PicoMiteVGA boot-to-BASIC computer built from a Raspberry Pi Pico using the circuit designs and code available on Geoff Graham's website here: https://geoffg.net/picomitevga.html The PicoMiteVGA was created by Peter Mather, Geoff Graham and Mick Ames, also building on work by Miroslav Nemecek, as detailed on the aforementioned page.
My previous video about the PicoMite, where we look in more detail at MMBasic and GPIO control, is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxmjy1nz6MM
The Siliconchip PicoMiteVGA kit that I could not order in the UK, but which looks excellent, is here: https://www.siliconchip.com.au/Shop/20/6417
If you wish to build a PicoMiteVGA, everything you require is available at https://geoffg.net/picomitevga.html However, I have shared the STL files for the solderable breadboard brackets I created here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5754090 And my breadboard layout is here: https://www.explainingcomputers.com/images/picomite_breadboard.jpg
For information, the parts I ordered from Pimoroni and CPC Farnell were as listed below. Please note that I have no association with either company.
MicroSD card breakout: https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/breakout-board-for-microsd-card -- also available from Pololu here: https://www.pololu.com/product/2597
Raspberry Pi Pico H: https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/raspberry-pi-pico?variant=40059364311123
Female headers to mount Pico: https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/pico-stacking-headers
2N7000, TO92 package MOSFET -- two required:
https://cpc.farnell.com/microchip/2n7000-g/mosfet-n-ch-60v-0-2a-to-92/dp/SC16917
1N4148 TR diode (100V, 200mA) -- two required, but minimum order quantity of five:
https://cpc.farnell.com/on-semiconductor/1n4148tr/diode-100v-200ma-do-35/dp/SC17876
Trimmer (trim pot), 25 Turn 200R - 3296W-1-201LFx1:
https://cpc.farnell.com/bourns/3296w-1-201lf/trimmer-25-turn-200r/dp/RE06701
100 nF capacitor, one required, but minimum order quantity of five. This is a bypass capacitor for the SD card wiring, and as explained in the video, in the end I did not need to fit it. But you may need to add one of these capacitors for stable SD card operation:
https://cpc.farnell.com/multicomp/mcrr50104x7rk0050/capacitor-100nf-50v/dp/CA06296
15-pin D-Sub (VGA) socket:
https://cpc.farnell.com/itw-mcmurdo/hde15st/socket-d-high-density-15way/dp/CN15323
Mini DIN 6-pin (PS/2) socket:
https://cpc.farnell.com/pro-signal/psg01567/socket-mini-din-chassis-6p/dp/AV15025
Large perfboard (solderable breadboard):
https://cpc.farnell.com/sparkfun-electronics/prt-12699/sparkfun-solderable-breadboard/dp/PC02086
Reset switch -- the one I had in stock was very similar to this:
https://cpc.farnell.com/multicomp/r13-24a-05-br/switch-spst-3a-125v-solder/dp/SW05765
I also has in stock the required resistors, namely:
220? resistors (red, red, brown, gold), 0.25W or higher -- seven required.
10K? resistors (brown, black, orange, gold), 0.25W or higher -- four required.
Buying resistors like this individually is hard! These are the cheapest packs of these values I could find on CPC Farnell:
220? - https://cpc.farnell.com/unbranded/mcf-0-25w-220r/resistor-0-25w-5-220r-pk-100/dp/RE03795
and
10K? - https://cpc.farnell.com/unbranded/mcf-0-25w-10k/resistor-0-25w-5-10k-pk-100/dp/RE03815
Also used were eight M3 nuts and bolts, about 12mm long, and some wires. I actually cut up a Pimoroni jumper pack, as again buying a lot of different wire colours in small quantities is difficult: https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/jumper-jerky-junior
For additional ExplainingComputers videos and other content, you can become a channel member here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbiGcwDWZjz05njNPrJU7jA/join
More videos on computing and related topics can be found at:
http://www.youtube.com/@explainingcomputers
You may also like my ExplainingTheFuture channel at: http://www.youtube.com/@explainingthefuture
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:15 Plan A
05:07 Plan B
07:24 The Components
09:56 Brackets & Firmware
12:19 Making Progress
16:37 Assembled
19:02 Final Demo
23:10 Wrap
#PicoMiteVGA #MMBasic #BASIC #explainingcomputers
There are some cool short videos showing various PicoMiteVGA output on Peter Mather's channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@petermather3049/videos
If you are an ExplainingComputers channel member, I also discussed the wider implications of the PicoMiteVGA in Member Video #11 -- and it generated some great disussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaBKSpyyV4s
@L-z9x4w Says:
Changing the shipping to the cheapest option instead of one of the most expensive at pcbway would've made that board about £10.
@vps_tunali Says:
👌👍😍🎯🍻🇮🇳💋
@billfusionenterprise Says:
What would be really interesting is composite video output.
Think of all the retro gear you could do
@stephenmeigh7721 Says:
Hi Chris, great video as usual and you inspired me to build my own Picomite.
For testing purposes, I tried your colour bar program and for the life with me I can’t get you to work.
Would you be able to comments with the program in its entirety because I’ve checked and checked and checked and I know I haven’t made a spelling mistake and it would be great to see my Picomite come to life in glorious colour. Please keep the videos coming, you’re educating the nation!!
@freedog632 Says:
This should've been the Pico VGAMite. Since the parts were originally located in Australia.
@RSattaur Says:
I used this as the basis to build my own. I made a combo 3D printed and wooden enclosure (Cherry and Mahogany wood (Kind of steam punkish)) placed all the connections at the back: USB 3 power in, Reset switch, SDCard, PS/2 keyboard and VGA. I added an Adafruit Max98357 I2S amp and 8Ohm speakers for audio and placed the on/off switch in the front between the speakers. I would have liked to share pictures of the build but your website is explicit as to email contact. I do not use social media. Never mind.
@CarlosPesos-m8m Says:
Just got my PI Pico, cool video bro
@RBush-x7s Says:
The example code that the video says can be downloaded with the firmware can now be found using the archive link.
@victorvan261 Says:
queria poder ver seu canal traduzido em portugues
@andic6676 Says:
Just started using MMBASIC on the Pico for a small project... it's impressive! Much easier than messing with C or Python as it's very "hands on". One thing to note....you can transfer your programs via the existing usb hardware through the XMODEM commands. To do this, you'll need something like TeraTerm as Putty doesn't natively support XMODEM transfers.
@ChaplainDaveSparks Says:
I wonder what the size difference is between _BASIC_and _Python_ interpreters?
@Robert08010 Says:
I had a laugh when I saw "Plan A". Because right away that implies plan A didn't work.
@Njbuilder95 Says:
could a pico be made to act as a video card for vintage computers? they can do everything else, at least for xt class computers, so i figured maybe it has been done. a raspberry pi could theoretically replace every isa card my 5150 needs, and at a fraction of the price im about to get stuck paying! lol love your videos!
@taipo101 Says:
As a retired electronic engineer ive tried to volunteer to schools. But they are not interested.
@thanatosor Says:
This could run everything before 1998 😂 133Mhz + 8MB Ram was a dream at that time...
@Michał_Klimek_naprawi_Kraków Says:
Great informative videO - but please cut the nails! 11:11
@Yakroo108 Says:
👍👍👍
@kairysisKrantas Says:
Great
@uajoku Says:
Very Exciting
@nenioc187 Says:
Would it be able to emulate a C64 with this? Should meet the requirements, shouldn't it?
@sparky_inda_house Says:
This explanation and build is totally brilliant. Clear and concise for any beginner.
Well done Sir.
@someguylol-capu Says:
for some reason colors like lilac, brown, fuchsia, rust, cobalt and so on just dont work for me.
for me rgb 0-127 is black, and rgb 128-255 is ex. green
@destroyer2973 Says:
I wonder if you could do a review of the Color Maximite 2 computer the picomite is based on.
@billyd1045 Says:
For me to access the SD card I had to change drive to b: otherwise it boots up on the a: drive.
@ovidiudrobota2182 Says:
Hi! Can you make a similar tutorial for the RaspBerry Pi Pico 2?
@johnward7619 Says:
Nice, the same excited feeling I got when I fired up my zx80 and then spectrum lol
@juliach847 Says:
Additionally, is the SD card slot required?
@juliach847 Says:
Is this setup compatible with the new Pico 2?
@staninjapan07 Says:
Thank you.
Astounding.
I have seen a good number of EC videos, and found value in all of them, but this left me thinking "How on earth can he talk about this as though it's normal to know - and be able to do - this"? It's simply too advanced for me, but fascinating anyway. Having seen videos on topics such as using an SBC with something like Linux in place of a budget level laptop, which I can grasp the real-life relevance of even without knowing the tech', I had probably expected the same level of understanding. This video, though beyond my understanding, left me thinking I need to learn the very basics of computer science and electrics or electronics.
I did, though, search for "mosfet" and watch this video, which, if you are a novice in this field, like me, you might want to watch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkbjHNEKcRw
If you are watching this video with the expectation of actually doing something like this, great! Good luck with your project. I wish I had the time / aptitude for such a hobby.
@PatrioticGestalt Says:
Now that the Pico 2 is out, can you build the PicoMite again? Please. 😅
@TheUnofficialMaker Says:
nice soldering
@prehistoricBanana Says:
Great Find, Anne Robinson. I love the nod to retro computers. I have a maximite somewhere from the same people. This could be a great project to get in on.
@elektron2kim666 Says:
I have a little 2.8" touch display version now and it was in the final stages for a PS/2 plug. Then I realized it's blocked on GP8+9 and is looking at a similar ILI9488 display with higher resolution. Luckily, I can test the functions already with an ILI9341 where GP8+9 isn't blocked/in use. Anyway, I build extra to figure it all out. I have a real time clock module and whatnot working too. In my quest I got the Australian PicoMiteVGA board too, but it's perfect for what it is and boots up in 4-5 seconds.
The code I want is progressing, but mostly nice clocks.
@rayerdinc2441 Says:
Just came across this video, going to have ago, pity about Silicon Chip though. Or try the VGA Dev Board.
Great video as always, so informative and easy to follow! 👍👍👍
@rayerdinc2441 Says:
Would it work on this: Pimoroni Pico VGA Demo Base?
@dinithaw Says:
this old man haven's got a bit of smile in face and he looks so disgusting
@brianhambleton9309 Says:
Very cool!
@williammanganaro2022 Says:
Very informative video. I want to build one now. I built a varient PCB's for rhe first Color Maximite using rhe PIC32. This is even cheaper and sports two ARM CPU cores. Excellent 👌
@TheAadhyatm Says:
can we use usb keyboard on picomite, is it possible?
@kathykinney9456 Says:
Clock it to never it
@AndrewHelgeCox Says:
Can micropython work on this hardware config, bitbanging the vga and reading the keyboard to give a similar experience?
@Colin_Ames Says:
Chris, I just wanted to thank you again for this video. It inspired me to attempt a build. I decided on design 2, with the additional I/O, SD card and the real time clock. Ordered the PCBs from JLCPCB and the components from various sources. I got it finished at the weekend, and it works!!
@mihailvormittag6211 Says:
👍
@KDG860 Says:
Fantastic.
@PaulSpades Says:
Doesn't the pico have native usb host? I'd rather supply power separately and a usb keyboard, rather than powering from usb and level shifting a ps2 signal.
@h2o40fpv Says:
Great video thank you.😊
@JaroslavGrochal Says:
BTW, Miroslav Němeček (Panda381, author of the used VGA source code of the PicoVGA driver) is an amazing programmer! In the 90s he built a complete DOS ecosystem around his DOS Manager (DOSMAN), created great games like TETRIX, VLAK or PLANETY, later created a very fast and easy to use tutorial program PETR for kids, for Windows, based on his own implementation of system services and 3D, and what's more, created a whole base OS called LITos.
What's incredible about all this is that he wrote the vast majority of things in Assembler!
@maxpolaris99 Says:
Same goes for recapping vintage electronics, do it in stages and test as you go! Or else 😭
@maxpolaris99 Says:
Mather Graham and Ames did some thinking and work for the people and another centralized western 'liberal democracy" hi-jacked by The Elites and their bureaucratic minions have put the kaboshes on it. 🤬 For our own good of course!
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