Cloning the Gamecube component cable

[andykara2003]

Thanks :)

[citrus3000psi]

GCPlug is alive.

https://twitter.com/citrus3000psi/statu ... 7673237505

[mvsfan]

when can we see the dual board? is it almost done?

what about prices have you decided yet?

[Bobster]

GCPlug is alive.

https://twitter.com/citrus3000psi/statu ... 7673237505

Looks great! Looking forward to seeing your progress.

[andykara2003]

GCPlug is alive.

https://twitter.com/citrus3000psi/statu ... 7673237505

That's more like it!

[citrus3000psi]

when can we see the dual board? is it almost done?

what about prices have you decided yet?

Testing takes time. I find issues and then have to wait for more boards to test. I'm messing around with CSYNC at the moment. The Vpp levels are within range, but I have one TV (PDP-V402) that will not work with retrogaming cables (that has the built in 470ohm resistor). When using this cable the inline resistor drops Vpp levels to the min acceptable range. OSSC and PVM work fine. Using a cable with no resistor the Vpp levels are what I would call perfect.

[gordon-creAtive]

I'm no expert but aren't the cables that include a 470 ohm resistor basically converting TTL sync to regular sync? If you're already outputting the right sync signal these are probably the wrong cables to use anyway.

[citrus3000psi]

I'm no expert but aren't the cables that include a 470 ohm resistor basically converting TTL sync to regular sync? If you're already outputting the right sync signal these are probably the wrong cables to use anyway.

You are correct. but since most users get there cables from retro gaming cables I'm trying to find a perfect solution.

[gordon-creAtive]

Ok, that makes sense.

[BuckoA51]

You are correct. but since most users get there cables from retro gaming cables I'm trying to find a perfect solution.

He's now offering some of his cables in both configurations, just the "pack a punch" ones for now but hopefully more in future.

[Kez]

You are correct. but since most users get there cables from retro gaming cables I'm trying to find a perfect solution.

There have been a lot of discussions of this nature throughout the NESRGB thread (example). Perhaps there is something there that may help you out if you haven't read it already.

[borti4938]

I'm messing around with CSYNC at the moment. The Vpp levels are within range, but I have one TV (PDP-V402) that will not work with retrogaming cables (that has the built in 470ohm resistor). When using this cable the inline resistor drops Vpp levels to the min acceptable range. OSSC and PVM work fine. Using a cable with no resistor the Vpp levels are what I would call perfect.

Do you drive the CSYNC video line by the FPGA directly? If so, do you output 3.3V-LVTTL standard?
I'm a bit surprised then because this would lead to ~454mV Upp which is actually not the minimum. 300mV is standard.

but since most users get there cables from retro gaming cables I'm trying to find a perfect solution.

I made some similar thoughts in my N64 advanced project. At the moment I use a 74LVC3G34 supplied with 5V to "lift" the voltage standard from 3.3V-LVTTL to full 5V-TTL. This chip should be also available as a single gate buffer device (I amplify also VSYNC and HSYNC).

For the separate 75ohm csync (cable without passive components) I use a TSH122ICT as a single 6dB video amp with a pre-voltage divider of 4.7kohm and 475ohm to get the 300mV standard.

Of course, I offer two output pads then; but if you want to have a single one you can use a zero ohm solder jumper for static multiplexing.

[citrus3000psi]

Do you drive the CSYNC video line by the FPGA directly? If so, do you output 3.3V-LVTTL standard?
I'm a bit surprised then because this would lead to ~454mV Upp which is actually not the minimum. 300mV is standard.

Yes its driven directly and outputs 3.3 TTL. I know its not the bare min but its on the low side right.

I was under the impression sync needed to be in the range of 212mV - 949mV?

At the moment I use a 74LVC3G34 supplied with 5V to "lift" the voltage standard from 3.3V-LVTTL to full 5V-TTL.

That is pretty much my plan

However I was only going to ouput TTL only. I was going to require to use passive components in the cable. But maybe I should offer both. Good Idea.

[borti4938]

I was under the impression sync needed to be in the range of 212mV - 949mV?

Actually the standard is around 300mV (a bit below; IIRC negative pulse from 0V down -286mV).
But the receivers are more tolerant to that. However, since a German guy reported me that his TV drops the brightness if Ups is above 300mV ("magic") I decided to use 300mV instead of 700mV on all of my designs along with a 75ohm video cable driver IC for 75ohm sync.

At the moment I use a 74LVC3G34 supplied with 5V to "lift" the voltage standard from 3.3V-LVTTL to full 5V-TTL.

That is pretty much my plan

However I was only going to ouput TTL only. I was going to require to use passive components in the cable. But maybe I should offer both. Good Idea.

For TTL:
We should share ideas more frequently instead of spending double of the time in having twice the same idea

For the 75ohm sync:
feel free to try it I personally like to have no passive components in my cables.

[citrus3000psi]

Actually the standard is around 300mV (a bit below; IIRC negative pulse from 0V down -286mV).

Thanks, I will shoot for that

We should share ideas more frequently instead of spending double of the time in having twice the same idea

I was actually building my sync driver based off Tim's AV-Driver. But that 74LVC2G241 is a nice little IC ... And I didn't think about raising H/V Sync levels. I think I may have to incorporate that into my design. I'll order some parts and test

[citrus3000psi]

GCplug is almost finalized. Just some minor case changes. PCB is ready.

https://twitter.com/citrus3000psi/statu ... 2385475584

[juji82]

Looks awesome! Waiting now for the wii gcvideo design

[seattlexc]

Wow, looks great! I'm excited to see this get released.

[andykara2003]

Very nice!

[citrus3000psi]

Collingal is handling the case aspect part which will be available on his thingverse. But here is the PCB info to be able to build your own.

1.6mm thickness https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/yROQl0A7

Spacers that connect the plug to the board, you need 2.
.8mm thickness https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/ghu7Je25

This has some 0402 components, which are tiny.

Firmware required for this (its a modified 2.3, thanks Unseen):

https://mega.nz/#!ys0wTbhB!cSC8PtNZ_0dx ... k49QIc9eTQ

GC-Video 2.4 Firmware

https://mega.nz/#!KkFzVZDR!9BzNtZh5WE8M ... pNNfrDG9YY

[borti4938]

Although I don't have a Gamecube (what a shame to be honest) I followed your recent work. Very nice progress and what a neat solution you came up with. Congratulatin

[citrus3000psi]

Although I don't have a Gamecube (what a shame to be honest) I followed your recent work. Very nice progress and what a neat solution you came up with. Congratulatin

Thanks Borti. I just saw you posted your N64 board. Looks awesome, need to updated my N64 now

[Spidex761]

Woah awesome job citrus! I might try to make one of these after all the issues with my one internal hdmi cube. Is the main board and qsb the default 1.6mm thickness?

[citrus3000psi]

Woah awesome job citrus! I might try to make one of these after all the issues with my one internal hdmi cube. Is the main board and qsb the default 1.6mm thickness?

Forgot about that (just updated that post). Main board is 1.6mm and the spacers are .8mm

[Spidex761]

Ah awesome! I didn't know OSH Park can do 0.8mm. I am looking at the spacers and don't see any through hole? Do the spacers sit directly on top of the pads on the main board?

[citrus3000psi]

Here is a good shot of a spacer. It goes, PIN-Spacer-Board

https://imgur.com/SbMZqMz

[Bobster]

Collingal is handling the case aspect part which will be available on his thingverse. But here is the PCB info to be able to build your own.

1.6mm thickness https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/yROQl0A7

Spacers that connect the plug to the board, you need 2.
.8mm thickness https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/ghu7Je25

This has some 0402 components, which are tiny.

Firmware required for this (its a modified 2.3, thanks Unseen):

https://mega.nz/#!ys0wTbhB!cSC8PtNZ_0dx ... k49QIc9eTQ

I'm sure you've answered this already, but you're not going to sell pre-built units correct? This doesn't look hard to build, but I have amateur soldering skills.

[citrus3000psi]

I'm sure you've answered this already, but you're not going to sell pre-built units correct? This doesn't look hard to build, but I have amateur soldering skills.

Yeah, not planning on it. The unit itself is somewhat tedious to build. Installing the pins into the connector is a pain. Its not hard but time consuming. There are 0402 components, so you will need a small tip (unless you decide to go the solder paste route) and some type of magnification to check these connections.

[Lawfer]

I'm sure you've answered this already, but you're not going to sell pre-built units correct? This doesn't look hard to build, but I have amateur soldering skills.

Yeah, not planning on it.

Okay, so will you be selling the WiiHDMI or WiiDual at least? I am very interested in getting a WiiDual.

[andykara2003]

Same - WiiDual would be awesome.