It's about time...

Post by **SpongeBuell** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 1:27 pm

after all of these months (heck, it's really been about a year since I started) I'm finally getting back to work on my 2600 SP+. I've decided to start from scratch, since I've screwed up just about everything on this case, from a piece that chipped off when cutting the cart slot, to the laser engraver not being centered, to me screwing up most of the holes, etc. Hopefully I'll be able to get a new box like what I used before, since that was perfect. I looked at the store, and they didn't have any. Hopefully the location I got the first one from will have it. Anyways, the blueprint can be seen on the concepts page, and updates will hopefully come sooner or later.

Post by **SpongeBuell** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 5:11 pm

I have video

I remember the picture being a little clearer, though. This is from my video capture card, and it looks kind of wavy when seen in person. Does anyone have any ideas?

Post by **Sparkfist** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 5:21 pm

Well if its wavy just use the pots that you soldered on to ajust the picture, thats the most likely answer.

Post by **SpongeBuell** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 5:26 pm

Those post are meant for brightness and conrast, though. I kind of wonder if the frequency is a bit off for my video capture card, though.

Post by **Sparkfist** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 5:37 pm

Is the card an external that uses something like USB or an internal that connected through PCI? I know you shouldnt have problems with internal ones, I have use them.

Post by **SpongeBuell** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 6:50 pm

it's a cheap ATI TV wonder VE (PCI) but what I'm saying is that because Ben's mod is "homemade," there might be a slight variation in the frequency or something, that the video card cannot handle well. I suppose I could always try it on a normal TV, though

Post by **Sparkfist** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 7:01 pm

A cheap ATI card been there. Yes see how it is on a tv, unless you have a desent to top line video capture card you wont get anything out of it but crap.
Tell us how it looks.

Post by **SpongeBuell** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 7:25 pm

I put it on a normal Toshiba TV (several years old, but my favorite tv in the house

) and the waviness is gone, and the lines are still there, but they are less noticable. As for the card, I got it MIB (never used according to the guy) for $10, normally $30. I also got an OEM 120GB Seagate hard drive or $40, as well as an old tablet PC for $20 (though that one was a few years ago) it's funny, I go there every year and the lady that usually runs it recognized me when she was serving lunch at school

Post by **SpongeBuell** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 8:01 pm

Looks like I'll need to redo my design. I couldn't find my old case anywhere except for at one place online, and they charged $14 +S&H. the nice thing is that I now have a lot more room 7.25x7.25x3 instead of 6x4x2ish) and the case cost only $2 after a coupon and $2 more for a few supports (the top and bottom panel is a little thin)

mindstein · Post by **mindstein** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 3:37 am

Hi,
I like using plastic to make my cases. I am making my VCSp out of a scrap piece of black ABS that I stack and cut out with a scroll saw.

A temporary photo log of construction is located below.
This is my vagabond inspired VSCp
http://24.5.48.50/atariPortableSite/index.html
Please forgive the crappy site. The site is generated with an automatic photoshop template I will make a better site with a story and descriptions when the portable is done.

I thought I would let you know about this place I found

I got 2 free enclosures from this company. All you have to do is fill out the form (and I have recieved no contact or spam since they sent them ), and they will send 2 samples to you.
http://www.pactecenclosures.com/
I got this one in black http://www.pactecenclosures.com/Plastic ... s/XPL.html
and this one in black also http://www.pactecenclosures.com/Plastic ... esign.html
I am going to try a NOAC nes in one of these cases when I am done with my hand built VCSp.
These cases are to small for a VCSp but thay have larger ones and it looks like they add cases often. The cases I got are great and free. Because they were free I just have to make something with them.

diggerdanh · Post by **diggerdanh** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 4:45 am

WOW. Thanks for all the pictures. I was a little bit fuzzy on some of the details about building a case. That is a rock-solid tuturial, with or without words.

Also, thanks for the tip on the enclosures. I may have to check a couple of those out.

diggerdanh · Post by **diggerdanh** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 4:56 am

I went ahead and signed up for 2 samples as well. They look very promising. I can't wait to get them.

Did you see the prices? Even at small quantities you're talking about $5 max for an enclosure. Because of the multitude of sizes it seems like you could find the perfect size to fit any handheld project.

Geebs61 · Post by **Geebs61** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 5:12 am

As did I, I went with the same items as you too. Because the others dont seem too practical. Well you could make a custom controller using the PPL...

Post by **gannon** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 8:50 pm

I just ordered samples of a ppl and a xpl I think.
I'm thinking the ppl might work good with my .nsf player.

Also, while we're on the subject of free sample parts, http://microchip.com has some great sample ICs available.

Post by **SpongeBuell** » Sat Sep 18, 2004 11:20 pm

since I have a bigger case, and I hate how I had the fire button before (it was an atari joystick cut up, and the hole was a little too big so the button had to be positioned just right) I decided to do what nobody has done in a portable before: (as far as I know) I'm going to use an arcade button for the fire button. I figure that it has a nice feel, looks nice, and will be pretty easy to mount. My only problem is finding one that is not too deep, but still is wide enough to be a decent button. Does anyone know of a place that has one? if it can be 2 inches or less into the case, that would be good. If it's a little more (like 2.5) I'm sure I could fit it in.