cga to vga converter uPython

Are you looking for something like this RGB to VGA adapter? They cost about $1.

I think they mean the old IBMPC Color Graphics Array RGBI TTL output

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_Graphics_Adapter#DE-9_connector_for_RGBI_monitor

Hi Doug,

He needs to change pixel rate, which requires electronics. I suspect the cable in the photo is unlikely to do that, there's no power source connection in the photo (there may be power delivered through a VGA connector, but I believe it's in the direction from PC->monitor, not monitor->PC).

Probably just ignoring the intensity bit in that case.

Perhaps something more like this then:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mcbazel-Arcade-Converter-Monitor-Projector-Black/dp/B078ZDTLBJ/ref=sr_1_1

That looks like it will do the job!

i saw that cable before and i predict its from vga to rgb not from rgb to vga

solutions what i found as standalone products:

- GBS2019 Xvga box but was highly delayed when i first searched it

- getting a 15khz monitor, i got one and not working possibly the 63Hz vertical sync messes it up

- Extron VS 304 looks documented like can work, but at the rgbhv place the resolution was not really documented i got this info here from beacon_dave

rlaci said:

i saw that cable before and i predict its from vga to rgb not from rgb to vga

It's a bidirectional cable but passive.

AV installs often ran RGBHV over 5 coax cables whereas PC's used the 15pin Hi Density 'D' type connector with additional I2C DDC data line. Early multisync monitors used to come with the 5x BNC as default as well. These type of cables were common place to convert between the two physical formats.

i saw a DVS 406 unit in europe, is it better or worse newer older equipment?

i hope it does not mean the signal just passes throught and no processing done for the output signal :D

• Scales composite video, S-video, component video, and optional SDI inputs with RGBHV pass-through

Similar unit, just more inputs and has the pass through functionality. Looks like it is optimised for PAL / NTSC video though but that might just be the sales pitch.

The pass through is an input loop feature that allows you to insert the device into an existing signal path without interrupting it. The scaling happens between the inputs on the left and the outputs on the right.

I don't think either of these boxes are much use to you if you definitely have the original CGA TTL level signals, unless you were to convert the levels first.

The board I linked to on Amazon, looks a closer match for your needs, as it looks like it has been designed for the 1980s CGA/EGA TTL level signals. Looks like it is aimed at keeping some of the early video gaming systems alive with modern displays. 

Some more to check out

https://www.serdashop.com/MCE2VGA

( https://github.com/lfantoniosi/mce2vga )

https://www.serdashop.com/MCE2HDMI

this card is documented that not working with industrial equipment even if its advertised that it should, i bought one similiar card recently and nothing

How about this R-Pi Zero + CPLD based one:

https://github.com/hoglet67/RGBtoHDMI/wiki

You would need an HDMI monitor or a HDMI to VGA adapter.

However it has options to create custom timing profiles or alternatively the design is there to roll your own.

How about this R-Pi Zero + CPLD based one:

https://github.com/hoglet67/RGBtoHDMI/wiki

You would need an HDMI monitor or a HDMI to VGA adapter.

However it has options to create custom timing profiles or alternatively the design is there to roll your own.

Yeah i started it because i think its doable but as using my logic analyzer and looking at different boards and different codes, the signal processing looks pretty erratic for me and the stated cycle clocks are usually different in reality as in theory

An FPGA approach is also a very good one. Lots of VGA example code out there to reuse. Depends on what the OP is comfortable with.

i was thinking about it. im an enthusiast who started on arduino, but in school always loved logic circuit design and fpga is something like that, but i would need some pinpointing:

- is there any arduino like reprogrammable fpga board for learning?

- what kind of programming languages FPGA-s using to program them and what is the whole approach to make it work?

I recall that Ben Heck did a project with FPGA to convert to VGA a while back. Might have been the Giant Game Boy episode.

That rings a bell. I recall I wanted to do a similar thing for a Game Gear I had lying around, but never had the time for it : ( 

rlaci said:

is there any arduino like reprogrammable fpga board for learning?

For a while, Arduino sold the MKR Vidor 4000 which was a SAMD21 based microcontroller board with an Intel Cyclone 10 FPGA on it. Unfortunately they discontinued it.

The Lattice Semiconductor iCEstick is back in stock (iCE40 FPGA) and might be worth a look as a starter board. It's a bit more lightweight when it comes to the software side and there is also an open source toolchain available for it.

Shawn Hymel uses one in Digikey's: Introduction to FPGA series
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLg1AgA2Xoo&list=PLEBQazB0HUyT1WmMONxRZn9NmQ_9CIKhb

rlaci said:

what kind of programming languages FPGA-s using to program them and what is the whole approach to make it work?

Mainly Verilog or VHDL.

Whitney Knitter: 2-Minute FPGAs
/technologies/fpga-group/w/documents/5399/summer-of-fpgas-2-minute-fpgas-with-whitney-knitter

I think Ben did two shows with FPGA.

Ben Heck’s Giant Game Boy Episode -- Episode 225
/challenges-projects/element14-presents/benheck/ben-heck-exclusive/w/documents/1370/ben-heck-s-giant-game-boy-episode----episode-225

https://github.com/thebenheckshow/225-tbhs-Giant-Game-Boy/tree/master/DE0_GameBoy_DMG-01_VGA-master/Software

Ben Heck's FPGA LCD Driver Hack Episode -- Episode 169
/challenges-projects/element14-presents/benheck/ben-heck-exclusive/w/documents/18694/ben-heck-s-fpga-lcd-driver-hack-episode----episode-169

https://github.com/thebenheckshow/169-tbhs-FPGA-LCD-Driver-Hack

Amazing how expensive the iCEstick has become. I got it for about £25 a couple of years ago. Now it is >£120. Fortunately easy to replicate, since it's just a TQFP chip.

looks interesting and did not find by my own

Ouch! I must have got mine just in time then. You were lucky to get then a couple of years ago as they were very difficult to get hold of due to the supply chain issues.    

Something like the Olimex board might be a cheaper alternative these days: 
https://www.olimex.com/Products/FPGA/iCE40/