TRS-80 Model 4 Hi-Res Graphics Upgrade

[@ohioterran7374]

That is a very nice Model 4! Love the Hi-Res graphics upgrade!

[@TJBChris]

Thanks! I’m a sucker for the Model III/4 form factor. It epitomizes early-80’s micros in my mind.

[@FlatEarthMath]

Awesome. I spent more time on my TRS-80 Model I in my childhood than I did just about anything else. What fond memories. 🙂

[@edgeeffect]

The Model 4 is my absolutely fave computer ever... i remember seeing it in my local Tandy shop when it came out and it looked like it had fallen off a passing spaceship.

[@TJBChris]

It’s one of my favorites - that form factor is what interested me most about them as a kid (well that and the fact that it said Radio Shack on it). Of all of my machines, the Model III/4 do the best at “looking the part” in my mind.

[@Torch70]

Finally an hrgtest! 👍 Even though it's fast forwarded, I was able to pick out a few screens and confirm they match my Model III. Some are so strange, I thought I may have had glitches caused by defective RAM. For example, the 4th screen has some patterns on the right side that look out of place, and the spiral (after the eyeball) has interconnecting blocks scattered all over.

[@bennetfox]

You don't have the game "global thermonuclear war"??

[@TJBChris]

It’s “a strange game. The only winning move is not to play.” :D

[@jackilynpyzocha662]

How about "Tic Tac Toe"?!

[@LarryRobinsonintothefog]

Was more interested in the funky drive 0, but figure out it was a small HD. Saw a Model-3 with a high resolution graphics board installed. I think it did a test pattern with a Native American. Love the "ludicrous speed" and "going plaid" comments to that Mel Brooks Parody of Star Wars.

[@TJBChris]

Thanks for watching and the comments! I loved the movie Spaceballs, and I reference it a lot.

[@THEtechknight]

Im just starting out in the TRS-80 world with a Model 4. it is a non gate array version. How do you get the FreHD, network share, etc. onto the machine? I cant really find any information on it and its kinda all over the place.

[@TJBChris]

Welcome to the TRS-80 family! They’re addicting. I’d recommend joining the TRS-80 Model 1-4/4P group on Facebook or visiting the forums at vcfed.org, as there’s a great community of users like me who can help you get started. The device I’m using to give FreHD functionality over a network is called TRS-IO. At this point, I think it’s a build-it-yourself operation. You can find information on GitHub at github.com/apuder/TRS-IO But there is a FreHD pre-made that stores hard disk images on a SD card. Ian Mavric sells them on his website: members.iinet.net.au/~ianmav/trs80/clearlysuperior.htm Thanks for watching and good luck with that Model 4!

[@THEtechknight]

@@TJBChris thanks for the info I appreciate it. I'm not on Facebook I don't use it, they want way too much personal information to sign up now including a state ID. (Might just be for marketplace though). I also got a high-res graphics card but I need to figure out how to install it on a non-Gate array machine. But also I want to get into programming on these machines and figure out how to make the high-res graphics card work from C

[@TTM1895]

I legitimately have owned models 1 through 4. The 8 inch floppies were Dynamite at the time. LOL

[@timwoodland3664]

Hey Chris, I for one would care to see how you created the custom logo. Great video and thanks for sharing!

[@TJBChris]

Good to know, thanks! I had one video about TRSDOS logos filmed…it even included a little demo showing the making of that logo…. That video was ”in the can”, as they say, but when I re-watched it, it felt pretty terrible. Maybe now I’d do a better job presenting. There’s a store behind my interest in LS-DOS/TRSDOS 6 logos that plays into this, so I’d want to include that. Thanks again for watching!

[@LarryRobinsonintothefog]

I wanted to do the Apple logo with a worm coming out on the Model-1. Nothing against them then or now, but I thought it would be funny. But never got around to it. @@TJBChris

[@Daveyk021]

So you have to have a Gate Array PCB for the HiRes board to work? Well, shucks. I haven't started to restore my GateArray model 4. I am do a VERY early 1982, LOW SN, non-gatearray MB. I ordered the hires card and games from Australia. Also, question, where did you get the FreHD mounting plate? Yours has a display? The one I paid $210 for from Australia does not.

[@TJBChris]

You can use the hi-res card with the older non-gate-array systems, there is just a slightly different procedure for installing it. I forget the details, other than the card slot being in a different spot on the board. As to the mounting plate, it’s custom-made. I took an old full-height sled from a ST-506 hard drive and broke out my Dremel. 😁 Sadly, that means there’s only one…. Thanks for watching!

[@Daveyk021]

@@TJBChris Oh, I didn't think it had a plug to mount it to; I'll have to look again and do some research. Thanks.

[@TJBChris]

@@Daveyk021 Facing the back of the motherboard, look at the lower left side of the motherboard. I think it’s there.

[@cathrynm]

Looks like an upgrade that Tandy should have made themselves.

[@TJBChris]

There was a hi-res upgrade from Radio Shack as well. It’s a little different from the reproduction I installed from what I’m told. Both have similar capabilities, though. Thanks for waiting!

[@derek8564]

so is this a TJB-80 then :)

[@TJBChris]

Hah! When you think quality microcomputer, think TJB-80. It’s right up there with a Magnetbox TV, a Sorny stereo, and a Panaphonic VCR.

[@moondoggie1968]

I modified the LDOS 5.3.1 Logo to my own custom back in the day on my M3

[@TJBChris]

Nice! It’s a fun customization for sure. Thanks for watching!

[@ricardog2165]

Next: Let's play Doom!

[@francishuddy9462]

This looks more advanced than the Apple Macintosh, yet is 7 years earlier ...

[@MarijaLuisper]

Another Retro movie, where they use SD card.

[@MarijaLuisper]

Im just starting out in the TRS-80 world with a Model 4. it is a non gate array version. How do you get the FreHD, network share, etc. onto the machine? I cant really find any information on it and its kinda all over the place.

[@TJBChris]

Congrats on the Model 4, it’s really the perfect TRS-80! The non-networked version (SD card) FreHD can be found on eBay - a man named Ian Mavric sells kits that make it pretty easy to set up and use (www.ebay.com/itm/166267691060?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=XFGpSjjLRjK&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=jPvk4OsSQTC&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY ). For networked FreHD functionally, you’d want a TRS-IO. Sadly, nobody makes those, so it’s a build-it-yourself project. You can find info on the project’s GitHub page (github.com/apuder/TRS-IO ). For most uses, the standard FreHD with SD cards is more than enough and really makes the Model 4 shine. Thanks for watching!

[@MarijaLuisper]

so is this a TJB-80 then :)

[@MarijaLuisper]

Next: Let's play Doom!

[@RebecaAlmeidaRocha-y2f]

Next: Let's play Doom!