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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : $30 VGA & PS/2 for the new uM....
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Grogster Admin Group  Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9588 |
Hi folks. 
I found this site while looking around for old ISA-bus VGA cards on the web. The original idea, was to play with an old ISA-bus VGA card, as they are 16-bit cards, and hook it up to the 470 uM chip. Then I came across this lovely looking unit for US$30 fully assembled: Micro-VGA I have emailed them, as their on-line form does not want to work. All pages on the site seem to work OK, but they are dated from 2012, so not sure if this is something that can still be had or not, but if so....... Thirty bucks would get you a high-speed serial or SPI graphics interface for basic 16-colour 800x600 VGA, PAL/NTSC video out, and a PS/2 keyboard interface too. Coupled up to the new 470 beast - candidate for the next Maximite? 
Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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MicroBlocks Guru  Joined: 12/05/2012 Location: ThailandPosts: 2209 |
If i had time enough then i would connect a 5" or bigger TFT like Matherp did and rewrite the code so that the console output goes to the TFT. No bulky vga screen necessary.:) and adding a keypad/ps/2 keyboard and you can have standard input and print commands for your program. Add some VT100 for some colors (64K). It might actually be easier then i think as probably all the output to the console will be going through just a few functions (maybe even one). Hmmm...... Microblocks. Build with logic. |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9588 |
TFT's are definitely the way to go, but they are still RELATIVELY small - even the BIG TFT's - compared to a VGA screen. That's why I still pursue VGA. Although, truth be told, matherp's latest 5-inch TFT is starting to get more useable from a distance. I wonder if you can get 10-inch TFT's like they use in the iPad's? Will have a hunt around on eBay..... Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| MicroBlocks Guru Joined: 12/05/2012 Location: ThailandPosts: 2209 |
8" are easy to get. Around 60US$ with 800x480 resolution. Microblocks. Build with logic. |
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| robert.rozee Guru Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 2428 |
grogster: searching for 'SPI to VGA converter' on google gives a few interesting results, including this page: http://hacking.majenko.co.uk/node/104 the page outlines using a PIC24FJ256DA210 to generate vga output. the device is orientated towards this sort of application, but unfortunately has a list price of us$7.70 in single quantities. if cheaper, it could have been a candidate to pair with a 32MX470 as a 2-chip solution. are there any other offerings from microchip that could be used as part of a 2-chip solution? the A210 would have also brought to the table 4 UARTs, 3 SPI ports, and 3 I2C ports, along with a whole load more digital I/O pins. notwithstanding the above, all my digging around keeps leading back time and again to the same solution - the broadcom BCM2835. DVI output, massive onboard RAM far in excess of what could ever be desired, no special programming hardware required, and available ready-assembled on an evaluation board in new zealand for nz$26.50 (about us$20). and someone has already created a 'proof of concept' showing the process of getting the device up and running with a user application, see: http://highcaffeinecontent.com/rpi/ cheers, rob :-) |
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Oldbitcollector Senior Member  Joined: 16/05/2014 Location: United StatesPosts: 172 |
Or do what I've done and for around $9.00 you have keyboard, VGA (64 color/256 color) on SPI interface with SD storage using a Propeller/EEPROM. My Propeller/Micromite mini-computer project. |
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| WhiteWizzard Guru Joined: 05/04/2013 Location: United KingdomPosts: 2932 |
@Grogs, I agree with OBC. Do try and find the time to build Jeff's MMC that you have tucked away somewhere - you will enjoy it (and then realise you already have most of what you are seeking!)
WW |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9588 |
Good points everyone - idea dropped. Yes, I must investigate the Propeller idea more - perhaps OBC could design a new version of their MicroMite Companion, using the 470 chip.
Probably not, as this is a 0.5mm QFP that will not just frighten those who don't want any SMD, but totally freak them out. 
MicroMite Companion built around the 470 with the SMD pre-fitted is always an option though, leaving the hobbyist to still install and solder all the through-hole parts. @ Rob - SPI VGA is an interesting read. Also still agree with the Pi A+ idea too. Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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