building a DCp (NOOB ALERT)

ganonbanned · Post by **ganonbanned** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 1:16 am

I would like to build a half DC -portable (controls are not hardwired, but has battery pack and screen) but I really have no Idea what im doing. the dreamcast is sitting on the kitchen table as we speak, tooken apart. I seriosly have no idea on what im doing, and dont know what kind of screen to use (will it just attach on the back? is there soldering involved?) also, how do I get a battery pack in? what is the best kind of screen?

-Ty

PS: Is it possible to get a hard drive for the dreamcast?

Post by **Sparkfist** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 2:12 am

Okay, first you want it to be battery powered. I'd suggest doing the power mod that Dkap01 did to make his Dreamcast portable. Also go with what Cennar and a Hong Kong pirate did, attach a 5" screen to the top that can flip down (simalar to PSone and it's screen).

The power mod that Dkap01 used was really a GameCube PSU taken apart. Namely he removed the transformer and used just the DC-DC converter. Using a 14.4v battery he ran that through the power supply to get 12v and 5v output.

As for attaching the screen... you find a way to physicaly attach it. As for connecting the Audio and Video, use the pinout from gamesx.com. If your going for the best video quality I'd say use either VGA or RGB.

ganonbanned · Post by **ganonbanned** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 2:26 am

Sparkfist wrote:Okay, first you want it to be battery powered. I'd suggest doing the power mod that Dkap01 did to make his Dreamcast portable. Also go with what Cennar and a Hong Kong pirate did, attach a 5" screen to the top that can flip down (simalar to PSone and it's screen).

The power mod that Dkap01 used was really a GameCube PSU taken apart. Namely he removed the transformer and used just the DC-DC converter. Using a 14.4v battery he ran that through the power supply to get 12v and 5v output.

As for attaching the screen... you find a way to physicaly attach it. As for connecting the Audio and Video, use the pinout from gamesx.com. If your going for the best video quality I'd say use either VGA or RGB.

alright thanks sparkfist

another question: Is there ANY way I could have a running off the original power source (the cord...) when im home, and when im away the battery? (have the cord but also have room for batteries)

Post by **Sparkfist** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 6:03 am

If your going to go that route, use the whole GameCube PSU. Just have a switch that will go between the batteries or the AC input.

ganonbanned · Post by **ganonbanned** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 6:34 am

Sparkfist wrote:If your going to go that route, use the whole GameCube PSU. Just have a switch that will go between the batteries or the AC input.

will do. now what about the Hard Drive? is it possible to get one in there?

vskid · Post by **vskid** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 6:46 am

ganonbanned wrote:
Sparkfist wrote:If your going to go that route, use the whole GameCube PSU. Just have a switch that will go between the batteries or the AC input.
will do. now what about the Hard Drive? is it possible to get one in there?

What hard drive? I didn't know DC's had hard drives.

ganonbanned · Post by **ganonbanned** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 6:53 am

vskid wrote:
ganonbanned wrote:
Sparkfist wrote:If your going to go that route, use the whole GameCube PSU. Just have a switch that will go between the batteries or the AC input.
will do. now what about the Hard Drive? is it possible to get one in there?
What hard drive? I didn't know DC's had hard drives.

no, I wasnt sure if it did, or if you could get one. I was asking.

Post by **Sparkfist** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 7:09 am

Closest thing to a hard drive is the memory cards. There are the VMU (very nice 128 blocks) or you can look for a 3rd party that is larger.

ganonbanned · Post by **ganonbanned** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 7:17 am

Sparkfist wrote:Closest thing to a hard drive is the memory cards. There are the VMU (very nice 128 blocks) or you can look for a 3rd party that is larger.

ok thanks for the help.

Once I get payed I will start buying the stuff.

ganonbanned · Post by **ganonbanned** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 9:29 am

alright something else N00b: does anyone happen to have any porta-making guides, mainly for the Dreamcast?

Klefmung · Post by **Klefmung** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 10:05 am

OOH! OOH! MEEEEEE!

>_> My long neglected beginners guide.

http://www.benheck.com/phpBB/viewtopic. ... highlight=

ganonbanned · Post by **ganonbanned** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 10:29 am

Klefmung wrote:OOH! OOH! MEEEEEE!

>_> My long neglected beginners guide.

http://www.benheck.com/phpBB/viewtopic. ... highlight=

I seen that b4 but forgot about it until now.

thanks

Unidentified Assilant · Sun Dec 24, 2006 9:48 am

^ ROFLSPAMBOTS

I think you could get one of those really large capacity VMU's then hardwire it to the points going to VMU Slot 2 on Controller 4... works like a hard drive I guess.