The Pico9918 PRO v2.0 VDP VGA edition—designed by Troy Schrapel (Visrealm) and distributed by Arcade Shopper—is a specialized analog-to-digital hardware upgrade designed to provide pixel-perfect VGA video output for the standard ColecoVision and Coleco ADAM home computer system.
This package is identical in its core processing power to the HDMI edition but ships bundled with a dedicated analog VGA interface kit instead of a digital A/V adapter.
The VGA-Specific Hardware Layout
While the internal motherboard processor card is universal, the VGA Edition features distinct physical breakout elements optimized for traditional analog monitors:
- The VGA Output Dongle: The package terminates at a custom external daughterboard breakout module featuring a standard 15-pin female DB-15 VGA port to accept standard heavy-duty monitor cables.
- The Integrated Audio Jack: Because a standard VGA video pinout configuration cannot natively transmit sound data lines, the breakout board uniquely integrates a dedicated 3.5mm stereo/mono audio output jack.
- Eliminating Audio Interference: This separate audio tap completely circumvents the ADAM motherboard’s factory sound tracing lines. By pulling clean audio straight from the source, it permanently eliminates the infamous high-pitched background buzzing sound caused by the mechanical operation of internal Digital Data Pack tape drives.
Core Processing Framework (v2.0 PRO):
The hardware bridges the gap between aging retro components and available screen technology through modern computing power:
- The RP2350 Upgrade: The v2.0 PRO platform replaces original microcontrollers with the high-performance Raspberry Pi RP2350 processor (the core of the Raspberry Pi Pico 2). This architecture delivers massive computing headroom to flawlessly replicate vintage video timing tracks.
- Ignoring Motherboard VRAM Faults: The Pico9918 PRO acts as an independent video system. It completely ignores and bypasses the host machine's original, fragile 16K motherboard video RAM (DRAM) chips and factory crystal clock arrays. If your ADAM console is currently bricked with a "black screen of death" due to dead, overheating memory chips, installing this board fixes the issue immediately without requiring you to desolder the factory RAM field.
- Thermal Relief: By removing the operational load from the original memory array, the kit drastically reduces internal case operating temperatures and minimizes current draw stress placed on the ADAM’s sensitive power rails.
Expanded F18A Compatibility Mode
Through the implementation of recent firmware updates, the Pico9918 PRO includes an advanced F18A Software Compatibility Engine. When activated, it seamlessly recognizes and processes advanced homebrew game releases that rely on expanded color palettes, enhanced tile mapping layers, and high-speed GPU acceleration tasks originally popularized by Matthew Hagerty's discontinued F18A MK1 FPGA hardware boards.
Installation & Ordering Specifics
- Solder Requirement: Because Coleco soldered their video controllers directly to the motherboard layout, installation requires desoldering the original 40-pin Texas Instruments chip and soldering a clean low-profile retention socket in its place for the Pico9918 board to press into.
- Where to Buy: Secure a pre-assembled module directly through the Arcade Shopper Online Catalog for $85.00 to $95.00 depending on active low-volume batch production limits.
