vLink Standardization?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 4:11 pm

It seems that so far only the VCSps have vLink, and that there is no set pinout for it. I propose that we create standards for vLink ports for all systems, and that they be stickied (can that be done on these boards?) in their respective forum.

The goals of the vLink are that it A) Allow to portables to be linked together to play a game, using only one copy, with video and sound on both. And B) Allow a second controller to be plugged in for 2 player action on one system.

For most systems this should be fairly simple, we just use DB9 ports, and DB9->controller adapters if they don't use DB9. Some systems, like the genesis, will present a difficulty in that their controler will use all or more of the pins in a DB9. For that we can use a DB25 or DB15 and an adapter for using a controller. Also, some newer systems (like the Playstation) could use the extra ports to allow the slave system to use RGB as well.

For four player systems, like the N64, it would be nice to allow 3 systems or three controllers to connect. In order for this to work 3 master ports would be nessesary. This would be rather space consuming and may require a signal amplifier on the slave devices.

For example, the VCSp vLink standard:
(No adapter nessesary for controller)
pin 1,6,9,2,3,4, and 8 are used for the controller
pin 5 for composit video
pin 7 for mono sound

For the NESp:
(requires DB9->NES Port adapter to be used with a controller)
pin 1-4,6 for controller
pin 2 - compisite out
pin 3 - mono sound

for the genesis:
(requires DB15->DB9 Port adapter to be used with a controller)
(using DB15, like VGA port)
pin 1-9 - controller
pin 10 - composite video
pin 11 - R Sound
pin 12 - L sound

You get the idea. Personally I think this would be really great since it would allow any two random portablizers who happened to meet IRL (at the classic game expo?) to be able to connect.

Anyways, thoughts?

Post by **gannon** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 4:20 pm

This subject has been talked about a few times before, but a standard is hard to make amongst modders. I was going to make a standard layout and put it up one Doomportables, but my computer broke a few days later and I just recently got it back up and running.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 16, 2004 8:06 pm

Heh, I'm in a similar situation. My HD died and so I'm using public terminals until my replacement gets in.

MajorLag · Post by **MajorLag** » Thu Oct 07, 2004 1:49 pm

Sorry to dig this up, but I thought it better than making a new thread. Have you done that yet Gannon? If not, I could make up something, but I'm not entirely confident that I can pull it off without making a mistake or two. And it would be ideal to just use Ben's VCSp vLink pinout, rather than make a new one that might be incompatale.

Post by **gannon** » Thu Oct 07, 2004 2:33 pm

The V-link would differ for each system. I have the enitre thing designed, I just never got around to making an image for it. The main thing to remember is that you need a 5V line, all the controller data and clock lines, video, audio, and ground.

MajorLag · Post by **MajorLag** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 5:00 pm

gannon wrote:The V-link would differ for each system.

I just mean that for the VCSp vLink standard we should use Ben's. Obviously it will have to be different for every system.

Post by **Sparkfist** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 8:27 pm

Well the v-link for the atari is simple, essentally all it does is use the second controller port to trasfer the video and audio well reciving the controllers commands.

MajorLag · Post by **MajorLag** » Sat Oct 09, 2004 2:59 am

Sparkfist wrote:Well the v-link for the atari is simple, essentally all it does is use the second controller port to trasfer the video and audio well reciving the controllers commands.

Yeah, luckily only two pins are left after accounting for the controller, but we still have a 50/50 chance of getting it wrong if we just guess.

Post by **Sparkfist** » Sat Oct 09, 2004 3:53 am

And thats bad? I'd take those odds anyday. As for the pin out if it hasnt been posted on the MB once before we can always ask Ben if he can post it. I know he only mentioned it on one (or more) never giving specifics on how it worked. If you want to see if it been posted I'd say search atari 2600 fourm if not there try this fourm, then just ask Ben.