F18A MK1 VGA Header

The F18A MK1 VGA Header distributed by Arcade Shopper is a small, specialized interface board designed to work alongside the F18A MK1 Video Processor Upgrade. It acts as the physical breakout terminal that lets you plug a standard 15-pin VGA monitor cable directly into your modified Coleco ADAM or ColecoVision system.

Purpose of the VGA Header:

The F18A MK1 board completely replaces the console's original, noisy Texas Instruments TMS9918A/9928A video chip. Because the F18A processes graphics entirely in the digital domain to output a crisp, modern VGA signal, it completely bypasses the motherboard's factory RF or composite audio/video traces.

The raw VGA signals leave the F18A chip via a flat ribbon cable. The VGA Header board sits at the other end of that ribbon, translating the flat flexible circuit traces into a rugged, standard DB-15 female VGA connector that can handle the physical strain of heavy monitor cables.

Installation & Placement Options

The header board gives retro-hardware builders options for how they want to manage the physical layout of their console:

• The Custom Bracket Cut: Many enthusiasts cut a small, neat rectangular slot into the back of the ADAM console's plastic housing, mounting the header flush against the case for a factory-retail look.
• The Video Bay Pass-Through: For collectors who refuse to modify or cut vintage plastics, the 12-inch ribbon cable can be routed to pass through existing ventilation slots or the empty composite video bay openings, letting the VGA header hang cleanly outside the unit.

Where to Buy

The connector assembly can be sourced directly through the Arcade Shopper Classic Computers Store. It is typically sold as an optional add-on part for users building their own custom wiring harnesses, replacing a worn-out breakout jack, or configuring dual-output display systems.