Computer Conversions
Casio PV-1000
casio_pv1000

Casio PV-1000 Home Video game console

The Casio PV-1000 is a third generation home video game console manufacured by Casio for the Japanese market. It was discontinued a year after it was launched because the console failed to achieve a significant market share.

Casio launched the PC-2000 shortly after the PV-1000. The controllers are compatible, but the PV-2000 have a completely different architecture.

Casio also produced the PV-7 and the PV-16 which were part of the MSX standard of home computers

Only thirteen games were produced for the PV-1000:

  • Pooyan
  • Super Cobra
  • Tutankham
  • Amidar
  • Dig Dug
  • Warp & Warp
  • Turpin
  • Pachinko UFO
  • Fighting Bug (Lady Bug)
  • Space Panic
  • Naughty Boy
  • Dirty Chameleon
  • Excite Mahjong

TMS9918 Series Video Display Processor (99n8, 99n9, 91n8, 91n9)

The TMS9918 is a series of video display controllers (VDC) manufactured in 1979 by Texas Instruments, also refered to as 'Video Display Processor' (VDP). The TMS9918 and its variants were used in the ColecoVision, CreatiVision, Memotech MTX, MSX, NABU Personal Computer, SG-1000/SC-3000, Spectravideo SV-318, Spectravideo SV-328, Sord M5, Tatung Einstein, Texas Instruments TI-99/4, Casio PV-2000, Coleco Adam, Hanimex Pencil II, and Tomy Tutor.

Key Features:

  • 256x192 pattern based color pixels per screen
  • 16 different colors
  • 8-bit memory mapped CPU interface
  • No need for DMA, CPU can access VRAM
  • 32 single color Sprites per screen (4 per scanline)

Variants:

  • TMS9918A - 60Hz output, NTSC video
  • TMS9928A - 60Hz output, YPbPr video
  • TMS9929A - 50Hz output, YPbPr video
  • TMS9118 - Different RAM than TMS9918A, otherwise identical
  • TMS9128 - Different RAM than TMS9928A, otherwise identical
  • TMS9129 - Different RAM than TMS9929A, otherwise identical

CPU View - Zilog Z80 Family

The Z80 quickly became popular in the personal computer market, with many early personal computers, such as the TRS-80 and Sinclair ZX80, using the Z80 as their central processing unit (CPU). It was also widely used in home computers, such as the MSX range, SORD, and the Amstrad CPC, as well as in many arcade games. Additionally, it was also used in other applications such as industrial control systems, and embedded systems. The Z80 was widely used until the mid-1980s, when it was gradually replaced by newer microprocessors such as the Intel 80286 and the Motorola 68000.

The Z80 microprocessor was developed by Zilog, a company founded by Federico Faggin in 1974. The Z80 was released in July 1976, as a successor to the Intel 8080. It was designed to be fully compatible with the 8080, but also included new features such as an improved instruction set, more powerful interrupts, and a more sophisticated memory management system.

The Z80 quickly became popular in the personal computer

Technical Details
Released 1983 Country Japan Brand Casio Type Computer Conversions Name Casio PV-1000 CPU Class Z80 CPU Z80 @3.58MHz Memory RAM: 1kB
VRAM: 1kB
Sound Chip NEC D65010G031 Sound 3 square wave voices, 6-bit period Display Chip TMS9918 VDP Display 256x192 in 8 colors Best Color 8 colors Graphics 256x192 in 8 colors Sprites 16 sprites, single color, 4 per scanline System OS Proprietary Storage ROM Cartridge Original Price ¥14,800
External Links 🌐
WikiPedia: The TMS9918 Video Processor
Wikipedia page about the TMS9918 Video Display Controller (VDC) used in many computers such as MSX, ColecoVision, Nabu, Sord, TI-99 and more
Z80 CPU
Wikipedia page on the very popular Z80 8-bit CPU used in many computers of the 1980's era.