Difference between revisions of "VCO Object"

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'''VCO Object''' arcade hardware was used by [[Sega]] for a brief period between 1981 and 1983. It was Sega's earliest attempt at creating hardware specifically designed for sprite scaling, something that would be widely used in the Super Scaler series of arcade hardware ([[Sega Hang-On hardware|Sega Hang-On]], [[Sega OutRun hardware|Sega OutRun]], [[Sega X Board]], [[Sega Y Board]], [[Sega System 32]]), and a handful of Sega System boards in between.
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{{ConsoleBob
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| consoleimage=
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| maker=[[Sega]]
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| processor=[[Zilog Z80]]
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| releases={{releasesArcade
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| system_date_world=1981-10
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}}
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'''VCO Object''' arcade hardware was used by [[Sega]] for a brief period between 1981 and 1983. It was Sega's second attempt at creating hardware specifically designed for sprite scaling (after the [[Sega Fonz hardware]] in 1976), something that would be widely used in the Super Scaler series of arcade hardware ([[Sega Hang-On hardware|Sega Hang-On]], [[Sega OutRun hardware|Sega OutRun]], [[X Board]], [[Y Board]], [[System 32]]), and a handful of Sega System boards in between.
  
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The hardware debuted with the release of ''[[Turbo]]'', and is also known as the '''Turbo Hardware''' because of this. It is also known as the '''Sega Z80-3D''' system.{{ref|https://github.com/mamedev/mame/tree/master/src/mame/video/turbo.c}}
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The hardware debuted with the release of ''[[Turbo]]'', and is also known as the '''Turbo Hardware''' because of this. It is also known as the '''Sega Z80-3D''' system.{{ref|[https://github.com/mamedev/mame/blob/master/src/mame/video/turbo.cpp Sega Z80-3D system (video hardware) (MAME)]}}
  
 
All VCO Object games rely on external LED displays for parts of the HUD. This means extra precautions must be taken when attempting to emulate VCO Object games.
 
All VCO Object games rely on external LED displays for parts of the HUD. This means extra precautions must be taken when attempting to emulate VCO Object games.
  
 
==Hardware==
 
==Hardware==
−
It was the first system specifically designed for pseudo-3D [[sprite]]-scaling graphics, using an analog scaling technique, with Voltage Controlled Oscillators (VCOs) generating [[wikipedia:Clock signal|clock signals]] controlling the data fetched from the sprite/object [[wikipedia:Read-only memory|ROM]]; the slower the clock signal, the larger the sprite on screen.{{ref|http://www.system16.com}} In 1982, ''[[SubRoc-3D]]'' also introduced an [[wikipedia:Active shutter 3D system|active shutter 3D system]], jointly developed by Sega with [[wikipedia:Panasonic|Matsushita]] (now Panasonic).{{ref|http://flyers.arcade-museum.com}}
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It was the first system specifically designed for pseudo-3D [[sprite]]-scaling graphics, using an analog scaling technique, with Voltage Controlled Oscillators (VCOs) generating [[wikipedia:Clock signal|clock signals]] controlling the data fetched from the sprite/object [[wikipedia:Read-only memory|ROM]]; the slower the clock signal, the larger the sprite on screen.{{ref|1=[http://www.system16.com/hardware.php?id=690 Sega VCO Object Hardware (System 16)]}}
  
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==Technical Specifications==
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In 1982, ''[[SubRoc-3D]]'' also introduced an [[wikipedia:Active shutter 3D system|active shutter 3D system]], jointly developed by Sega with [[Matsushita]] (now Panasonic).{{fileref|SubRoc3D VCOObject US Flyer.pdf}}
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===VCO Object Specifications===
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* [[wikipedia:Central processing unit|CPU]]: [[Zilog Z80|Z80]] @ 5 MHz (8-bit & 16-bit instructions @ 0.725 MIPS)
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==Technical specifications==
 +
===VCO Object specifications===
 +
{{multicol|
 +
* Board composition: CPU Board, Sound Board, P-ROM Board{{fileref|Turbo Schematics.pdf}}{{ref|[https://github.com/mamedev/mame/blob/master/src/mame/drivers/turbo.cpp Sega Z80-3D system (MAME)]}}
 +
* [[wikipedia:Central processing unit|CPU]]: [[Zilog Z80]] @ 5 MHz (8/16-bit instructions, 0.725 [[wikipedia:Instructions per second|MIPS]])
 
* [[wikipedia:Sound card|Sound board]]: Sega Sound Board
 
* [[wikipedia:Sound card|Sound board]]: Sega Sound Board
−
** [[wikipedia:Sound chip|Sound chip]]: Custom
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:* [[wikipedia:Sound chip|Sound chip]]: Custom
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** Audio output: [[wikipedia:Stereophonic sound|Stereo]]
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:* Audio output: [[wikipedia:Stereophonic sound|Stereo]]
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* Video resolution:{{ref|https://github.com/mamedev/mame/tree/master/src/mame/drivers/turbo.c}}{{ref|https://github.com/mamedev/mame/tree/master/src/mame/includes/turbo.h}}
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* [[wikipedia:Parallel Peripheral Interface|PPI]]: 4x [[wikipedia:Intel 8255|Intel 8255]]{{fileref|Turbo Schematics.pdf|page=22}}
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** Standard resolution:
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}}
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*** Horizontal: 256×224 (display), 320×264 (overscan)
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*** Vertical: 224×256 (display), 264×320 (overscan)
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====Graphics====
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** Analog scaling resolution:
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{{multicol|
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*** Horizontal: 512×224 (display), 640×264 (overscan)
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* Graphics chipset:{{ref|1=[http://www.basementarcade.com/arcade/library/manuals/t/turbo.pdf#page=106 Turbo: Operating Instructions and Service Manual (page 106)]}}
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*** Vertical: [[wikipedia:480p|224×512]] (display), [[wikipedia:576p|264×640]] (overscan)
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:* 315-0138: Custom Chip PA-06R ([[wikipedia:Programmable array logic|PAL16R4MJ]])
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* [[wikipedia:Refresh rate|Refresh rate]]: 60 Hz ([[wikipedia:V-sync|V-sync]])
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:* 315-0139: Custom Chip PA-06L (PAL16L8MJ)
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* [[wikipedia:Frame rate|Frame rate]]: 60 frames per second
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:* 12x 314-0101: 74LS283 4-bit Binary Full [[wikipedia:Adder (electronics)|Adder]] with Fast Carry{{ref|[http://www.skot9000.com/ttl/datasheets/283.pdf 4-bit Binary Full Adder with Fast Carry]}}
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* [[Palette|Color palette]]: 832
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:* Video scaling hardware: 8x Voltage Controlled Oscillators (VCOs){{ref|1=[http://www.system16.com/hardware.php?id=690 Sega VCO Object Hardware (System 16)]}}
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* [[wikipedia:Color depth|Colors on screen]]: 256
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* Video clock rate: 9.984 MHz{{ref|[https://github.com/mamedev/mame/blob/master/src/mame/includes/turbo.h Sega Z80-3D system (data) (MAME)]}}
 +
:* Pixel clock rate: 4.992 MHz{{ref|[https://github.com/mamedev/mame/blob/master/src/mame/drivers/turbo.cpp Sega Z80-3D system (MAME)]}}
 +
* Video resolution:{{ref|[https://github.com/mamedev/mame/blob/master/src/mame/drivers/turbo.cpp Sega Z80-3D system (MAME)]}}
 +
:* Horizontal: 256×224 (display), 320×264 (overscan)
 +
:* Vertical: 224×256 (display), 264×320 (overscan)
 +
* Analog scaling resolution:{{ref|[https://github.com/mamedev/mame/blob/master/src/mame/includes/turbo.h Sega Z80-3D system (data) (MAME)]}}
 +
:* Horizontal: 512×224 (display), 640×264 (overscan)
 +
:* Vertical: [[wikipedia:480p|224×512]] (display), [[wikipedia:576p|264×640]] (overscan)
 +
* [[wikipedia:Refresh rate|Refresh rate]]: 59.090909 Hz ([[wikipedia:V-sync|V-sync]]){{ref|[https://github.com/mamedev/mame/blob/master/src/mame/drivers/turbo.cpp Sega Z80-3D system (MAME)]}}
 +
:* [[wikipedia:Frame rate|Frame rate]]: 59.090909 frames per second
 +
* [[Palette|Color palette]]: 832{{ref|[https://github.com/mamedev/mame/blob/master/src/mame/drivers/turbo.cpp Sega Z80-3D system (MAME)]}}
 +
:* [[wikipedia:Color depth|Colors on screen]]: 256
 
* Background planes:
 
* Background planes:
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** [[wikipedia:Tile engine|Tilemap]] layer: 8×8 [[pixel]] tiles, 4 colors per tile, [[wikipedia:Scrolling|scrolling]], tile flipping
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:* [[wikipedia:Tile engine|Tilemap]] layer: 8×8 [[pixel]] tiles, 4 colors per tile, [[wikipedia:Scrolling|scrolling]], tile flipping{{ref|[https://github.com/mamedev/mame/blob/master/src/mame/drivers/turbo.cpp Sega Z80-3D system (MAME)]}}
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** [[wikipedia:Bitmap|Bitmap]] layer
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:* [[wikipedia:Bitmap|Bitmap]] layer{{ref|[https://github.com/mamedev/mame/blob/master/src/mame/video/turbo.cpp Sega Z80-3D system (video hardware) (MAME)]}}
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* [[Sprite]] capabilities: Pseudo-3D [http://www.giantbomb.com/sprite-scaling/3015-7122/ sprite-scaling] (analog scaling), [[wikipedia:Framebuffer|line buffer]], 64 sprites on screen, 16 sprites per [[wikipedia:Scan line|scanline]], 4 to 8 colors per sprite
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* [[Sprite]] capabilities: Pseudo-3D [http://www.giantbomb.com/sprite-scaling/3015-7122/ sprite-scaling] (analog scaling), [[wikipedia:Framebuffer|line buffer]], 64 sprites on screen, 16 sprites per [[wikipedia:Scan line|scanline]], 4 to 8 colors per sprite{{ref|[https://github.com/mamedev/mame/blob/master/src/mame/video/turbo.cpp Sega Z80-3D system (video hardware) (MAME)]}}{{ref|[https://github.com/mamedev/mame/blob/master/src/mame/drivers/turbo.cpp Sega Z80-3D system (MAME)]}}
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** Pixel clock cycles: 4.992 MHz (standard) to 9.984 MHz (scaling)
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:* Sprite sizes: 8×8 to 256×224 [[texel]]s
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** [[wikipedia:Fillrate|Fillrate]]: 4.992 million (standard) to 9.984 million (scaling) pixels/texels per second, 83,200 (standard) to 166,400 (scaling) pixels/texels per frame
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:* Sprites on screen: 128 sprites (8 KB sprite position RAM, 8 bytes per sprite position)
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** [[wikipedia:Texel (graphics)|Sprite pixels/texels]] per scanline: 315 (standard) to 630 (scaling)
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:* [[Fillrate]]: 4.992 [[Pixel|MPixels/s]]
 +
:* Sprites per scanline: 16 sprites, 322 texels
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
====Memory====
 +
{{multicol|
 +
* [[RAM]]: 12 [[Byte|KB]]{{ref|[https://github.com/mamedev/mame/blob/master/src/mame/drivers/turbo.cpp Sega Z80-3D system (MAME)]}}
 +
:* Main RAM: 4.25 KB (2 KB main, 2 KB analog reset, 256 [[byte]]s input)
 +
:* [[VRAM]]: 7.75 KB (2 KB video, 256 bytes sprite line buffer, 1 KB sprite position, 2 KB characters, 512 bytes collision, 2 KB collision clear)
 +
* [[ROM]]: 153.90625 KB{{ref|[https://github.com/mamedev/mame/blob/master/src/mame/drivers/turbo.cpp Sega Z80-3D system (MAME)]}}{{ref|[http://mamedb.com/game/turbo Turbo (MAME)]}}
 +
:* Main ROM: 24 KB main
 +
:* [[VRAM|VROM]]: 129.875 KB
 +
:* Sound ROM: 32 bytes
 +
* [[Byte|Bandwidth]]:{{fileref|Turbo Schematics.pdf|page=19}}{{ref|1=[http://www.basementarcade.com/arcade/library/manuals/t/turbo.pdf#page=106 Turbo: Operating Instructions and Service Manual (page 106)]}}
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:* RAM: 5 [[Byte|MB/s]] ([[Fujitsu]] [[SRAM]], 8-bit, 3.333333 MHz, 200 ns){{fileref|Turbo Schematics.pdf|page=21}}{{fileref|MB8128 datasheet.pdf}}
 +
:* Main ROM: 5 MB/s ([[EPROM]], 8-bit, 5 MHz, 200 ns){{fileref|NTE2764 datasheet.pdf}}
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:* VROM: 2.222222 MB/s (EPROM, 8-bit, 2.222222 MHz, 450 ns){{ref|[http://ee-classes.usc.edu/ee459/library/datasheets/2716.pdf M2716 Datasheet]}}
 +
}}
  
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===''SubRoc-3D'' Specifications===
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===''SubRoc-3D'' specifications===
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''[[SubRoc-3D]]'' featured the following hardware changes and upgrades in mid-1982:
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''[[SubRoc-3D]]'' featured the following hardware changes and upgrades in mid-1982:{{ref|[https://github.com/mamedev/mame/blob/master/src/mame/drivers/turbo.cpp Sega Z80-3D system (MAME)]}}
  
 +
{{multicol|
 
* Frame rate: 30 frames per second
 
* Frame rate: 30 frames per second
 
* Color palette: 768
 
* Color palette: 768
 
* [[wikipedia:Stereoscopic video game|Stereoscopic 3D]]: Sega-Matsushita [[wikipedia:Active shutter 3D system|active shutter 3D system]]
 
* [[wikipedia:Stereoscopic video game|Stereoscopic 3D]]: Sega-Matsushita [[wikipedia:Active shutter 3D system|active shutter 3D system]]
 +
* [[RAM]]: 14.75 [[Byte|KB]]
 +
:* Main RAM: 6.25 KB (2 KB main, 2 KB analog reset, 256 [[byte]]s input, 2 KB handle)
 +
:* [[VRAM]]: 8.5 KB (2 KB video, 1 KB sprite line buffer, 1 KB sprite position, 2 KB characters, 512 bytes collision, 2 KB collision clear)
 +
* [[ROM]]: 302.5 KB
 +
:* Main ROM: 40 KB
 +
:* [[VRAM|VROM]]: 262.5 KB (256 KB sprites, 4 KB foreground tiles, 768 bytes color, 1.75 KB other)
 +
}}
  
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===''Buck Rogers'' Specifications===
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===''Zoom'' specifications===
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''[[Buck Rogers: Planet of Zoom]]'' featured the following hardware upgrades in late 1982:
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''[[Zoom 909]]'' and ''[[Buck Rogers: Planet of Zoom]]'' featured the following hardware upgrades in late 1982:{{ref|[https://github.com/mamedev/mame/blob/master/src/mame/drivers/turbo.cpp Sega Z80-3D system (MAME)]}}
  
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* CPU: 2× Z80 @ 5 MHz (8-bit & 16-bit instructions @ 1.45 MIPS)
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{{multicol|
 +
* Board composition: CPU board, Sound board, ROM board
 +
* CPU: 2x Z80 @ 5 MHz (1.45 MIPS)
 +
:* Zilog Z80 @ 5 MHz
 +
:* Sega 315-5014 (Z80) @ 5 MHz
 
* Frame rate: 60 frames per second
 
* Frame rate: 60 frames per second
 
* Color palette: 1536
 
* Color palette: 1536
−
* Colors on screen: 1024
+
:* Colors on screen: 1024
 +
* [[RAM]]: 104 [[Byte|KB]] ([[SRAM]])
 +
:* Main RAM: 39.5 KB (2 KB main, 2 KB analog reset, 256 bytes input, 2 KB handle, 2 KB CPU 2 mirror, 31.25 KB other)
 +
:* [[VRAM]]: 64.5 KB (2 KB video, 1 KB sprite line buffer, 1 KB sprite position, 2 KB characters, 512 bytes collision, 2 KB collision clear, 56 KB bitmap)
 +
* [[ROM]]: 310.5625 KB
 +
:* Main ROM: 40 KB
 +
:* [[VRAM|VROM]]: 270.5625 KB (256 KB sprites, 4 KB foreground tiles, 9.5 KB color, 1.0625 KB other)
 +
}}
  
−
==List of VCO Object Games==
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==List of games==
−
Only three games make use of VCO Object hardware:
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Only a small handful of games make use of VCO Object hardware:
 +
{{CargoReleaseList
 +
| table=releases
 +
| query=console="vco"
 +
| orderby=date
 +
}}
  
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*''[[Turbo]]'' (1981)
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==References==
−
*''[[Buck Rogers: Planet of Zoom]]''/''Zoom 909'' (1982)
+
<references/>
−
*''[[SubRoc-3D]]'' (1982)
 
  
 
{{Sega Arcade Boards}}
 
{{Sega Arcade Boards}}
 
[[Category:Pre-System 1 arcade systems]]
 
[[Category:Pre-System 1 arcade systems]]

Latest revision as of 03:46, 12 September 2023

Notavailable.svg
VCO Object
Manufacturer: Sega
Release Date RRP Code
Arcade
World		 ? ?




































VCO Object arcade hardware was used by Sega for a brief period between 1981 and 1983. It was Sega's second attempt at creating hardware specifically designed for sprite scaling (after the Sega Fonz hardware in 1976), something that would be widely used in the Super Scaler series of arcade hardware (Sega Hang-On, Sega OutRun, X Board, Y Board, System 32), and a handful of Sega System boards in between.

The hardware debuted with the release of Turbo, and is also known as the Turbo Hardware because of this. It is also known as the Sega Z80-3D system.[1]

All VCO Object games rely on external LED displays for parts of the HUD. This means extra precautions must be taken when attempting to emulate VCO Object games.

Hardware

It was the first system specifically designed for pseudo-3D sprite-scaling graphics, using an analog scaling technique, with Voltage Controlled Oscillators (VCOs) generating clock signals controlling the data fetched from the sprite/object ROM; the slower the clock signal, the larger the sprite on screen.[2]

In 1982, SubRoc-3D also introduced an active shutter 3D system, jointly developed by Sega with Matsushita (now Panasonic).[3]

Technical specifications

VCO Object specifications

Graphics

  • Graphics chipset:[7]
  • 315-0138: Custom Chip PA-06R (PAL16R4MJ)
  • 315-0139: Custom Chip PA-06L (PAL16L8MJ)
  • 12x 314-0101: 74LS283 4-bit Binary Full Adder with Fast Carry[8]
  • Video scaling hardware: 8x Voltage Controlled Oscillators (VCOs)[2]
  • Video clock rate: 9.984 MHz[9]
  • Pixel clock rate: 4.992 MHz[5]
  • Video resolution:[5]
  • Horizontal: 256×224 (display), 320×264 (overscan)
  • Vertical: 224×256 (display), 264×320 (overscan)
  • Analog scaling resolution:[9]
  • Horizontal: 512×224 (display), 640×264 (overscan)
  • Vertical: 224×512 (display), 264×640 (overscan)
  • Background planes:
  • Sprite sizes: 8×8 to 256×224 texels
  • Sprites on screen: 128 sprites (8 KB sprite position RAM, 8 bytes per sprite position)
  • Fillrate: 4.992 MPixels/s
  • Sprites per scanline: 16 sprites, 322 texels

Memory

  • Main RAM: 4.25 KB (2 KB main, 2 KB analog reset, 256 bytes input)
  • VRAM: 7.75 KB (2 KB video, 256 bytes sprite line buffer, 1 KB sprite position, 2 KB characters, 512 bytes collision, 2 KB collision clear)
  • Main ROM: 24 KB main
  • VROM: 129.875 KB
  • Sound ROM: 32 bytes

SubRoc-3D specifications

SubRoc-3D featured the following hardware changes and upgrades in mid-1982:[5]

  • Main RAM: 6.25 KB (2 KB main, 2 KB analog reset, 256 bytes input, 2 KB handle)
  • VRAM: 8.5 KB (2 KB video, 1 KB sprite line buffer, 1 KB sprite position, 2 KB characters, 512 bytes collision, 2 KB collision clear)
  • Main ROM: 40 KB
  • VROM: 262.5 KB (256 KB sprites, 4 KB foreground tiles, 768 bytes color, 1.75 KB other)

Zoom specifications

Zoom 909 and Buck Rogers: Planet of Zoom featured the following hardware upgrades in late 1982:[5]

  • Board composition: CPU board, Sound board, ROM board
  • CPU: 2x Z80 @ 5 MHz (1.45 MIPS)
  • Zilog Z80 @ 5 MHz
  • Sega 315-5014 (Z80) @ 5 MHz
  • Frame rate: 60 frames per second
  • Color palette: 1536
  • Colors on screen: 1024
  • Main RAM: 39.5 KB (2 KB main, 2 KB analog reset, 256 bytes input, 2 KB handle, 2 KB CPU 2 mirror, 31.25 KB other)
  • VRAM: 64.5 KB (2 KB video, 1 KB sprite line buffer, 1 KB sprite position, 2 KB characters, 512 bytes collision, 2 KB collision clear, 56 KB bitmap)
  • ROM: 310.5625 KB
  • Main ROM: 40 KB
  • VROM: 270.5625 KB (256 KB sprites, 4 KB foreground tiles, 9.5 KB color, 1.0625 KB other)

List of games

Only a small handful of games make use of VCO Object hardware:

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sega Z80-3D system (video hardware) (MAME)
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Sega VCO Object Hardware (System 16)
  3. ↑ File:SubRoc3D VCOObject US Flyer.pdf
  4. ↑ File:Turbo Schematics.pdf
  5. ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 Sega Z80-3D system (MAME)
  6. ↑ File:Turbo Schematics.pdf, page 22
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Turbo: Operating Instructions and Service Manual (page 106)
  8. ↑ 4-bit Binary Full Adder with Fast Carry
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Sega Z80-3D system (data) (MAME)
  10. ↑ Turbo (MAME)
  11. ↑ File:Turbo Schematics.pdf, page 19
  12. ↑ File:Turbo Schematics.pdf, page 21
  13. ↑ File:MB8128 datasheet.pdf
  14. ↑ File:NTE2764 datasheet.pdf
  15. ↑ M2716 Datasheet


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