2 layers32.5 × 38.1 mm
2 layers
MC10 RGBS
BrettHallen/Alice_MC104Projects for Matra Alice & Tandy TRS-80 MC-10
- Copper layers
- 2
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 57
- Nets
- 50
- Pads
- 154
- Tracks, vias
- 0, 0
- Routed
- Not yet
- KiCad
- KiCad 9.0 (file 20241229)
- Created
- 26 Feb 2025
- Updated
- 12 Apr 2026
Overview
MC10 RGBS is an open-source printed circuit board by BrettHallen, from the BrettHallen/Alice_MC10 repository on GitHub. It is a 2-layer board with 57 parts on 50 nets.
It is built around the BC550C and BC559C. Its parts include 31 resistors, 13 transistors, 7 capacitors, 2 connectors and 1 IC. It belongs with the lEDs and displays boards of this library.
Main components
2README
README.mdPurpose
Simple designs for the Tandy TRS-80 MC-10 and Matra Alice.
This boldly red computer is a French version of the Tandy MC-10 using the same Motorola 6803 CPU clocked at 890KHz and using the same MC6847 Video Display Generator (VDG).
It was built by French companies Matra and Hachette but seems to be commonly known simply as the "Matra Alice".
YouTube Videos
- Part 1: First Look
- Part 2: Keyboard Problem
- Part 3: Tandy TRS-80 MC-10 Comparison
- Part 4: Keyboard Fixed & Internal 8KB RAM Upgrade
RGB Video Pinout
- Pin 1 = n/c
- Pin 2 = ground
- Pin 3 = red
- Pin 4 = synch
- Pin 5 = green
- Pin 6 = audio
- Pin 7 = blue
I had to tweak variable resistor R45 in the video output stage to get a stable image.
It appears to adjust the level of Field Sync. and Horizontal Sync. signals coming out of the MC6487 VDG.
DIN-to-VGA Adapator
A simple adaptor board to take the 7-pin DIN output (via a 7-pin DIN male-to-male cable) and convert to a VGA socket & 3.5mm audio socket.
Internal 4KB-to-8KB RAM Upgrade
Upgrade the Alice or MC-10 internal RAM from 4KB to 8KB. Note that the extra 4KB isn't available if the 16KB expansion is also attached.
BUT ... check out the expander below as there is a version that should work with the 8KB upgrade.
RGB Video Modification (Work In Progress)
Convert the MC-10 video output from RF modulated to RGB - design is based on the Matra Alice.
Expander
Check out Fred72z's excellent expansion for Alice & MC10 ... RAM, joysticks, cartridge.
Parts
57| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | BC550C | Package_TO_SOT_THT:TO-92_Inline | Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6, Q7, Q8, Q9, Q11 |
| 5 | 1KΩ | Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608Metric_Pad0.98x0.95mm_HandSolder | R28, R30, R39, R48, R50 |
| 5 | 330Ω | Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608Metric_Pad0.98x0.95mm_HandSolder | R31, R35, R40, R46, R51 |
| 4 | 3.3KΩ | Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608Metric_Pad0.98x0.95mm_HandSolder | R29, R34, R43, R49 |
| 4 | 4.7KΩ | Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608Metric_Pad0.98x0.95mm_HandSolder | R27, R37, R42, R44 |
| 4 | 68Ω | Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608Metric_Pad0.98x0.95mm_HandSolder | R32, R36, R41, R52 |
| 3 | BC559C | Package_TO_SOT_THT:TO-92_Inline | Q10, Q12, Q13 |
| 2 | 100nF | Capacitor_THT:C_Disc_D3.0mm_W2.0mm_P2.50mm | C36, C37 |
| 2 | 10µF/16V | Capacitor_THT:CP_Radial_D5.0mm_P2.50mm | C34, C35 |
| 1 | 100KΩ | Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608Metric_Pad0.98x0.95mm_HandSolder | R1 |
| 1 | 10KΩ | Clueless_Engineer:PTN091V10115K1B | R45 |
| 1 | 10KΩ | Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608Metric_Pad0.98x0.95mm_HandSolder | R57 |
| 1 | 12KΩ | Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608Metric_Pad0.98x0.95mm_HandSolder | R26 |
| 1 | 12V_to_DIN | Jumper:SolderJumper-2_P1.3mm_Open_Pad1.0x1.5mm | JP1 |
| 1 | 1N4148 | Diode_SMD:D_SOD-323_HandSoldering | D11 |
| 1 | 20pF | Capacitor_SMD:C_Trimmer_Murata_TZB4-B | C102 |
| 1 | 22KΩ | Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608Metric_Pad0.98x0.95mm_HandSolder | R33 |
| 1 | 22nF | Capacitor_THT:C_Disc_D3.0mm_W2.0mm_P2.50mm | C39 |
| 1 | 3.579545MHz | Crystal:Crystal_HC49-U_Vertical | X101 |
| 1 | 3.9KΩ | Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608Metric_Pad0.98x0.95mm_HandSolder | R47 |
| 1 | 47KΩ | Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608Metric_Pad0.98x0.95mm_HandSolder | R56 |
| 1 | 560Ω | Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608Metric_Pad0.98x0.95mm_HandSolder | R38 |
| 1 | 56KΩ | Resistor_SMD:R_0603_1608Metric_Pad0.98x0.95mm_HandSolder | R101 |
| 1 | 56pF | Capacitor_THT:C_Disc_D3.0mm_W2.0mm_P2.50mm | C103 |
| 1 | MC-10_Signals | Connector_PinSocket_2.54mm:PinSocket_1x09_P2.54mm_Vertical | J2 |
| 1 | RGBS_Output | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x07_P2.54mm_Vertical | J1 |
| 1 | ~ | Package_DIP:DIP-14_W7.62mm | U1 |
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Questions
What parts does the MC10 RGBS use?
57 parts, built around the BC550C and BC559C. The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.
Where can I download the MC10 RGBS KiCad files?
From the BrettHallen/Alice_MC10 repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is RGB_Video/Kicad/MC10_RGBS.kicad_pcb and its schematic DIN_To_VGA/Alice_DIN-To-VGA.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the MC10 RGBS design in my own project?
Its repository states no licence, so its author keeps all rights: ask BrettHallen before reusing the design.