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The N64=>HDMI Conversion Project: Part 3

muddpup64

This is a continuation of my on going N64 HDMI project. The last post can be found here: The N64=>HDMI Conversion Project: Part 2

 

I apologize for the delay in my updates. I am a full time college student and my studies always come first. I hope to get some work on my project done over the winter break.

 

I do have some updates however!

 

Since my last post I have done research on the ins and outs of analog TV signals. This lead me to the conclusion that my analysis prior to this information was flawed. If you want a crash course in TV analog, I highly suggest reading this article: How analog TV worked

Furthermore, I have been teaching myself VHDL. Most of the online VHDL sources are a pile of hot flaming garabge but I found this AMAZING book containing well thought out sectioning, fantastic explinations, and even includes exercises. The book is free and open-source so if you are looking to learn a HDL code in general, or want to learn VHDL specifically, I can not suggest this book enough. The book is called "Free Range VHDL". I have included the free PDF version here => free range vhdl - Free Range Factory freerangefactory.org/pdf/df344hdh4h8kjfh3500ft2/free_range_vhdl.pdf   but if you would like to own a physical copy they do sell that as an option.

 

Based on the schematic of the MAV-NUS, I went ahead and soldered some leads onto it's inputs and outputs (based apon the signals I needed). Provided below is the schematic and a picture of the, somewhat unfavorable, soldering of the chip. The signals of most importance here are the Y/C signals. From here I can determine what the HDMI signal should look like, can write my code on my dev board, and start testing.

imageimage

 

Now to the sad news. I have been talking a lot with a friend, much smarter than I, on some of the logistics of this project. I was suggested to take a step back from it and do some simple projects involving serial data to gain a basic understanding of serial. The plan as of right now is to continue through the VHDL book but rather than working on the N64 project, spend some time doing some of the projects found in the Element14 forums. If you have some suggestions on some good projects please let me know in the comments section!!

 

Thank you for your time. I hope to post one more time before the beginning of the next semester.

  • in reply to michaelkellett

    I will keep that in mind. I just thought that, of the sources I have found, it made the most sense to me as a beginner. I will continue to read and add to my knowledge!

    Thank you.


  • The basic approach seems sensible.

    The free book you have founds is worth very little more than you paid for it !

     

    By all means read it, but you will need to read many others as well. Look at code examples on the web (manufactuers (Altera, Xilinx, Lattice stuff is good).

     

    Google "single process state machine vhdl".

     

    check out this:

     

    https://stackoverflow.com/questions/33718668/why-not-a-two-process-state-machine-in-vhdl

     

    Explains multiple things including why the Free Range book isn't much good !

     

    Remember 90% of all books is wrong or incomprehensible, that's why you need to read at least 10 to have any chance at all of understanding the subject, but any statistician will tell you that the probability of 10 being enough is vanishingly small (think about it). You need a lot more than 10 sources.

     

    Actually, once you get going a bit, search the web often and you'll learn a lot more (than you can get from the books you can afford afford time and money for) but some of it will be wrong.

     

    MK