Commodore 128 Video DAC Board Available

[ajacocks]

Heather,

No, there weren't any parts shipped, for those.

The original design left the holes in the board unfilled, for the wires to be soldered in. However, in my experience, the wires would get frayed, from use. So, at the last minute, I decided to throw in the male connectors. I didn't include the female ones, though, since I figured that people might just use what they had laying around, since individual pin connections are fine, too.

If I do a version 2 of the board, I might include the female connectors, as well.

If you look at the bottom of this page http://he-insanity.blogspot.com/2014/03/video-dac-assembly-information.html, you will find the mating connectors, and the pins.

Thanks!
- Alex

 

[SkydivinGirl]

Thanks for the explanation Alex! I'll get them ordered.

Heather

 

[stamasd]

Awesome. Ordered a PCB because:
1. I have all of the parts except for the opamp which I ordered separately
2. will use my awesome soldering skillz
3. you're out of part kits anyway

I assume that the implied answer to lizardboy's question on the previous page "is there any reason to believe that this converter works only with the GBS-8220 but not the GBS-8200" is no. Correct? Because I have a GBS-8200.

BTW, I plan on using this with a Sinclair Spectrum 128k, which has TTL-level RGB outputs. Not exactly CGA, but close.

 

[ajacocks]

stamasd,

Sorry, I didn't update my inventory. I do indeed have parts kits.

I don't have any reason to suspect that the 8200 wouldn't work, but I don't have one, so I couldn't test it. I'll also be happy to hear how this works with a Speccy.

Good luck!
- Alex

 

[bouncedhex]

I recently received a GBS-8200 and I am using it with a C128 Video DAC board and a Tandy 1000 HX. I haven't spent much time with it yet, but so far it's working great.

 

[wesleyfurr]

Do you have more of the PCB's on hand? I'm interested in building up a second one...

Thanks,

Wesley

 

[ajacocks]

Yep, I have 4 more on hand, at the moment.

- Alex

 

[SteveMarg]

I ended up encasing the DAC and the GBS boards inside a box, and using it as a monitor stand.

 

[ajacocks]

SteveMarg,

That is very nice! Are you a woodworker?

- Alex

 

[SkydivinGirl]

I finally received and installed the connectors to connect the wires from the GBS 8200 to the Video DAC board. Here's pictures of the results.

First, the text color test. The colors are better than this picture.


Second, two pictures from the Risen 80 column demo. They are a little stretched from my widescreen monitor, but the colors are amazingly nice. There's also no lag in the video processing.


Thanks for a great device Alex! My next test is on my Commodore PC 10-III.

Heather

 

[ajacocks]

Thanks for the great screenshots, Heather!

 

[SkydivinGirl]

Hi Alex! I would like to order one more bare PCB if you have one available. Thanks in advance!

Heather

 

[tanuki]

Hi Alex,

I would like to buy a pre-assembled unit. Do you have any left?

Cheers!

 

[ajacocks]

Tanuki,

I have an order in for more PCBs, but I have plenty of stock of the components. I should have stock in 2 weeks or so.

Thanks!
- Alex

 

[tanuki]

Sounds good. I've subscribed to the thread & will watch for updates.

 

[ajacocks]

I now have 4 PCBs in stock, should anyone want to place and order.

Going forward, I will probably only order PCBs when folks place orders, because the volume has dropped to a slow trickle.

Thanks!
- Alex

 

[ajacocks]

All,

It seems like the sales of this board have slowed down. Going forward, I will only be buying the parts, and additional PCBs, when folks place orders. This means that while the board will still be available for sale, my pace at shipping, after I receive an order, may be slower, especially if I have to order PCBs.


Thanks!
- Alex

 

[sprite9]

I built my board this week and got it working with the GBS-8220 V3.0 today. Initially the GBS reported "No Signal" and pressing the Auto button didn't work. I had to go in to the Display Menu and set the resolution to 640x480 and then it worked.

Thanks Alex for providing this board!

 

[CanadaPhil]

Hi All,

I know this is an old topic, but is there any chance of more of these becoming available?

I'm in the process of putting together all of my old vintage Commodore stuff, but its been in boxes for more than 10 years and I have had it all for 30 odd years now... Its in great condition though!

I really always had a soft spot for my 128, and kept it all... but I had left my 1902a monitor with my Sister as she needed a CGA capable display for an old PC she had. Sadly, that gave up the ghost many years ago.

I may be interested in getting 1 (maybe even 2) built units in the near future.

Very informative topic for me btw!
Thanks

 

[ajacocks]

Phil,

I actually just ordered 3 more boards, of which I have sold 1, already. I should have the boards in hand, in a couple of weeks, so feel free to place an order, if you would like 1, or more, boards.

Thanks
- Alex