Amiga HDMI with a Raspberry Pi! (RGBtoHDMI)
TLDRIn this video, Jan Beta demonstrates a new cost-effective solution for converting the RGB output of an Amiga 500 to HDMI using a Raspberry Pi Zero and a custom circuit board designed by c0pperdragon. The setup utilizes a bare metal software called 'rgb to hdmi' by hoglet67, which ensures minimal lag and latency, providing a pixel-perfect representation of the Amiga's output. The adapter board, which fits into the Amiga's Denise graphics chip socket, uses logic chips to convert the signals for the Raspberry Pi to understand. Although the video capture card used for the demonstration had some color issues, the direct HDMI output to a monitor was crisp and clear. The project is open source, allowing users to download the necessary software and create their own adapter boards. Jan Beta is impressed with the performance and versatility of the setup, which also supports various screen modes and resolutions, offering a more affordable alternative to upscalers like the OSSC.
Takeaways
- ๐ฎ Jan Beta is using an Amiga 500 to play Monkey Island, connected through an OSSC upscaler to an HDMI monitor for high-quality display.
- ๐ธ Upscalers like the OSSC are expensive, while cheaper alternatives like the Flylink Upscaler can suffer from input lag, making them less suitable for fast-paced games.
- ๐ A new, cost-effective solution for Amiga and other systems involves using a Raspberry Pi Zero with a specific circuit board and software called 'rgb to hdmi' by hoglet67.
- ๐ฉ The adapter board, made by c0pperdragon, fits into the Denise socket of the Amiga, converting the Denise signals to an HDMI output.
- ๐ The board includes two 74LVC574 chips, a 74LVC86 chip, and a voltage regulator to convert 5V to 3.3V for the Raspberry Pi.
- ๐ The 'rgb to hdmi' software is bare-metal, meaning it runs directly on the hardware without an operating system, resulting in fast performance and low lag.
- ๐ต The current version of the adapter supports old-style Denise chips and not the Super Denise found in later Amiga models.
- ๐ฝ The setup provides a pixel-perfect representation of the Amiga output with very low latency, making it feel like playing on a CRT.
- ๐ The output is interlaced and flicker-free, offering smooth scrolling and better quality than regular upscalers.
- ๐ฅ๏ธ The solution is versatile and can support different screen modes, with the option to force 60Hz output for compatibility with certain monitors.
- ๐ Jan Beta experienced a color mismatch issue with his capture card, suggesting that the 'rgb to hdmi' project might require further tweaking for perfect compatibility with all devices.
- ๐ Both the hardware and software for the 'rgb to hdmi' project are open source, allowing enthusiasts to download, modify, and even produce their own circuit boards.
Q & A
What is the main purpose of the setup described in the transcript?
-The main purpose is to connect an Amiga 500 to a modern monitor using an HDMI signal, by converting the original RGB output through an OSSC upscaler or a Raspberry Pi Zero setup with a custom circuit board.
Why might someone choose to use the Raspberry Pi Zero solution over an OSSC upscaler?
-The Raspberry Pi Zero solution is more cost-effective than the OSSC upscaler, which can be quite expensive. It also offers a self-contained software solution that is fast and has very low lag, making it suitable for playing fast-paced games.
What is the name of the software that allows the Raspberry Pi to convert RGB inputs to HDMI output?
-The software is called 'rgb to hdmi' and was created by hoglet67.
What is the role of the 74LVC574 and 74LVC86 chips on the adapter board?
-The 74LVC574 chips are octal D-type flip-flop chips used for signal conversion, and the 74LVC86 is an exclusive OR gate used in the conversion process to prepare the signals for the Raspberry Pi's GPIO pins.
What is the voltage regulator on the adapter board for?
-The voltage regulator is used to convert the 5 volts from the chip socket to the 3.3 volts required as input voltage for the modern chips on the adapter board.
What is the limitation of the described adapter board in terms of the Amiga models it supports?
-The adapter board in its current version only supports the old-style Denise chips, not the Super Denise found in later Amiga models.
How can the rgb to hdmi software and the adapter board design files be obtained?
-The rgb to hdmi software and the adapter board design files (Gerber files) can be downloaded from the respective websites of hoglet67 and c0pperdragon.
What is the recommended way to install the hardware for the Amiga 500?
-The hardware is installed by removing the original Denise chip from the Amiga, placing the adapter board in the Denise socket, and then putting the Raspberry Pi Zero on top of the adapter board.
What is the issue encountered when trying to capture the output using a capture card?
-The capture card had difficulty with the output from the Raspberry Pi, resulting in a color mismatch where the green appeared on screen instead of black.
How can the user switch between different screen modes using the adapter board?
-The adapter board has a pin header that allows for the connection of a tactile switch to cycle through different screen modes as set in the software.
What is the advantage of using a CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) in this setup?
-The CPLD allows for customization and additional features such as more buttons, an OLED display, and the ability to update the menu and functionality according to the user's preferences.
What is the expected improvement in the future versions of the rgb to hdmi project and c0pperdragon's adapter?
-Future versions are expected to be more refined, with continued development to improve compatibility, performance, and potentially support for additional systems and input signals.
Outlines
๐ฎ Upscaling Retro Gaming with OSSC and Raspberry Pi
Jan Beta introduces his Amiga 500 setup running Monkey Island and discusses the use of an OSSC upscaler for converting the original RGB output to an HDMI signal for modern monitors. He mentions the downside of cost and input lag associated with cheaper upscalers and introduces a new, cost-effective solution using a circuit board and a Raspberry Pi Zero. The software 'rgb to hdmi' by hoglet67 is highlighted for its ability to convert RGB inputs to HDMI output with minimal lag, originally designed for the BBC Micro but adaptable for various systems.
๐ ๏ธ Installing the RGB to HDMI Adapter on an Amiga 500
The plan is to install the RGB to HDMI adapter on the original Amiga 500, which involves setting up the software on the Raspberry Pi's SD card. The adapter board, made by c0pperdragon, is fitted into the Denise socket, and the Raspberry Pi is placed on top. The process includes connecting the mini HDMI cable and ensuring the setup supports both PAL and NTSC Amigas. The video also provides information on downloading the open-source software and hardware files, and recommends PCBWay for producing circuit boards.
๐ Successful Test of the Adapter with Sharp and Flicker-Free Output
After setting up the hardware, Jan Beta successfully powers the adapter and gets a clear picture output from the Raspberry Pi. The video showcases the impressive quality of the output, which is sharper than the OSSC upscaler. The test includes running a demanding game to check for lag and latency, with the results indicating a very low lag and latency, providing a near CRT-like gaming experience. The video also mentions that the adapter works with different resolutions of the OCS chipset and that the ECS resolutions are not yet supported.
๐ธ Issues with Capture Card Compatibility and Color Accuracy
Jan Beta encounters a problem with his capture card, which does not accurately reproduce the colors of the output from the Raspberry Pi. Despite the crisp pixels, the colors are off, and attempts to adjust the settings do not resolve the issue. The video suggests that the 50 hertz output might not be compatible with the capture card, and the presenter tries forcing a 60 hertz output as a potential solution. However, the color mismatch persists even in forced 60 hertz mode.
๐ง Customization and Versatility of the RGB to HDMI Adapter
The video concludes with a discussion about the versatility and customization options available with the RGB to HDMI adapter. The adapter board has a pin header for a tactile switch to change screen modes, and there is an option to force 60 hertz mode. The software offers various settings for palette preferences, geometry sampling, and more. Jan Beta expresses his intention to explore more options for the adapter and to check its compatibility with other consoles and computers. He thanks c0pperdragon for providing the adapter and acknowledges that both the adapter and the rgb to hdmi project are still under development.
Mindmap
Keywords
๐กAmiga 500
๐กMonkey Island
๐กO2S Upscaler
๐กRaspberry Pi Zero
๐กRGB to HDMI
๐กGPIO Pins
๐กBare Metal Software
๐กDenise Chip
๐กInterlaced Picture
๐กPAL and NTSC
๐กCapture Card
Highlights
Jan Beta demonstrates an Amiga 500 running Monkey Island with an original RGB output upscaled to HDMI using an OSSC upscaler.
The OSSC upscaler provides high-quality picture but is costly, while cheaper alternatives like the Flylink Upscaler suffer from input lag.
A new solution for Amigas and other systems involves a Raspberry Pi Zero and a circuit board that converts RGB inputs to HDMI output.
The software 'rgb to hdmi' by hoglet67 allows the Raspberry Pi to convert RGB signals to HDMI, resulting in fast processing with minimal lag.
The project was initially aimed at the BBC Micro but can be adapted for various systems with different RGB outputs.
An adapter board made by c0pperdragon fits into the Denise socket of the Amiga, converting Denise signals to HDMI.
The board uses two 74LVC574 chips and a 74LVC86 chip for signal conversion and a voltage regulator for the Raspberry Pi.
The setup works with old-style Denise chips but not yet with the Super Denise found in later Amiga models.
The software is open-source, allowing users to download and install it on an SD card for the Raspberry Pi.
C0pperdragon's GitHub page provides detailed instructions and software for the Amiga version of the RGB to HDMI adapter.
The Raspberry Pi Zero and adapter board provide a pixel-perfect representation of the Amiga output with very low lag and latency.
The setup works well with PAL and NTSC Amigas, although ECS resolutions are not yet fully supported.
The adapter board has a pin header for a tactile switch to toggle between different screen modes.
The capturing card used for recording the demonstration had issues with color accuracy when capturing the HDMI output from the Raspberry Pi.
The RGB to HDMI project and c0pperdragon's adapter are still in development, with updates and improvements expected.
The adapter board can be purchased pre-assembled or users can download the necessary files to create their own.
The versatility and cost-effectiveness of the Raspberry Pi and CPLD-based solution make it an attractive alternative to off-the-shelf upscalers.