Commodore 64 Receives HDMI Modernization Upgrade
The much-lauded Commodore 64, regarded as the best-selling computer of all time, has a notable drawback: it lacks HDMI capability, making it less than ideal for modern display use. Fortunately, Side Projects Lab has developed an HDMI output board as a solution to this oversight in the original design.
The initiative was sparked by Copper Dragon's creation of a RGB output board, which worked by capturing and recreating pixel-perfect video frames based on inputs to the C64's VIC II graphics chip. Side Projects Lab reasoned that this approach could also be used for generating quality HDMI output.
The result of this project is the HD-64, a board that replaces the original RF modulator within the C64. It employs an interleaver socket to capture digital signals destined for the VIC II, which are then processed by an emulated VIC II running inside an FPGA. This emulator creates a pixel-perfect screen representation and synthesizes the required digital HDMI output. As for audio, the analog output from the SID chip is captured from the RF modulator's original header and passed through the HDMI output. The default output is high-definition, but the device can be configured to accommodate scanlines and anti-aliasing if desired.
For those looking to connect their C64 to a modern screen, the HD-64 offers one of the sleekest and sharpest solutions. Similar upgrades or hacks for other platforms have been attempted in the past.
The enclosed data underscores the wide array of HDMI output board hacks and solutions for classic platforms. For instance, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) has seen numerous HDMI solutions, such as the Hi-Def NES mod, which replaces or reconfigures the original video output. DIY alternatives include Raspberry Pi Zero-based kits that convert RGB signals to HDMI.
Amiga systems, too, are adapted for modern displays -- frequently via custom HDMI adapters or FPGA-based modern recreations like the A600GS. Some devices utilize FPGA-based solutions to upgrade the original Amiga RGB or RF signals to HDMI.
universal FPGA-based upscalers, like the PixelFX Morph 4K, RetroTINK, or OSSC, offer solutions for a broad range of classic systems, converting various analog signals to HDMI.
In summary, the HD-64 is one of several HDMI output board solutions available for classic platforms, including the NES, Amiga, and a vast array of retro consoles. These solutions often provide cleaner, lag-free digital output for modern display compatibility.
The HD-64, an FPGA-based HDMI output board, replaces the original RF modulator within a Commodore 64, offering a modern solution for connecting the classic gadget to a high-definition display. This technology-driven project employs an emulated VIC II graphics chip within the FPGA to generate quality HDMI output, enhancing the display capabilities of vintage computer systems like the Commodore 64.
