[Coco] Getting into Tandy Color Computer 3, Suggestions and Info Needed

[Zippster]

Yes, it’s required for the RGB2VGA.

The DE-0 Nano is an FPGA development board.  This is what does the video
conversion to VGA.  The RGB2VGA board itself is an ADC/DAC board for the Nano.

In addition to CoCo3 15KHz RGB, the RGB2VGA and Nano combination will also
convert Apple ][ composite to VGA (with artifacts), as well as several other RGB/RGBI
systems.

The RGB2VGA is a project created by Luis Antoniosi.  He did an excellent job on
this converter.  Some minor improvements have been made; the resistor values
on the DAC portion (Roger Taylor), and I cleaned up and rerouted the PCB layout
for this run.  The overall design and FPGA code are all Luis (CoCoDemus).

Some info here…
<https://sites.google.com/site/tandycocoloco/rgb2vga <https://sites.google.com/site/tandycocoloco/rgb2vga>>


- Ed




> On Aug 28, 2015, at 11:59 AM, Brandon Tetreau <brandon.tetreau at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Thanks for the information, and Thanks Tim for letting me know it uses SD
> Cards.
> 
> Those prices aren't so bad, It's about 80-120USD for Flash Carts for
> Consoles. Can you give me more detail into the DE-0 Nano for RGB2VGA
> component? It is required for use for the RGB2VGA or does it add
> more functionality?
> 
> On Fri, Aug 28, 2015 at 10:23 AM, Zippster <zippster278 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> Hi Brandon,
>> 
>> Welcome to the group!
>> 
>> There is still room on the current run of RGB2VGA boards.
>> It is a bit of an expensive, but excellent solution to getting your CoCo3
>> running with
>> a VGA monitor.
>> 
>> I’m also making the CoCo SDC units on a regular basis, so they are
>> available whenever
>> you want one.  John Strong is making 3D printed cases for the SDC.
>> 
>> - Ed
>> 
>> 
>> Prices (not including shipping):
>> 
>> RGB2VGA & cable (assembled) = $45
>> Programmed DE-0 Nano for RGB2VGA = $95
>> 
>> CoCo SDC (assembled) = $40
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>> On Aug 28, 2015, at 10:51 AM, Brandon Tetreau <brandon.tetreau at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hi Everyone, Just wanted to introduce myself. I grew up with the Tandy
>>> Color Computers and recently got our system back from my parents. Got a
>>> couple Tandy Color Computer 3's a CM8 Monitor, multi-pack, floppy drives,
>>> etc... and tons of my old games on disk and carts but It's tough getting
>>> the entire system setup. I started looking into options to use the Tandy
>> on
>>> newer hardware and was surprised to see Flash Carts, video cables, and
>>> Drivewire and such which would really make running old games easy but It
>>> appears I'm several years late as most types of Hardware aren't sold
>>> anymore or have diagrams of electrical component blueprints which cause
>> my
>>> head to hurt.
>>> 
>>> I'm only 33 now so I was really young when we had the CoCo but have tons
>> of
>>> great memories (would love to get Ghana Bwana running for my mom to play
>> as
>>> it was one of her favorites) and would love to get it up and running.
>>> I'm hoping to summarize what I think I've learnt in searching the web for
>>> ways to connect the CoCo to a modern monitor and allow playing of disk
>>> images.
>>> 
>>> Can any of you give me suggestions on what would be a good setup? I don't
>>> mind having the entire system setup but it would also be cool to just
>> have
>>> the computer, maybe a flash cart and some joysticks.
>>> 
>>> *Connecting Tandy to Monitor/TV*
>>> *RGB to S-Video* - Made by Chistopher Hawks, emailed him but got no reply
>>> *RGB2VGA* - Appears they are for purchase possibly by Zippster, not sure
>>> who can purchase
>>> 
>>> *CoCo Flash Carts/Drivewire*
>>> *CoCo SDC *- CoCo flash cart which allows the running of disk images
>> from a
>>> Compact Flash Card (This allow you to run a HBDDOS rom and connect to
>>> Drivewire)
>>> *Tandy Drive Pak* - Doesn't appear to be made anymore but was a flash
>> cart
>>> which ran most software expect software which needed to be run
>> specifically
>>> from a physical floppy drive (CoCo SDC fixes this though?)
>>> *HDBDOS Rom Cart *- You can put a socket on a Cart and flash HDBDOS and
>>> boot from that, I'm told people used to sell HDBDOS Rom Carts complete
>> but
>>> It doesn't appear anymore. I found various roms in the Drivewire download
>>> but perhaps people have details about which carts can be used as a donor,
>>> the socket I'd need to put on, compatible eeprom, and rom required to
>> make
>>> this.
>>> *Drivewire Cable* - Appears to still be sold on Cloud9 and can also be
>> made
>>> so I don't think this would be a huge issue, can also use a RS232 to USB
>>> cable to connect to USB.
>>> 
>>> --
>>> Coco mailing list
>>> Coco at maltedmedia.com
>>> https://pairlist5.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/coco
>> 
>> 
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>> 
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