🇯🇵 National ナショナル CF-3000 MSX Computer: Part 2 (HDMI Upgrade 1/2) [#TCE0701]

Ad-free version on my Patreon ...   / thecluelessengineer   Let's upgrade the video output to HDMI by replacing the TMS9928 with a Pico9918. There is definitely a marked improvement over the composite video output - we load Boulder Dash and play a level to compare. Pico9918 on Github: https://github.com/visrealm/pico9918 Regarding the CN4 2x17 connector, the consensus (from Part 1) is that it's for the floppy disk controller PCB that is installed in the CF-3300 ... somewhere. Future plans are to replace the 100VAC power supply with a 12VDC universal power supply and pull the keyboard apart to discern its matrix so I can design a replacement for machines that are sans keyboard. If I wasn't going to install the Pico9918 then I would also design some sort of RGB21-to-VGA converter. There is a service manual/schematic available for the related CF-2700 (export CF-2000?) but it's not exactly the same - more relevant to the CF-2000 model. 00:00 ... Intro 01:45 ... Motherboard removal 02:15 ... Japanese power supply 04:55 ... TMS9928 removed 06:10 ... Boulder Dash via composite (TMS9928) 09:30 ... Pico9918 output options 12:00 ... Boulder Dash via HDMI (Pico9918) 16:20 ... HDMI mounting options 17:55 ... Channel thanks & outro -------------------------------- From Part 1: Let's have a look at the interesting "component system" style MSX1 computer from National or ナショナル. It's the big brother to the CF-2000 (traditional all-in-one) and fraternal twin to the CF-3300 that includes a 3½" floppy drive & 2nd drive interface. It's a pretty standard MSX1 computer: Z80 CPU with 64KB of RAM TMS9928 VDP with 16KB of VRAM two cartridge slots two DE9 MSX joystick ports 8-pin DIN cassette port composite video & audio output RGB21 video output (SCART-like connector but not SCART pinout) Printer port (Centronics) Superimpose (スーパーインポーズ) port for the CF-2601 Superimposition Unit 100VAC passthrough for CF-2601 The Superimposition Unit would connect via the dedicated Centronics connector and allow you to overlay ... superimpose ... computer graphics on to NTSC video. A pretty rare unit these days I imagine. The keyboard connects via a 2x10 pin header so a reproduction could be designed and connected relatively easily ... much easier than if it had some sort of exotic 14-pin DIN port, for example. -------------------------------- Check out my Patreon for regular blog-type updates between videos - there is a free membership tier and two paid tiers (US$2 and US$5). There is also a one-week trial for the paid tiers so if you don't think it's worth it, then cancel ... no hard feelings ... I appreciate any support, even if it's just subscribing to my YouTube channel!   / thecluelessengineer   -------------------------------- Outro music: "Delta City" (White Bat 42) by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio https://karlcasey.bandcamp.com    / @whitebataudio