snesp project (need help)

azteca158 · Post by **azteca158** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 10:36 am

I just finished designing the front, left, and right sides of the portable i am going to make. I just want to see what others think of it or if they could help me with some issues.

I'll describe it since i only have a picture taken from a phone which isn't perfect quality.

The piece coming out from the left side is going to be a video out so that the system will have the ability to be played on a regular TV

On the right side i put player ports so it can be placed down and the second player won't have to look over anyone's shoulder. The actual buttons on the system will be shorted to the player 1 port, so either could be used but not both at once.

On the bottom right, ill place the phone jacks. There's no use in getting rid of an extra feature. They could come in handy one day.

I also left the volume/brightness controls on the screen and placed the speakers on the bottom corners of the screen.

For now i am placing the select/start button over the buttons but may change that later I'm still unsure if that's a good place for them.

I will be using a 5" Zanith screen, snes mini, snes controller, and i think it's plexy glass but i am not sure since it is much stronger and as clear as glass. I will not cut a hole for the screen or speakers instead they will be placed behind the case since it is clear for its own protection. I am still working on how the back will be but i will post it wen i do if anyone has suggestions id appreciate them.

The only problem i am having is how to connect the video out so that it will be capable of going to a tv but still shorted to the zanith screen. Maybe placing a seperate switch to power the screen and turning it off when i want to connect it to a regular television?

<a href="http://s391.photobucket.com/albums/oo35 ... C00390.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo35 ... C00390.jpg" border="0" alt="SNESP Front Concept"></a>

My goal is basically to make a SNESP which will maintain the capabilities of a regular super Nintendo.

jjhammerstein · Post by **jjhammerstein** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 10:58 am

Curve all of the edges, for the love of god, I'm tired of looking at squares.

You need SOME kind of holes for the speakers.
Try playing your headphones on the other side of a piece of glass, they sound terrible.

Also, once you get all of the parts, lay them out and make sure everything fits like it's supposed to, some of the dimensions might surprise you.

Don't forget to leave room for batteries!

azteca158 · Post by **azteca158** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 11:07 am

I am planning to curve out the edges (slightly) and a will deff make holes (small ones but plenty for the speakers and place a mesh that comes with the zanith screen over the plexy glass so it looks nice. the only reason i am leaving the phone jack in that location is so i don't have to desolder them just to place them elsewhere. i don't understand how that would affect the sound tho? I already have all the parts i used them to draw the design and everything on there is actual size. it will prob end up being over an inch thick with the batteries but i do not know what kind of batteries i should use yet. Also, if anyone can help me with the video issue it would help a lot.

jjhammerstein · Post by **jjhammerstein** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 11:13 am

http://forums.benheck.com/viewtopic.php?t=115

You'll need that if you're using two inputs for P1.

How it works is, when you plug in a controller to the P1 port, it hits the tact switch and makes it so that only the port inputs, and not the face buttons.

I don't know anything about your video problem.

azteca158 · Post by **azteca158** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 11:25 am

I have 3 questions for now...

1.what kind of LED's are needed as a back light Super bright? Regular LED's?

2. What would be better a narrow or broad angle (EX: 120, 45, 30, 15)

3. to make the controller pad from 2 NES 4021 IC's do i need to buy the original controller or will a knock off brand still have similar (same size, configuration) IC's?

Valium · Post by **Valium** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 6:50 am

azteca158 wrote:I have 3 questions for now...

1.what kind of LED's are needed as a back light Super bright? Regular LED's?

2. What would be better a narrow or broad angle (EX: 120, 45, 30, 15)

3. to make the controller pad from 2 NES 4021 IC's do i need to buy the original controller or will a knock off brand still have similar (same size, configuration) IC's?

1. Super bright
2. Larger angle the better, 150 recommended, 120 will be fine.
3. A knock off controller should have the same IC, but with the majority of the cheap-o controllers, it'll be glop top and mostly useless to you. Why not just use a snes IC?

azteca158 · Post by **azteca158** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 2:48 pm

Well i have the snes controller and then i was ready to take it apart but when i saw how small the pins were i was a little discouraged if others think its possible i guess ill try its an extra controller anyway thanks for the info

Kyo · Post by **Kyo** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 2:58 pm

to make the controller from two 4021 ICs you do not need to buy controllers AT ALL.

You can either use the SMD chip included in a SNES controller, or buy the 4021 online, which are readily available.

Since I'm german, I bought them here:

http://www.reichelt.de/?;ACTION=3;LA=4; ... FFSET=1000

but I'm sure members from your country (america?) will be able to help you out with links as well. This is not only cheaper, it's also easier as you don't have to desolder them.

Kurt_ · Post by **Kurt_** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 6:18 pm

Buy a smaller soldering iron tip. They sell them for $10 maximum at niche electronics stores. The finest one you can find will help you out lots.

azteca158 · Post by **azteca158** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 7:24 pm

So the 4021 IC is a regular chip??? I thought it was a private nintendo chip. i know a lot of companies do it so that no one else can make compatible parts except for them.

Kyo · Post by **Kyo** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 9:07 am

Yep, it's a normal stinkin' chip. The SNES chip is something nintendo exclusive, which is really just a 2-4021-in-1

azteca158 · Post by **azteca158** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 3:12 pm

So is this the correct chip? I am kinda sure but i don't want to waste my money when i could have asked.

http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDet ... m4hw%3d%3d

Also im having trouble finding 3mm white LED's with a wide angle would a 5mm not fit in the zanith screen?