DCHDMI

That's great. I like your style my friend.

 

The whole project is really well-done! Can I ask where you're getting the custom flex cables? They've always seemed interesting but I don't know where to get them manufactured.

 

The place I've been using is PCBWay. There are many places, but they are the cheapest I found. Base price starts at $100, which sucks. You want to get it right the first time. I spent quite a bit of time reading up on flex cable design before sending my first order in.

 

So what was the reason for going to the FFC? Are you doing that instead of the QSB + ribbon cable?

 

Wow, yeah, that's not something you want to make too many mistakes on! Once you complete/release the DC HDMI project, it'd be awesome to have a summary of (or notes on) your flex cable design process.

 

To do the FR4 QSB, you have to do an advanced PCB fab service to get castellated holes that small. Which ends up being more expensive than the flex cable. Oshpark is hit or miss with castellated holes this small. And the flex cable is still much easier to install.

 

Hi citrus3000psi.. any update on this?
I'd really like to install one in my Dreamcast

 

We are currently trying to figure out some interference issues. Its sporadic and seems to be related to the board design. We are switching to a 4 layer design that will isolate data signals better.

 

thank you for the update.. can't wait to order one.

 

Btw, will it be something like a complete kit with a QSB and a breakout pcb with a female hdmi socket?
Perhaps you can share some pics, to ease up the waiting

 

There is a flex cable that connects up to the DAC and audio processor


The flex goes to the bottom side of the motherboard and hooks up the main PCB.

 

Really impressive !
But I have a doubt, you take the audio and video signal before the "RCA and/or VGA" conversion ? That is called "hdmi native" ?

anyway this board is amazing !!

 

hes getting the signals from the inputs of the Digital to Analog Converter, so yes before conversion

 

Just to clarify and confirm, no analog to digital conversion is done on the DCHDMI, the video and audio signals remain in the digital domain.

For more details, check:
https://github.com/chriz2600/DreamcastHDMI
https://github.com/citrus3000psi/DCHDMI-Hardware

Dreamcast is sending the 24 bit (digital) RGB values in two 12 bit chunks at a double clock rate, the FPGA converts this to 24 bit with standard clock rates. It also recodes the 480p signal to a real VGA signal (for proper aspect and pixel ratio) and also does the recoding to 960p and 1080p. The (digital) I2S audio is passed directly to the HDMI transmitter.

 

Whaouh ! Unbelievable !
Well done, I am very exciting now

 

Can't wait for this, amazing job guys...

 

Yes chriz2600, I'm checking out your github repository almost daily

Keep it up guys. And please when the interference issues are solved. Make sure to produce enough units so we can all buy one.

Cant wait for this.

 

Looking fantastic. This is the most excited I've been for any console mod yet.

 

I agree with @Marmotta

 

Any idea of a price range?