for Arduino and away I went. Programming the shield with the official library is a breeze.

Additionally, I created a NovaVGA simulator library so I can try out various graphics routines ahead of uploading my code to actual hardware. It's here if anybody else is interested... https://github.com/ajbkr/SDL2NovaVGA

After calculating cost-per-pixel and especially after factoring in shipping and import charges, this shield does become rather costly for what it provides (160x120 output with 64 colours). A graphical LCD shield works out to be significantly cheaper if you only intend to mess around and you're not too fussed about displaying graphics on a large monitor (or TV paired with a VGA to HDMI adapter).

With respect to import charges, do check the tracking number provided against Parcel Force or Royal Mail if shipping to the UK; the USPS site updates stalled for a bit and I only learnt that import charges were due by entering the USPS tracking number I had been given into the Royal Mail Web site.

I have wired up a PS/2 keyboard to my Arduino Uno/NovaVGA set up. Probably going to make a simple raycasting engine and game, similar to Wolfenstein 3-D.

Hi,
I am delighted with my Micro-nova Mercury fpga development board, delivery was very efficient, considering I am located in the UK. I first encountered the Mercury board in a youtube video by Nick Williams, which closely follows the getting started tutorial on the Micro-nova site. I am running windows 10, and have had a few issues with Xilinx ISE Webpack software. Particularly with _pn.exe and xlcm licensing. Having overcome this issues by searching for solutions on the internet, I finally got the BlinkLEDs example VHDL code to compile. I then hit another issue with the MAP 258 error, this was related to a licensing issue, which I resolved by going to the Xilinx website and finding a solution. With my fingers and everything else crossed, I rerun generating programming file and waited with baited breadth. You can imagine my relief to see "build successful" message and a series of green ticks. Finally successfully produced a .bit file for the blinkLEDs code.

Next to upload the .bit file to the Mercury board, which could not have been easier, worked without a hitch. I am so pleased that I purchased the Mercury board and very much look forward to running through Nick Williams Lesson 2 and 3, examples to get to know the board and fpga projects. I particularly like the fact that you can use the board with breadboard, for prototyping, I also look forward to getting a copy of the Micro-Nova Base board to allow be to connect to peripherals.

I have very little previous knowledge of VHDL or in working with fpga's, but have found the documentation on the Micro- Nova website very helpful and easy to follow. Anyone thinking off getting into fpga's then I highly recommend getting a Mercury board. I look forward to learning much more and creating some exciting projects with the Mercury Board. Micro-Nova, Mark Bowers thank you very much for opening up this very exciting field to the beginner/enthusiast.

Nice product, fast shipping, and well documented, easy to use.

it would be good if a mini usb cable can be provided, two faulty cables broke my whole day couldn't figure out the reasons.

- thanks

from jiajun

Awesome price for so many extra components for FPGA tinkering. Fast shipment, good documentation, excellent quality of board and board design.

I bought that product because i want to get in to fpga programming.
And with the starting guide its very easy to get the first program up and running.
I recomend getting a book additionally to it which explains the basic structure and functionality of vhdl/verilog with xilinx fpga's.
All in all im very happy with it and could recomend it to anyone who wants to get a decent fpga for prototyping.
Also dont forget the baseboard which serves additional IO like switches and for more advanced projects interfaces like pmod vga and ps2. Without it you are limmited to the breadboards you have but certainly works too.