linkcable for my handheld

Ksara · Post by **Ksara** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:22 am

Well, I've done most of the things for my megadrive handheld. But I was thinking, my friend is also making a megadrive handheld. And I've thought of making a linkcable or something to connect with my friend. Does anyone know how to begin?

Post by **marshallh** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:44 am

For a connector, try using a DB15 connector.
You'll need to connect the joystick pins as well as the composite video and audio lines.

Ksara · Post by **Ksara** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:26 am

can you give me more info? I don't understand it good.

bioniclebert · Post by **bioniclebert** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:51 am

well you'd have to make the "master/slave" concept.
the master unit has the game, and the only thing sending TO the other console is video. the slave unit sends its Player 2 joystick into the master unit. So basically the second unit, the slave, is only a box with a screen and joystick.

Thats the basics of it.

cennar · Post by **cennar** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:43 pm

and if you dont have any printer cable lying around you can just add controller and AV in on bouth systems by using old conecters and extenton cables.

SgtBowhack · Post by **SgtBowhack** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 8:46 pm

Yeah... it's somewhat difficult, really. You'll need the following in each unit:
- Some sort of video switch (preferably an audio switch too) - so you can switch video from your source or the other
- Some sort of controller switch
- Probably a power switch that is 3T (3 settings - off, on in "slave mode", on in "master mode," where master mode is your own Megadrive).

It's really not worth it. You should really make two separate units if you're wanting to do that. One with just a controller and video, and the other with everything. Then make your separate Megadrive portables both able to take the input from the controller and output video to an external source... and then when you two get together, one of you uses the specialized slave unit.

bioniclebert · Post by **bioniclebert** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 9:33 pm

SgtBowhack wrote:Yeah... it's somewhat difficult, really. You'll need the following in each unit:
- Some sort of video switch (preferably an audio switch too) - so you can switch video from your source or the other
- Some sort of controller switch
- Probably a power switch that is 3T (3 settings - off, on in "slave mode", on in "master mode," where master mode is your own Megadrive).

It's really not worth it. You should really make two separate units if you're wanting to do that. One with just a controller and video, and the other with everything. Then make your separate Megadrive portables both able to take the input from the controller and output video to an external source... and then when you two get together, one of you uses the specialized slave unit.

1 - Some sort of video switch (preferably an audio switch too) - so you can switch video from your source or the other

Thats why the master/slave is in place. The video lines are not only on the system itself, but the link port. when the system is set to slave, the screen is on only, and the the video is coming from the port.

2 Probably a power switch that is 3T (3 settings - off, on in "slave mode"

Yup. If you dont see why, See the picture. You're going to need it in your portable so that you arent powering up your system and his, and then combining the two video signals.

3. It's really not worth it. You should really make two separate units if you're wanting to do that.

Ksara wrote:Well, I've done most of the things for my megadrive handheld. But I was thinking, my friend is also making a megadrive handheld. And I've thought of making a linkcable or something to connect with my friend. Does anyone know how to begin?

Metroid fan · Post by **Metroid fan** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:07 pm

SgtBowhack wrote:One with just a controller and video, and the other with everything.

No you don't both could have everything

all you need is a switch to change which you want to be the slave and which you want to be the master... then hook up the controls in the right way so that two sets of wires come off of each of the controlers one to the port and one to the system.

SgtBowhack · Post by **SgtBowhack** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 7:12 pm

I understood that there are already two full Megadrive portables in the works. However, I think it would be cleaner and easier to give up on the idea of trying to merge this whole master/slave idea into one unit, and if you could just make one unit that is a dedicated slave, it would be very simple, quick, and not very prone to screwups.

Metroid fan: Yes, both COULD have everything, but I'm saying to make THREE units. One for person X alone, one for person Y alone, and one for person X or Y to use at the others' place. And this way, three people could play (in theory).

Also, going back to the original master/slave idea... since there are only two units involved, only one of them needs to be able to be run as slave. The whole idea of making both that way is unnecessary.

I think the idea is very complex and needs to be thought out very clearly to make it properly. Switching over from master mode to slave mode is probably going to require multiple switches, a jumper box, or added electronic skills... design your circuits carefully.

bioniclebert · Post by **bioniclebert** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 7:44 pm

Making a SLAVE only idea saves money, I guess. I mean, It saves room for only having the mobo, but it would be useless if there were two portables.

Its not complicated either! Look! I'l even make you a pinout for your link cable.

and

And SgtBowhack, If it seems like I'm just trying to say you're wrong, Im sorry. I don't mean to try to argue, just throwing my opinion there

SgtBowhack · Post by **SgtBowhack** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 8:03 pm

Hmmm, that's an interesting way to think about it. I was kind of going about it ass-backwards. In fact, your method can easily be done using a DP3T switch. I likes it. So, I'll say it - I'm wrong!

Somehow I didn't think of the possibility of turning off the Megadrive mainboard separately from everything else. Assuming you guarantee that you won't be connected to the other unit as a slave while running with the Megadrive board on, you don't really need to worry about switching, because you can wire the controller to both port 1 of the mainboard and to the external port 2 of the other. Same with video - you'll only either get what's coming from the MD or what's coming from the other unit. Admittedly, leaving the wires floating isn't exactly "good" design, but it shouldn't pose a big problem in a portable.

Metroid fan · Post by **Metroid fan** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 10:25 pm

Yeah me too sorry sarge *salutes*...*falls down*