I received this console to made a repair and a video chip upgrade.

The repair:

The failure appeared as a malfunction of the Joystick inserted in port #1 of the console. This problem is absolutely not new to this console.

The failure is due to the 74LS541 IC which, in addition to being uncommon (it is rarely used), is very sensitive to electrostatic electricity, consequently if you try to connect the joystick with the console turned on, the probability that it will fail is very high.

I preferred to replace with a socket for both IC, one for each joystick port, because the probability of a future failure remains very high.

Video Chip Upgrade:

I would like to point out that this CBS ColecoVision model does not have native RGB video output but only RF.

It was possible to do the Composite Video mod but since in recent months the good Troy Schrapel has released on github the Pico9918 project that completely replaces the TMS9918A video chip and the Video RAM with a very low cost i decided to do the replacement.

This Video Chip are used in many consoles and computers including the CBS ColecoVision.

The Pico9918 can be configured using a different firmware to output in VGA or via SCART RGB.

I obviously chose the RGB SCART output, the installation is quite simple, you have to unsolder the TMS9918A, insert a socket and at this point you can insert the pre-programmed Pico9918 and connect the R-G-B-GND-SYNC (H/V) signals, optional you can completely remove the PCB with the RF modulator.

The wires that you see soldered directly on the ColecoVision motherboard are for the AUDIO output (purple wire) and for the 5v (orange wire) the 5v are for the RGB switching of the TV.

The connections inside the scart connector are as follows: the 5v go to pin 8 and then via a 150ohm resistor to pin 16.

Also as you can always see from the photos i put some adhesive tape on the metal cover at the height of the Pico9918, i did it only for my personal paranoia, the metal does not touch the Pico9918 but better to be safe :-D

Gallery of the repair and upgrade:

12►

source: github.com/visrealm/pico9918

Although these diagnostic roms for Intellivision are freely downloadable online i had a bit of trouble finding them so i decided to write this post.

The ZIP archive contains the ROMs and the .CFG file for the correct mapping.

Download: Mattel Intellivision Diagnostics Roms (55)

I installed the ZOE RGB rev 2.0 interface for a friend, this interface allows you to view the images with an RGB output signal with a much better quality instead of the only output supplied as standard which is RF.

This interface was purchased by me many years ago and was the last batch of the ZOE RGB rev v2.0 that i had assembled.

After several years i can confirm that the image quality is perfect and clear.

Gallery:

12►

Unfortunately, as often happens, the mechanics of the ATARI XC11 cassette recorder also suffer from old age problems. The cap/block of the belt drive pulley broke and consequently, being under pressure with a spring, it popped off.

I fixed the cap on the small plastic pin of the pulley with cyanoacrylate glue, it could work forever or only for a short time, only time will tell.

Gallery of the repair:

Dust cover for Amiga 1200 computer, made of high quality material, around 1 mm of thickness, not totally rigid, with small flexibility for protecting against damage (break etc.), but it is not flimsy! It protects console against dust, splash, UV radiation etc.

source: retronics.eu

I wanted to upgrade another Philips Videopac G7000 console and adding everything i wanted to do many years ago when i only added the RGB output instead of the RF one.

While i was doing the work of modifying the console i realized that something was wrong with the games and the RGB output, some games were missing the background color or the color was faded, other times the colors are wrong, but this defect was not present with all games and therefore it was not a wiring problem (colors are not swapped likes a problem with the R-G-B wiring).

I had never realized it and probably other people have never realized it either, because it does not happen with all the games but thanks to the Flash Multicart by Andrea Ottaviani i was able to try all the software released for the G7000 and confirm that something was not working correctly.

The problem is due to the type of RGB mod, i had taken the one from the gamesx.com site as good, that is the one that has been available from about fifteen years and that almost everyone has installed but there is another mod that is completely different and above all uses a particular pin of the Intel 8048 CPU (pin 39 [T1]).

Hesitantly i wanted to try this modification and it is actually all true, it works, now the RGB mod is perfect as for the Videopac G7200 (native with RGB output) and G7400 (Native RGB by adding the components that are missing on the PCB)

Later i discovered that this RGB mod was not born like this by chance, the scheme was designed taking inspiration from the original schematic of the G7200/G7400 where this particular CPU pin is used.

Below is the list of all the modifications and enhancements that have been made:

• RGB Mod 100% Working with a extra pin from CPU (No more missing background or colors via RGB on G7000)
• External RGB DIN Hirschmann Connector.
• Power external Switch with Power-On Light.
• Power external Connector.
• Two Joystick D-SUB external Connector.
• Replaced the original PSU with a Mean Well EPS-15-5.
• RF modulator removed.
• Simple Composite Video signal amplification circuit.
• Separate composite Video and Audio output via external RCA connectors.

Gallery of the work done:

123►

…and now some links:

https://forum.system-cfg.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=10673
https://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=av:g7000_av
https://darius-saturn.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8342
https://www.pimparts.fr

This is a Flash cart (PicoPac-Multicart) for Philips Videopac G-7000, G-7200, G7400, C52, JOPAC and Odyssey 2 by Andrea Ottaviani.

This Flash cart for Videopac / Odyssey 2 is based on Videopac-microSD Multicart project by Wilco2009 (https://github.com/wilco2009/Videopac-micro-SD-Cart)

PicoPAC is a multicart DIY yourself based on cheap “PURPLE” Raspberry Pi Pico clone, easy to build and not expensive and using its 16mb flash for storing games instead of the SDCard.

How much i paid for the PicoPac-Multicart?

• 1 x RP2040 Pi Pico Purple : €2.69
• 1 x JLCPCB PCB : €1.00
• 1 x DIODE 1N4148 / Push Button : €1.00 +/-

More or less for each single Philips Videopac PicoPac-Multicart complete with all the components you will spend €4.69.

The price of each component also includes the cost of shipping and customs clearance.

Below you will find the photos of how i repositioned the BUTTON, i preferred to install in this position rather than on the upper side of the cartridge (default position of the PCB).

You can also download the front cartridge label, UF2 firmware v1.0a and a ZIP archive with 200 games.

For more information about this and other projects by Andrea Ottaviani please visit his github page.

Gallery:

12►

Download:

• PicoPac Games (191)
• PicoPac Firmware v1.0a (128)
• PicoPac Cartridge Label (152)

source: github.com/aotta/PicoPAC

NEW TAG: C64 BIG GAME PACK

Some new games or tools (Cracked / Trained or Unrealeased) for Commodore 64 have been released from your favorites groups.

Titles:

• Spheroids &D
• Silly Life +1D *Excess, Hokuto Force*
• Silly Life
• Kraksnax Kart for Non-Hosers #48 [cartridge]
• The Lands of Havoc
• RandomPac V1.2 +2D
• Gems +
• Alien Zoo
• Nesterin Trail V1.0.1 +DS
• Jump +3D
• Fly 64 +
• Game of the Gods
• Kraksnax Kart for Non-Hosers #49 [cartridge]
• Sherwood Open
• Kraksnax Kart for Non-Hosers #50 [cartridge]
• Katakis +6DFI *Hokuto Force*
• Whackadoodle +
• Mars Saga +2D [tapecart]
• Mazemen +2DJ
• Light Cycle Duel V1.1 +
• Micro-Chess Preview +T
• Kraksnax Kart for Non-Hosers #51 [cartridge]
• Kraksnax Kart for Non-Hosers #52 [cartridge]
• IO +8HFD V2
• Fight Night +1DI
• Shootout at Fort Apache +2D
• Quest for Cash
• Forever young – Alphaville *Hokuto Force*
• RandomPac V1.3 +2D
• Grey Preview 8 *Hokuto Force*
• Splatch! +
• Splatch! +2D
• Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep +2FD
• Huestack V2 +3
• Mineshaft Gap +D
• Huestack V2.0
• Enduro Preview 3
• Splatch! +2
• Car Chase &D
• Clytron Preview +3D
• Splatch! +4HD
• Grazers +1D
• BCBasic *Hokuto Force*
• Kwaystron +1DJ *Hokuto Force*
• Kraksnax Kart for Non-Hosers #53 [cartridge]
• Inspector
• Bouncy Bozo +1HD *Excess, Hokuto Force*
• BCBasic +
• Mineshaft Gap V2.4 +D
• Color Water Sort Basic
• Kraksnax Kart for Non-Hosers #54 [cartridge]
• Greenery Puzzle +H
• Decade of Ruin Preview +1D
• Clytron +2DS
• Surfchamp +D
• Beach Commodore Preview
• River Barrage [seuck]
• River Barrage +2H [seuck]
• Zwark +2D
• Grey Preview 8 +4D
• Via Carinthia +D *Excess, Hokuto Force*
• Color Jump +2HD *Excess, Hokuto Force*
• AntiAir +4HD
• Single Screen Dash +H
• Sperrstunde + *Excess, Hokuto Force*
• Escape Room
• Sperrstunde
• Alien Gate +4D
• Escape Room [english/german]
• Speed Duel
• Hot Pop +3H
• Valkyr +5HDT
• Osotos +3
• Caverns of Depth +2D
• Make a big fat Burger +D *Excess, Hokuto Force*
• Drelbs +3DG *Hokuto Force*
• Clown-House of Horror +2D *Excess, Hokuto Force*
• Teleport Tangle +1D *Excess, Hokuto Force*
• Monkey Food +1D *Excess, Hokuto Force*
• Black Ninja +DS *Hokuto Force*
• Bird Mother +3DH *Hokuto Force*
• Life V1.1 +D
• Pooyan +2DGH feat. D.F.S.W.P.M.
• Jerry Kavinsky Versus Space Goblins +1D *Excess, Hokuto Force*
• Maze Cleaner 4k +1D *Excess, Hokuto Force*
• Drone Zone +1HD
• Hydrogen 4k
• The Revenge of the Blobby Thingies +
• MoruBoost +2D
• Treacherous Platforms 4k +1D
• Act Natural! *Hokuto Force*
• Oh No! More Bones 4k
• Jerry Kavinsky Versus Space Goblins
• Escape from the Metaverse (Extended Edition)
• Escape from the Metaverse (4kB Edition)
• Hydrogen 4k +2D
• Invitation to Leave 4k +1D
• Shark Under the Sea 4k +
• Stop the Bomber 4k +1D
• Crap Basket 4k +1D
• Nice Day for Fishing
• Vesperrari 4k +1D
• Nightmare 4k
• The Revenge of the Spiders
• CracPac +2
• MoruBoost +2 *Excess, Hokuto Force*
• Weights and Crates 4k +7HD
• The Revenge of the Spiders
• Cavern Drone Race
• Weights and Crates 4k
• Golf Dash
• Nice Day for Fishing +D *Excess, Hokuto Force*
• Interceptor +
• Bat in the Cave +1D
• Maze Cleaner 4k +1D
• Banana Syndrome 4k +1D
• Crap Recovery 4k +2D
• Nightmare 4k +1D
• Golf Dash V1.31 +1D
• Vesperrari 4k +1D *Excess, Hokuto Force*
• Cat ‘n’ Bombs 4k +1D *Excess, Hokuto Force*
• Space Wars 4k +1D
• Escape From the Metaverse Extended Edition +
• Tsunami Toso +1HD
• Cavern Drone Race +D
• Oh No! More Bones 4k +
• Act Natural! +2D *Excess, Hokuto Force*
• Firewizz +1D
• Robot Spy 64
• Arkanoid NTSC +3
• Roadblasters +7DGHI *Hokuto Force*
• Nixy and the Seeds of Doom Preview +1D
• Hydrogen 4k +3HD
• Nixy and the Seeds of Doom Preview +
• I see you around… +DS *Excess, Hokuto Force*
• Below The Root +D [Easyflash]
• Wordle +D
• Tsunami Toso V1.1 +1HD
• Dragon’s Kingdom +6DH *Hokuto Force*
• Dice 255 +DH
• Dice 255
• Hangword +D
• The Speed Date *Excess, Hokuto Force*
• Hangword +1D
• Mikael on the Run +2HF
• Stargate +2
• Nightmare 4k
• Night Mission Pinball Extended Bugfix
• Harm +2
• Hydrogenese Preview
• Sealculling Preview + *Hokuto Force*

Download: All Games in One Archive (1079)

source: csdb.dk

This is a Flash cart (Pico-Multicart) for SABA Videoplay by Andrea Ottaviani.

This is a forked version of 3DMaze PicoVideocart for using a cheaper and simpler pcb based on pico “Purple” clone and using its 16mb flash for storing games instead of the original SDCard.

How much i paid for the SABA Videoplay Pico-Multicart?

• 1 x RP2040 Pi Pico Purple : €2.69
• 1 x JLCPCB PCB : €3.00
• 1 x DIODE 1N4148 / Resistor 330Ohm / Push Button / LED : €2.00 +/-

More or less for each single SABA Videoplay Pico-Multicart complete with all the components you will spend €7.69.

The price of each component also includes the cost of shipping and customs clearance.

Below you will find the photos of how i repositioned the LED and the BUTTON, i preferred to install both in this position rather than on the back of the cartridge (default position of the PCB).

Another thing i want to say is to solder the Pi Pico Purple as close as possible to the PCB, i soldered the strips and then removed the plastic holder, this is to avoid you having difficulty closing the cartridge case.

You can also download the cartridge label (front and back), firmware and games in UF2 format, the games must be programmed first and then the firmware.

Gallery:

12►

Download:

• Pico-Multicart cartridge label (149)
• Pico-Multicart Firmware & Games Cartridges (167)

source: github.com/aotta/PicoVideocart

First of all i have to thank Ralf Schmitz for this gift. (Grazie Ralf).

Short description taken directly from Wikipedia of the Saba Videoplay console (Fairchild Channel F):

The Fairchild Channel F, short for “Channel Fun”, is a video game console, the first to be based on a microprocessor and to use ROM cartridges (branded ‘Videocarts’) instead of having games built-in. It was released by Fairchild Camera and Instrument in November 1976 across North America at a retail price of US$169.95 (equivalent to $910 in 2023)

The console come in a fair state of preservation but still had the following problems:

• Broken reset button.
• Both joysticks did not work properly.
• A small part of the corner of the PCB of the power switch side was broken.
• Rough repair with adhesive tape of the cable of both joysticks.

The repair was quite simple but boring, fixing the joystick cable was not exactly fun, i had to cut the cable because one or more wires inside are broken, i also had to invent a cable gland for a missing joystick and drill a cable gland with the broken cable right inside to then insert the cutted cable and solder the wires inside the joystick. (see photo)

The reset button was enough to glue it. (see photo)

I polished the console case that had the classic matte and dry black color of 70s plastics with linseed oil, a little is enough on a makeup remover PAD or a cotton rag, the result is amazing.

For completeness i also installed the e5frog composite video modification that works well, i only had to bring an auxiliary ground (although the ground of the negative power supply is already connected) from the PCB to the metal body (see photo) because it gave me video noise, now it’s perfect.

Below the photo gallery:

123►

This interesting project by Troy Schrapel emulates the TMS9918A/29A VDP with a Raspberry Pi Pico.

I wanted to assemble and personally test the PICO9918 with the TI-99/4A using both the VGA output and the SCART (RGB) output and i must say that it surprised me a lot, the image is stable and the software works without any problems.

This VDP emulation has nothing to envy to the F18A implementation although the F18A has some graphics enhancements, improvements that however must be used by new homebrew software for TI-99.

Later i will do other tests with ColecoVision and MSX, i also thank Andrea Ottaviani for helping and beta testing for Troy Schrapel implementation of the SCART (RGB) output which was not foreseen in the first versions of the firmware.

I also point out that the VRAM used by the VDP is integrated into the emulation, so it is not needed,i did tests and removed part of the 4116 VRAM RAM of the TI-99/4A and everything worked regularly, so if you have a TI-99/4A, ColecoVision or other that has the classic corrupted graphics problems (VRAM), the PICO9918 will definitely solve the problem without having to replace one or more non-working RAM.

Brief description of the images that you can see in the gallery:

• Test with VGA monitor and with scanlines emulation enabled.
• Test with TV/monitor SCART RGB, in this case i also had to connect the 5v to the scart socket for RGB switching. The 5v go to pin 8 and then via a 150ohm resistor to pin 16, this TV/monitor without this configuration doesn’t display the RGB image correctly.

These are the computer and consoles that use this VDP:

• ColecoVision
• CreatiVision Memotech MTX
• MSX1 Computer
• NABU Personal Computer
• Sega SG-1000/SC-3000
• Spectravideo SV-318/SV-328
• Sord M5
• Tatung Einstein
• Texas Instruments TI-99/4A
• Casio PV-2000
• ColecoVision ADAM Computer
• Hanimex Pencil II
• Tomy Tutor
• Toshiba Pasopia-IQ MSX1 Computer
• Yamaha CX5M MSX1 Computer
• Telegames Personal Arcade
• Powertran Cortex

How much did i spend for each PIC9918 ?

• 2 x Strip Round 40 Gold Pin : €1.15
• 1 x RP2040 Pi Core Black : €2.69
• 1 x JLCPCB Assembled (SMD components) PCB : €7.65

More or less for each single PICO9918 complete with all components you will spend €11.49.

The price of each component also includes the cost of shipping and customs clearance.

NOTE: I forgot to write that the composite SYNC for the scart can be taken from one of the two SYNC (H/V) VGA.

Gallery:

12►

Download: Pico9918 (VGA/SCART) Firmware v0.4.0 (PCB v0.3) (232)

source: wikipedia github

.- the inexpensive dual-SID/FM replacement that you can build yourself -.

SIDKick pico by Frenetic is a microcontroller-based C64 SID replacement. Analog inputs for paddles and mice are available just as for the original SID.

Changelog:

• Flashing PRGs from disk drive 8 (<200 blocks)
• Timing diagnostics and adjustment
• Removing of audio bumps/ramps in PWM output
• Optional offsetting of paddle values (in case diagnostic ROMs complain)

Note:

There are different .uf2-files are firmware files with PWM and/or DAC output, flashing (RGB-)LED on/off AND for hardware revision 0.1 and 0.2.

Please read the troubleshooting section in case you experience problems.

Review:

My SID Player plays SID tunes with the SIDKick-pico.
SIDKick-Pico by Frenetic.

Download: SIDKick-Pico Firmware v0.21 (193)

source: c64-wiki.com github.com/frntc/SIDKick-pico restore-store.de

Thanks to my friend Lynx for this great Pixel Art work.

Philips Monitor (Black) VG0060-80 Power Stage Repair, the Monitor turned off unexpectedly without any suspicious noise.

This power stage is practically identical to other monitor models, for example: Philips CM8833 and Commodore 1084, but surely there will be others that mount the same power stage.

Repair:

After removing the PCB of the power stage i took the opportunity to replace also the power switch that no longer worked properly i also replaced the exploded fuse but obviously nothing worked.

The fault was due to the TS132 transistor completely short-circuited, the diagram says that a BU806 is installed but instead a 2SC3795B is installed.

Replaced, still nothing works, i tried with the tester but i don’t find any voltage, even the 300v +/- on the capacitor C112 at this point in addition to the diode bridge (D107/D108/D109/D110) there was only the 47 Ohm 7W resistor R103 to try and in fact it was interrupted, i replaced it with a 5W one, i didn’t have a 7W one in the lab.

I used the old trick of the 100W bulb in series, in my case instead of the fuse to avoid destroying other components.

Everything worked perfectly, the bulb turned on for a minimum amount of time and then turned off and the output voltages of the power stage are all present (125v/15.8v/25.5v).

Gallery:

Download: Philips VS0060-80/CM8833/1084 Schematics (240)