TMS9918A Video Card Kit for RC2014

Name: TMS9918A Video Card Kit for RC2014
SKU: 14880
Price: 5.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.64 (7 reviews)

(7 Reviews)

Get the true retro-video feel on your RC2014 with this TMS9918A video module designed by J.B. Langston.

Designed by Kamprath Hacks in United States of America

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Get the true retro-video feel on your RC2014 with this TMS9918A video module designed by J.B. Langston.

What is it? A complete kit to make a true retro 8-bit color display for the RC2014 based on the TMS9918A video display controller (VDC). Why did you make it? I put together this kit based on J.B. La…

What is it?

A complete kit to make a true retro 8-bit color display for the RC2014 based on the TMS9918A video display controller (VDC).

Why did you make it?

I put together this kit based on J.B. Langston's design (and with his blessing) because I would like to see more development activity around the TMS9918A on the RC2014, and wanted to make this module more accessible to those not willing or able to source the parts themselves.

What makes it special?

While there are several VGA out video modules for the RC2014, this is the only video module that uses the retro TMS9918A VDC. Many computers and gaming systems from the 1980s era used this chip, including the infamous ColecoVision, which like the RC2014 was also based on the Z80 CPU.

Please read J.B. Langston's Hackaday article and Github repository for information.

That is included in the kit?

You can purchase the PCB only, the PCB and the TMS9918A chip together, or the full kit. The full kit contains:

Item	Kit Count
74HCT32	1
74HCT138	1
74HCT04	1
74HCT574	3
TMS9918A	1
HM62256BLP-7	1
75 Ω resistor	1
130 Ω resistor	1
470 Ω resistor	1
Ferrite bead	1
10.73866MHz crystal	1
16 pf capacitor	2
0.1 µF capacitor	9
2N4401 transistor	1
Schottky diode	1
RCA connector	1
2x40 pin right angle header	1
1x40 pin straight header	1
28P IC Socket Widebody	1
20P IC Socket	3
14P IC Socket	2
16P IC Socket	1
40P IC Socket	1
TMS9918A Video Board REV 4 PCB	1

NOTE - The TMS9918A is NTSC only. It is not compatible with a PAL television.

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I cannot sell to United Kingdom or EU customers given their recent change in law requiring overseas sellers to collect and remit VAT. Until Tindie starts collecting VAT on my behalf or the United Kingdom or EU change their policies, this governmental burden is more than I am willing to bear.

Review Breakdown

Average Ratings

Product: (5.00)

Documentation: (4.29)

Shipping: (4.71)

Communication: (4.57)

Phillip M | May 20, 2024

Arrived Quickly, packed well, just as described, fine PCB

Just as above, a great transaction!

To satisfy Tindie.
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David | June 28, 2022

A great add-on for the RC2014

Works great and it's a very nice add-on to the RC-2014 or any other homebrew compatible computer.

I have to agree with previous review (from Benjamin), some instructions or guide would have been great. Specially if, like me, your product (Rev 4) is different from the one in the photos. I was in doubt a few times.

Richard | Feb. 22, 2022

Easy to assemble; works as it should

The board was easy to assemble and it works as it should. There were small details incorrect re. jumper settings, but the ready availability of _other_ design references made this easy to figure out.

I was delighted to have easy access to this period-correct graphics for the Z80 architecture and thankful to the developer for his design initiative and _especially_ for sharing with the community.

Benjamin | Oct. 4, 2020

Great Little Board

I just received this board in the mail today and it was a really nice and well made device. It took me about two hours to solder, but I also have very little soldering experience (I am a breadboard man myself) so if you have experience soldering, I imagine you could probably finish in under 45 minutes. The seller was really nice and was great at communicating with me and if I need to in the future, I would definitely do business with him again. All around great product and great experience. My only complaint is that I would like it if there was a soldering guide and a bit more documentation on how it operates. I was able to figure it all out from the schematics and gerber files, but a bit more in-depth tutorial would be nice. (If there is one and I missed it, please let me know and I will edit my review, if that is possible, this is my first time using this site).

David | Oct. 2, 2020

True-retro Video and Audio

The TMS9918A video kit (and SN76489 audio kit) are indispensable if you retro gaming is your thing :)

Gerald | March 17, 2020

Great Video Card for RC2014

I ordered this video card to put my RC2014 Pro rig properly in the era of the 8-bit microcomputer. I had a PI Zero (non-W) acting as a serial terminal, for both USB keyboard input and the HDMI output, to ease initial connectivity. Whilst there where plenty of VT100 terminals around 'back in the day' most home computers used a parallel-like scanned keyboard and output video as composite, sometimes composite video via on on-board or add-on VHF/UHF modulator or (in Europe) SCART.

The TMS9918A Video Card Kit for the RC2014 goes along way to achieving that retro 8-bit vibe and opens up the possibility to use legacy software, such as ColecoVision, MSX computer and even some Sinclair Spectrum (and variants) games.

This video card, along with the Yamaha chipped sound card for RC2014, makes for a much more compelling retro experience.

Jim | Feb. 18, 2019