All posts by benheck

Video Games

Check out my YouTube Channel!

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Little did many of you know that I have a YouTube Channel! (OK, so maybe a lot of you did)

Anyways, lately I have been working on Bill Paxton Pinball, specifically the display, and posting new videos when I make advances / changes. Unlike my main site these updates are of all the progress, not just the finished project, so you can see me fail, change everything, experiment, etc. (I’ve already changed the display circuitry twice, since when I started, I had no idea how to make my own LED matrix!) Should be very encouraging to other modders out there! 🙂

Enjoy my YouTube channel! And don’t forget the Commodore 64 auction below!

Video Games

Commodore 64 Laptop Silent Auction

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This is it!  Your chance to own a piece of 1982’s finest technology, assuming you had lived in an alternate universe where Commodore had invented the laptop, SD Cards, and Ethernet!!!  Act Now and place your bids to own not only this fine piece of retro-computer craftsmanship, but also do something good for the Child’s Play charity!  How much will it go for?  $2,000?  $5,000??  One Zillion???  Who knows, but what I do know is if you don’t place a bid you’ll be kicking yourself in the butt for a long time to come!

To avoid the fees of online auctions, we are asking that interested parties submit their bids to me via email. The highest amount with 2 weeks wins (ends July 20th), at which time you will be given payment info.

Click here to submit a bid for the Commodore 64 Laptop revision 2. Bidding starts at $1000 US, and you will be informed of the current high bidder upon contacting us. Good luck!

BONUS: Bottom of the unit is signed by me, it includes the SD memory card, and I’ll even throw in a DVD of Possumus Woman.

Video Games

New Xbox 360 Portable Revision 5

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Click image for super-sized, suitable for framing version.

A few months ago I announced that I would be building a few more Xbox 360 portables, and well, here’s one now! While it looks similar to the previous model it’s once again a from-scratch redesign and has the following features:

  • Built-in Ethernet port, finally.
  • Built-in WiFi adapter, as usual.
  • Digital pushbutton volume control rather than a clunky knob. I used a different audio amp as well, and it sounds a lot better.
  • Flush-mount DVD door and side panels (such as the memory card slots)
  • IR sensor for the remote control.
  • Two user USB ports.
  • More air holes!
  • Jasper motherboard.

For more pictures, info and a demo video, click below. Both of these new units are spoken for (commission) but later this summer, after I take a break, I will probably be taking on new work so stay tuned!

Continue reading New Xbox 360 Portable Revision 5 →

Video Games

Commodore 64 Original Hardware Laptop Revision 2 For Charity!

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Here is the latest Commodore 64 original hardware laptop, “Revision 2”. Thanks to the generosity of the person requesting this build, this particular unit will be up for auction with proceeds benefiting charity.

The current plan is to have a “silent auction” where people send us their bids, and then the proceeds go to Child’s Play. We will start this auction on Monday July 6th after the holiday week. Bids should start at $1000 US.

It is very similar to the first C64 laptop I built, with the key difference being it uses the newer 1541-III Ultimate SD-card based storage solution / disk emulator. USB and Ethernet ports for this device are open and available on the front of the unit.

Additionally, we’d like to thank Reed at oldsoftware.com for finding us the refurbished keyboard and special RevE 64C motherboards – you can check out his site by clicking here.

More details on the auction as they become available – in the meantime click below to see more pictures and video. Enoy…

Continue reading Commodore 64 Original Hardware Laptop Revision 2 For Charity! →

Video Games

Bill Paxton Pinball becomes most-delayed Benheck project ever

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Having been in some sort of development since spring of 2005, Bill Paxton Pinball has now become the most delayed Ben Heckendorn project ever, finally surpassing the four agonizing years it took to complete Port Washington (which is still too painful for me to watch).

Who knows when, if ever, this all custom pinball machine will ever be finished. The backglass art makes a great wall decoration, but hopefully someday we see it lit up like a Christmas tree.