QMK-based firmware for Magnavox Videowriter keyboard

Matrix layout is based on info from this article.

Magnavox Videowriter keyboard conversion project: direct connection of Pro Micro to the matrix.

Keyboard Maintainer: DmNosachev
Hardware Supported: Alps-based Magnavox Videowriter keyboard, Pro Micro 16MHz 5V MCU board (you can use any MCU which is supported by QMK and has 18 or more IO).

Make example for this keyboard (after setting up your build environment):

make handwired/videowriter:default

See the build environment setup and the make instructions for more information. Brand new to QMK? Start with our Complete Newbs Guide.

Modding

Matrix

Videowriter has 8x10 matrix:

col/row	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
0							51 LShift	39 Caps
1	08 Copy	07 Find	06 Split	05 Center	04 Page	03 Spell	02 Print	01 Menu
2	16 5	15 4	14 3	13 2	12 1	11 Delete	10 GoTo	09 Move
3	24 BkSpc	23 Equals	22 Minus	21 0	20 9	19 8	18 7	17 6
4	32 U	31 Y	30 T	29 R	28 E	27 W	26 Q	25 Tab
5	41 S	40 A	38 Return	37 ]	36 [	35 P	34 O	33 I
6	49 ;	48 L	47 K	46 J	45 H	44 G	43 F	42 D
7	58 M	57 N	56 B	55 V	54 C	53 X	52 Z	50 "
8	67 Left	66 Up	65 Insert	64 Space	63 Style	61 /	60 .	59 ,
9			62 RShift	72 Undo	71 Help	70 Do	69 Right	68 Down

Separating Shift keys

Initially left and right Shift keys are connected in parrallel. You need to cut the traces from right Shift (switch 62) and wire it to column 2 (switch 65, right pin) and row 9 (switch 71, bottom pin).

Stock components removal

SN74LS145N IC (BCD-to-decimal decoder, drives matrix rows), NEC D8049HC IC (MCU, drives matrix columns) and resistor array need to be desoldered from the PCB. You need to shorten the 4 diodes (D2–D5) in the bottom right corner of the PCB (solder a wire between their pins). I've also removed two electrolytic capacitors and some ceramic capacitors just to free an additional space.

Optional: add diodes between each switch and corresponding row for NKRO. If you choose not to add them, create config.h file in your personal keymap folder and add #define MATRIX_HAS_GHOST to it.

Pro Micro

Suggested mount position for the Pro Micro:

Solder two 8-pin headers to the Pro Micro (pin D1-B5 on the left side and pins F4-B6 on the right side).
Solder the Pro Micro to the Videowriter's PCB.
Solder 6 wire bridges (pink color on the photo).
By this point rows 0-4 and all columns will be already in place.
Connect rows 5-9 (see right side of the PCB) to the corresponding pins of the Pro Micro using additional wires.
Optional: connect a push button between Reset and Ground pins.

Compile and flash the firmware. Use matrix debug mode if something is wrong.