Note:

*This is now TMSEMU3 which has an 80-column colour terminal mode with ANSI code support as well as TMS emulation; both with HDMI/DVI out and USB keyboard input. These modes are switchable automatically or manually with a physical switch or jumper. *

What is it?

This is an alternative to the TMS9918A video module with a sharp and vibrant picture via HDMI-compatible picture (DVI), serial functionality and USB keyboard input. There is a growing library of demos and games for the RC2014 + TMS (and sometimes + AY) combo. I've designed my own mcu board (dubbed Dr.VIP - an anagram of RP DVI) because I wanted something that resembled a DIP40 chip and I needed more GPIO exposed plus the HDMI socket on-board.

Fully assembled and tested. Plug and play.

Why did you make it?

For me, a video module is a game-changer for the RC2014 and compatible computers. I've done a lot of work with the TMS chip on RC2014 and my MSX2014 project. I love it, it's very powerful for its time, with 40-col text mode, tile mode, bitmap mode and full colour (lores) mode. However, the real TMS9918A chip as used in J B Langston's module has composite output which is period correct but composite. I thought I could make an alternative with the same functionality plus convenient HDMI out and a nice sharp vibrant picture.

What makes it special?

• very sharp and vibrant picture.
• convenient HDMI output
• 80-column colour mode for serial terminal display
• switchable between 80-col serial and TMS emulation
• USB keyboard input
• choice of 3 port configurations - MSX / Einstein / Colecovision

Terminal mode provides:

• ANSI escape codes support, including the extended 9-bit (256-colour) codes (displayed using the nearest of its 64 colours)
• now has configurable 24 lines or 48 lines and configurable default text colour

TMS emulation provides:

• all documented screen modes; text, tile, bitmap and multicolour modes
• 255 x 192 pixel display plus a coloured border as per the real chip
• sprites as documented - 32 x single-colour sprites with size and magnification options
• 16k of VRAM (additional to your computer's ram) with the ability to read and write VRAM via hardware ports
• status byte is readable, and provides software with the 'frame' bit which is often used for timing / vblank signal, and the sprite collision bit which some MSX games use.
• interrupt signal as per the TMS chip
• a single jumper to easily switch between ports 98/99 (MSX - recommended unless using 32k classic system) and 08/09 (Tatung Einstein - recommended for 32k classic system)
• if you're into programming, J B Langston's excellent library provides a great API for asm, C and basic.

It adds:

• display of the serial output of the computer and USB keyboard input.
• no limitation on the number of sprites that can appear on a scanline.

It doesn't provide:

• 'fifth sprite' information. The fifth sprite information is less important because this module doesn't have the 'four sprites per scanline' limitation.
• video input. This has never been a goal for this project.

Supported systems:

• RC2014 'Pro' running CP/M. My repository has a growing library of software built and ready to run on this computer.
• RC2014 'Zed Pro' running ROMWBW - tested and no problems seen
• RC2014 32k configuration (Classic). My repository has a growing library of software built and ready to run on this computer. Most of the software I provide built for this system runs perfectly. I have seen issues with certain software and I'm still looking into this.
• RC2014 Mini with or without CP/M upgrade.

Unsupported systems:

• Z180 systems - untested by me, but tested by Steve Cousins, found to work if suitable wait stats are added. J B Langston's software does have Z180 detection and should add these delays if detected.

Review:

https://smallcomputercentral.com/third-party-rcbus/tmsemu3/

I usually ship 6 days a week and usually next-day