A PS/2 Keyboard and dual Atari Joystick Interface Adapter for your retro CreatiVision TV Console, or your modern CreatiVision re-Creation.
Designed by Digicool Things in New Zealand
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Note: The CreatiVision Controller Interface is supplied in Kitset form (assembly required). The base price is for the double-sided silkscreened CreatiVision Controller Interface PCB ONLY. Optional …
Read More…Note: The CreatiVision Controller Interface is supplied in Kitset form (assembly required). The base price is for the double-sided silkscreened CreatiVision Controller Interface PCB ONLY. Optional Packs are available to help complete your CreatiVision Controller Interface Kitset. So if you already have the required components, then you can just order the PCB only.
The CreatiVision was a colour TV Gaming Console and Personal Computer from the early 1980's. It was based on the popular 8-bit 6502 CPU, the TMS9929 Video Display Processor, and the SN76489 Digital Complex Sound Generator chip.
As part of my 8-bit retro computing Minimalist Europe Card Bus (MECB) project, I configured some of the MECB Cards to enable re-Creation of the CreatiVision system hardware.
This just left the need for a Controller Interface, to enable connecting a Keyboard and Joysticks to control my CreatiVision re-Creation.
In addition, during this project I also finally got my hands on an original CreatiVision Console.
The CreatiVision Console uses a relatively complex interface for it's Controllers. This includes double-pole switches for it's 48-key QWERTY keyboard, making it a relatively non-trivial exercise trying to replace or upgrade a console's existing controllers.
Unfortunately, due to this complex interface, when the original controllers wear-out or otherwise stop working, another CreatiVision Console might just end up in landfill. Argh!
In addition, there are also those retro enthusiasts who would like to upgrade their existing CreatiVision Console controllers, to allow using a more modern Keyboard and Joysticks.
So, my CreatiVision Controller interface project turned into a dual purpose design!
It supports upgrading (replacing), the existing controllers on an original CreatiVision Console. As well as providing support for interfacing directly to a PIA on any CreatiVision re-Creation (like my MECB based re-Creation).
For more information about this project, including the MECB based CreatiVision re-Creation, my design journey creating this CreatiVision Controller interface, and a demonstration of it's use on both an original CreatiVision Console and my MECB CreatiVision re-Creation, be sure to watch my CreatiVision re-Creation series of Videos.
To satisfy everyones needs, I've split the CreatiVision Controller Interface Kitset into Optional add-on Packs.
Firstly, note that the base price is for the double-sided silkscreened CreatiVision Controller Interface PCB Only.
Then you add Optional Packs to complete the Kitset, depending on your parts requirements.
Optional Hardware / Connector Pack includes:
Notes:
Optional Programmed AVR32DA28 + SDIP28 IC Socket Pack includes:
Optional Tested MT8816AP + PLCC44 IC Socket Pack includes:
Optional Diodes / Resistor Network / Capacitors Pack includes:
Optional USB-C PD3.0 Smart Socket Module “Upgrade” includes:
Optional IDC 30cm Ribbon Data Cable Pack includes:
The following is a full Bill Of Materials (BOM) to allow fully assembling your CreatiVision Controller Interface (see also the BOM photo image).
Note that the PCB is supplied, and most components are available in the Optional Packs. In fact, the Optional Packs include everything you need to build your CreatiVision Controller Interface. The only items not included, are the additional 3 items in the BOM for the hardware reset option (as indicated by #).
Please note that the hardware reset option is not really needed, as the controller code performs a software reset of the MT8816AP device on power-up.
Some components are of course optional. For example DIL IC Sockets, although I do highly recommend IC Sockets are used throughout. Also, the ## indicated components are only required for the Direct PIA (re-Creation) option.
I have also included an indication of where I sourced my parts from, if this is of assistance.
Item | Qty | Source | Part Number |
---|---|---|---|
CreatiVision Controller PCB | 1 | JLCPCB | |
12mm Nylon PCB Spacer | 4 | AliExpress | |
6mm Nylon Bolt | 8 | AliExpress | |
24 pin IDC Male Socket PCB RA Mount ## | 1 | Mouser | |
9 pin DB9 Male Socket PCB RA Mount | 2 | Mouser | |
6 pin Mini-DIN Female Socket PCB RA Mount | 1 | Mouser | |
USB-C Power Socket Module (OR module below) | 1 | AliExpress | |
USB-C PD3.0 Smart Socket Module (OR module above) | 1 | AliExpress | |
10-pin PCB Header | 2 | AliExpress | |
4-pin PCB Header | 3 | AliExpress | |
3-pin PCB Header | 3 | AliExpress | |
2-pin PCB Header # | 1 | AliExpress | |
1-pin PCB Header | 1 | AliExpress | |
2-pin Jumper Cap | 3 | AliExpress | |
1N4148 Small Signal Diode (D1 - D16) ## | 16 | Mouser | 1N4148 |
LSM115F Schottky Diode (D17,D18) | 2 | Mouser | LSM115JE3/TR13 |
MT8816AP Analog Switch Array PLCC44 (U1) | 1 | Mouser | MT8816AP |
AVR32DA28 8-bit AVR MCU (U2) | 1 | Mouser | AVR32DA28 |
MAX708CPA (U3) # | 1 | Mouser | MAX708CPA |
Resistor Network 3K3 SIP9 (RN1) ## | 1 | Mouser | 4609X-101-332LF |
0.1µf Capacitor 5mm (C1 - C4) | 4 | AliExpress | K104K15X7RF5UH5 |
Tactile Switch 6mm (SW1) # | 1 | AliExpress | |
PLCC44 TH IC Socket (for U1) | 1 | AliExpress | |
SDIP28 IC Socket (for U2) | 1 | AliExpress | |
DIP8 IC Socket (for U3) # | 1 | AliExpress | |
IDC Terminated 24 way Ribbon Data Cable ## | 1 |
Your CreatiVision Controller Interface Kitset order is shipped in a robust cardboard carton with packing, for safe delivery via New Zealand International Air Parcel (see example shipping photo).
Note: Visit the Documentation link (below) for more information on my MECB based CreatiVision re-Creation project, and other projects that might be of interest to you.
Also, the Video linked below is Part 2 of my video series covering the CreatiVision re-Creation project. This Part 2 Video (and Blog post) covers the CreatiVision Controller interface design journey, kitset assembly, and demonstration of the Controller interface in use with both an original CreatiVision Console and the MECB CreatiVision re-Creation. The original Part 1 Video is also available on my YouTube channel.
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