Bacteria's project: "Project Unity"

[bacteria]

Fixed the GBA cart into place, and the NES cart and NES console board. Wired up part of the NES to the system got a few wires to go yet, tomorrow. At least you get a feel for how this is going!



So, run-down after this is done (and tests done):

Completed:
GameCube
GBA (via GC Player)
DreamCast
Saturn
PS2
(PS1 via PS2)
NeoGeo
NES

Next on list/systems to install (after making progress video):
N64 (only need to install into Unity system, board is done)
MegaDrive
SMS
SNES
TurboGrafx
Jaguar
Atari 7800
Atari 2600 (via 7800)
Intellivision (done, needs installing into Unity)
Colecovision
GX4000

That's going to be pretty much the order they're done in, roughly. 8 systems done so far 11 to go

[bacteria]

Tested the NES when installed in the Unity system, and didn't get anything showing. Turned out the video line (composite) doesn't like working through a capacitor. To explain, most guides suggest running each of the C-Sync/composite and RGB lines for RGB video into a 220uf capacitor to make the image quality look better, personally I don't see differences however i've not tested on some consoles it might be relevant for, and also it depends on if your television needs it to give better image quality.

I've left a 220uf capacitor on the RGB lines but removed it from the C-sync/composite; now the NES works fine. Tested with the DreamCast too while I was at it, didn't see a difference so no issue with what I did. Worst case, if there is an issue, I could always put a 220uf capacitor on all systems that need it - looks like maybe the ones using just composite don't want it.

The switch unit I made has worked flawlessly and reliably so far in my various testings, BTW; so i'm pretty happy with that. No damage to any of the wires to date and works first time.

[bacteria]

Had about 4 hours modding today, so made good progress and made the NES controller into the NES interface cart for the Master Controller. Took off the d-pad part of the board as i'll use it for another project.



Tested system, works fine.

[bacteria]

Seems a small update however it took a couple of hours to prepare and also get the layer of wood level and equal height, especially as that meant resecuring the box unit a bit too.

This is 6mm thick MDF type material, so rigid. Idea is to have three layers of carts on it (and the existing one under it), held securely.



Put an N64 and SNES cart in place for illustration.

Under the right part, will house the controller port, system on/off and also Jaguar cart too.

Yes, going to be quite snug when done.

[bacteria]

As I was screwing the wood shaft to the switch box, the screw fell into the system, so I had to dismantle the box unit to get the screw out. That was half of an hour of my life I won't get back!

Screwed the new shelf into place and nice and level (had to re-do it as noticed the layer with the NES was sloped, not any more though.

Secured the N64 cart into place and superguled and hot glued into place, then hot glued two wood strips to the back of the N64 board and secured to place. Only have to wire up the N64 board to the Unity system now, made the N64 controller into a NES cart before.



Then, need to wire the PS2 to the Unity system (only system not re-connected), and make the GameCube controller in the NES cart (not done that yet), then only have 8 systems left.

Had intended to make a new YouTube video however not really sure if it's necessary. Many people make videos for the sake of it, and that's fine, but just adding new systems into an existing system doesn't add a lot of value. Do you agree? I'll definitely make one when all systems installed, before working on the appearance of the system to make it look nice, of course.

[bacteria]

To make things more accessible, screwed screws into the side of the support for the voltages needed for the cart systems, means less trailing wires around. Got most of the N64 wiring done, bit more to do tomorrow.

[bacteria]

Started project end of May 2010, so will have taken under 3 years to complete start to end!

Update : tested the N64 with the resistors, slightly dark but looks excellent and colours vibrant. Finished wiring up the PS2 and that worked, first time complete with controller. As i'd grounded both ends of the cables this time (shielding) for all systems, the video quality is lovely on all systems; including the PS2. Before, I had to run extra ground wires to get the video nice, didn't need to this time.

So, already the Unity system has the largest amount of systems incorporated ever made using original hardware and no emulation or similar (6 or 8 was the most before, including systems that can do other systems), this is the current status of the Unity project:


Completed:
GameCube
GBA (via GC Player)
DreamCast
Saturn
PS2
(PS1 via PS2)
NeoGeo
NES
N64

Next on list/systems to install (after making progress video):
MegaDrive
SMS
SNES
TurboGrafx
Jaguar
Atari 7800
Atari 2600 (via 7800)
Intellivision (done, needs installing into Unity)
Colecovision
GX4000

9 systems complete so far, 10 left as above.

Project is is faster mode now as all the foundations are in place, just adding more into it now.

System is built strongly, can remove sections if need to; slider unit works reliably and easily, all the hard parts done.

I'll probably make a new video after all, soon, with updates.

[bacteria]

Some nice updates:

Wired up the SuperCIC as per the photos on the aforementioned linky, however the SuperCIC diagram on the site seems wrong/in conflict with it; so just used the photos to work out what goes where. This is my wiring on the motherboard:



The LED can be changed by pressing the reset button for a few seconds to select if the system boots in preference in 50Mhz or 60Mhz mode, etc; however when you're using DC power and bypassing the AC voltage, the reset doesn't work; so as default i'm getting red (PAL and NTSC games run in 60Mhz mode); will need to experiment to see if can get auto mode instead, which is what I want.

Anyway, tested on a few games only:

NTSC : Alien 3


PAL : Gods


and the holy grail of games, as stubborn to work normally:
NTSC : Mario RPG


Got some experimenting to do, however looks positive. When work out how to get auto boot mode, will test all my games to test what works and if any don't.

[bacteria]

Well, interestingly, if I remove the wire going to the SuperCIC chip for the 50Mhz / 60Mhz and just have it as 60Mhz, it runs my NTSC and PAL games fine, even a PAL game I had that didn't boot before now does.

There is one problem cart though, Mario RPG - it boots fine but hangs after the part in the intro when Mario comes out of his hut even when you start a new game and it goes to the intro again - same place exactly.

Tried changing pin 127 on the game cart itself to 5v instead of ground, however makes no difference as the SuperCIC is making it work anyway; hope I don't have a fault on the ROM itself! One thing I can try is to get my RetroDuo out - as I recall that worked this game, so will be interesting to see if it lets Mario RPG work fine, if it does, then it will be a failing of the SuperCIC for just that game (oh well!), if not, the game cart.

Before get the SNES board reduced more and then installed into Unity, i'm going to test the SNES board on my other televisions to check they are happy with the signal ok, no point not as that's what i'll be using the system on eventually!

Anyone know the issue with the Mario RPG game?

[bacteria]

YIPPEE - fixed it! That took me half an hour just to free the pin, which wasn't making contact on the board and was actually making contact to pin 2; gently lifting it without damaging the pin, and soldering to the board.

Just tested the Mario RPG game cart and at the point it crashed before, this time, the intro continued properly! I fixed it in other words!

The pins are so tiny it makes your eyes go funny looking at the points, needed a magnifying glass to help out; daren't have soldered the pin to it's point on the board as the risk of a short was high.

Will test my SNES board on the other household televisions tomorrow, to make sure they are happy with the 60Mhz signal.