Bacteria's multi-console system project : UNITY

Finished the Wii. It isn't the best cartridge i've made by looks however it does the job fine. Wasn't easy making the front with the DVD front loading unit and also IR units.

Made a start dismantling the old Project Unity system which i'm using for other boards. Problem is everything was jammed into there for the last half of the project, so won't be easy to get the boards out, but will do. Fortunately I left some brief notes as to what connects to what inside the unit so that will help, including the AV pinout and various voltages - however issue is getting to everything.

My plan is to dismantle all the boards I need, put them to one side, then when all are done, throw the rest of the unit away - will take a while to get to that stage though. I'll ditch the PS2 phat console board in there (i'll use a PS2 slim now), the Saturn I think no longer works (I have a replacement), the SNES is no good as it never worked properly after doing a SuperCIC install as it doesn't save game progress now (I have a spare console), i'll not bother with the DreamCast; however most of the other systems i'll migrate over to Unity.

 

Haven't got around to making the other half of the Wii video yet, will get around to it.

Been butchering my old Project Unity system for boards to recycle in the new system. I'm not being gentle as what's left is going to be binned anyway. I have to document where each wire goes to though into the system otherwise i'll lose track of how to connect the A/V and the controller as well as the voltage needs for each system.

Made a start anyway; the system on the top i've removed so far (apart from the umbilical cord) is Amstrad GX4000; going to keep working down as go. Going to take a fair few hours to remove everything I need and also document as I go along.

At least it will save some time, as the cart slots are already relocated, all be it with quite long shielded cabling, which means when i'm installing into new cartridges, should only take a couple of days work for each potentially.

 

This saddens me to read At the very least you should keep the disc drives from these systems. Chances are that you'll need replacements some point in the future.

If you're determined to throw away the systems anyway, I might be interested in buying the Dreamcast and Saturn parts Although that would have to wait a bit, as I'm pretty broke right now

 

Project Unity needed to die, it was fugly and heavy. At least most of its guts are being re-used.

I will be using all the boards in Project Unity apart from SNES (as the board in there doesn't work great, and I have a replacement to use); MegaDrive (as had another board to use so this is spare), same for N64, PS2 (as going to use a PS2 slim probably). I might use DreamCast after all, not decided yet.

If someone wants to buy a MegaDrive PCB or N64 PCB, get in touch.

Update - making good progress, stripped out a few systems so far, taped paper to each board to show what each wires does and what voltages are used.

Removed 4 boards so far, including the MegaDrive.

If anyone wants a PAL MegaDrive board, with game cart relocated, wired for RGB, shoot me a PM. It is available.

 

Then I misread your post Even though your Saturn might be dead, the laser could still be fully working I hope you'll keep what works

I don't need any spare parts atm. but I would offer to buy, if the parts were to be thrown away.

 

I'll keep what works as i'll use it in Unity. Removed all but a couple of the old console systems now and put them in a box ready to mod.

Changed my Host for my website. Contract with current Host ends Monday whereas my domain lasts for a few years yet, so needed to find new Host (found a good free one) to point the domain onto. It is in transfer stage at the moment.

Not sure how i'll use my domain now, as it would need working from scratch. I'll leave that decision for sometime.

 

Ok, removed all the guts from Project Unity and the regulators too. It looks pretty sad for itself at the moment; will now put the last bits into the bin. Decided not to bother with the DreamCast so that is going to the bin too, already removed parts useful.

Not sure if people are interested in seeing each system made into a cartridge, gets repetitive after a while; so i'll probably not post on YouTube for a while, however will post a far more comprehensive video later in the project as a "how to" guide instead - then final video when project is done. Probably makes sense, as proved by low interest on new videos on my Channel.

I will post pics here though as do each system.

As to next system i'm going to start next, as the Wii is completed; is going to be Atari 7800 (which won't take long and as is the French model is RGB output); followed by GameCube with the GBA addon board, so 2-in-1.

 

My domain (bacman.co.uk) is transferred to my new Host. I've done a blank installation as intend to make the site from scratch; concentrating on each part of Unity and the mods incorporated into it. I will also use the site to promote some handheld portables i'll sell and make when Unity is finished.

That's why I was advising people to check out the old site while it was there; at the moment it is empty content; so no point viewing it yet - i'll post updates in this thread when relevant, as it will be Unity focussed/relevant.

I'll take my time doing the site, in no rush and my time is limited - but updates will start to happen soon. Not sure if going to keep current theme either, chose a nice one but may not be the final one, not spent time looking into it.

 

Old Project Unity is now just a carcass, and in the bin.

Setting up new website, encouraged by the fact it is getting hits still, presumably from previous users of the site and also old Google hits, so making a start on making new guides from scratch. Things are quiet at work at the moment so have time in work time, between tasks.

Update - got the website style sorted out, need to change the banner at some point, put first of dozens of pages up, loads to do.

Interesting thing, site is getting about 90 visitors a day even though the site is in development, pretty cool. Hoping my the time real content is uploaded the guests are still viewing and haven't given up.

Update again - working on the website, got the bug to get it content rich again. Finalised the appearance of the site and putting up guides; put up a few so far, got a couple of hundred remaining to make and upload.
I am hoping to get the site completed in a month or so.
The look of the new website is far nicer than the old one, which is one of the reasons I didn't just copy over the old site from backups.

 

Going to get website completed before tackling next part of the Unity project.

Making great strides in remaking all the old guides and improving them, also uploading new ones. I am managing at the moment to upload several guides each day, at least, so working at a good speed. The website also looks considerably better than before too.

I should have the new website completed mid-end October, then will be back on Unity project fully again. It is aimed at all showing all useful modding for retro consoles, in a clear and easy to copy format. No complex mods or advanced mods, just useful ones.

If you get a chance, please check out the site (in the state it is in) and let me know what you think of it. Click my banner sig to visit the site.

 

Looking awesome!

 

I'm happy to read this. You've dedicated way too much time into all this to just let it go. Good for you, man.

 

sorry if this has already been answered but you mentioned in one of your videos you were using a cheap 1080 upscaler and you were happy with its performance. i'd love to know what model it is!

 

Thanks.

I agree, I put in far too much work into making the site and developing it before, that it would be a shame to let it all die. That is why I upgraded my package with the Host from £1 a month to £3 a month (still about 40% what I was paying before) to give me far more server space than I need and enable me to make further guides and also make site backups (as I have now done).

I have always maintained a desire to help people with their modding and take the black art out of it to make guides accessible. When I started out in modding, 8 years ago, you would be surprised how protective people were with their mods and how unwilling many were to share information. For forums saying they were designed to share information, they didn't want to, and were scathing of newbies. I changed that way of thinking, providing easy to follow guides; and also a forum for years where people were not bullied or intimidated or made to feel like idiots if they didn't know something.

The primary reason I didn't just let the site die on 21st when it was due to was still due to my desire to share my modding experience to all; in fact decided to make the site better than before. A final version.

I hope you like the look and style of the site, I think it is miles better than the old design, far crisper and more modern; and the content better too. What do you think? I would like to think that people find the site useful.

The site, according to Awstats, is getting 100-150 people viewing a day, which is pretty good considering it is just a website and no longer a chat and forum site too. I have a "visitors traffic" plugin in my site too, that is reporting about 3x the activity however I suspect that represents the hours I have been putting into the site during this week, and Awstats is I presume therefore a more accurate representation of hits.

As to the HDMI upscaler I used, I think I posted pics of it in this thread before, can't remember. I don't have the link for it now, however I think it cost about £25 from China on ebay. Yes, quality is good, although I have it set at 720p not 1080p as there was a slight lag on 1080p.

 

perfect thanks! i found more info on it in this thread. anyone else looking for info on it you can ctrl-f and search hdmi.

i'm sorry for another dumb question but i know there is a difference between european and japanese scart pinouts. do you know which one the converter box uses? none of the ebay pages seem to say. i don't want to order the wrong cable(s)

 

Not aware of this, so looked into it and updated the reference guide on my site:

http://bacman.co.uk/scart/

One option, if you can only get a Euro one and want Japanese, as long as you don't get a SCART cable that is moulded, you can change what connects to what with a soldering iron. Many SCART cables can open up, they have a ring (as below) to untwist and open up the part.



The website is pretty much complete now, I am adding some parts here and there and will continue to do so, and when find new stuff to post.

I'm at a stage now I can get back to my Unity project.

 

While I like the current master controller in many respects, there are parts of it I am not overly happy about, used enamel paint which feels a little strange after a short while holding the controller, the joystick is fine but I am not sure I like the feel of a PlayStation type controller as although it feels ok it isn't as comfy to hold as some others out there.

Fortunately, I kept the shell from a few years ago from an Atari Jaguar controller. Whilst the controller on the Jaguar was clumsy, the controller is a joy to hold. All I have to do is cut out the top of the controller away and replace it with a blank piece to fit. Here is what the controller looks like normally:



My idea is to mount 4 buttons on the top right like the "C" buttons on an N64, thereby using the top half of the controller for all systems but N64, and in the bottom left have the N64 joystick, on the right the "A" and "B" buttons. The controller can be held in a variety of ways comfortably, so this will work well.

The GameCube and PS2 will still need to use their own controllers (and Wii of course). This controller will do all the other systems, as previously, and I will make the top button section interchangable as previously so can change the button colours as wished.

It will take a while to modify the controller to what I want from it, paint, etc.

 

Thought it good to post a worklog of how to make a custom controller by using a host; to make it what you need. The principle is similar to making a case for a portable if you find something near-suitable and want to make it to what you want.

In this example, I am using an Atari Jaguar controller, removing the top and bottom section, adding in discreet replacement areas, then incorporating in a joystick, buttons and d-pad, before adding in shoulder buttons to the sides of the casing.

Two benefits of using something as a base that has already been made, is you have included the screw posts, the case halves which close properly and also a shaped controller which feels great in your hands, so you know the result will be great to use.

First job is to use a drill bit on a Dremel and cut out the areas needed, being careful to not just remove the areas, but leaving enough space to stick the new pieces onto, and also not damaging the screw post areas inside the case. When done, use a sanding drum to remove the debris and clean the area up a bit.

Second job is then to use some clear acetate, tape it to the controller in places, and trace using a CD marker pen the outline to make a template to cut a sheet of 1.5mm or 2mm thick black styrene. These are the tools you need:



If there are any areas, like in the photo below which you over cut, no issues, tape some pieces of paper onto the acetate - it's only a template after all.

Inside:

outside:

The acetate fits exactly in the spaces needed, however the photos only show the pen marks which are not where the acetate is trimmed to in many places in the photo. Also, the top piece of acetate has lifted from its placement so it looks like it is larger than it is, that is just an optical illusion; it is exact.

The idea is to make the two replacement pieces fit exactly onto the controller so with any luck, I won't need to paint the controller (let's see).

Next job is to now cut out styrene from these templates, and hot glue them inside the case into position.

Not decided yet if the joystick and "A" and "B" buttons will be on the top or bottom sections, will decide when the case structure is completed.

 

Working on the case tops now.

Added another section on my website, which will show the build of this controller in more detail:

http://bacman.co.uk/frankencasing/

I have spent a fair bit of time making the site what it is, so feel free to have a look at it and comment please.

 

Making good progress, not finished the bottom sheet yet but it is coming on nicely. A perfect fit on the Jaguar casing.

Will continue to smooth the edges, then use wet/dry fine grain sandpaper, and hot glue it to the inside of the case.
I'll then update this thread with more photos.