EP32 TTGO VGA32 Board Cheap Serial Terminal
456 views
Skip to first unread message
REA Electric
Jul 1, 2019, 7:23:16 AM7/1/19
to Altair-Duino
After seeing this Project FabGL on github for EP32 (using TTGO board with VGA32 Board with VGA output and PS/2 input savailable for around $12USD )
TTGO VGA32 V1.1 Controller PS/2 Mouse And Keyboard Controller Graphics Library Game Engine And ANSI/VT Terminal
fdivitto/FabGL
https://github.com/fdivitto/FabGL
I was wondering if this could be used to make an inexpensive VT100 and/or VDM terminal for my Altair Clone.
Does any one have any thoughts about this idea?
TTGO VGA32 V1.1 Controller PS/2 Mouse And Keyboard Controller Graphics Library Game Engine And ANSI/VT Terminal
https://github.com/fdivitto/FabGL
John Kennedy
Jul 1, 2019, 10:19:28 AM7/1/19
to Altair-Duino
The electronics are the easy part - that would work, as would a Raspberry Pi. It's making a nice case that's the tricky part! :-)
The High Nibble
Jul 4, 2019, 9:56:12 AM7/4/19
to Altair-Duino
Hi,
What you propose is almost exactly what I have under development.
I Tweeted it a few months ago, see https://twitter.com/thehighnibble/status/1110861587751927811?s=21
The only differences are
- I’m using an ESP32 Wroom module on a custom designed board, in this example in the RC2014 form factor, but not the TTGO.
- I am using FabGL but have written a lot of additional code to try to faithfully simulate an actual VT100, config menus and all, with a speaker for the bell too. I’ve also added additional authentic fonts from the VT52, VT100, and others. I support 132 column mode and can produce SVGA output at 800x600 in addition to VGA resolutions.
So it connects to any VGA monitor via DB15 and requires a PS/2 keyboard, although I’m intending to add support for a USB keyboard if I can integrate a new module I’m yet to test.
I intend to also make a stand alone module, ie. not in RC2014 form factor.
The only reason why it’s not ready yet is that I’ve been really busy lately finishing my other project, the IMSAI 8080esp replica see https://thehighnibble.com and getting into the hands of the retro computing community.
I’ll soon get back to what I’ve been calling the VT132, you know VT100 + ESP32 = VT132
What you propose is almost exactly what I have under development.
I Tweeted it a few months ago, see https://twitter.com/thehighnibble/status/1110861587751927811?s=21
The only differences are
- I’m using an ESP32 Wroom module on a custom designed board, in this example in the RC2014 form factor, but not the TTGO.
- I am using FabGL but have written a lot of additional code to try to faithfully simulate an actual VT100, config menus and all, with a speaker for the bell too. I’ve also added additional authentic fonts from the VT52, VT100, and others. I support 132 column mode and can produce SVGA output at 800x600 in addition to VGA resolutions.
So it connects to any VGA monitor via DB15 and requires a PS/2 keyboard, although I’m intending to add support for a USB keyboard if I can integrate a new module I’m yet to test.
I intend to also make a stand alone module, ie. not in RC2014 form factor.
The only reason why it’s not ready yet is that I’ve been really busy lately finishing my other project, the IMSAI 8080esp replica see https://thehighnibble.com and getting into the hands of the retro computing community.
I’ll soon get back to what I’ve been calling the VT132, you know VT100 + ESP32 = VT132
REA Electric
Jul 4, 2019, 2:57:10 PM7/4/19
to Altair-Duino
I just checked out your IMSAI 8080esp replica project. Looks great Totally blown away I had no idea about your project.
I just love your replica Front Panel what a brilliant design. What are your plans for this project, will this be available as a kit? If so I would love to order the IMSAI Front Panel, switches and PCB. I just about have everything to build an IMSAI clone but the Front Panel and switches have always been my problem and I have been waiting to see what Adwater & Stir does but I would much prefer to support another Aussie maker.
I just love your replica Front Panel what a brilliant design. What are your plans for this project, will this be available as a kit? If so I would love to order the IMSAI Front Panel, switches and PCB. I just about have everything to build an IMSAI clone but the Front Panel and switches have always been my problem and I have been waiting to see what Adwater & Stir does but I would much prefer to support another Aussie maker.
Cheers.
Roy Edmund
REA Electric
Jul 4, 2019, 3:03:15 PM7/4/19
to Altair-Duino
Tom Lake
Jul 4, 2019, 10:36:30 PM7/4/19
to Altair-Duino
If you order one you won't be disappointed. I have one and it's fantastic. Upgrading the firmware is as simple as drag and drop to the esp32's internal Web server. Changing floppy disks and adding new ones from a PC is as simple as drag and drop as well. Dave has written a very useful UI.
Tom L
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages