Vimacs
Don't be evil!
well, use gp caseing (or zodiac one) drill a few more holes for buttons in it, make a mold, finish.
Last edited by a moderator:
GP32 Creating A New Game-console. Homebrew Project
- Thread starter mr.mirko
- Start date
The idea of a Gp64 or similar device sounds great. However correct me if I am wrong but the majority of the users on this site use their GP for emulation not native GP games or apps. Some of the replies to this thread seem to want a new device to emulate more powerful consoles etc. Surely a lot of the more powerful consoles use dedicated video processors and any increase in Gp power would be taken up by emulating more powerful video processors.
A possible solution to this could be to use mr. mirko's idea but also include a programmable logic device that can be set up to emulate the required vpu or at least take some load off the processor. There is device that has all this and an arm 922T processor. The programmable logic can be reconfigured dynamically without power down or rebooting. Unfortunately it only goes to 200mhz but if some of the video handling could be done by programmable logic then who knows...
http://www.altera.com/products/devices/arm/arm-index.html
Just a thought!!!
A possible solution to this could be to use mr. mirko's idea but also include a programmable logic device that can be set up to emulate the required vpu or at least take some load off the processor. There is device that has all this and an arm 922T processor. The programmable logic can be reconfigured dynamically without power down or rebooting. Unfortunately it only goes to 200mhz but if some of the video handling could be done by programmable logic then who knows...
http://www.altera.com/products/devices/arm/arm-index.html
Just a thought!!!
Blah
Wanna Be Programmer
...and get sued for patent infringment/reverse engineering.
Last edited by a moderator:
CTLance
Still Fresh
I would really love some sort of low-to-medium-performance Audio/Video CoProc.
Starting point could be that article:
http://www.arm.com/news/4743.html
->Samsung should have chips with that baby.
MBX should have plenty of power, it's from PowerVR (the Dreamcast comes to mind) and supposedly sports full OpenGL 1.5 acceleration.
Audio Procs... eeeeehm... dunno. Anything that goes beyond the very basic functionality of the GP32 chip counterpart is fine. MP3 acceleration may be achievable. Energy efficiency first. But please not again a glorified D/A converter.
Perhaps we can steal some notebook southbridge chips (if there is something like that...): Heapload of I/O, Audio, and in Intel's case IIRC even MBX's big brother... and I bet there are plenty of power saving technologies built-in...
with the right chips, drivers would be easy to come by (Linux)...
OTOH, it kinda defeats the purpose of using a SoC (System-on-a-chip), then... and makes the design klunky. A possible solution could be just to tack on another MiniARM with some DSP chips. Load in Firmware, and you're good to go. Flexible. and an utter waste of engineering resources. XD
Perhaps one could rally up some support, and get a second opinion about this, on, say, the http//www.mikrocontroller.net Forums, there are plenty of 'battlehardened Pros' there...
On the case: We'll want a royalty-free case design, and reusing the GP32 or Zodiac case would likely be ... not good. I repeat myself: any designing majors here that could get some creds out of this? We can decide on this in the last phase, of course. And one thing: I'd prefer a 'cross' like on the Nintendo consoles. I know they have a Patent or somesuch on that design, plus it's certainly not perfect, so lets just... imitate and innovate, mkay? Cuz, as much as I like the arrangement as it is on the GP32, the hardware tends to wear out rather quickly...
A meeting sounds fun. Anywhere near Munich? ^_^;
CTLance <-- very much not a techie... sadly enough. :unsure:
Starting point could be that article:
http://www.arm.com/news/4743.html
->Samsung should have chips with that baby.
MBX should have plenty of power, it's from PowerVR (the Dreamcast comes to mind) and supposedly sports full OpenGL 1.5 acceleration.
Audio Procs... eeeeehm... dunno. Anything that goes beyond the very basic functionality of the GP32 chip counterpart is fine. MP3 acceleration may be achievable. Energy efficiency first. But please not again a glorified D/A converter.
Perhaps we can steal some notebook southbridge chips (if there is something like that...): Heapload of I/O, Audio, and in Intel's case IIRC even MBX's big brother... and I bet there are plenty of power saving technologies built-in...
with the right chips, drivers would be easy to come by (Linux)...
OTOH, it kinda defeats the purpose of using a SoC (System-on-a-chip), then... and makes the design klunky. A possible solution could be just to tack on another MiniARM with some DSP chips. Load in Firmware, and you're good to go. Flexible. and an utter waste of engineering resources. XD
Yeppers. It's only, that will be a g*ddamn HEAP of work. Do we have enough students here that can work on this for Uni credits? Otherwise, a mighty fine Idea. I definitely want one, and would 'order' one.
Perhaps one could rally up some support, and get a second opinion about this, on, say, the http//www.mikrocontroller.net Forums, there are plenty of 'battlehardened Pros' there...
On the case: We'll want a royalty-free case design, and reusing the GP32 or Zodiac case would likely be ... not good. I repeat myself: any designing majors here that could get some creds out of this? We can decide on this in the last phase, of course. And one thing: I'd prefer a 'cross' like on the Nintendo consoles. I know they have a Patent or somesuch on that design, plus it's certainly not perfect, so lets just... imitate and innovate, mkay? Cuz, as much as I like the arrangement as it is on the GP32, the hardware tends to wear out rather quickly...
A meeting sounds fun. Anywhere near Munich? ^_^;
CTLance <-- very much not a techie... sadly enough. :unsure:
M
Magus 86
Guest
I wouldn't want a new system to fit inside my GP32 case... then what would I do with my GP32? even though I'm all for a new similar system that's more powerful, I love my GP32 to death and would never want to do anything to it that would harm it or render it obsolete or useless. If I had to gut my GP32 and put new stuff inside, then I'd have a cool portable emulation device and a useless circuit board... Maybe in the end, you could make a prototype with a wooden case or something? If you're any good with wood, it could be done, and it would be less of a hassle than trying to find someone who can make plastic cases really cheaply, I would think.
You could modify an original gameboy case for a prototype. it's got a decent amount of unused space, and it's not too big or too small, about the same size as a gp32. I'd definitely sacrifice my gameboy for a project like this. If you're worried about screen size, there's a simple solution... just cut out the rectangular area around the screen as well, and that should give you space for a decent size screen.
You could modify an original gameboy case for a prototype. it's got a decent amount of unused space, and it's not too big or too small, about the same size as a gp32. I'd definitely sacrifice my gameboy for a project like this. If you're worried about screen size, there's a simple solution... just cut out the rectangular area around the screen as well, and that should give you space for a decent size screen.
Attachments
I'm pretty sure craig would support this when it comes to sell units.
I also offer my support where I can - I'd even offer opening up a German shop for this thing and doing some marketing to get it rolling
I also offer my support where I can - I'd even offer opening up a German shop for this thing and doing some marketing to get it rolling
M
Magus 86
Guest
Alright, scratch my idea, that's awesome.
Also, I prefer the cross-style D-pad as well.
Last edited by a moderator:
mr.mirko
Certified Guru
I wouldn't want a new system to fit inside my GP32 case... then what would I do with my GP32? even though I'm all for a new similar system that's more powerful, I love my GP32 to death and would never want to do anything to it that would harm it or render it obsolete or useless. If I had to gut my GP32 and put new stuff inside, then I'd have a cool portable emulation device and a useless circuit board... Maybe in the end, you could make a prototype with a wooden case or something? If you're any good with wood, it could be done, and it would be less of a hassle than trying to find someone who can make plastic cases really cheaply, I would think.
You could modify an original gameboy case for a prototype. it's got a decent amount of unused space, and it's not too big or too small, about the same size as a gp32. I'd definitely sacrifice my gameboy for a project like this. If you're worried about screen size, there's a simple solution... just cut out the rectangular area around the screen as well, and that should give you space for a decent size screen.
Sounds very nice, using an old gameboy case
but first we need some working hardware, and then look in what case it will fit. Iam doing some pcb layout with eagle the next days... Lets see how easy this is
Attachments
Last edited by a moderator:
Jaw
*Real* Arcade Gamer
this sounds very interesting!
lcd's might be a little tricky to get hold of... do samsung still do them? because i'm sure they'll discount you if you're buying a stack of componants off them as well.
as for the casing, something fresh would be nice rarther than recycling old consoles!
lcd's might be a little tricky to get hold of... do samsung still do them? because i'm sure they'll discount you if you're buying a stack of componants off them as well.
as for the casing, something fresh would be nice rarther than recycling old consoles!
M
Magus 86
Guest
Well, I figured since the objective seems to be to make this thing as cheaply as possible, using something old and most likely big enough to accomodate what we're putting in it would be a good option. It's old, it's cheap, and it's pretty big... if you modify it right you can get a lot of extra space for required internals. You don't have to use a gameboy case if you don't want to, and I was definitely not suggesting making it out of old gameboy cases in vast quantities... that would stir up some trouble... it was just a suggestion for a cheap case idea
jcabrer
Still Fresh
There are plenty of small SBCs that could be used as the hardware platform.
http://www.phytec.com/sbc/32bit/pcpxa255.htm
There are also ways of making the case cheap, although I can not vouch for durability.
http://www.inition.co.uk/inition/product_r...ms_invision.php
http://www.mae.cornell.edu/ccsl/facilities/3DPrinter.htm
http://appsci.queensu.ca/ilc/facilities/pr...g/3DPrinter.php
http://pira.atalink.co.uk/articles/printing/147
Personally, I would like a snap together system where the left and right controllers are attached using strong magnets, are hot-swapable, and configurable for leftys and rightys. Additional storage or power modules could also attach in this manner. Or you could make the screen configurable between standard and theater wide screen!!!
http://www.phytec.com/sbc/32bit/pcpxa255.htm
There are also ways of making the case cheap, although I can not vouch for durability.
http://www.inition.co.uk/inition/product_r...ms_invision.php
http://www.mae.cornell.edu/ccsl/facilities/3DPrinter.htm
http://appsci.queensu.ca/ilc/facilities/pr...g/3DPrinter.php
http://pira.atalink.co.uk/articles/printing/147
Personally, I would like a snap together system where the left and right controllers are attached using strong magnets, are hot-swapable, and configurable for leftys and rightys. Additional storage or power modules could also attach in this manner. Or you could make the screen configurable between standard and theater wide screen!!!
shinneri
Certified Guru
This sounds very interesting and a lot of the talk is way over my head, but that's okay. It all sounds very impressive. If this project genuinely gets off the ground, I think you can expect a preorder from me.
Although, a new case would be best. If you're going to make a console, you should go all out. Plus, we don't need sued.h34r:
Although, a new case would be best. If you're going to make a console, you should go all out. Plus, we don't need sued.
h34r:mr.mirko
Certified Guru
The pcpxa255 for 499$
Also it comes with an old chip, 160Mhz, useless features (lan) ....
The InVision SR 3-D painter looks very nice
Last edited by a moderator:
I wouldn't want a new system to fit inside my GP32 case... then what would I do with my GP32? even though I'm all for a new similar system that's more powerful, I love my GP32 to death and would never want to do anything to it that would harm it or render it obsolete or useless. If I had to gut my GP32 and put new stuff inside, then I'd have a cool portable emulation device and a useless circuit board... Maybe in the end, you could make a prototype with a wooden case or something? If you're any good with wood, it could be done, and it would be less of a hassle than trying to find someone who can make plastic cases really cheaply, I would think.
You could modify an original gameboy case for a prototype. it's got a decent amount of unused space, and it's not too big or too small, about the same size as a gp32. I'd definitely sacrifice my gameboy for a project like this. If you're worried about screen size, there's a simple solution... just cut out the rectangular area around the screen as well, and that should give you space for a decent size screen.
Sounds very nice, using an old gameboy case
Iam doing some pcb layout with eagle the next days... Lets see how easy this is
The GP32 case isn't the most ergonoically suited for us big hands!!!
Attachments
Last edited by a moderator:
hm i think the arm cpu mr.mirko posted looked really nice...
but we neet to get hold of one chip to build a prototype first... the case ir really not important, thats the last thing we have to think about.
If we have a good running prototype we`ll get a case from somewhere.
But first we need to raise the found for a prototype. A donation site would be nice, and maybe we could ask craigx for some support
but i think we`re going to fast we should first think about how to build it, who does what, and so on.
but the idea in general is great
im going to go to the fh (something like a uni) soon if they accept me to study electronics but i dont know too much about that yet.
So this project would probably something really nice to learn somethin too :lol:
but we neet to get hold of one chip to build a prototype first... the case ir really not important, thats the last thing we have to think about.
If we have a good running prototype we`ll get a case from somewhere.
But first we need to raise the found for a prototype. A donation site would be nice, and maybe we could ask craigx for some support
but i think we`re going to fast
we should first think about how to build it, who does what, and so on.but the idea in general is great
im going to go to the fh (something like a uni) soon
if they accept me to study electronics but i dont know too much about that yet. So this project would probably something really nice to learn somethin too :lol:
gp32rich
Never been accused of being subtle
This is a great idea and I genuinely hope it gets off the ground.
Good luck on getting a prototype built and running.
If you do, will you be selling kits? The pcb (with chips mounted) and resistors,etc in one bag, the display and buttons in another
Plug and play! :lol:
With the range of moddable cases, I can't see that it would be a problem finding one to shoehorn the thing into
I really like the idea of just having a bootstrapROM load the BIOS from SD .. no more flashing!
Now towards the business side of things!
Has anyone come up with a bill of materials? speakers, buttons, sockets and plugs, chips, resistors, caps, etc?
Lets find out an approximate cost for making the pcb and sticking the chips on to it!
A quick google showed a starting price of 50USD or 80 Euros for pcb manufacture in small batches.
And I wouldn't want to hand solder surface mount chips
I DO hope you get a prototype running, that would answer a lot of these questions.
Good luck on getting a prototype built and running.
If you do, will you be selling kits? The pcb (with chips mounted) and resistors,etc in one bag, the display and buttons in another
Plug and play! :lol:
With the range of moddable cases, I can't see that it would be a problem finding one to shoehorn the thing into
I really like the idea of just having a bootstrapROM load the BIOS from SD .. no more flashing!
Now towards the business side of things!
Has anyone come up with a bill of materials? speakers, buttons, sockets and plugs, chips, resistors, caps, etc?
Lets find out an approximate cost for making the pcb and sticking the chips on to it!
A quick google showed a starting price of 50USD or 80 Euros for pcb manufacture in small batches.
And I wouldn't want to hand solder surface mount chips
I DO hope you get a prototype running, that would answer a lot of these questions.
mattmagoo
OFFICIAL
I know the forming process involved in making the cases since I do it at college A LOT
The forming of the case would be a piece of piss
tis the designing of the case, eg. how it supports the PCB and LCD
and also if you look inside cases for stuff like this then you will notice the screw holes stretch out
I assume buttons and membranes could be had from an electronics store, but am unsure (I have only ever made arcade based controlls)
I can however easily build a machine to create the cases, and the plastic is cheap as hell, prilly less than $1 per case
The other big problem is cutting the moulds down, this is the most labourious process involved
If this does get set up and I'm not busy I reckon cases could be made at an output of around 5 a day wrking full hog and sanding them etc.
I do think something along the lines of a modified SNES controller or somethign would work, then you would have all of the buttons etc, for pretty cheap
EDIT: I can also do 3D concept models, and I know somewhere where I can get a rapid prototype for about £200
The forming of the case would be a piece of piss
tis the designing of the case, eg. how it supports the PCB and LCD
and also if you look inside cases for stuff like this then you will notice the screw holes stretch out
I assume buttons and membranes could be had from an electronics store, but am unsure (I have only ever made arcade based controlls)
I can however easily build a machine to create the cases, and the plastic is cheap as hell, prilly less than $1 per case
The other big problem is cutting the moulds down, this is the most labourious process involved
If this does get set up and I'm not busy I reckon cases could be made at an output of around 5 a day wrking full hog and sanding them etc.
I do think something along the lines of a modified SNES controller or somethign would work, then you would have all of the buttons etc, for pretty cheap
EDIT: I can also do 3D concept models, and I know somewhere where I can get a rapid prototype for about £200
