V9990 Powergraph Light new batch

V9990 Powergraph Light new batch

by ro on 09-04-2021, 11:30
Topic: Hardware
Languages:

Brazilian MSX hardware manufacturer Tecnobytes takes a new round of pre-orders for their GFX9K clone cartridge Powergraph Light.

Known for their excellent MSX hardware like their recent Audiowave, Tecnobytes released their Powergraph Light video extension earlier. The product was sold out quickly, which let to a second batch of this product. The price will be 153 USD including world-wide-shipping. There can be shipped three units in one batch.

The Powergraph light has built in connectors for S-Video and composite signal, shipped with v9990 capabilities for real MSX hardware.

To get your hands on a copy, visit the dedicated web page on Tecnobytes their web site.

Relevant link: Product page

Comments (37)

By Grauw

Ascended (10768)

Grauw's picture

09-04-2021, 12:57

Luckily my AudioWave hadn’t shipped yet so I could combine shipping, saves quite a bit. Very affordable piece of kit, looking forward to it to replace my original Gfx9000.

By Manuel

Ascended (19465)

Manuel's picture

09-04-2021, 13:10

What's wrong with your original then?

By msd

Paragon (1515)

msd's picture

09-04-2021, 16:27

Manuel wrote:

What's wrong with your original then?

The original v9990 (version 1.1?) has very bad grounding

By Randam

Paragon (1431)

Randam's picture

09-04-2021, 20:30

As interesting as a v9990 light is, is there any chance a more elaborate powergraph will be released? I already have a gfx9000 but something with more features like for instance superimpose would be interesting for me...

By aoineko

Paladin (1002)

aoineko's picture

09-04-2021, 20:52

The "Product page" link to outdated page I think. The new one is: http://www.tecnobytes.com.br/2021/04/powergraph-light-rev-2-...

By aoineko

Paladin (1002)

aoineko's picture

09-04-2021, 20:56

The cartridge include a "real" V9990 dedicated chip or is it a emulated one (FPGA)?

By Manuel

Ascended (19465)

Manuel's picture

09-04-2021, 21:37

I don't think that there is an FPGA implementation of the V9990....

By AnsiStar

Master (141)

AnsiStar's picture

09-04-2021, 23:32

Is the new one compatible to the first batch?
I mean, games like Intruder do they work with the new version?

By rogerio.belarmino

Expert (78)

rogerio.belarmino's picture

10-04-2021, 01:26

fully compatible Smile

By gdx

Enlighted (6212)

gdx's picture

10-04-2021, 12:23

aoineko wrote:

The cartridge include a "real" V9990 dedicated chip or is it a emulated one (FPGA)?

FPGA or not, as long as it works well. Anyway there is little chance that the V9990 will ever be emulated by an FPGA.

By meits

Scribe (6542)

meits's picture

10-04-2021, 14:15

msd wrote:
Manuel wrote:

What's wrong with your original then?

The original v9990 (version 1.1?) has very bad grounding

Shouldn't that be something fixable?

By msd

Paragon (1515)

msd's picture

10-04-2021, 14:21

You can add a lot of extra wires . But actually it is due to the pcb design

By Grauw

Ascended (10768)

Grauw's picture

10-04-2021, 15:35

Yes, I recall back in the day my Gfx9000 had issues with jailbars, I went to Koen who fixed it by adding a net of wires. However because of that I feel it’s good to have a second unit.

As for superimpose, yes that’s something on my wishlist too. I originally planned to wait with buying a new one until that feature was implemented by someone. But even though there were some things said here and there, it’s not really looking to be happening anytime soon atm. Since the PowerGraph Light is nicely priced and I was able to combine shipping, I have taken the opportunity to order one Smile.

By msd

Paragon (1515)

msd's picture

10-04-2021, 16:00

Grauw wrote:

Yes, I recall back in the day my Gfx9000 had issues with jailbars, I went to Koen who fixed it by adding a net of wires. However because of that I feel it’s good to have a second .

Can you make a picture of that?

By Briqunullus

Hero (665)

Briqunullus's picture

10-04-2021, 16:04

Anybody wants to share shipping costs with me?

By meits

Scribe (6542)

meits's picture

10-04-2021, 16:20

msd wrote:
Grauw wrote:

Yes, I recall back in the day my Gfx9000 had issues with jailbars, I went to Koen who fixed it by adding a net of wires. However because of that I feel it’s good to have a second .

Can you make a picture of that?

Would be nice if that fix was documented.
@msd: Is this only the 1.1 version or the very first way too big 1.0 as well?
I have them both, but never bothered checking any of 'em... But I'd like to have them in top condition though.

By hamlet

Scribe (4106)

hamlet's picture

10-04-2021, 17:30

I remeber bought my light two years ago. I was happy when it arrived but I had to pay fees at the custom office, which made it quit expensive. Unfornatually TMTLogic's GFXnine is not available anymore. I heard they runned out of V9990 chips...
I do own MiChis previous Video9000 but hardly use it since the smaller cards are way better to handle.

By msd

Paragon (1515)

msd's picture

10-04-2021, 17:39

@meits: could be 1.0 doesn’t have the jail-bar issue , but it is easy to check. In a white background you can see it very clearly .

By ssfony

Expert (84)

ssfony's picture

10-04-2021, 20:46

I have a version 1 of the sunrise gfx9000, from the first batch, never had any issues with it. Still works fine.

By meits

Scribe (6542)

meits's picture

10-04-2021, 21:57

ssfony wrote:

I have a version 1 of the sunrise gfx9000, from the first batch, never had any issues with it. Still works fine.

Looking at a 1.0 now. No jail bars indeed.

By AnsiStar

Master (141)

AnsiStar's picture

11-04-2021, 18:37

Is that Powergraph only for MSX II machines? Do i have an II+ then?

By Grauw

Ascended (10768)

Grauw's picture

11-04-2021, 18:51

msd wrote:
Grauw wrote:

Yes, I recall back in the day my Gfx9000 had issues with jailbars, I went to Koen who fixed it by adding a net of wires. However because of that I feel it’s good to have a second .

Can you make a picture of that?

Sure: front, back. Doesn’t look as bad as I remembered tbh.

By hamlet

Scribe (4106)

hamlet's picture

11-04-2021, 20:50

Also front

and back of my 1.1

By hamlet

Scribe (4106)

hamlet's picture

11-04-2021, 20:52

AnsiStar wrote:

Is that Powergraph only for MSX II machines? Do i have an II+ then?

No, it also works with MSX1 computers. MSX2+ don't have a V9990 built in, no machine does. Wink

By meits

Scribe (6542)

meits's picture

12-04-2021, 17:08

Grauw wrote:
msd wrote:
Grauw wrote:

Yes, I recall back in the day my Gfx9000 had issues with jailbars, I went to Koen who fixed it by adding a net of wires. However because of that I feel it’s good to have a second .

Can you make a picture of that?

Sure: front, back. Doesn’t look as bad as I remembered tbh.

That does not look scary at all. I'll have a go at that.
Thanks

Edit.
I opened mine, eager to do solder to it... To my horror it was already done

By AnsiStar

Master (141)

AnsiStar's picture

12-04-2021, 19:14

Thanks Hamlet! After 5 minutes of thinking i got it myself! Wink

By mohai

Paladin (1007)

mohai's picture

13-04-2021, 09:23

hamlet wrote:

Also front
and back of my 1.1

OMG !
What are all those connectors and switches for ?
Question

By hamlet

Scribe (4106)

hamlet's picture

14-04-2021, 20:59

mohai wrote:

What are all those connectors and switches for ?
Question

All about superimpose. Smile

By ducasp

Paladin (680)

ducasp's picture

14-04-2021, 22:47

AnsiStar wrote:

Is that Powergraph only for MSX II machines? Do i have an II+ then?

Just be sure you understand what it is for, as it is in no way an upgrade to MSX2 or 2+, it is a different VDP that only applications made specifically for it work, i.e.: you won't be using its video output on dos, basic, games that are not specific for 9990, etc (making it simple, I know there is a hacked version of basic to work with 9990 but that is far from pluging the cartridge and using its video output as a full replacement)

By thezorry

Resident (63)

thezorry's picture

15-04-2021, 09:41

I've ordered one. Is there any schema to create a RGB scart cable for it?

By dumfrog

Resident (45)

dumfrog's picture

15-04-2021, 13:37

ducasp wrote:

Just be sure you understand what it is for, as it is in no way an upgrade to MSX2 or 2+, it is a different VDP that only applications made specifically for it work, i.e.: you won't be using its video output on dos, basic, games that are not specific for 9990, etc (making it simple, I know there is a hacked version of basic to work with 9990 but that is far from pluging the cartridge and using its video output as a full replacement)

I knew I couldn't write a simple "10 SCREEN 25" to get the power of the V9990, but could you explain a little bit more ? Do I have to learn ASM to get it work ?

By SjaaQ

Champion (375)

SjaaQ's picture

15-04-2021, 16:04

I have ordered one.

"Shipments must start 2 months after the closing of the batch which is 4 May" as reported by Technobytes.

By Briqunullus

Hero (665)

Briqunullus's picture

15-04-2021, 19:29

dumfrog wrote:

I knew I couldn't write a simple "10 SCREEN 25" to get the power of the V9990, but could you explain a little bit more ? Do I have to learn ASM to get it work ?

Haven't tried it myself, but you could take a look at G-BASIC.

By mohai

Paladin (1007)

mohai's picture

16-04-2021, 08:53

hamlet wrote:
mohai wrote:

What are all those connectors and switches for ?
Question

All about superimpose. Smile

Ok. I understand.
I have never seen the inside of a Video9000. Looks quite complex for only superimposing.
I always thought that superimposing with V9990 was more straightforward.

By Daemos

Prophet (2063)

Daemos's picture

16-04-2021, 12:00

Ordered one. Already own the big version. The light will be a very welcome addition.

By msd

Paragon (1515)

msd's picture

23-04-2021, 21:11

Grauw wrote:
msd wrote:
Grauw wrote:

Yes, I recall back in the day my Gfx9000 had issues with jailbars, I went to Koen who fixed it by adding a net of wires. However because of that I feel it’s good to have a second .

Can you make a picture of that?

Sure: front, back. Doesn’t look as bad as I remembered tbh.

Did he also add that tantalum capacitor? And if so can you read the type?

By Gregory

Champion (260)

Gregory's picture

03-07-2021, 20:44

gdx wrote:
aoineko wrote:

The cartridge include a "real" V9990 dedicated chip or is it a emulated one (FPGA)?

FPGA or not, as long as it works well. Anyway there is little chance that the V9990 will ever be emulated by an FPGA.

How come?