Project: NTSC Sprite-based Video Game System

This is the main project posting for the NTSC Video Game project.  It will be updated as the project evolves.

See all NTSC posts for information and latest source code.

Overview: There are several projects out there that are variations of NTSC output code that use 2 or more output pins to generate NTSC voltages, and precise code timing to create a properly synchronized image.  Many render the screen as an array of large pixels, using the microcontroller's memory as a framebuffer.  The limited memory means low resolution, and large blocky pixels.  An alternative is to render smaller, repeating blocks at higher resolution: tiled sprites.

I expect I'll be able to render a background filled with perhaps 16x16 or smaller blocks.  There will probably be seams between the blocks.  After that, the ultimate goal is to have 1, 2, or 3 moving animated sprites over top (compositing of sprites is highly doubtful.  Foreground sprites would instead prevent the display of nearby background).


Hardware:

• Arduino board
• a few of resistors
• RCA cable or connector

Cost: < $5 using spare parts