MediaWiki:Sitenotice:
2025-12-29: I have restored the wiki to a backup from the end of November. Starting in September 2025, accesses went form the 800MB-1.2GB range per month to 26GB in September, 42GB in October, and 70GB in November with most accesses originating from China. As soon as I realized what was causing all the access problems in November, I shut it down (it had reached 36GB by then) behind a password/login screen. The database had gotten corrupted, and I tried a restore from just before the spike in access but that didn't work. Thus, end of November. I still have the other daily backups so if there were any important additions in December, let me know and maybe they can be recovered. - Allen H.

Hardware: Difference between revisions

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*[[Y-Cable]]
*[[Y-Cable]]
*[[Solderless Proto Board]]
*[[Solderless Proto Board]]
*Basic Technology
**BT-1000 [https://archive.org/details/rainbowmagazine-1983-02/page/n27/mode/2up Feb 1982 ''Rainbow'' ad] [https://archive.org/details/80-U.S._Volume_VI_Number_05_1983-05_80-Northwest_Publishing_US/page/n105/mode/1up?view=theater Brief info in May 1983 ''80-U.S.'']
**BT-2000
**BT Companion [https://archive.org/details/color-computer-magazine-1984-01/page/n29/mode/2up?view=theater Jan 84 ''TCCM'' ad ]
*CMJ-IF.  All-in-one expansion cartridge adding parallel ports, serial, comms, speech, and an expansion extender. [https://archive.org/details/the-rainbow-magazine-1984/The%20Rainbow%20Vol.%2003%20No.%2006%20-%20January%201984/page/n221/mode/2up Jan '84 ''Rainbow'' ad], [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Poptronics/80s/1983/CE-1983-12r.pdf Review in Dec '83 ''Computers & Electronics'' p. 20], [http://www.blish.org/gens/1402B.html apparently designed by Charles Benjamin Blish]


==Computers & Clones==
==Computers & Clones==
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==Input Devices==
==Input Devices==


See also
[[Joysticks]]</br>
[[Joysticks]]
[[Paddles]]


=== Tandy / Radio Shack ===
=== Tandy / Radio Shack ===
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*[[Endicott Joystick]]
*[[Endicott Joystick]]
*[[JARB Dual Joystick Unit]]. "Single unit assembly enhances playability of multi-joystick/player games; convenient press-to-fire buttons." [https://archive.org/details/rainbowmagazine-1982-11/page/n69/mode/2up Ad in November 1982 ''Rainbow'' p. 71]
*[[JARB Dual Joystick Unit]]. "Single unit assembly enhances playability of multi-joystick/player games; convenient press-to-fire buttons." [https://archive.org/details/rainbowmagazine-1982-11/page/n69/mode/2up Ad in November 1982 ''Rainbow'' p. 71]
*[https://www.oghugo.com/product/coco_gp OG Hugo CoCo GamePad] - Modern 3D-printed two-button NES-style gamepad. [https://www.ebay.com/itm/127275410887 Also eBay store]


=== Accessories ===
=== Accessories ===
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*[[OWL Keyboard Adapter]]
*[[OWL Keyboard Adapter]]
*[[Cloud-9 AT Keyboard Adapter]]
*[[Cloud-9 AT Keyboard Adapter]]
*[[Joy-Mouse Interface]] - Adapter from Micro-Labs allowing a [[Joysticks|CoCo-standard joystick]] to connect to a TRS-80 Model III or 4.


==Memory Upgrades==
==Memory Upgrades==
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** 16-232 - a 13" TV/Video Monitor. Introduced in the [https://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/flipbook/1986_radioshack_catalog.html?fb3d-page=89 1986 Radio Shack main catalog]. Shown as the display in [https://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/flipbook/1986_radioshack_catalog.html?fb3d-page=166 the CoCo's listing in that same catalog] as well as in [https://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/flipbook/c1986_rsc-15.html?fb3d-page=42 1986's Radio Shack Computer Catalog RSC-15].
** 16-232 - a 13" TV/Video Monitor. Introduced in the [https://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/flipbook/1986_radioshack_catalog.html?fb3d-page=89 1986 Radio Shack main catalog]. Shown as the display in [https://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/flipbook/1986_radioshack_catalog.html?fb3d-page=166 the CoCo's listing in that same catalog] as well as in [https://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/flipbook/c1986_rsc-15.html?fb3d-page=42 1986's Radio Shack Computer Catalog RSC-15].
** 16-233 - a 13" TV, model number TC-171. Introduced in the [https://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/flipbook/1988_radioshack_catalog.html?fb3d-page=99 1988 Radio Shack main catalog]. Also shown as the display [https://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/flipbook/1988_radioshack_catalog.html?fb3d-page=162| in the CoCo 2's listing in that same catalog] and in [https://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/flipbook/c1988_rsc-19.html?fb3d-page=26 1988's Radio Shack Computer Catalog RSC-19].
** 16-233 - a 13" TV, model number TC-171. Introduced in the [https://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/flipbook/1988_radioshack_catalog.html?fb3d-page=99 1988 Radio Shack main catalog]. Also shown as the display [https://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/flipbook/1988_radioshack_catalog.html?fb3d-page=162| in the CoCo 2's listing in that same catalog] and in [https://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/flipbook/c1988_rsc-19.html?fb3d-page=26 1988's Radio Shack Computer Catalog RSC-19].
** 16-288 - a 13" TV/monitor, model number TC-194. Postdates the CoCo [https://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/flipbook/1996_radioshack_catalog.html?fb3d-page=100 (1996 main catalog)] but a Radio Shack branded tabletop CRT. 
** 16-246 - a 9" TV/monitor. Postdates the CoCo [https://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/flipbook/1996_radioshack_catalog.html?fb3d-page=100 (1996 main catalog)] but a Radio Shack branded tabletop CRT.  Also suitable for the [[MC-10]]?
** 16-289 - a 13" TV/monitor, model number TC-195. Postdates the CoCo [https://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/flipbook/1997_radioshack_catalog.html?fb3d-page=124 (1997 main catalog)] but a Radio Shack branded tabletop CRT. 
* Tandy
* Tandy
** 26-3512 [[CM-8]] Specifically made for the CoCo 3. Affordable but no composite input, thus many CoCo 1/2 programs would show in black-and-white.
** 26-3512 [[CM-8]] Specifically made for the CoCo 3. Affordable but no composite input, thus many CoCo 1/2 programs would show in black-and-white.
** 25-8056 [[RGB-11]] [https://colorcomputerarchive.com/repo/Documents/Manuals/Hardware/RGB-11%20Color%20Monitor.pdf Listed in the Color Computer Archive]. Perhaps only for composite input use rather than RGB.
** 25-8056 [[RGB-11]] [https://colorcomputerarchive.com/repo/Documents/Manuals/Hardware/RGB-11%20Color%20Monitor.pdf Listed in the Color Computer Archive]. Perhaps only for composite input use rather than RGB.
** 26-3211 [[VM-2]]  Monochrome (green-screen) composite. Had "Tandy TRS-80" branding; part of the brief attempt to hold on to "TRS-80" while still moving to "Tandy" instead of "Radio Shack". Introduced in RSC-14 in 1985; intended for the Tandy 1000 and the Model 100's Disk/Video Interface rather than the CoCo, but when the CoCo 3 complete with composite port came along two years later, it could be an inexpensive option for those intending their CoCos for productivity, telecom, text adventures, and monochrome graphical games like Daggorath and Nebula, and wanted the higher resolution than a TV could provide.  
** 26-3211 [[VM-2]]  Monochrome (green-screen) composite. Had "Tandy TRS-80" branding; part of the brief attempt to hold on to "TRS-80" while still moving to "Tandy" instead of "Radio Shack". Introduced in [https://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/flipbook/c1985_rsc-14.html?fb3d-page=4 RSC-14 in 1985]; intended for the Tandy 1000 and the Model 100's Disk/Video Interface rather than the CoCo, but when the CoCo 3 complete with composite port came along two years later, it could be an inexpensive option for those intending their CoCos for productivity, telecom, text adventures, and monochrome graphical games like [[Dungeons of Daggorath|Daggorath]] and [[Project Nebula|Nebula]], and wanted the higher resolution than a TV could provide.  
** 25-1020 [[VM-4]] Successor of the VM-2. Mentioned by [[Marty Goodman]] as being [https://archive.org/details/rainbowmagazine-1987-08/page/n71/mode/2up "perfectly compatible" with the CoCo 3] - but, again, being monochrome, was not ideal for most games or graphics. Perhaps any monochrome composite monitor would work.
** 25-1020 [[VM-4]] Successor of the VM-2. Introduced in [https://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/flipbook/c1987_rsc-17.html?fb3d-page=10 RSC-17]. Mentioned by [[Marty Goodman]] as being [https://archive.org/details/rainbowmagazine-1987-08/page/n71/mode/2up "perfectly compatible" with the CoCo 3] - but, again, being monochrome, was not ideal for most games or graphics. Perhaps any monochrome composite monitor would work.


* Magnavox
* Magnavox
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**[[KV-1311CR]]. Howard Medical Computers and [[Spectrum Projects]] sold CoCo 3 cables for the analog RGB connection.  
**[[KV-1311CR]]. Howard Medical Computers and [[Spectrum Projects]] sold CoCo 3 cables for the analog RGB connection.  
**[[KX-1211HG]]
**[[KX-1211HG]]
* Teknika
**MJ305 [https://archive.org/details/rainbowmagazine-1987-01/page/n92/mode/1up]


*[[15KHz SVGA Monitors]]
*[[15KHz SVGA Monitors]]
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*[http://cocovga.com/ CoCoVGA for CoCo 1, 2, MC-10, Dragon] A FPGA-based solution that outputs VGA.
*[http://cocovga.com/ CoCoVGA for CoCo 1, 2, MC-10, Dragon] A FPGA-based solution that outputs VGA.
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc_3TPBjFf4 CocoDV for Coco 1 or 2] An FPGA-based solution that plugs into the MC6847 Video Display Generator IC socket on the board and provides HDMI video. Also adds extra functionality like sprites and fonts. Order via email from AC-8 Bit Zone.
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc_3TPBjFf4 CocoDV for Coco 1 or 2] An FPGA-based solution that plugs into the MC6847 Video Display Generator IC socket on the board and provides HDMI video. Also adds extra functionality like sprites and fonts. Order via email from AC-8 Bit Zone.
*[https://thezippsterzone.com/video-adapters/ Composite Video Out boards for CoCo 2]
*[https://thezippsterzone.com/video-adapters/ Composite Video Out boards for CoCo 2] These are usually marked sold out; email the Zippster and let him know you want one; he'll make up a batch and let you know when they're available.


==== CoCo 3 Only ====
==== CoCo 3 Only ====

Latest revision as of 20:08, 7 September 2025

WELCOME
Looking for CoCo help? If you are trying to do something with your old Color Computer, read this quick reference. Want to contribute to this wiki? Be sure to read this first. This CoCo wiki project was started on October 29, 2004. --OS-9 Al

See Recent Changes. | About this site. | Join the E-Mail List or Facebook Group. | Contact me with updates/questions.

This page was last updated on 09/7/2025. Total Pages: 747. Total Files: 997.

Home / Hardware - Hardware

Hardware design and integrated circuits

Internally the CoCo 1 and CoCo 2 models are functionally identical. The core of the system is virtually identical to the reference design included in the Motorola MC6883 data sheet and consists of five LSI chips:

Audio Digitizers

Audio Output Devices

  • Orchestra-90 CC (26-3143) - Software Affair Stereo Music Synthesizer DAC recreated by Zippster as the CoCoDAC-16
  • Speech/Sound Cartridge (26-3144A) - General Instruments Music and Speech Synthesizer AY3-8913 Programmable Sound Generator (PSG) and an SPO256-AL2 Narrator Speech Processor
  • Symphony-12 - Speech Systems' 4 x AY-3-8912 PSG for 12 channel sound, recreated as the Philharmonic-12
  • Game Master Cart - RetroTinker's Flash ROM and SN76489AN Digital Complex Sound Generator (DCSG)
  • CoCo PSG - Zippster's YM-2149 Software-controlled Sound Generator (SSG)
  • MEGA mini MPI - Zippster's YM-262F OPL3 FM Synthesizer
  • The Voice - Speech Systems' Speech Synthesizer with the Votrax SC-01
  • Super Voice - Speech Systems' Speech Synthesizer device that could sing with a Votrax SC-02 / SSI 263A
  • Real Talker - Colorware Voice Synthesizer with the Votrax SC-01

Bus Expander

Computers & Clones

Tandy/Radio Shack Tape Drive Systems

Other Tape Drive Systems

Floppy Disk Controllers

Tandy/Radio Shack floppy disk controllers

Third party floppy disk controllers

Hacking floppy disk

Alternate floppy disk controller ROMs

Hard Drive Controllers

Input Devices

Joysticks
Paddles

Tandy / Radio Shack

Third party

Accessories

Memory Upgrades

MIDI Interfaces

Monitors and displays

  • Teknika

Arithmetic Processor Units

Multi Devices

These are items that serve more than one purpose, such as Cloud-9's SuperBoard.

Printers

RS232 Devices

Video Digitizers

Video Out

Historical Solutions

Build it yourself

Current Solutions to Purchase

  • Video without RF Box Use existing RF out on your CoCo 1, 2, or 3 into your TV tuner.
  • RGBtoHDMI Requires Pi Zero, RGBtoHDMI hat board, and Analog board. Mostly used with CoCo 1s and 2s, but can also be used for PAL CoCo3s to simulate NTSC artifact colors.

CoCo 1 or 2 Only

Note that these CoCo 1 and 2 solutions require installation.

  • CoCoVGA for CoCo 1, 2, MC-10, Dragon A FPGA-based solution that outputs VGA.
  • CocoDV for Coco 1 or 2 An FPGA-based solution that plugs into the MC6847 Video Display Generator IC socket on the board and provides HDMI video. Also adds extra functionality like sprites and fonts. Order via email from AC-8 Bit Zone.
  • Composite Video Out boards for CoCo 2 These are usually marked sold out; email the Zippster and let him know you want one; he'll make up a batch and let you know when they're available.

CoCo 3 Only

Light Controller

Mods & Hacking

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