Making a 3D Graphics Card for the Atari 800 XL -- Episode 514

The Atari 8-bit family was an important part of computing history, but there were some things those machines just couldn't do. In this episode, Andy builds a "graphics card" for the Atari 800 XL using a Raspberry Pi Compute Module, and attempts to control a 3D graphics demo from Atari BASIC.

Supplemental Content:

Link to Github Files: https://github.com/andy-west/atari800xl-3d

Bill of Material:

Product Name	Manufacturer	Quantity	Buy Kit
Development Kit, Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3+, BCM2837B0 SoC, Complete I/O Interface	RASPBERRY-PI	1	Buy Now
Breadboard, 8.5 mm Thickness, 55 mm x 83 mm	MCM	1	Buy Now
Premium Male/Male Jumper Wires, 40 x 6" (150mm)	ADAFRUIT	1	Buy Now
LOGIC, BUS TRANSCVR OCTAL, 20DIP New	TEXAS INSTRUMENTS	4	Buy Now
Additional Parts	Manufacturer	Quantity
1 x 50 Pins IDC 2.54mm Card Edge Connector for 1.27mm Flat Ribbon Cable
1 x 50 Pin IDC 2.54mm Pitch F/F Connector 1.27mm Flat Ribbon Cable

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andywest over 4 years ago in reply to mayermakes

Yeah, some people were suggesting doing the rendering on the Atari itself, but that's not generally how graphics cards work. The display output is normally on the card.

I've got some more retro computer things in the works, and I'm sure some of them will make it onto the e14 YouTube channel and the community.
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mayermakes over 4 years ago

holy smokes that is a beastof a project!
stunning work, I also want to ad that some YT commenters seem to not understand what agraphics card does.
Your project nearly literraly mada dedicated graphics card for the atari.
Well executioned, can we expect some more Retro computer addons from you?
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andywest over 4 years ago in reply to baldengineer

Thank you, James. I like everything about the Atari 8-bit family except for the out-of-tune POKEY music.

I did spend some time messing around with assembly on the 800XL, but not for this project. I actually found the "official" protocol for the parallel bus kind of weird and unpleasant to work with, but if I were to do this project over again I would spend the time to figure it out. Oh, and I would use an FPGA.

Since making the video I've been working on... the next video! I'm really excited about this one.
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DAB over 4 years ago

I am not a gamer, but it was an interesting project that took me back a few decades when Basic was the language to use.

DAB
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baldengineer over 4 years ago

As a retro enthusiast, I've been wanting to see this one take shape! (See what I did there?)

Very cool project and idea. Even if it is on one of those "Atari" computers. (Just kidding, I love all 8-bit machines the same.)

Since making the video, have you had any time to do any interfacing with assembly code?
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andywest over 4 years ago in reply to maxgolmsted

Thanks, Max. It's good to hear from you.
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andywest over 4 years ago in reply to kmikemoo

Thanks, Mike. It was fun to build!
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maxgolmsted over 4 years ago

This is amazing! Been looking forward to this project for a while and as usual it did not disappoint.
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kmikemoo over 4 years ago

andywest Wow! Great project. That 800XL brings back good memories.
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