RGB Famicom/NES for sale. ^^

[Retrospects]

Hello my friends!

We are selling an interesting board for all of your guys.

Let met introduce it here:

What we basically have is something that we really think that we are really proud to be available to provide you. And that is a Famiclone that has a custom built PPU which is a reversed engineered SMD chip which allows a LOT of different things. The CPU is the normal UMC (or Ricoch if you want)-FC CPU, but the PPU is really something out of this universe.

For example, it outputs AV, S-VIDEO, VGA, AND RGB. It will be possible to upgrade this into HDMI, but not for the moment. It has 7(!) controller options. 4-flat 9-pin for your Famiclone controllers. 2 inputs in the front for the sub-9 controller so that you can use external controllers. 1 option for accessing your Famicom expansion port module.

And it DO utilizes the use of scanlines with a simple jumper switch as you can see on the pictures.

We expect these to be kind of high in demand and they will be assembled by hand just like the DIY-8-BIT. So if you place an order, it might take a while before we can ship it out due to high demand.

Finally, as you can understand this is really for the true enthusiasts. The hardcore gamers, and the price will probably knock some people off the chair, but please understand that we are a very small company and for me personally i can just say that a famiclone like this, is ten times worth the money that of a PS4 or something like that (Not that we are looking into those kind of prices, please don't worry hehe). This is a MODERN machine made for MODERN televisions.

Please check following links and see pictures and order for yourself:

http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index ... c=11492.45

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product ... 52783.html

[tepples]

Does it pass blargg's PPU tests?

[MottZilla]

What exactly do you get when you order one? It looks like there is no plastic case. Does it come with controllers? Power supply? It's not very clear on the store page.

[HardWareMan]

What exactly do you get when you order one? It looks like there is no plastic case. Does it come with controllers? Power supply? It's not very clear on the store page.

I can post here when I get it.

[mikejmoffitt]

This is very impressive. Do you have more details on compatibility tests? Also, is the PCB properly 5V tolerant, with voltage level shifters inserted where appropriate, to prevent damage to both sets of devices over time?

EDIT: I see an FPGA (Cyclone 2). Is this a continuation / packaging of universalPPU?

[deksar]

Looks super cool. Is it compatible with ANY NES game available? Is there any game compatibility list?

[sdekaar]

i'm very curious to test it

[HardWareMan]

I've got mine! Since seller does not give any source I've made some reverse engineering. WIP:

It contains a UA6527 clone of 2A03 NTSC CPU, IS61C256 32K bytes RAM (only 2K bytes are used), Altera Cyclone II EP2C5T144C8N as PPU with TV/VGA RGB output capabilities, Altera MAX3000A CPLD EPM3064ATC100 as logic (74x139 + 74x368 + master clock divider for PPU and PAL/NTSC coder). Also it contain Sony CXA2075M as NTSC coder (NTSC mode hardwired) and RGB output buffer. All video outputs are 75 Ohm. At last, it contain a MM1454 virtual surround processor in hardwired bypass mode (it also can work as Dolby Pro Logic decoder) in sound path. Square and triangle_noise_DPCM channels are not mixed and goes to 3mm jack separatly through MM1454.

Seller disable CPLD JTAG interface, so I replace this CPLD with new one and make simple project. And all works perfectly!


FPGA PPU require 2 frequencies:
A 10,7386MHz (master clock 21,4772MHz/2) as pixel clock for VGA mode (it goes to regular IO pin not dedicated CLK input).
A 5,3693MHz (master clock 21,4772MHz/4) as pixel clock for PPU core. There 2 of this clocks with different phases. And if second phase are not correct, PPU shows corrupted sprites. These 2 phases goes to dedicated clock inputs.
FPGA make 24 bit RGB output that connected to ADV7125 triple video DAC. There is 6 dip switches which marked as: CARTSET, SCANLINES, VGAMODE, HSMODE, PALSEL1 and PALSEL0. There 4 palettes:




CPLD provide all required clocks to FPGA, subcarrier frequency for color coder (master clock 21,4772MHz/3/2 for 50% duty cycle), address decoder like 74x139 and joypad inputs like 74x368. FPGA bypass VGAMODE dipswitch to CPLD, but I don't know why. Also, FPGA require 2 signals form CPLD, but my PPU FPGA version does not have any visible reactions on it.

That's all for now. Ask your questions.

[sdekaar]

thanks for details. i wait to receive it too
what is your opinion about this product (compatibility, picture&sound quality...)?
is it possible to use classic nes joypad instead of the famiclone pad ?

[HardWareMan]

what is your opinion about this product (compatibility, picture&sound quality...)?

I don't make tough tests for it, but what I want it runs normally. I bought it as development kit to don't make it myself. So, right, I want to make my own PPU simulator, based on BreakNES work.

is it possible to use classic nes joypad instead of the famiclone pad ?

Joypad is standard, so it accept any of it (and genuine and clones). Sound and video quality very good. But sound is quite quiet, at my version U8 OP AMP is missing (shorted). I think it some kind 4558D, I'll place it later.

[mikejmoffitt]

That is interesting. Do we think then that it is not based on UniversalPPU, and is all original?

I would like to see something to deal with the 5V <> 3.3V discrepancies that are present when a cartridge is plugged in.

[HardWareMan]

That is interesting. Do we think then that it is not based on UniversalPPU, and is all original?

There is another FPGA PPU project: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=10920 It's based on BreakNES work, that I believe, maximal true simulation of real chip.

[sdekaar]

i have receive my diy8bit today.
First impression, it's a good product.
for the moment i haven't any difference about a classic nes/famicom. i have test with salamander, gradius, Tatakai no Banka(trojan), valis.
just the sound looks saturated with a earphone.(sorry for my engrish :p)
maybe the signal is too high for the audio output.
i'll post many screenshoot when i'll have the time for.

[HardWareMan]

That is interesting. Do we think then that it is not based on UniversalPPU, and is all original?

Ok, it is definitely not based UniversalPPU. I've done to checking FPGA PPU project that based on BreakNES work and it seems that this is it. Yes, I got this project more than year ago and had no time for research. It was made by one person (I think this man) and don't ask me for the source files, because I get it with this annotation: "Please do not put all this project file to internet at present!".

[sdekaar]

as promised: