PICO9918

Name: PICO9918
SKU: 35501
Price: 35.00 USD
Availability: OutOfStock
Rating: 4.95 (5 reviews)

(5 Reviews)

Drop-in replacement for a TMS9918A VDP

Designed by Troy Schrapel in Australia

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$35.00

Out of Stock

Sold out since Nov 07, 2024

Drop-in replacement for a TMS9918A VDP

Stock notice / availability I'm waiting on the PCBA shop to get one of the components in before I order the next batch. Hoping to have them around the end of November. What is it? The PICO9918 is an …

Stock notice / availability

I'm waiting on the PCBA shop to get one of the components in before I order the next batch. Hoping to have them around the end of November.

What is it?

The PICO9918 is an open-source drop-in replacement for the classic TMS9918A VDP driving the displays of many 80's computers and consoles. It is powered by the mighty RP2040 microcontroller of Raspberry Pi Pico fame.

It can be used to replace the TMS9918/TMS9918A/TMS9928A/TMS9929A/TMS9118 of these machines, providing crisp VGA output and enhanced features. The PICO9918 doesn't require an external crystal or VRAM, so can also be used in cases where your video crystal, video RAM or display circuitry is bad.

Compatibility

So far, the PICO9918 has been tested on the following systems:

Texas Instruments TI-99/4A (NTSC and PAL)
Texas Instruments TI-99/4QI
Dan Werner TI-99/22
ColecoVision (NTSC and PAL) Note: Recommend 300mm (12") cable
Coleco ADAM (NTSC)
AtariBits CV-NUC+
Memotech MTX500
MSX
NABU Personal Computer
Powertran Cortex
Sega SG-1000 / SC-3000
Sord M5
Tomy Pyūta / Tomy Tutor
Tomy Pyūta Jr

Homebrews:

Troy Schrapel's HBC-56
Stuart Connor's TM990
John Winans' Z80-Retro

I expect this list to grow as more people try it out. I can't guarantee it will work on any system not listed above, however there is a fair chance it will.

If you test it on a device not listed, please let me know and I'll add it to the list. If it doesn't work, I'll start an unsupported devices list.

Homebrew

The PICO9918 is also a great choice for homebrew builders who would like to add retro graphics output to their homebrew builds with minimal fuss since it requires no external componentry to function.

Open source

The hardware and firmware is completely open source, allowing you to make modifications and design your own VDP features... in C.

The full source code and firmware binaries is available on GitHub: https://github.com/visrealm/pico9918

Note: By default, your PICO9918 will be shipped with CRT mode enabled which provides a CRT-like scanline effect. If you prefer a crisp VGA image, you can apply the "nocrt" firmware which is available in the Releases section of the GitHub repository.

What do you get?

Fully assembled PICO9918 v1.1 PCB
VGA connector (200mm)

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Review Breakdown

Average Ratings

Product: (5.00)

Documentation: (4.80)

Shipping: (5.00)

Communication: (5.00)

David | Nov. 19, 2024

One of the easiest vdp replacement options

I have been using various FPGA based vdp replacement options for years. The pico9918 board has the right form factor, and the right price. The creator of this little unit has leveraged his long experience with the TMS 9918 emulation to pack all of that and more into the rp2040!

I use this device on my own homebrew boards and have tested it successfully as a replacement option in the Nabu and on the z80-Retro by John's Digital Basement which uses a Tms9118.

The other main benefit for me is that with these (and other) replacement solutions, the supporting components are also emulated. When using the pico9918 designers can skip the xtal and dynamic ram components which massively simplifies new designs.

If you're looking to replace your existing vdp for better video quality, or you're working on a new design, I absolutely recommend the pico9918.

John | Nov. 15, 2024

Awesome device - Works on Many Systems - 2024 Upgrade

Upgrade these classic systems to 2024 technology and crisp clear VGA output! I've installed two of these now, one in a Coleco Adam and one in the TI 99/4a. They are easy to install and take up no more room than the original chip. Plug and play out of the box, get a industry standard VGA output. Quick shipping and good customer support. Troy has been good about keeping the community in the loop on when new shipments will be available and updates to the firmware.

Roy | Sept. 21, 2024

A great project and a perfect replacement for the TMS9918

A great project and a perfect replacement for the TMS9918. A well documented Github and the project is still under active development.

Ashton | Sept. 7, 2024

Does what it says on the box

Just plug it in and it works. Great product in its current state with more features likely to come in the future.

Damian | Sept. 6, 2024

New life into my old TI-99/4A.....VGA output!!!!!

Thanks Troy for starting this project. As a PAL TI owner I was suffering with poor video out, the composite mod (tap off the modulator) didn't really help. When Troy posted his early efforts on the TI Facebook channels I had to have one when it became mature enough for a proper replacement. The PICO9918 is definitely mature enough, works perfectly as a replacement for the hot running 9928 and with the additional efforts Troy's doing on adding F18A support etc the future's bright for the old '99.

$35.00