02-03-10 :: Atari Flashback Portable Progress
Finally got that blasted 3.5" screen in. From now on I am sticking with AEIcomp. Sure its more expensive but the screen quality is better and shipping only takes a couple days. Anyways on to the case!
Man that 3.5" screen looks TO big now haha.
The second player port. Took awhile to file that slot out but it looks nice. Needs a bit more sanding before I finish the case out.
That is the headphone jack. Right next to it will be a knob for volume and the B/W switch. I am going to try to finish up the case tomorrow. Just need to cut a couple more holes and then polish the aluminum up and lacquer the wood. There is some internal stuff to build so I will try to get that done tomorrow to.
This is just like the speed build except installing it into a Atari 2600 4-Switch.
-Longhorn Out!
01-29-10 :: Atari 2600 A/V Mod Speed Build Video
A speed up video of me building a Atari 2600 Video Mod. A little blurry but it gets the job done. Need a better camera for close ups I think.
Music: Johnny and the Knuckleheads - Cadillac
The band, Johnny and the Knuckleheads was my Great Uncles back in the early 1980's. Have most of there stuff on LP.
-Longhorn Out!
01-28-10 :: Project Unity Update
Done with the electronics for the Flashback Portable. 3.5" LCD finally came state side. Next step I have to do is to stick the guts into the case. This weekend? should have it almost done.
-Longhorn Out!
01-25-10 :: Project Unity Update
-Longhorn Out!
01-21-10 :: Project Unity launched
I hope I got the connections right. This is the first time I have designed something this large. Videos mods are easy to separate the Digital and Analog components (resistor ladder separates them well). I should have added more ground planes on this but its a prototype so its mainly for testing purposes. The only thing I am worried about is the power converter (switching regulator type Ti PTN4050) might be a bit to close to the clock signal for the Atari but its buffered by a couple 100uF caps so it should be ok.
The board measures 4.65" x 3.45". Has built in power converters (to up a 3.7V Lithium Cell to 5V), audio amp, video mod, and controls for the left player. Stereo jack, right and left difficulty switches, black and white switch (some games use this as a control). Only thing it misses is the Right control port as Serial ports are dam huge.
Still waiting on the LCD for the Flashback portable...
-Longhorn Out!
01-13-10 :: New Year Prospects
Well I am back from vacation! Hope everyone had a good New Years and not a to terrible hangover the next day. Well the 7800 mods are rolling out now. If you want to order one place an order on this site with paypal just like the 2600 mods.
The PAL 2600 mods seem to have hit a slight road bump. I got word that the prototype is not performing to hot but I am waiting to see if it is a TV issue or the mod needs tweaking.
The LCD screen for the flashback portable got delayed and returned via customs. Seller reshipped it so maybe by the end of January I will see it?
Project Unity just launched. Ordered the prototype PCB. I also have some NES crap in the tubes.
-Longhorn Out!
12-29-09 :: Future?!?
-Longhorn Out!
12-29-09 :: No screen...still
Screen still has not shown up yet. 7800 PCBs should be here soon...well tomorrow according to the tracking info. The new revision of the 2600 and 7800 PCBs have an error on the silk screen that will be corrected in the guides of the Atari video mods. People ordering an assembled mod will not have to worry. I changed the schematic but forgot to change the silkscreen on the PCBs.
I received my Harmony Cart from "batari" on AtariAge. It is a Atari 2600 multicart that uses an SD card. So far it plays every .bin I have thrown at it. This makes me want to bring back my programming for the 2600. Probably start off simple and work my way up.
-Longhorn Out!
12-22-09 :: No screen and Christmas
Well screen didn't show up so I am heading home to the folks. If I do not respond to your email right away don't be alarmed as I will be back on Monday.
-Longhorn Out!
12-19-09 :: Atari 7800 A/V mod Preorders
Yes thats right, ahead of schedule for once! I am opening up Preorders for the 7800 mod. It will work just like last time. I will take roughly 15 Assembled and 15 Unassembled orders. After I get all these orders I will put in a order for the PCBs and parts. Once I get them I will ship them out to everyone that ordered. I set up my video mod page here to do the 7800 mods. If it says its sold out then well the 15 of that item is sold out. This is for NTSC 7800's only.
Prices are as follows for the 7800 mod. Assembled - $45 Unassembled - $30 PCBs - $4 Schematic - FREE!
Preorders take awhile to get out as I have to wait almost 3 weeks to get the PCBs in so please take that into consideration before you order. Use the link above to order them.
-Longhorn Out!
12-18-09 :: Atari Flashback Portable Update and 7800
Exams are done woohoo. Well the screen still hasn't shown up yet so the Flashback portable has not been worked on. I did get the 7800 A/V mod PCB designed. Look for orders to go up after the New Year. I am probably going to work on the Woodie DS today after cleaning up the house a bit.
-Longhorn Out!
12-12-09 :: Atari Flashback Portable WIP
This is a work in progress for my Flashback portable I have been working on. Part two. It is 100% working on the electrical side. Case construction will be finished when I get the new 3.5" screen and redo the screen hole. A couple switches need to be mounted and the like but its close to being done.
-Longhorn Out!
12-10-09 :: Atari 2600 PAL Video Mod Update
PAL is working now or atleast I think it is. The mod is being shipped over seas to an AtariAge member for futher testing. Maybe in a months time we can have some PAL 2600 preorders? Oh and 7800 is working just fine now.
-Longhorn Out!
12-09-09 :: Atari 7800 Video Mod Update
Worked on the 7800 video mod today. I was able to remove all the vertical lines that where an issue but the bleeding is still an issue. After removing the OR-chip to "speed" up the Luma signal the Chroma still looks like its in front it. More testing is needed.
-Longhorn Out!
12-08-09 :: Atari Flashback Portable Progress and Video Mod Update
Ran out of PCBs for the Video mods today. If you have not received shipping notice then your mod can not be filled till I get new boards. Estimated time for boards getting in is 10-14 days from 12/7. Ordered them yesterday.
Going to buy a 3.5" screen for the portable as the 2.5" screen is tiny.
-Longhorn Out!
12-07-09 :: Atari Flashback Portable Case Construction
So I am waiting on the parts for the electronics I will work on the case a bit.
-Longhorn Out!
12-06-09 :: Atari Flashback Portable WIP
This is a work in progress for my Flashback portable I have been working on.
-Longhorn Out!
12-03-09 :: Atari 7800 Progress and Background info
By the way for those that want to read up on luma/chroma delay and signals there is a nice article here.
Figure 3 is what is happening with the 7800 mod and what used to happen with the 2600 mod.
Also this
Ok if I use some SOIC chips I can get the Luma delay to around 11ns which is within the spec needed.
SN74LVC07AD - Buffer Chip SN74F02DG4 - NOR Chip
No DIP chips have delays that are short enough. I think I am going to change the 2600 mod to use that SOIC chip as well just to cut down on the amount of different parts I have to buy.
Also, I am planning on having the 7800 mod install just like the 8bit domain mod. Remove that one chip and solder in a socket.
-Longhorn Out!
12-02-09 :: Atari 7800 Video Mod and Flashback Portable
So far the Flashback Portable is working quite well. Cart mod, chopped down, video working, audio working, and it runs off of 4 rechargeable AA batteries (4.8V) with no voltage conversions.
Been working on the 7800 V2.0 video mod. So far I got rid of the vertical lines that plagued V1.0 and now I am just working on removing the red bleed but I have a fairly decent idea what that is already.
-Longhorn Out!