TMS9918

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The TMS9918 is a video display controller (VDC) manufactured by Texas Instruments, in manuals referenced as "Video Display Processor" (VDP) and introduced in 1979.^[1] The TMS9918 and its variants were used in the ColecoVision, CreatiVision, Memotech MTX, MSX, NABU Personal Computer, SG-1000/SC-3000, Spectravideo SV-318, SV-328, Sord M5, Tatung Einstein, TI-99/4, Casio PV-2000, Coleco Adam, Hanimex Pencil II, PECOS and Tomy Tutor.

The TMS9918 generates both grid-based character graphics (used to display text or background images) and sprites used for moving foreground objects.

The key features of this chip are, as highlighted in a 1980 presentation by Karl Guttag (one of the designers):^[1]

• 256 by 192 full color pixels per screen
• 15 different colors and/or shades
• Non-interlaced color composite video output
• Direct wiring to RAS/CAS type dynamic RAMs
• Automatic refresh of dynamic RAMs
• General 8-bit memory mapped type CPU interface
• CPU accesses RAM via VDP (no need for DMA)
• 32 dynamic characters per screen
• Thirty-two 8×8 patterns per row, 24 rows per screen
• Text mode with forty 6×8 patterns per row
• Multicolor mode with 64 by 48 memory mappable color squares
• External video input and control
• Single supply +5 volt operation
• Standard N-Channel silicon gate technology