NeoPico-HD has a notable new update. Developer fliperama86 has released version 0.1.4 of the open source project, which uses a Raspberry Pi Pico 2 (RP2350B) to tap digital video and audio signals directly from a Neo Geo MVS motherboard.
A Better Fit For Modern Screens
The headline feature in v0.1.4 is true HD 720p output using 3x integer scaling. That matters because 720p is a far more practical match for everyday displays, especially compared with lower-resolution output that can be less friendly on modern TVs.
According to the source details, 720p support helps avoid worries about 4:3 lag being introduced on some displays, and many current 4K TVs also tend to scale 720p more cleanly than 480p. That gives NeoPico-HD a stronger real-world setup for people who want to keep using original hardware without fighting their screen.
What Version 0.1.4 Adds
- New experimental 720p firmware: `neopico_hd_720p_nonrt.uf2`
- Uses the non-RT PicoHDMI path for improved 720p stability
- Updated PicoHDMI with fast-slew and 12mA HSTX pad drive
- Includes a fix related to 720p support
The project has also seen another useful addition recently: PCM1802 ADC audio support for AES and non-MV1C boards. That expands compatibility beyond the original MVS focus and makes the mod more interesting for a wider range of Neo Geo owners.
Another big part of the appeal is cost. Raspberry Pi Pico 2-based solutions like this can be built much more cheaply than FPGA-based options, which could make HDMI and other digital video mods more accessible across the Neo Geo scene.
NeoPico-HD v0.1.4 now supports true HD/720p out via 3x integer scaling!
