Plug and play drive replacement adapter Idea

[emu_kidid]

I have had this idea for a while but I haven't really tried it as I do not have the capability of making my own PCB's at home.

Basically, the idea is to have 3 pcb's, two that slot into the GC DVD Connector on the mainboard which basically pass through the connections to pin headers which are fed to a top PCB which does the actual pin mapping to a FFC connector.

I've drawn up a crude example so people can understand what I'm talking about.. I'd be keen to have some of these made (maybe if someone knows people who can get it done) as it'd be a very cheap solution to our wiring messes

[megalomaniac]

I already started the design process to make a PCB for this purpose.
I'm getting close to begin production on the component cables. Now that I have purchased a wiikey (awaiting delivery).. I can test a prototype adapter and maybe produce those at the same time.

[emu_kidid]

nice! so is it possible?

[megalomaniac]

Yea it's possible...
It's basically the same idea I'm currently working on to make a direct plugin digital port connector...just a little different from your description, but the same final outcome.


Edit...just re-read your description...um nevermind, it's the same idea
So, yea!!

[liquitt]

looking forward to this guys!
this has been a topic on irc sooo often

[sumas]

Im also looking for a simply way to wire to the wire.

Im looking for the Connector on Wode Display Connector
In Pic the Red one not the blue.



The gap between the pins are bigger.
Someone know where to get these one?

best regards

[megalomaniac]

The connector in red is vertical mount type.
The spacing is different because there are pins on both sides on the connector..
Half the pins per side = larger gap between pins

[sumas]

and do you know where to get it?
Only find horizontal. And horizontal is to small for my soldering tip

[megalomaniac]

I saw some at digikey
I can't search at the moment since im on iPhone till end of this week, but vertical mount FFC connector is what your looking for.

Note: Some are 1 sided some are 2 sided.

[megalomaniac]

as soon as i finish my current project, ill make a few of these

here is the initial design...
the board will have pin connectors to mate with the mobo drive port...
it should be a complete drop in design with no additional effort other than pluggin in the FPC cable to the WKF...
for wode there is 3.3v and 5v solder points...
also has the pin 29 + ground points..


currently i dont foresee any problems in the circuit design...the tricky part will be the pin alignment to the dvd port...
...should not be toooooo difficult...maybe just a bit of creativity...

overall measurements are currently 37mm x 29mm...just a bit bigger than an SD card

[megalomaniac]

bump...poll added
please voice your opinion....

[megalomaniac]

bump

just wondering if anyone is still interested in some sort of adapter....
not a drop in replacement because there is no source for the original DVD plug....
this would require scrapping a lot of GC drives to make plugin adapters....
and personally, i dont think GC's should be scrapped...but rather restored....



so would anyone be interested in some kind of soldered on adapter???

[Benni]

I think these adapters are good for "modding" like soldering a WODE or maybe a WKF or something like that.

So i want to install a WODE to my GC. i think THESE Adapter is what i need.

BUT, i plan to re-design my Cube, so i want to install the "real" WODE outside of the GC, so i need a longer cable or a "amp" for the signal (to make the signal stronger - i hope you understand what i mean)

When these adapter is designed for what i´m looking for you can make one or two for me, and ship them with the component cable!

[liquitt]

bump

just wondering if anyone is still interested in some sort of adapter....
not a drop in replacement because there is no source for the original DVD plug....
this would require scrapping a lot of GC drives to make plugin adapters....
and personally, i dont think GC's should be scrapped...but rather restored....



so would anyone be interested in some kind of soldered on adapter???

always! count me in!

[zhou9562]

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=12280628220
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a23 ... ajvuusf6d0

[megalomaniac]

i have several projects fully developed and ready for full production...
i just need figure costs into this and the biggest factor of cost will be the quantity...



production will begin within the next week and once all the parts orders are placed, there is no chance to order more at discounted cost...
im hoping to keep the cost as low as possible ( maybe $15 -$20 ??? per board )...but this will depend on quantity...connectors and cables are expensive unless purchased in bulk...


- This is a complete DVD port replacement.
- The port replacement board will have an FFC connector for direct interface to a drive replacement chip (wkf/wode)


- i have also created a GC DVD insert adaptor board.
- This will directly insert into the original DVD drive and allow FFC cable connectivity from the drive replacement chip to the GC DVD drive to restore original drive functionality (passthru mode).


Also, the DVD insert adaptor board and the DVD port replacement can be connected directly (if for some reason in the future you want to remove the drive replacement chip)


with production starting next week (maybe week after at the latest), this is now a sign up thread...who is interested?
(hint hint) Portablizers, eliminate some of your wireporn !!
(hint hint) Audio streaming regained with DVD drive !!
(hint hint) Direct connect Wii drive to GC !!
(hint hint) There will not be another production run, get it now !!

[liquitt]

I'll take 3 ... you bloody bastard!

also made this thread a sticky. don't you think we could gather more attention if we made a new thread + news posting?

[emu_kidid]

as you know I'm eagerly in for a few of these

also, damn that is one rusty drive!

[pr0ton]

Interested in one! Although I don't fully understand where the board is placed and what actions are needed. Does the original DVD-connector on the board have to be desoldered?

[infact]

gimme gimme gimme! definitely interested.

[patryc]

So what what are the benifits of this drive replacement adapter; what would it enable me to do? Sorry if my question is a bit nobbish.

[Benni]

1.NICE

2. I plan to build a GC with WODE.

3. BUT: I want to use DVD,too.
so i need a connector to fin between DVD and Wode...

[yamaharacer]

would also take three.

[megalomaniac]

in order to understand the benefits of the DVD Port Replacement board, here is a brief overview of the different options available to connect a WKF/WODE to GC...





option 1:
FFC to DIP adapter board

buy the board ~12$ shipped
buy the connector ~ 2$ + soldering fee or do it yourself.
then solder wireporn from the adapter to the GC






option 2:
DIY FFC cable mod

buy a FFC cable ~5$ (or buy more cables just in case the first doesnt work)
cut and mod an FFC cable
then solder wireporn to your GC






option 3:
Ashen style plug and play adapter
this is similar to the DIY FFC cable mod but also requires the DVD drive connector from dead drive or destroy your working drive to remove the connector .
FFC cable ~ 5$
DVD Drive connector ~ ?$
perform an FFC cable mod and solder wireporn to the DVD drive connector.





DVD Port Replacement
replacement board ~ maybe 15$ - 20$ price still unknown
remove the original DVD port and solder in Port Replacement.

remove the DVD port



solder in replacement board




i would think the most obvious benefit after reviewing the photos is the lack of wireporn for a WFK/WODE mod.......but lack of wireporn is not the greatest benefit this board offers. It also has onboard 3.3v regulator for main power to the WFK/Wode. The ability to use native FFC cable connection also allows a Wii DVD drive to be directly connected to the GC mainboard (for anyone who wants to mod their GC to front loading.) The board will have pins to allow it to be easily dropped into the mainboard and soldered...

I have owned a WKF for almost 1 year and have never attempted to connect it to my GC due to the simple fact that i did not want to deal with wireporn. I always wanted to have a permanent "solid" connection solution and this is about as permanent as it can get. I hope these photos help clear up confusion and answer the purpose of this board.

[megalomaniac]

DVD Drive Insert
For anyone who already has a WKF/Wode, im sure you have at one point wanted to have your drive connected once again at times when you were to lazy to get up and add new files to your SD or USB drive....or if you wanted to make a new dump and not feel like opening up your GC to remove your "plug and play" adapter and connect your DVD drive....or if you have already totally removed you original DVD port and now have no way to physically connect your DVD drive....or you cant enjoy your titles with audiostreaming due to WKF/WODE limitations....or just because you wish you could have your drive connected once again for whatever reason....



The DVD Drive Insert will allow direct FFC cable connection from the WKF/WODE to the GC DVD Drive.








once the DVD Port Replacement has been installed doesnt mean you will forever lose your ability to use your GC DVD drive if you ever want to remove your WKF/WODE in the future...the DVD Drive Insert is fully compatible with the DVD Port Replacement (...just in case for whatever reason...)