Ultimate VMU

Link89 · Post by **Link89** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 6:19 pm

I want to make the ultimate vmu. It's already like a tiny mini computer. My plan is to replace the screen with this one (After some hardware hacking)

http://www.nhjapan.com/english/prod/vtv101/index.html

Then I'll put in a lithium polymer battery and an sd memory card slot. Then I'll develop a whole new os with several things for it. I'm also hoping to add some more buttons for emulating other game systems. Now keep in mind that it will be a lot bigger then the orignal, but it will be pretty small still. The programs won't be finished for some time until I can program easily. So what do you guys think.

Post by **Sparkfist** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 6:38 pm

Very ambishious.

You also forgot to inclue mp3 player. If you can build the hardware, that alone will impress me (probibly more).

Link89 · Post by **Link89** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 7:40 pm

I fgured I could make that in the software part. How much memory does the VMU built in. The software will be probably be easiest.

Post by **Sparkfist** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 7:54 pm

I only know it has 200 blocks for game saves. I figure thats a lot.

Edit 1 - Found this scroll down to the VMU for its specs.

http://www.gamedude.com/dreamcastspecs.html

az_bont · Post by **az_bont** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 8:56 am

The VMU has 128kb of memory. However, only 100kb of that is directly available for storage, so 1kb = 2 blocks.

There are tools that can extend the available space - not to full capacity, but to around 240 blocks. Your card will likely be less reliable after doing this, though.

cennar · Post by **cennar** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 7:12 pm

yeah and i realy dont see how your doing a screen change

omegabullit · Post by **omegabullit** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 8:18 pm

really, idt you could use anything from an old VMU except the fact that it accepts dreamcast saves. everything will have to be compeltly rebuilt

Link89 · Post by **Link89** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 9:26 pm

I was thinking about that today. Because if I did get that screen working the dreamcast wouldn't be able to use it as a vmu anymore. So it will become a little pda knock off I guess. I thought it might be fun to try though.

omegabullit · Post by **omegabullit** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 9:55 pm

well, you could get it to take wat the DC sends to it, and emulate it in a little window. but writing your own emulator for a DC VMU that works on ur homebrew OS on ur homebrew comp is not exactly as easy as makin a PBJ with no arms.

omegabullit · Post by **omegabullit** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 8:21 am

I got to thinking about this, so I ripped a VMU apart (one of four, so Im still good). Word to the wise, be prepared to ruin a VMU if your gonna get to the main chip on the unit. Its underneath the screen, and the screen is set on the board in a way Ive never seen before. It jus sticks on, but he sticky things pick up all the contacts and transmit the data to the screen. So after ripping it off, I tried to open-heart one of the sticky things, but it look like its all rubber. So, now Im gonna look online and try and find some VMU mods. By any chance does anyone know wat storage type the VMU uses (is it within the main chip, or is it flash or sumthing) Thanks.

Post by **gannon** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 11:04 am

yeah, many lcds on multimeters are setup that way. They snap onto the board with a conductive piece of rubber under them. I guess it would be faster to make than soldering a screen on.

Link89 · Post by **Link89** » Fri Aug 20, 2004 3:33 pm

I think it has a chip on there to store the files. The only vmu mod I've found is to get it runing on double AAs which may come it handy.
Here's the site for it

http://www.rockin-b.de/vm/VM-MoPoMOD.htm

Here's one for programming it.

http://www.deco.franken.de/myfiles/myfiles.html

Does anyone know if they made a development kit for it and if it's possible to get one?

guest buddy · Post by **guest buddy** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 8:25 pm

maybe even a cell phone screen

Unidentified Assilant · Fri Mar 25, 2005 4:03 am

What was the point of even reopening this thread, surely Link89 has lost instrest or got somewhere on this mod if the last post was August 2004