TMS9918

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

  • 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
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