Build a VGA Video Card by Ben Eater

Description

Build a VGA Video Card by Ben Eater
Let's build a video card! In his videos on YouTube, Ben will talk about how VGA signals work and build a circuit that provides the correct timing of sync signals, so a monitor will recognize the signal and display an image stored on an EEPROM. If you’re interested in building your own "World's worst video card", this kit includes all the components used in my video series.
Please note:
In addition to the VGA kit, you will want some way to program the EEPROM that holds the image to be displayed. The easiest way to do this is with an
EEPROM programmer
(PN: 2297823). Alternately you may want to investigate building your own programmer with an Arduino or similar.
Kit Includes:
Part No.
Qty.
Description
2292431
1
Wall Adapter Switching Power Supply 5V DC 3A 15W 2.1mm Plug
2227209
1
2.1mm x 5.5mm Male DC Jack to Screw Terminal (Single)
2283767
5
830 Point Solderless Plug-in Breadboard with 4 Power Rails 21-26AWG ABS
2294887
1
DB15 Female D-Sub 3 Row 15Pin VGA Plug Breakout to Screw Terminal Block Connector
27887
1
10 MHz Full Can Crystal Oscillator
690700
10
Carbon Film Resistor 220 Ohm 1/4 Watt 5%
690822
5
Resistor Carbon Film 680 Ohm 1/4 Watt 5%
690902
5
Resistor Carbon Film 1.5k Ohm 1/4 Watt 5%
693901
10
LED Green Diffused 5mm (T-1 3/4) 565nm 12.5mcd 60VA
46252
3
IC 74LS00 Quad 2-Input Positive NAND Gate DIP-14
46316
4
IC 74LS04 Hex Inverter
46818
6
IC 74LS161 4-Bit Synchronous Binary Counter DIP-16
47458
8
IC 74LS30 8-Input NAND Gate
74843
1
IC 28C256-15 EEPROM 256K-Bit CMOS Parallel
45031
3
IC 74HCT245 Tri-State Octal Bus Transceiver
45137
1
IC 74HCT74 DUAL D-TYPE FLIP-FLOP
44901
1
IC 74HCT08 QUAD 2-INPUT POSITIVE AND GATE
2245511
1
40 Piece 30cm Male to Male Jumper Wires Reinforced Pin 22-26AWG
2294519
40
0.3" Black Pre-Formed 22AWG Jumper Wires
2294511
50
0.3" Red Pre-Formed 22AWG Jumper Wires
2294535
10
0.4" Black Pre-Formed 22AWG Jumper Wires
2294527
20
0.4" Red Pre-Formed 22AWG Jumper Wires
2294543
10
2" Red Pre-Formed 22AWG Jumper Wires
2294551
10
2" Black Pre-Formed 22AWG Jumper Wires
2297935
1
Hookup Wire 22AWG Solid Tinned Copper Yellow 0.057 Inch (OD) PVC 25 Foot
2297943
1
Hookup Wire 22AWG Solid Tinned Copper Green 0.057 Inch (OD) PVC 25 Foot
2297951
1
Hookup Wire 22AWG Solid Tinned Copper Blue 0.057 Inch (OD) PVC 25 Foot
Resources & Downloads
Schematics
The first two schematics show the counter and decode logic for the horizontal and vertical counters. Both are built and explained in the first video. Several people have pointed out that this will work fine without the inverters by only testing the bits that are supposed to be 1s. If you want to try that, just tie the unused inputs of the NAND gates high.
Vertical Sync Schematic
Horizontal Sync Schematic
The final schematic shows how the HSync and VSync circuits (above) are connected to an EEPROM which drives a simple resistor DAC (digital-to-analog converter) to generate an image. This is roughly what was covered in the second video.
VGA Schematic
Datasheets
74LS161 4-Bit Binary Counter
(.pdf)
74LS04 Hex Inverter
(.pdf)
74LS30 8-Input NAND Gate
(.pdf)
74LS00 Quad 2-Input NAND Gate
(.pdf)
28C256 256K Parallel EEPROM
(.pdf)
Files
Color palette:
64-color.act
Python conversion script:
convert.py
100x75 64-color image:
finch.png
EEPROM image:
finch.bin
Helpful Links
VGA connector pinout
VGA timing information
VGA timing for 800x600 @ 60Hz mode as used in the videos
More VGA information (incl. the timing diagram I used in the videos)
About the author, Ben Eater
Eater.net
(off-site)
Sub reddit for Ben Eater
(off-site)