V9990 Powergraph - New Batch - New Version

Prophet (2123)

17-07-2017, 10:23

I am not an electronics guy, but that looks like a very well designed pcb!! I already have a powergraph, otherwise I would have gotten this one for sure.

By frederic.markus

Expert (83)

17-07-2017, 10:44

Just bought it! Amazing!!!

By meits

Scribe (6542)

17-07-2017, 11:52

Great to see their level of activity and dedication to MSX-land.
On the other hand I think this version of Powergraph is not well designed. Aesthetically the content clearly doesn't fit the casing.

By mohai

Paladin (1007)

17-07-2017, 13:11

I see there is a video encoder chip on the board, but VGA style connector.
Does it have VGA compatible signals on it or just 15 Khz VGA style ? Separate syncs horizontal and vertical maybe?
I know that some modes of the V9900 require higher refresh rates than 15 Khz.

By Wierzbowsky

Guardian (3596)

17-07-2017, 14:06

I wish this project was open-source. Then I would probably make a smaller size board for non-Konami cases, which are more affordable and widespread these days. And I would definitely avoid using electrolytic capacitors and other through-hole components on the board to save space and achieve a better component layout.

Also a mystery to me is why the CXA encoder chip is used on board. With that chip there is a possibility to output proper Composite video and S-Video signals, but those outputs are not used as far as I can see. Additional outputs would make this cartridge more flexible.

Also if the VGA is locked at 15kHz, I don't see much use of this cartridge with just a VGA connector. Most of modern monitors will not work with 15kHz...

By Poltergeist

Champion (280)

17-07-2017, 14:23

Looks more like a CGA connector to me...

By Latok

msx guru (3938)

17-07-2017, 14:47

Indeed, should be CGA...

By rjp

Master (193)

17-07-2017, 14:54

As I saw in the photo, it fits in a little cartdrige (like Konami's), I'm sure of that.

By rjp

Master (193)

17-07-2017, 14:54

mohai wrote:

I see there is a video encoder chip on the board, but VGA style connector.
Does it have VGA compatible signals on it or just 15 Khz VGA style ? Separate syncs horizontal and vertical maybe?
I know that some modes of the V9900 require higher refresh rates than 15 Khz.

They'll send an adapter with the board, in order to have VGA @ 15 Khz or RCA + SVideo.

By rjp

Master (193)

17-07-2017, 15:04

Poltergeist wrote:

Looks more like a CGA connector to me...

It's a VGA connector (HD15), I can assure you.

By rjp

Master (193)

17-07-2017, 15:08

Alexey wrote:

I wish this project was open-source. Then I would probably make a smaller size board for non-Konami cases, which are more affordable and widespread these days. And I would definitely avoid using electrolytic capacitors and other through-hole components on the board to save space and achieve a better component layout.

Also a mystery to me is why the CXA encoder chip is used on board. With that chip there is a possibility to output proper Composite video and S-Video signals, but those outputs are not used as far as I can see. Additional outputs would make this cartridge more flexible.

Also if the VGA is locked at 15kHz, I don't see much use of this cartridge with just a VGA connector. Most of modern monitors will not work with 15kHz...

This is a cheaper Powergraph (US$ 89, instead of US$ 120). So, they made some hard decisions, in order to lower the price. The RCA + SVideo connectors were ripped off. They placed the CXA encoder chip because it'll be used. They'll send an adapter too, so you'll have VGA @ 15 Khz or RCA + S-Video.

It's hard to find big MSX cartdrige cases (at least here in Brazil), but there is a company (Patola) which can produce small MSX cartdrige cases. So, they decided to do a cheaper and more affordable Powergraph, in order to use this smaller case, too. And they don't want to sell anything without a case protecting the PCB.

The VGA output is locked at 15 Khz because of compatibility with RCA and SVideo.

I hope I could answer some questions here.

By rjp

Master (193)

17-07-2017, 15:03

BTW, I'm not from Tecnobytes. I'm a friend of them, and they asked me to answer all questions here, as far as I know.

By Manuel

Ascended (19462)

17-07-2017, 17:10

I think it's amazing that one can buy a GFX9000 compatible cartridge for this low price! Kudos!

By jltursan

Prophet (2619)

17-07-2017, 18:48

Quote:

As I saw in the photo, it fits in a little cartdrige (like Konami's), I'm sure of that.

...but no case is provided, isn't it?. As Alexey pointed out, there's no easy way to source this kind of cases, or at least I'm not aware of

Great initiative anyway!

By roadfighter

Champion (461)

17-07-2017, 20:41

rjp wrote:

This is a cheaper Powergraph (US$ 89, instead of US$ 120). So, they made some hard decisions, in order to lower the price.

About the Price, it is indeed US$ 89 when shipped with the Slotexpander !!!!!
But when you only select the Powergraph then the price is US$ 124,99 so the shipping of this item is US$36 when i am not mistaken ?
I have no clue to this because i have never ordered from Brazil but this is normal shipping price ?

By Grauw

Ascended (10767)

17-07-2017, 20:46

VGA is just RGB + sync right? So with 15 kHz sync output, a SCART lead should be trivial to connect.

Isn’t it the same lead as for the 1chipMSX?

By meits

Scribe (6542)

17-07-2017, 20:55

Yes, normal shipping price. Same goes for the keyboard membranes we'll order. Hence the group buy.

By syn

Prophet (2123)

17-07-2017, 21:02

Grauw wrote:

VGA is just RGB + sync right? So with 15 kHz sync output, a SCART lead should be trivial to connect.

Isn’t it the same lead as for the 1chipMSX?

Interesting question. The first batches used some alternative non-vga layout (which may or may not be the same as existing hardware). I myself have one of those and I ordered an extra adapter to connect it to vga or vga-scart cable. But for the last batch of the BIG powergraphs this adapter was no longer needed so I assume it conforms with VGA wiring.

So it would be good to know if the VGA out on this small version uses the older alternative layout, or (which I assume is more logical) is the same as the latest batch. Although in the end I suppose this info will be revealed eventually.

By Wierzbowsky

Guardian (3596)

18-07-2017, 09:00

rjp wrote:

They'll send an adapter with the board, in order to have VGA @ 15 Khz or RCA + SVideo.

Did you say OR? Does this mean that the VGA+Composite+S-video won't be possible at the same time?

About the SCART connection - there you need composite sync on pin 20, but does the connector on this board have it? Or it has separate Hsync and Vsync signals? Also for the SCART cable you will need at least 5v for pins 8 and 16. Does the connector on board have 5V output or a separate power supply will be needed?

By Grauw

Ascended (10767)

18-07-2017, 09:25

It does, they say so on the website.

Quote:

To reach our objective, we had to remove the S-VIDEO and the composite outputs. But if you want these two outputs, don't worry. We let all the signals on the RGB output and we will fabricate an adapter with this two outputs soon (will be sold separately). Talking about this, as in the last version of the Powergraph (rev B), the RGB output of this new version remains VGA*** pinout compatible, including 5v on the pin 9.

By hamlet

Scribe (4106)

18-07-2017, 10:49

I also ordered one yesterday, except it is the only V9000 avaible, i think it is a neat cartridge. And it´s a bargain, no need to complain about missing connections that you can easily upgade via adapters. I agree with Alexey, I also wish that would be open source. Isn´t it our aim to put all musical, graphical, memory and-so-on extensions in just one cartridge? Easily upgrade a 16k MSX to an tR powerhouse? It would build a new standart if it spreads widely, produced for small money, of course.
I also like to use a machine ´naked´, without extensions, but when I look back, I´m astounded, how much unbelievable hardware extensions was born, since the last tR was sold. A good thing.
But for now, I´m happy there is a new batch of V9000, which helps developing new software for our incredible hardware.

By meits

Scribe (6542)

18-07-2017, 11:48

It might not be open source (I don't know, really), but that doesn't mean one is not allowed to (try to) develop a gfx9000 compatible cartridge. The same happened to Moonsound in several occasions. In fact, it happened to gfx9000 as well with the release of Powergraph.

By KdL

Paragon (1450)

18-07-2017, 17:32

Nice compact pcb!!

By tvalenca

Paladin (747)

18-07-2017, 19:07

Alexey wrote:

Also if the VGA is locked at 15kHz, I don't see much use of this cartridge with just a VGA connector. Most of modern monitors will not work with 15kHz...

@rjp said almost everthing, but here's a little piece of information about this: Even if there aren't much VGA monitors capable of 15kHz horizontal refresh rate, there are plenty VGA-to SCART passive adapters which will work flawlessly.

Unfortunately, we don't have TVs with SCART connectors, so we dig those 15kHz capable monitors, there are a few models that you can still find some pre-owned units.

I also think that's a good alternative for a crammed desk, just plug it alone on rear slot and it looks lite almost original.

By rjp

Master (193)

18-07-2017, 21:57

jltursan wrote:

Quote:

As I saw in the photo, it fits in a little cartdrige (like Konami's), I'm sure of that.

...but no case is provided, isn't it?. As Alexey pointed out, there's no easy way to source this kind of cases, or at least I'm not aware of

Great initiative anyway!

As you can see in the photo and as I told before, it'll be sent in a Konami-size cartdrige (the little one).

By rjp

Master (193)

18-07-2017, 22:00

syn wrote:

So it would be good to know if the VGA out on this small version uses the older alternative layout, or (which I assume is more logical) is the same as the latest batch. Although in the end I suppose this info will be revealed eventually.

The VGA wiring will be the same as the (BIG) Powergraph rev. 2 (the last batch).

By rjp

Master (193)

18-07-2017, 22:08

Alexey wrote:

Did you say OR? Does this mean that the VGA+Composite+S-video won't be possible at the same time?

About the SCART connection - there you need composite sync on pin 20, but does the connector on this board have it? Or it has separate Hsync and Vsync signals? Also for the SCART cable you will need at least 5v for pins 8 and 16. Does the connector on board have 5V output or a separate power supply will be needed?

VGA + Composite + S-Video is possible in the (BIG) Powergraph batches. The Powergraph Light doesn't have all outputs, only VGA @ 15 Khz. So if you want Composite Video or S-Video, you should use Tecnobytes' adapter.

As I told before, the VGA pinout has compliance with the newer (BIG) Powergraphs, so I think there is the 5V output for each pins (I think).

By Wierzbowsky

Guardian (3596)

19-07-2017, 11:00

rjp wrote:

VGA + Composite + S-Video is possible in the (BIG) Powergraph batches. The Powergraph Light doesn't have all outputs, only VGA @ 15 Khz. So if you want Composite Video or S-Video, you should use Tecnobytes' adapter.

Hmm, then what's the point of having the CXA2075M encoder and a huge quartz generator on board if the output doesn't include Composite video and S-video?

Also is there any info about this adapter board?

By rogerio.belarmino

Expert (78)

20-07-2017, 01:54

New faq about Powergraph Light:

http://www.tecnobytes.com.br/p/v9990-powergraph-light-faq.html

By jltursan

Prophet (2619)

23-07-2017, 21:15

Good!, so the PWLite will be paired with a case and a label?
Just a little doubt, it'll be a standard sized case (with VGA connector outside) or a bigger one?

By Grauw

Ascended (10767)

23-07-2017, 21:48

See point 3 of the FAQ and the second picture:

By erpirao

Paragon (1315)

25-07-2017, 15:59

oh my god.. blasphemy:
v9990 in cpc (sneider)

By rogerio.belarmino

Expert (78)

26-07-2017, 15:16

Wholesale sales

http://www.tecnobytes.com.br/2017/07/wholesale-sales.html

By Elrinth

Resident (54)

08-08-2017, 16:14

yay I missed it ._.
was on car vacation when it happened.
Does anyone know what happens if I push the paypal button now?!

DAMNIT I asked in the comments if I could get notified whenever there would be more in for sale:
Elrinth5/31/2017 6:30 AM
Also interested in new batch. Anyway to subscribe for notification when new batch is in or something?

By rogerio.belarmino

Expert (78)

10-08-2017, 13:05

V9990 Powergraph Light - Presale

The V9990 Powergraph Light presale will finish in the next saturday (08/12/2017) !

Don't miss this chance!

Thank you all!

http://www.tecnobytes.com.br/p/v9990-powergraph-light.html

By rogerio.belarmino

Expert (78)

01-10-2017, 14:18

http://www.tecnobytes.com.br/2017/09/v9990-powergraph-light-...

By N.I

Master (177)

05-10-2017, 06:36

I'm happy to hear that. If V9990 Powergraph Light reaches me, I plug it into my MSX turboR and turn it on. And I'll make a program to access V9990 and run it. I'm looking forward to it very much.

By keith56

Master (162)

04-12-2017, 04:07

I'm looking to buy this so I can test the V9990 version of Chibi Akumas MSX, but it's currently showing as out of stock, I used the contact form on the website, but I didn't get a reply :-(

If someone could get in touch with me from regarding availability, I'd really appreciate it!

V9990 Powergraph - New Batch - New Version

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