Modder develops a new solution to bring the Commodore 64 into the HDMI era

In context: The Commodore 64 holds the title of the best-selling single computer model of all time. Even decades after its debut, it remains relevant – particularly for modders who keep the system alive with inventive hardware experiments and creative upgrades that enhance its original charm. SideProjectsLab (SPL) has developed HD-64, a hardware module that provides fully digital HDMI output to the classic Commodore 64. The legendary home computer lacks any native digital video output. Instead, its original VIC-II chip handles composite video output for display on a TV. SideProjectsLab spent a year developing HD-64, which it describes as a complete digital output solution for the C64. The module doesn't replace the VIC-II chip; instead, it utilizes FPGA-based hardware emulation to "sniff" data from the memory bus and reconstruct the video signal in digital format. The result is clean, full-HD output over HDMI with no signal noise. The HD-64 module replaces the RF modulator on the C6 ... Read full article.