Should I start a GC portable summer project?

[glassjoe92]

Hi, as you can tell by my posts, I'm ENTIRELY new to ben heck forums, though I've known about his site for a good while. I happen to have a spare GameCube lying around, going to waste. I have a Wii, so it's really no biggie if something goes wrong with it (though I'd hope it doesn't).

I have a few questions about getting started:

-What do you recommend to a BEGINNER to use as a case material? I've looked at the Frankencases, but they look pretty small for such a project. I have a local radioshack that sells 8x6x3 project enclosures.

-What kind of screen is cheapest to use? I've seen a LOT of PS1 screens, but what about PSP? would that lead to image distortion?

-How should I integrate the controller? I really like SS's way of doing it, with half of the controller on each side of the screen.

-What's the best, cleanest material to cake my project in? Epoxy? I wanted to know how people make all of these really, really nice looking, professionally cut cases. Do they have places that will create a mold for you? If so, what is this type of work called?

-Having very little experience, only working with guitars, and pickups, am I capable of actually doing this task?

-Last question, I have a broken Zune 30 Gig (FAIL) lying around, would it be possible to hardwire the memory card storage to the HDD of the Zune? OR could I use the screen from the broken Zune as a screen for the GC, that would be CHEEP. The res. is 320x240, not sure what the GC runs at, or if it meets proportions, I'd bet my money that it runs at a 4:3 aspect ratio though.

Thanks a lot guys, for helping a portable noob.

GlassJoe92

[argelfraster]

Start out with something easier than a gamecube.
A NOACp or a SNOACp would be your best choice as a first.

[glassjoe92]

Start out with something easier than a gamecube.
A NOACp or a SNOACp would be your best choice as a first.

Okay, well I picked up a fully functional PS1 at the thrift shop about 3 weeks ago for just $1 the other day. Would that still be too intense to work on? I'd LOVE to have a working SNES, but I don't have one around. Plus they're pretty expensive, and money is a big object. I don't have a job ATM, no one will hire. So, yes, very limited on that.

[glassjoe92]

A 700.0 mAh Battery couldn't power anything could it? I'm just trying to use anything I already have as resources for a project.

[glassjoe92]

Please note I have moved this thread, and rewrote it according to a PS1 in place of a Game Cube. If an admin / mod comes by please delete this thread!

Thanks guys,

Sorry for the wasted space / time

[Zeturi]

You might want to check out the stickies a bit first, as well as other people's projects to get some ideas. If you do have the entire summer, then try a NES first.

They sell tons of clones that will suffice for a NESp on Amazon and ebay. You can get some screens from places like dealextreme, and miscellaneous parts from either radioshack, mouser or digikey.

All in all, spend some time researching the forums and better yet, buy Ben's book to get some first-time help. And by the way, no Zune parts or ipods, laptop lcds, or 700 mah batteries are going to be good for any project.

For a cheap first-time project, here are some links to cheap stuff:

NOAC:http://www.amazon.com/Power-Player-7600 ... 539&sr=8-1

SCREEN: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.14781" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

BATTERY: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... Id=2147160" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good luck !