At any rate, I have some room to spare so I think an internal solution should be quite doable. Likewise, having to use crimp pins isn't that big a deal - just about 10 minutes of work (I'm slow at that stuff 
)
At any rate, I have some room to spare so I think an internal solution should be quite doable. Likewise, having to use crimp pins isn't that big a deal - just about 10 minutes of work (I'm slow at that stuff )
Another thing to keep in mind when emulating a NES controller by recycling the controller cable, is that you will need two extra resistors to make it work on a PAL NES:
OK I have seen these Rs and included them in my design, but didn't know it was a PAL issue. good to know!
yogi
I went through the same thought process when designing the FamiiDI shield, and that's why I decided on a standard DB15 connector (DA15 if you want to get technical) - one of my NES's has the DB15 mounted and wired directly to the Expansion Port pins on the motherboard, like this:
http://www.retrorealities.com/retroreal … hp?tid=190
The other big advantage of this is that because the connector follows the Famicom Expansion port standard I can hook up all the funky old Famicom Expansion peripherals!
Thats a good idea, much like the ENIO interface board. Good option.
yogi
Another thing to keep in mind when emulating a NES controller by recycling the controller cable, is that you will need two extra resistors to make it work on a PAL NES:
This has already been done to every MCTRL as well as ciclone chips installed into all carts so they will play on any console worldwide.
]]>You know, I have been kicking around the whole issue of 'the cable'. Finding a source of NES cables is like impossible, so that leaves recycling old (new ?) controllers or extension cables. I had noticed at INL's site he has CD4021 pulls from his USB mods so he may have cables also ( will have to ask him).
But then I was thinking of a internal mod with just a ribbon cable to the port 2 motherboard header. Downside is you can't move the interface to another NES and may interfere/disable a GamePad on port 2. For my case atm, I have a cable setup for prototyping but once it's done, I think I'll do a internal install. Would also cut down on extra gear, like in your case.
On a side note about the cable, you can't solder the wires in the (original) cable, so you have to use crimp connectors. They used a copper foil/nylon conductor, like a lot of headphone cables do. Don't know about after market GamePads.
Just a thought
Yogi
I went through the same thought process when designing the FamiiDI shield, and that's why I decided on a standard DB15 connector (DA15 if you want to get technical) - one of my NES's has the DB15 mounted and wired directly to the Expansion Port pins on the motherboard, like this:
http://www.retrorealities.com/retroreal … hp?tid=190
The other big advantage of this is that because the connector follows the Famicom Expansion port standard I can hook up all the funky old Famicom Expansion peripherals!
]]>I was thinking something similar actually. I already have an op-amp based circuit I built for better audio output so I already have a panel on the back. If the sync solution was small enough, could just bust out a MIDI connector on the back and call it done.
That sucks about needing to crimp though...bleh...crimp terminals and some glue solves that problem though I guess.
Newer cables may be different, don't know. But size wise we'er talking about a dip 8, a dip 16 and a dip 18, xtal and a few caps and resistors; on a proto about 1.5 x 2.5" May be a little bigger on a PCB.
I built the V1 on a Dontronic's SimmStick 18pin PIC board I had on hand, it's 2x3.5" but wastes some space. And I did a Midi thru with a 74HC00, could just have the PIC echo any in coming byte for Midi Thru and loose the 'HC00.
Should fit in a NES, there is so much space in that case!
yogi
I was thinking something similar actually. I already have an op-amp based circuit I built for better audio output so I already have a panel on the back. If the sync solution was small enough, could just bust out a MIDI connector on the back and call it done.
That sucks about needing to crimp though...bleh...crimp terminals and some glue solves that problem though I guess.
Newer cables may be different, don't know. But size wise we'er talking about a dip 8, a dip 16 and a dip 18, xtal and a few caps and resistors; on a proto about 1.5 x 2.5" May be a little bigger on a PCB.
I built the V1 on a Dontronic's SimmStick 18pin PIC board I had on hand, it's 2x3.5" but wastes some space. And I did a Midi thru with a 74HC00, could just have the PIC echo any in coming byte for Midi Thru and loose the 'HC00.
Should fit in a NES, there is so much space in that case!
yogi
That sucks about needing to crimp though...bleh...crimp terminals and some glue solves that problem though I guess.
]]>But then I was thinking of a internal mod with just a ribbon cable to the port 2 motherboard header. Downside is you can't move the interface to another NES and may interfere/disable a GamePad on port 2. For my case atm, I have a cable setup for prototyping but once it's done, I think I'll do a internal install. Would also cut down on extra gear, like in your case.
On a side note about the cable, you can't solder the wires in the (original) cable, so you have to use crimp connectors. They used a copper foil/nylon conductor, like a lot of headphone cables do. Don't know about after market GamePads.
Just a thought
Yogi
Well damn that all sounds nifty! There was user MidiBox project where the dude made a AY-3-8910 synth so that may exist as an option in the interim. But yeah if 5B is attainable that would be a much more integrated solution.
I got a MB AY almost done, waiting on parts for a CS (Too many projects!!!)
For now, though, just being able to sync the NES would be, in it of itself, quite fantastic, sound chips aside.
As an aside, really bummed to see RetroUSB doesn't carry much stuff now. E-mailed him to see if that's just temporary, but haven't heard back yet.
Yea, syncing the NES seemed like the highest priority for me atm.
About RetroUSB, BunnyBoy had stuff listed as "out of stock", but about 6 mos ago dropped them from the site ?!?! Bummed too.
yogi