TMS-RGB board

The TMS-RGB board distributed by Arcade Shopper is an open-source, purely analog video mod kit developed in 2020 by Nicholas Piegdon (Falonn on AtariAge). It is engineered to bypass the wavy, blurry composite or RF factory outputs of 1980s systems in favor of clean, vibrant RGB video signal output.

Universal VDP Compatibility

The board maps directly to the unique analog components of the Texas Instruments TMS9928A (NTSC) and TMS9929A (PAL) Video Display Processor (VDP) family. This makes it compatible with several classic 8-bit systems, including:

• ColecoVision and Coleco ADAM
• Texas Instruments TI-99/4A
• MSX computers
• Sega SG-1000 / SC-3000
• Memotech MTX series

Note on limitations: This kit relies strictly on the native component configurations of the 9928/9929 chips; it is not compatible with the composite-only TMS9918 video chip.

Core Technical Features

• Zero Latency Processing: Because the architecture is completely analog, it introduces no processing or scaling lag to the gaming experience.
• No Manual Tuning Required: The board is designed to function cleanly out of the box without requiring manual adjustment of potentiometers or trim capacitors.
• Fixes Legacy Visual Flaws: The TMS-RGB circuit logic was written to permanently fix issues like inaccurate color generation and "skinny pixels" found in older, primitive RGB hacks.
• Flexible C-Sync Generation: The board outputs both buffered, video-level C-sync and 5V TTL-level C-sync, allowing modders to easily wire it to many different cable specs.

Connection & Display Output

The raw output signals are built to interface with advanced upscalers and line doublers (such as the OSSC, Retrotink, or Framemeister), as well as 15kHz CRT arcade monitors. When configuring the mod, installers typically wire the output pads to a panel-mounted jack drilled into the rear console plastic, such as a Sega Genesis 2-style 9-pin mini-DIN or an 8-pin DIN connector.

Marketplace Status & Sourcing

• Boutique Retailer: You can inspect or purchase the pre-assembled kit on the Arcade Shopper Online Store for around $40.00, though inventory frequently changes due to the low-volume nature of retro-hardware production batches.
• Open-Source Blueprint: Because it is open-source hardware, enthusiasts can also explore assembly schematics, source installation documentation, or view video tutorials directly via the official community platform at tms-rgb.com.