Do we have room for another N64P? (t64 WIP)

[kibble]

if you were able to integrate a DAC for the pocket-pc screen, it would eliminate an extra circuit board from the system, making it more like a commercially built handheld device

Those were my thoughts exactly but, it would just be more that I'd have to learn in the process. I came up with a general diagram while on my lunch at work today about the circuitry required to get those 18bits.

Well, here's a thought, maybe after I get the n64 board done and working properly I'll look into getting the PPC LCD to work. I would love to use that screen actually, the colors are nice and bright and crisp, plus it's a transflective screen so you can see it in the daylight.

[palmertech]

Personally, I think it would be better if you were able to get it to interface with an LCD that people can actually find.

Do you have a place to get the LCD you are using? It would be pretty darn awesome if you could get it working with a commercially available, cheap LCD, like the DSi LCD.

[dragonhead]

Personally, I think it would be better if you were able to get it to interface with an LCD that people can actually find.

Do you have a place to get the LCD you are using? It would be pretty darn awesome if you could get it working with a commercially available, cheap LCD, like the DSi LCD.

actually a DSi screen might not be a bad idea. glossy, led lit, transflective, 3.25" size, and readily available.

http://www.modsupplier.com/catalog/nint ... p-315.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

cheap too

[palmertech]

Wow, they are transflective? I wish I had tested that before breaking mine and sendind it to Nintendo.

Seriously, though, you can get a double pack of TWO DSi screens for $29 shipped, it would be a fantastic LCD to use.

[dragonhead]

Wow, they are transflective? I wish I had tested that before breaking mine and sendind it to Nintendo.

Seriously, though, you can get a double pack of TWO DSi screens for $29 shipped, it would be a fantastic LCD to use.

i think theyre transflective. not sure. i know the GBA SP was.

[palmertech]

GBA SP rev 1 was, rev 2 was not, DS Phat was, DS Lite was not... Not sure on the DSi, will check on my buddy's DSi.

[Skyone]

Pins 2-8 on VDC-NUS are data lines which pulse RGB information as follows:

1st range of data: sync/video data
2nd: red data
3rd: green data
4th: blue data

If you buy a CPLD and program it to parse these bits into a parallel fashion, you can easily interface up to a screen such as this one. One thing that you have to take into consideration is the display resolution (ranging from 256x224 up to 640x480). The CPLD would have to upscale/downscale depending on the current output resolution. I assume that the resolution along with some other data could be found in that first data series I mentioned. I haven't gotten around to test much with my oscilloscope, but I'll keep you updated when I do.

Pros:

• Low current draw
• Perfectly clear image
• Small size, only a couple ICs
• Bragging rights

Cons:

• Lots of work

[kibble]

Do you have a place to get the LCD you are using? It would be pretty darn awesome if you could get it working with a commercially available, cheap LCD, like the DSi LCD.

No, I just have them cuz I broke my phones.

I see that the DSi screens are easy to get, just would have to find a datasheet or pinout for them.

If you buy a CPLD and program it to parse these bits into a parallel fashion, you can easily interface up to a screen such as this one.

This whole endeavor is becoming one CPLD (Complex Project Learning of Displays)

I like that lcd you linked to, I was looking through the datasheet and it seems like it would be really simple to use. Nice and thin too at only 3mm.

Well, I guess I'm throwing out the whole using a PSone screen, I think you guys convinced me to use something smaller/thinner. It'll take some learning of new things that I don't yet know about but, it'll be worth it. Plus I've always wanted to get into learning how to use LCD's, what better time than now, right?

[marshallh]

the DS screen would be a poor choice because not only is the aspect ratio wrong, the resolution is a lot lower.

Best bet is using a screen with the exact resolution of 320x240. Technically, the DAC does support modes lower than that, but they were almost never used. You can fake 640x480 by skipping every other pixel on every other line.

For the screen skyler linked to: it has a built-in framebuffer which is a big help, however the screen init procedure and stuff like brightness/contrast is adjusted over SPI.

[kibble]

For the screen skyler linked to: it has a built-in framebuffer which is a big help, however the screen init procedure and stuff like brightness/contrast is adjusted over SPI.

I figured a small uC can be used for those functions. Another cool thing would be if it could have an OSD to show the battery status at the push of a button or a menu giving you different options for all that stuff. It would be even cooler if all the menu functions could be accessed using all the same buttons that the n64 uses... too many ideas getting thrown around in here.

[Skyone]

... too many ideas getting thrown around in here.

Haha, that's true. But, the more ambitious the project, the more impressive it is.

[kibble]

the more ambitious the project, the more impressive it is.

"Impressive" from quake comes to mind.

Well, figured you guy's would like an update on the board, FINALLY finished all the connections between the CPU and RCP. I've checked them as I went along but, I'm gonna give them a really good look over once more and verify against the official board. I was able to fit in plenty of grounds between signal traces so it should be ok. I was able to squeeze things in just a bit more so I managed to shave off a few mm from the horizontal length of the board. here 'tis:

[kibble]

This is amazing! It's very obvious you've put tons of work into this already. I really want to see this completed.

Just one aesthetic note, though. The T64 vias are hidden under the chips! Move the T to the other side and flip the 64, like this:

So that when you flip the board over and look at the bottom, T64 is the right way around!

I don't know how I missed this post but, you make a valid point! I was originally intending to see it from the top, but I guess I completely forgot that the T and 64 were going to eventually be covered by the chips.

[dragonhead]

great looking design. bit it looks like you may be able to squeeze a little more size out of it. if you rotate the 6 pin header at the bottom 90° (E$35 i believe) you may be able to shorten the board's width some more. i think theres a program that allows you to feed in a schematic and it calculates the smallest and most compact layout it can achieve with that schematic. not sure though

i also think i know how you can squeeze a little more out of the height of the board... id like to discuss it with you if you want.

EDIT: you mind if i snag the eagle file from you? i could play around with it to try to make the layout more efficient/smaller if you want. i also thought, for the LCD, could you tap into the digital RGB signals being fed into the AVDC-NUS? just curious...

[Skyone]

i also thought, for the LCD, could you tap into the digital RGB signals being fed into the AVDC-NUS? just curious...

That's what I mentioned up a few posts. Definitely the most efficient way to do video.

@kibble: Looking nice! I'm wondering how long it's going to take you to route/desolder/solder all of the decoupling capacitors on the underside of the PCB though .