Troy Schrapel

418 orders since Dec 22, 2023

MOUNT BARKER, SA, Australia

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Overall Rating:

Review Breakdown

Average Ratings

Product: (5.00)

Documentation: (4.75)

Shipping: (4.75)

Communication: (4.95)

All Reviews

Kenneth | Nov. 1, 2025

Great upgrade from standard video

For PICO9918

I highly recommend this product as an upgrade to a working TI-99/4A, and as a potential repair to an TI-99/4A with a garbled video display. I have purchased two of these, one from Tindie, and one from a supplier in the USA. The VGA video is so much better than the standard composite video, with its smeared letters. I had originally purchased the second PICO9918 from Tindie as a spare, or eventual upgrade to my backup TI-99/4A console. During the two weeks that it took to ship from Australia to northern Virginia, that backup console developed a severe problem with the display. I had 32 vertical lines of garbage, and many of the letters were transposed to different letters. By looking through the AtariAge forums, I discovered that this is a pretty common problem with the video ram. The great thing about the PICO9918, is that it not only replaces the TMS9918A, but all of the original video ram, and circuitry associated with it. In my case, the installation of the PICO9918 not only gave me crystal clear VGA video, but fixed the bad display as well. One of the nice things about the PICO9918 is that it comes pre-assembled with a VGA plug, and a ribbon cable. This meant that I was able to test the installation without buttoning up the console. I had also ordered the optional no-cut installation kit, with the RCA, and VGA plug, and the optional black case. I highly recommend purchasing these options, unless you happen to have these additional components hanging around. In addition, this kit came with a 3D-printed spacer that goes on the TI-99/4A motherboard, and an a shorter 8-inch cable, which fits perfectly. The shipping from Australia is a bit more expensive, as it includes the new tariff, but, my order was filled within one day, and with the Australia Post International shipping, still took less than two weeks from initial order to receipt.

Kenneth | Oct. 31, 2025

This no-cut kit comes with great extras!

For PICO9918 VGA no-cut mod for TI-99/4A

I have recently installed a second PICO9918 with the no-cut mod in my backup TI-99/4A. I had ordered my first PICO9918 from a supplier in the USA, as I am located in northern Virginia. This was my first order through Tindie, and this no-cut mod for the TI-99/4A came with some very nice extras. I had ordered the full kit, with the RCA connectors, and the VGA plug. To my delight, it also came with a 3D printed spacer that fit perfectly on the motherboard, and an 8-inch cable, as well as the standard cable that came with the PICO9918. While I was able to install my USA-sourced PICO9918 in my first TI-99/4A without these extras, the correct sized cable, and the spacer made the second installation much, much easier. Shipping from Australia was a little expensive, as it includes the new tariff, but the package arrived within two weeks. Very pleased with the PICO9918, and the installation kits.

James | Aug. 25, 2025

Brilliant little retro-computer

For PICO-56 Kit

This PICO-56 is a splendid design. Packs quite a powerful & easy to use platform for 6502-based computing. And Mr. Schrapel provides excellent service.

John | Aug. 10, 2025

Such an excellent product!

For PICO9918

...and it works like a champ! Good picture, easy to install and advanced features I can't wait to take advantage of.
I fitted mine to a TI 99/4A and the provided cable was long enough to easily reach the back of the system in the spot I wanted.
Can't wait to fit one to my Dick Smith Wizzard next.

Jesse | April 30, 2025

Works great

For PICO9918

The PICO9918 is a great product. It works amazing on my NABU PC. It was very easy to install. The VGA image looks so much better than the original composite and it adds scanlines, 80 column mode and more.

Shawn | Feb. 5, 2025

Works great in the Colecovision Adam (NTSC)

For PICO9918

I purchased two of the PICO9918 units. One was to put in my NTSC Colecovision Adam and the other as a spare for future use. Shipping was good on the seller's part, but terrible on my side. My local post office sent it to a different city that was about 30 miles away, they couldn't deliver it so it went back to the postal transfer station which is 50 miles away in the opposite direction where it sat for days, then finally 4 days later they figured out how to properly deliver it. The address on the package was correct, so the post office messed it up.

When I got it in my hands, I opened up my Adam and de-soldered U9 which is the video chip, but had a little trouble getting it to come out since it was tack glued to the board in two places under the chip. I then soldered in a machine pin socket without any problems. Then I inserted the PICO9918, hooked up my VGA monitor and powered it all on.

All I can say is the picture is amazing. It is beyond my expectations.

Will | Jan. 8, 2025

Love this product!

For PICO9918

This is a wonderful option to repairing or replacing failing (or just old) video memory in the TI-99/4a. Simple to install and works great. I was going to keep one of my 99s original, but last time I fired it up, I had some failed memory. Just going to swap this one for a PICO 9918, and try out the cut-free adapter as well. The PICO arrived very well packaged, and did not take too long to arrive from Australia to the US. Thank you!

Bruce | Jan. 3, 2025

Amazing, simply amazing

For PICO9918

Some years ago I had purchased an F18A and installed it into a TI99/4A, and it was great. But, I foolishly sold the machine when I was in a tight spot. Years later I got back into the swing of things and purchased a TI99/4A again. But now the F18A is not obtainable...at least not for the price I paid way back. I about gave up on ever having nice VGA out of the machine and have been using a little Panasonic CRT since.

But now we have an option. And at a reasonable price! It's no wonder these sell out as fast as they do. But, I added myself to the wait list and I jumped on it when it was available.

Shipping from Australia to the USA (NC) took around two weeks. Install of the PICO9918 is easy. Cutting a nice VGA hole not so much, but I faired well.

The picture is just incredible. And, the fact that the PICO9918 doesn't require an external crystal or VRAM, so can also be used in cases where your video crystal, video RAM or display circuitry is bad is extra awesome. So, if you have a supported machine with bad video RAM adding this will solve the problem. That is quite amazing.

I can wholeheartedly recommend this. If its available and you have the need, don't wait. Buy one now!!

David | Nov. 19, 2024

One of the easiest vdp replacement options

For PICO9918

I have been using various FPGA based vdp replacement options for years. The pico9918 board has the right form factor, and the right price. The creator of this little unit has leveraged his long experience with the TMS 9918 emulation to pack all of that and more into the rp2040!

I use this device on my own homebrew boards and have tested it successfully as a replacement option in the Nabu and on the z80-Retro by John's Digital Basement which uses a Tms9118.

The other main benefit for me is that with these (and other) replacement solutions, the supporting components are also emulated. When using the pico9918 designers can skip the xtal and dynamic ram components which massively simplifies new designs.

If you're looking to replace your existing vdp for better video quality, or you're working on a new design, I absolutely recommend the pico9918.

John | Nov. 15, 2024

Awesome device - Works on Many Systems - 2024 Upgrade

For PICO9918

Upgrade these classic systems to 2024 technology and crisp clear VGA output! I've installed two of these now, one in a Coleco Adam and one in the TI 99/4a. They are easy to install and take up no more room than the original chip. Plug and play out of the box, get a industry standard VGA output. Quick shipping and good customer support. Troy has been good about keeping the community in the loop on when new shipments will be available and updates to the firmware.

Roy | Sept. 21, 2024

A great project and a perfect replacement for the TMS9918

For PICO9918

A great project and a perfect replacement for the TMS9918. A well documented Github and the project is still under active development.

Ashton | Sept. 7, 2024

Does what it says on the box

For PICO9918

Just plug it in and it works. Great product in its current state with more features likely to come in the future.

Damian | Sept. 6, 2024

New life into my old TI-99/4A.....VGA output!!!!!

For PICO9918

Thanks Troy for starting this project. As a PAL TI owner I was suffering with poor video out, the composite mod (tap off the modulator) didn't really help. When Troy posted his early efforts on the TI Facebook channels I had to have one when it became mature enough for a proper replacement. The PICO9918 is definitely mature enough, works perfectly as a replacement for the hot running 9928 and with the additional efforts Troy's doing on adding F18A support etc the future's bright for the old '99.

Aleksandr | April 10, 2024

Everything is perfect

For PICO-56 Kit

Received it today and built it already!

Worked from first power on, kit was easy to build.

Just small remark - better grab NES gamepad before running software - you can't ever run most of them without gamepad.

My time lapse of building: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sYh3xi-5vY

Jochem | April 5, 2024

Excellent kit

For PICO-56 Kit

Haven’t tested it yet, but I’m almost done assembling it. There were some issues customs but Troy quickly sent me another one before I even knew anything was wrong.

The kit is clearly labeled and assembly is very self explanatory.

If I had any suggestions it would be to include some extra resistors.

Thanks Troy!

Michael | Feb. 21, 2024

Great kit, easy build

For PICO-56 Kit

Came with all parts labeled and board with part labels too. Very easy to build. works great! Would love to have a 3D printable case (hint, hint)

Response from Troy Schrapel | March 12, 2024

Hi Michael. Thanks for the review. I now have a case available. STLs on GitHub. :)

Andy | Feb. 5, 2024

Pico-56 - A great easy to build retro computer kit

For PICO-56 Kit

I ordered the kit with two Nintendo controller ports & opted to solder the micro-sd card my self. I followed along with build video which makes the build super easy to complete. The micro-sd card was in the end easier than expected and the video covers the process very well. The kit is easy to assemble and went together in about 2.5 hours - and it worked first time too.

The build video covers the process of installing the firmware on the Pico which is super easy and then takes you through the process of copying the current software library onto your micro-sd card. The demo software all worked perfectly and offers a fun way to see what this little board can do.

Get yourself a Pico-56 - you will not regret it!

Andy

Hans | Feb. 3, 2024

Works as described.

For PICO-56 Kit

I got the assembled version. Looks professional, works fine!

Well packaged, arrived in good order and quite fast from Australia.

Lots of fun ahead!

Jayson | Jan. 22, 2024

A great little computer

For PICO-56 Kit

I built my PICO-65 over the weekend, and I'm really impressed.

This is a very easy all-through hole kit (really glad the SD card is pre-soldered). The components are all labeled in their bags and on the PCB silkscreen so there's no issues placing and soldering everything. You can complete the entire build and be up and running in an afternoon. I've have to test it a bit more (where are my NES controllers?) but I loved the ease of flashing the Pi Pico and getting right into it.

As far as retro-style computer projects go this is a FUN one. Pick one up when they're in stock.

Larry | Jan. 21, 2024

Pleased to have this kit and looking forward to more.

For PICO-56 Kit

I was able to build this kit quite quickly, although the SD card soldering needed touching up as the pitch is fine. The software works and there are sample roms to play with. The software development environment is still to come but it will likely follow the HBC-56 pattern. The software (version 0.2 at the time) could be better advertised on the github page as it was not in the main github section but off to the side under the releases area. I'm looking forward to more of the Youtube videos and code for setting up the development area and following some of the examples. I hope to add some 6502 code examples when I get up to speed. While you can order bare boards and build your own, the kit has everything you need and the price is reasonable. My only complaint is the shipping cost versus the package cost but that's what you have to expect when you live in Canada and have to pay in US dollars.