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Features:
lThe product is brand new and has pixel perfect output, it looks like an emulator output.
lThis is a complete RGB to HDMI unit with the optional Analog board
lHDMI output at full HD 1920x1080p (goes up to 2560 x 1440)
lEnglish on screen menu
lNo frame drops, repeats or tears
lVery low lag (4ms)
lEasy to select from many computer profiles (see list below)
lOptional scanlines
lOpen hardware, open source!
The RGB to HDMI project supports many classic computers, but this sale is for a version that includes the optional analog board.
Computers supported by this configuration (6 way IDC connection):
To find information on building cables enter into your Google Search "hoglet67 RGBtoHDMI wiki Cables"
The first result will be a wiki page on building cables.
I am also going to be building various interfaces and cable kits in the future, but those sales aren't ready yet.
The RGBtoHDMI interface converts the RGB video signal from vintage computers like the Tandy Color Computer to DVI compatible with most modern TVs/Monitors. The interface comprises a Raspberry Pi Zero and a specially designed Hat containing a small CPLD. Custom firmware on the Raspberry Pi, in conjunction with the CPLD, is able to correctly sample each of the supported video modes to give a pixel-perfect rendition. The HDMI output is locked to the input so there are no frame drops, repeats or tears and it also has low lag of around 4 milliseconds (less than a quarter of a frame.
Packing includes:
1 x HD Video Output Converter Board(includes the raspberry pi zero)
1 x Analog Board (this is included in the case)
SD Card
5V Micro USB Power Adapter
Output from the PiZero is onminiHDMI, so I am also including a miniHDMI to HDMI adapter. You will need to supply is a regular HDMI cable to connect to your TV/monitor.
You will also need to interface from your classic computer to the 6 position IDC connector on the RGBtoHDMI.
In the future I will offer kits for individual systems to make it "solder less" but - read on, you really do have to solder in some manner.
I probably shouldn't use an sale to blog about tech issues, but I will anyway on the subject of "solderless" installs.
While you can use an adapter that plugs in underneath the video chip and then output from the video chip to the RGBtoHDMI without soldering, that would only give you video. You also need sound to fully replace the RF modulator output. To get sound, you would still need to solder an RCA jack.
A 40-year-old TRS-80 Color Computer will probably not display a stable picture unless you recap it. The RF output's lower quality could hide issues with leaky capacitors that the HDMI output will make very clear, exhibited by snow. When I bought a TRS-80 CoCo off , without recapping, I got snow on the screen; with a recap, the picture was perfect. I've seen many YouTube videos where the blogger either doesn't mention or doesn't make it clear that they also had to do a recap. While sound and recapping a 40-year-old computer could be compartmentalized into "separate issues," that is not how you honestly communicate. What buyers need to know is that they will require soldering, not the opposite message. You will probably require a recap - clear enough? ;-)
Thanks for viewing my sale!
Documentation