Note: The CreatiVision Mechanical Keyboard is supplied in Kitset form (assembly required). The base price is for the double-sided silkscreened CreatiVision Mechanical Keyboard PCB ONLY. Optional Packs are available to help complete your CreatiVision Mechanical Keyboard Kitset. So if you already have the required components, then you can just order the PCB only.

What is the CreatiVision Mechanical Keyboard?

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 TMS9929A/28A 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 the re-Creation of the CreatiVision system hardware.

I then designed a Controller Interface (available separately in my Tindie Store), to enable connecting a PS/2 Keyboard and Atari Joysticks to control my CreatiVision re-Creation.

My CreatiVision Controller interface project turned into a dual purpose design, as the Controller can also be used to upgrade an existing original CreatiVision Console, to allow using a more modern Keyboard and Joysticks (in addition to use with CreatiVision re-Creations!).

The CreatiVision Mechanical Keyboard listed here is a PS/2 interfaced mechanical Keyboard, designed to be an add-on to the CreatiVision Controller interface. Providing a CreatiVision specific 48-key Mechanical Keyboard which matches both the key layout and key legends of the original CreatiVision moving key keyboard accessory.

For more information about this project, including the MECB based CreatiVision re-Creation, my design journey creating the CreatiVision Controller interface and this CreatiVision Keyboard, and a demonstration of use on both an original CreatiVision Console and my MECB CreatiVision re-Creation, be sure to watch my CreatiVision re-Creation playlist series of YouTube Videos.

What You Get

To satisfy everyones needs, I've split the CreatiVision Mechanical Keyboard Kitset into Optional add-on Packs.

Firstly, note that the base price is for the double-sided silkscreened CreatiVision Mechanical Keyboard PCB Only.

Then you add the Optional Packs to complete your Kitset, depending on your parts requirements.

Optional Hardware Pack includes:

• 48x MX Compatible Key Switches - Brown
• 1x Keyboard Switch Plate (3D printed)
• 48x CreatiVision MX Key Caps dual-colour (3D printed)
• 8x 12mm Nylon PCB Spacer
• 16x 6mm Nylon Bolt (for Spacer mounting)

Optional Component Pack includes:

• 1x AVR32EA28 Microcontroller (U1) pre-programmed with the CreatiVision Keyboard v1 code
• 2x 2N7000 TO-92 non-leadformed MOSFETs (Q1, Q2)
• 2x 0.1µf Capacitor 5mm Mount (C1, C2)
• 2x 10K 1/8w Carbon Film Resistors (R1, R2)
• 2x 4-pin Right-Angle PCB Header

CreatiVision Mechanical Keyboard BOM

The following is a full Bill Of Materials (BOM) to allow fully assembling your CreatiVision Mechanical Keyboard (see also the BOM photo image).

Note that the PCB is supplied, and all components required are available in the Optional Packs.

I have also included an indication of where I sourced my parts from, if this is of assistance.

Your CreatiVision Mechanical Keyboard 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.

The Video covering this Mechanical Keyboard add-on is Part 4 of my video series covering the overall CreatiVision re-Creation project. The series, starting at Part 1 Video is also available on my YouTube channel.