Hacker Ben Heck attempts to improve the NES.

Title describes it all. 2 part project and part 1 is out now. I'll put part 2 up when it comes out.

 

It seems like a good idea, but I'm afraid that the "teeth" may damage the cart. Let's wait for the next episode.

 

Holy shit, i remember when this guy just showed some photos. Now thats a damn show.

 

This is awesome. Waiting for Pt2

 

If you watched closely you'll see his design has the "teeth" open and once the cart is in they will close on the edge connector. Thet won't be touching until the cart is fully inserted making a true ZIF slot. (Zero Insertion F​orce)

 

I don't think that will be a true ZIF since the insertion of the cart will provide the force to close the "teeth" (If I understood him correctly). If he has a manual closing mechanism, then it will be ZIF.

 

I am very interested to see what comes next. This over the top design with moving parts is likely to hav a bunch of issues with alignment before it finished.

 

He said the mechanism closes the teeth around it once a sensor determines it is in position. Not unlike a ZIF IC socket, except that it is electronically operated. The thing is how will this design hold up over 15+ years? I really don't think Nintendo's design was that bad. Still works for me.

 

Should be renamed, "Ben Heck does a bunch of old and well known mods to a NES, but actually suggests an idea that holds potential"

 

Ah yes, my mistake.

 

Not really, he has an idea that is overly complex for what is needed, plus the original connector actually works pretty good. Though use of oversized pcbs like the GameGenie don't help. But usually cleaning is all that is needed. But whatever.

 

Has anyone ever told you that you come off as a smart ass?

 

The original connector has problems. It's a well known fact, from dirty pins/PCB, dirty carts, dislodged pins bad connection to the lockout chip and etc etc.


I'm really interested in whether this idea pans out and works personally.

 

This is nice but its a lot of work its better to just make a top loader mod i dont care about the ZIF. Right now I'm making a hybrid nes with a famicom slot, I hope to finish it this week.

 

I think one thing we need to remember is that he is doing this for entertainment/research. Sure, his socket doesn't need to be nearly that complicated, but he has the skills and a venue to show them off, so why not go out of his way to do something crazy? I'm excited to see his engineering in the next ep.

 

I thought that was everything Ben Heck did: useless crap made for his own amusement. Then half the Internet jerks off because he made a "portable" N64 the size of a Mini Cooper.

 

I like it how ben heck uses thorough footage of how it's made, Need more vids like this.

 

Quoted for truth! Personally I think Ben's designs (cosmetically) are bloody awful but I do love the tech behind his ideas. So much so that I subscribed to his YouTube channel to watch the entire back catalogue and future shows.

 

Yeah I never loved the designs. But they were functional at least hah