Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Let's take a look at my retro Apple IIc (1984), originally purchased brand new by my grandparents, and how I came to own it years later, plus a modern HDMI and VGA video upgrade using the A2C TangyPack FPGA by Rob Kim.
The A2C TangyPack is an FPGA-based video upgrade for the Apple IIc, Apple IIc+, and Laser 128 that adds HDMI (DVI compatible) and VGA output through the video expansion port. It is powered directly from the port and requires no external power.
This device performs scan doubling, converting the Apple IIc's original 560x192 video signal into a modern display-friendly resolution of approximately 640x480 (720x480 @ 28.63 MHz pixel rate), making it compatible with most modern monitors.
The TangyPack includes three onboard buttons with the following features:
- Scanline effect: On or Off
- Color modes: Color, Mono Green, Mono Amber, Mono White
- Border colors: Off, White, Blue, Green
In this video, I demonstrate installation, features, and a side-by-side comparison between the original Apple IIc CRT display and modern HDMI output.
DISCLAIMER: Please do not take this video as a tutorial / advice. I'm not an expert, this is just my hobby :)
Subscribe:
youtube.com/geekwithsocialskills?sub_confirmation=1
Timestamps
0:00 Intro: A2C TangyPack HDMI and VGA upgrade on Apple IIc
0:26 Apple IIc history and how I got it
1:23 Kansas Fest 2023 and 2024 and TangyPack overview
1:51 Close-up look at the TangyPack hardware
3:02 Required parts for the Apple IIc upgrade
3:31 Specifications and how the TangyPack works
5:29 Connecting the TangyPack to the Apple IIc
5:54 Side-by-side CRT vs HDMI comparison
6:55 HDMI monitor troubleshooting
7:19 Loading Retro Fever using FloppyEMU (BMOW)
7:38 Scanlines and color mode demonstrations
8:16 Apple II Forever
More to explore
My Vintage Apple II Computer Playlist:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOgohYmiitqnc1zg8PxUc0cT0jRWjbiZ5
Subscribe:
youtube.com/geekwithsocialskills?sub_confirmation=1
Build Of Materials (BOM)
A2C TangyPack 3D Print Case STL files:
github.com/rowokii/A2C_TangyPack/blob/main/Case%20STL/Case_STL_readme.md
DigiKey Parts BOM (tactile switches, VGA D-Sub and 15 pin D-Sub connector, screw terminals):
digikey.com/en/mylists/list/BZYKVBNS0P
Tang Nano 9K:
Purchase on Amazon or another online source
Quantity 5 - M3 x 5 x 4 heat inserts:
amazon.com/Verkelly-Threaded-Inserts-M3x5x4-knurled/dp/B0DQ7SG68T
Quantity 5 - M3 x 8mm flat head screws for the case:
amazon.com/Uxcell-a15101300ux0191-Phillips-Countersunk-Machine/dp/B018RSV2AI
Links mentioned in this video
Rob Kim's Github for A2C TangyPack:
github.com/rowokii/A2C_TangyPack
Apple //c HDMI DVI A2C TangyPack Firmware (version 1.10 - November 8, 2024):
github.com/rowokii/A2C_TangyPack/tree/main/Firmware
KansasFest 2023 - Yet Another Video Converter with Tang Nano 9K FPGA - Rob Kim:
youtube.com/watch?v=5M_3WlggcfI
KansasFest 2024 - A2C Tangy Pack - Video adapter for the Apple IIc/IIc+ - Rob Kim:
youtube.com/watch?v=Xh7fbzj6SgQ
CT6502 Assembly Lines Apple IIc Tangy Pack HDMI VGA Adapter (NTSC):
ct6502.org/product/tangypack
Retro Fever Game for the Apple II computer by Tan Ru Nomad:
tanrunomad.com/official-games
BMOW Big Mess O' Wires Floppy Emu:
bigmessowires.com/floppy-emu
Tang Nano 9K Wiki:
wiki.sipeed.com/hardware/en/tang/Tang-Nano-9K/Nano-9K.html
Tang Nano 9K Github:
github.com/sipeed/sipeed_wiki/blob/main/docs/hardware/en/tang/Tang-Nano-9K/Nano-9K.md
Geek With Social Skills is a retro technology and vintage computing YouTube channel focused on classic systems like Commodore, Apple II, and DOS PCs.
Explore more retro tech, vintage computing, gaming, and nostalgia content at:
geekwithsocialskills.com
#AppleIIc #RetroComputing #TangyPack #AppleII #VintageComputers #HDMIMod #VGAUpgrade #FPGA #AppleRetro
Let's take a look at my retro Apple IIc (1984), originally purchased brand new by my grandparents, and how I came to own it years later, plus a modern HDMI and VGA video upgrade using the A2C TangyPack FPGA by Rob Kim.
The A2C TangyPack is an FPGA-based video upgrade for the Apple IIc, Apple IIc+, and Laser 128 that adds HDMI (DVI compatible) and VGA output through the video expansion port. It is powered directly from the port and requires no external power.
This device performs scan doubling, converting the Apple IIc's original 560x192 video signal into a modern display-friendly resolution of approximately 640x480 (720x480 @ 28.63 MHz pixel rate), making it compatible with most modern monitors.
The TangyPack includes three onboard buttons with the following features:
- Scanline effect: On or Off
- Color modes: Color, Mono Green, Mono Amber, Mono White
- Border colors: Off, White, Blue, Green
In this video, I demonstrate installation, features, and a side-by-side comparison between the original Apple IIc CRT display and modern HDMI output.
DISCLAIMER: Please do not take this video as a tutorial / advice. I'm not an expert, this is just my hobby :)
Subscribe:
youtube.com/geekwithsocialskills?sub_confirmation=1
Timestamps
0:00 Intro: A2C TangyPack HDMI and VGA upgrade on Apple IIc
0:26 Apple IIc history and how I got it
1:23 Kansas Fest 2023 and 2024 and TangyPack overview
1:51 Close-up look at the TangyPack hardware
3:02 Required parts for the Apple IIc upgrade
3:31 Specifications and how the TangyPack works
5:29 Connecting the TangyPack to the Apple IIc
5:54 Side-by-side CRT vs HDMI comparison
6:55 HDMI monitor troubleshooting
7:19 Loading Retro Fever using FloppyEMU (BMOW)
7:38 Scanlines and color mode demonstrations
8:16 Apple II Forever
More to explore
My Vintage Apple II Computer Playlist:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOgohYmiitqnc1zg8PxUc0cT0jRWjbiZ5
Subscribe:
youtube.com/geekwithsocialskills?sub_confirmation=1
Build Of Materials (BOM)
A2C TangyPack 3D Print Case STL files:
github.com/rowokii/A2C_TangyPack/blob/main/Case%20STL/Case_STL_readme.md
DigiKey Parts BOM (tactile switches, VGA D-Sub and 15 pin D-Sub connector, screw terminals):
digikey.com/en/mylists/list/BZYKVBNS0P
Tang Nano 9K:
Purchase on Amazon or another online source
Quantity 5 - M3 x 5 x 4 heat inserts:
amazon.com/Verkelly-Threaded-Inserts-M3x5x4-knurled/dp/B0DQ7SG68T
Quantity 5 - M3 x 8mm flat head screws for the case:
amazon.com/Uxcell-a15101300ux0191-Phillips-Countersunk-Machine/dp/B018RSV2AI
Links mentioned in this video
Rob Kim's Github for A2C TangyPack:
github.com/rowokii/A2C_TangyPack
Apple //c HDMI DVI A2C TangyPack Firmware (version 1.10 - November 8, 2024):
github.com/rowokii/A2C_TangyPack/tree/main/Firmware
KansasFest 2023 - Yet Another Video Converter with Tang Nano 9K FPGA - Rob Kim:
youtube.com/watch?v=5M_3WlggcfI
KansasFest 2024 - A2C Tangy Pack - Video adapter for the Apple IIc/IIc+ - Rob Kim:
youtube.com/watch?v=Xh7fbzj6SgQ
CT6502 Assembly Lines Apple IIc Tangy Pack HDMI VGA Adapter (NTSC):
ct6502.org/product/tangypack
Retro Fever Game for the Apple II computer by Tan Ru Nomad:
tanrunomad.com/official-games
BMOW Big Mess O' Wires Floppy Emu:
bigmessowires.com/floppy-emu
Tang Nano 9K Wiki:
wiki.sipeed.com/hardware/en/tang/Tang-Nano-9K/Nano-9K.html
Tang Nano 9K Github:
github.com/sipeed/sipeed_wiki/blob/main/docs/hardware/en/tang/Tang-Nano-9K/Nano-9K.md
Geek With Social Skills is a retro technology and vintage computing YouTube channel focused on classic systems like Commodore, Apple II, and DOS PCs.
Explore more retro tech, vintage computing, gaming, and nostalgia content at:
geekwithsocialskills.com
#AppleIIc #RetroComputing #TangyPack #AppleII #VintageComputers #HDMIMod #VGAUpgrade #FPGA #AppleRetro
