Plug and play drive replacement adapter Idea

[keropi]

^ moar spoilers please!!!!

[megalomaniac]

^ moar spoilers please!!!!

ok....
i was disappointed with the amount of rework having to be performed from failed MEGAdrive installs...
while the original design had a very simplistic approach for installation, it was a bit tricky to solder for the unexperienced / unrefined...
ive taken into consideration along with feedback from emu_kidid for a design which will be a lot easier even for the unexperienced...
this new method will be 100x easier to install..... and more "beginner" friendly...

[siphoned]

@mega... are you in need of unused drives to harvest connectors from? Thought I would offer.... in case you were taking parts from semi-dead cubes to make your new adapter.

[megalomaniac]

dead? semi-dead?
what??

im sure everything will make sense once i get a beta board built up to show the new changes and improvements...

[megalomaniac]

i wonder if i can get an early christmas present

[badsector]

I wonder about that, too

[megalomaniac]

update:
ive sent off the design for a small batch beta build...
should be a few weeks to get the boards back then i can begin testing and post further info about the new design...


-----------------------------------------------------------

in the meantime, ive decided to revisit the idea proposed by emu_kidid that started this thread about making a true plug and play design...ive done some research to consider the possibility and taken measurements to determine how to make it work and i really think i can complete the design to have a fully functional DVD drive also...keep in mind, the V1 design required the dvd plug on the mainboard to be removed to eliminate data conflict from having both the modchip and drive connected at the same time. This allowed the WKF/WODE to control dataflow from the SD card or the DVD drive.

A true plug n play design would eliminate most of the end users (you) heavy modification requirements and make installation really simple...but would still require some method to connect the dvd drive...Sure there are other ways to make it work if you want to cut traces, install switches, solder, etc etc, but the goal is to make something so simple my 7yr old could install it...



...so my goal is to design a complete system plug n play modification for both modchip and dvd drive

this is where the GC community can help out with feedback
please see the two boxes below determine how to respond:

Code: Select all

anyone who purchased the MEGAdrive (v1):
did you install the drive insert ??
did you purchase V1 because you wanted a functional DVD drive to supplement your WKF/WODE ??
did you purchase v1 only because you wanted an "easier" way to connect a WKF/WODE without a DVD drive??

Code: Select all

...and for those who have not purchased yet:
are you wanting a functional DVD drive ??
are you only wanting an "easier" method to connect a WKF/WODE ??

[patryc]

For me I only want an "easier" method to connect a WKF/WODE
Not so bothered about a functional DVD drive

[deckard]

The main draw for me to the megadrive was to be able to still have a functional DVD drive for audio streaming titles like Eternal Darkness, but also to be able to play my retail games through it when compatibility wasn't spot on with Swiss/WKF.

[TerryG]

It wouldn't be a deal breaker either way but I would like to keep the drive functional.

[emu_kidid]

I like it because for the average user it still mostly retains stock functionality/appearance on the outside. Particularly if you hit the SD slot where the unused Serial Port lives.

[siphoned]

Drive insert? YES
Functional DVD drive to supplement your WKF? YES
Sometimes I just gotta spin that disc.

[pr0ton]

Code: Select all

anyone who purchased the MEGAdrive (v1):
1. did you install the drive insert ??
2. did you purchase V1 because you wanted a functional DVD drive to supplement your WKF/WODE ??
3. did you purchase v1 only because you wanted an "easier" way to connect a WKF/WODE without a DVD drive??

1. Not yet, soon..
2. YES
3. No, with MEGAdrive it is pretty easy now.

[Lupin3rd]

Drive insert? YES
Functional DVD drive to supplement your WKF? YES

[badsector]

1. Not yet, but I will
2. Yes!
3. Not only because of that, but it was a reason.

[MockyLock]

I'm a bit late but let's answer !

did you install the drive insert ??
-Not yet, still in Texas
did you purchase V1 because you wanted a functional DVD drive to supplement your WKF/WODE ??
-yes
did you purchase v1 only because you wanted an "easier" way to connect a WKF/WODE without a DVD drive??
-No

[Puppetmaster]

did you install the drive insert ??

-Yes

did you purchase V1 because you wanted a functional DVD drive to supplement your WKF/WODE ??

-Yes i want to preserve my Cube as original as possible.

did you purchase v1 only because you wanted an "easier" way to connect a WKF/WODE without a DVD drive??

-To be honest i am not shure if i would ever try to solderder a FFC to my Cube. So the MegaDrive was perfect for me.
The MegaDrive Solution is not completely easy to install but can imho be done by an average technically skilled Person.
But an easier (perhaps completely solderless) method is always welcome.
I think every easier method will attract more people and make the GC Community grow.

[megalomaniac]

thanks for all the feedback thus far...

...and to keep everyone updated, the next gen MEGAdrive test boards arrived...
ill get em ready for testing and post some more info soon...

[dilav]

anyone who purchased the MEGAdrive (v1):
did you install the drive insert ??
-Yes

did you purchase V1 because you wanted a functional DVD drive to supplement your WKF/WODE ??
-Yes, I wanted the system to look/function stock-ish.

did you purchase v1 only because you wanted an "easier" way to connect a WKF/WODE without a DVD drive??
-No, I wanted a clean install.

[megalomaniac]

MEGAdrive V2
plug n play solution


MEGAdrive V2 is the original V1 plus an adapter board with a DVD connector to alow plug n play* functionality for WKF/WASP/Wode.
This design is intended only for anyone who wants to use a drive replacement modchip and has no intent to connect a DVD drive at the same time..
one more time: no intent to connect a DVD drive at the same time....it is physically impossible due to the lack of space to fit a DVD drive...
however, MEGAdrive V2 can simple be removed and the DVD drive inserted back to it normal position when the user wishes to play a title via DVD..




Going back to page 1 of this thread i stated i had no intention to scrap GC dvd drives only to create a board with the DVD plug to make this nice and easy solution. I still hold this same opinion.
While the DVD drives will be "sacrificed" to remove the plug to support the V2 design, no drives will be scrapped since an "unreleased" version of MEGAdrive will feature these plugless drives with a whole new concept design for connectivity to the drive replacement modchip...
this "unreleased" version will be targeted for those who wish to have both a DVD drive and a drive replacement modchip at the same time...


more to come..
for now enjoy the photos and video...







* Soldering may be required for lidswitch and pin29 switch

[Benni]

UUHH!
NICE!
Price?

[keropi]

amazing once again!!! kudos

[hailrazer]

Beautiful. Nice job !!

[Ashen]

Holy Sheetballs thats sexy. Where did you find a source of drive connectors at? or are you salvaging them? I've got around 10-15 here if you want them.

[Lollipop]

That's an awesome little device you have there. Nice work mega