Introducing, the Pixie Cube!

[Redmagnusx]

Hey guys,
I wanted to take the time to show off my latest portable Gamecube the Pixie Cube. It's design is inspired by Ashen's past designs with a little of my own flare added here and there. I had a great time building this one, as it was my first foray into vacuum forming and I am very happy with the results.











Features;

5.6" Dalian Good Screen
Component video chip VGA Modded for 480p video
Trimmed official Gamecube controller
Double tact modded L and R buttons
Full Range Analog Thumbsticks
Vacuum formed case with mold designed by me, but inspired by Ashen
7.4v Lithium Ion battery pack at 4000MAH
Wasp Fusion Modchip with 64GB SD card for storage
Built in 1000 Block Memory Card
Slot B SD Gecko
Zenloc's custom regulator. 1.8v, 3.3v and 5v
IBM Thinkpad Heat Sink
Measures 8" (W) x 4.5" (L) x 1.5" (D)

Thanks for looking! Feel free to leave any feedback for me below.

[emu_kidid]

Very nice, both of them. Love the angles on this one.

[Redmagnusx]

Thanks again LOL. I'm planning on making at least one more with this mold. I just need to acquire another d terminal cable first.

[andre104623]

Very nice,
I really need to get on the ball for my portable. At this rate when I'm done with mine people are going to be building Wii u portable's. I have most of the parts already screen, Mobo cut and working, controller, Wasp fusion, battery's. All I need is a Megadrive V6 hopefully they come back in stock if not then a FCC adapter will have to do.

I like how you used a d-terminal cable. I'm going to use a GCvideo and see how that works or when Mega is done with his version of the GCvideo maybe I'll go with that. He will most likely have audio output working also so maybe it's better just to wait to see what he has in store.

Still very nice portable do you have any pic's of the inside?

[Redmagnusx]

It's funny, I got so wrapped up in finishing this one up, that I forgot to take pictures of the inside. LOL. I'll take pictures of the inside if I ever open it up again.

Just curious, where did you get your GCvideo from? If I can get one pre-made mounted on a board, I'll probably use that instead. I made my own component board a couple times already, but I haven't had any luck getting them small enough to fit properly in a portable. That's basically why I used an official one in this portable.

I did make a Wii U Laptop already. LOL It seems like you're well on your way though. If you're feeling up to the task, you can always just solder directly to the FCC cable. I remember being intimidated by the task myself some time ago, but once you do it, you'll quickly realize that it really isn't all that difficult.

[andre104623]

You have to make the GCvideo yourself for now. I know mega has some really big things in the works for that thing and emu got audio streaming working on wasp/wiikey fusion and SD gecko so big things are around the corner for Gamecube

[Redmagnusx]

Yea, I've heard that those things are on the way too. I'm looking forward to all those things coming. It's gonna be a lot of fun to say the least.

I thought you managed to buy one pre-made somewhere. LOL If I had access to an etching machine, I could probably get the board smaller, but I've no such luck.

[andre104623]

Yea, I've heard that those things are on the way too. I'm looking forward to all those things coming. It's gonna be a lot of fun to say the least.

I thought you managed to buy one pre-made somewhere. LOL If I had access to an etching machine, I could probably get the board smaller, but I've no such luck.

The board is really not that big. I got 3 from the fab and built one just to see how it works but I fucked something up because when I turn it on there is static and lines on the image then it cuts in and out. I don't know whats wrong with it I'm just waiting for Mega to make some better/easy to install version

[Redmagnusx]

The one I've made is fairly large mostly because it was made from the original IC that I got from Mega. I made it for a friend to use with his cube. I'm looking into the GCvideo now. Color me a bit lazy, but I don't want to solder everything onto the board. It would be nice if I could just buy an existing board and then flash it myself. I'm looking at these boards right now http://www.knjn.com/ShopBoards_RS232_Parallel.html, but I'm not sure if I need to do anything other than just flashing them.

[megalomaniac]

Ha!!!
I never did sell those first video boards...maybe I'll remember when I get my new lab completed

[Redmagnusx]

Does that mean that they're available for purchase?

[DarklordKyo]

How much would it cost to commission this?, and how much would the price hike up to add a disc drive (assuming it's possible).

[badsector]

Why would you even consider a disc drive?

[Redmagnusx]

How much would it cost to commission this?, and how much would the price hike up to add a disc drive (assuming it's possible).

Adding an optical drive is possible, but it will make the unit much thicker as a result. As for doing a commission, it would have to be worth my time to be honest with you. For a unit exactly like this one, it cost about $400 in parts to make. Particularly due to the use of a component video cable ($200) in this build. Then you would have to factor in labor, which can take anywhere in the neighborhood of 48 hours to complete. At minimum wage rates ($7.50/hr), that would amount to $360 in labor. So for this unit exactly, you're looking at at least $800. If you add in an optical drive and the time it would take for me to adapt it to a portable, I would need at least $900. Then I would also need half the cost up front so as to purchase the parts necessary to build it.

I know these prices are steep, but that is the going rate for these customs. Prices vary depending on the parts used. For instance if a smaller screen is used and the batteries are excluded as well as omitting component video, the price in parts will drop and therefore the overall price will too.

As an alternative, I do have a smaller unit without internal batteries for sale at the moment. It doesn't have an optical drive, but it will be much more affordable for you at $500.

Here's a link to the thread.
http://forums.modretro.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=14087

[DarklordKyo]

Adding an optical drive is possible, but it will make the unit much thicker as a result. As for doing a commission, it would have to be worth my time to be honest with you. For a unit exactly like this one, it cost about $400 in parts to make. Particularly due to the use of a component video cable ($200) in this build. Then you would have to factor in labor, which can take anywhere in the neighborhood of 48 hours to complete. At minimum wage rates ($7.50/hr), that would amount to $360 in labor. So for this unit exactly, you're looking at at least $800. If you add in an optical drive and the time it would take for me to adapt it to a portable, I would need at least $900. Then I would also need half the cost up front so as to purchase the parts necessary to build it.

I know these prices are steep, but that is the going rate for these customs. Prices vary depending on the parts used. For instance if a smaller screen is used and the batteries are excluded as well as omitting component video, the price in parts will drop and therefore the overall price will too.

As an alternative, I do have a smaller unit without internal batteries for sale at the moment. It doesn't have an optical drive, but it will be much more affordable for you at $500.

Here's a link to the thread.
http://forums.modretro.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=14087

Ehh, considering you normally expect late N64-level to early PS2 tech specs for portables nowadays (and also putting into account that most systems are sold at a loss & made up for in game sales), the price is rather understandable. That said though, I think I'll pass on it for now, sorry. Either way, keep up with the badass-tier work.

[Redmagnusx]

Adding an optical drive is possible, but it will make the unit much thicker as a result. As for doing a commission, it would have to be worth my time to be honest with you. For a unit exactly like this one, it cost about $400 in parts to make. Particularly due to the use of a component video cable ($200) in this build. Then you would have to factor in labor, which can take anywhere in the neighborhood of 48 hours to complete. At minimum wage rates ($7.50/hr), that would amount to $360 in labor. So for this unit exactly, you're looking at at least $800. If you add in an optical drive and the time it would take for me to adapt it to a portable, I would need at least $900. Then I would also need half the cost up front so as to purchase the parts necessary to build it.

I know these prices are steep, but that is the going rate for these customs. Prices vary depending on the parts used. For instance if a smaller screen is used and the batteries are excluded as well as omitting component video, the price in parts will drop and therefore the overall price will too.

As an alternative, I do have a smaller unit without internal batteries for sale at the moment. It doesn't have an optical drive, but it will be much more affordable for you at $500.

Here's a link to the thread.
http://forums.modretro.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=14087

Ehh, considering you normally expect late N64-level to early PS2 tech specs for portables nowadays (and also putting into account that most systems are sold at a loss & made up for in game sales), the price is rather understandable. That said though, I think I'll pass on it for now, sorry. Either way, keep up with the badass-tier work.

It's cool man, I understand. I just wanted to be straight forward with you. Thanks for the compliments.