Interesting thread

[Harty123]

Hi,

I found this interesting thread in a swedish forum.

http://loading.se/forum.php?thread_id=95988

I think, voldo is also a member in this forum?!

-Harty

[voldo83]

Hi.

Nice that you found my thread on loading.se.

I try to spread the word for Uzebox in Sweden with mixed results. For the moment I have one person interesting in begin to develop for uzebox, but both I and him have much in school right now.

I believe the uzebox will get it´s boost here in sweden when the new model will be released with MIDI-interface.
We have many talent persons in retro-electro music aka "blipblop" 8 bit chip-music like:

GOTO80 (he is a legend), FantomenK (Nathan Barnatt from Talking Classics loves his music), Dubmood, Slagsmålsklubben and a lot of more, so I think this is the way to introduce uzebox for sweden, by music.

I will get in touch with Peter Hedman (Phog), that have develop Zombienator for the uzebox to see what he has to say.

[Harty123]

Hi Voldo,

this sounds good

I will realise an own SCART PCB and part kit for the european market. Perhaps this will boost your activities in Sweden too...

-Harty

[martinsustek]

Hi Harty,

I'm a fan of Uzebox from Czech Republic, and I think it would be great to spread Uzebox over Europe.

Now I'm considering to buy Uze's PCB, but I have difficulties to obtain some parts:
- AD725 chip (SCART version fixes it)
- controllers and their connectors (so it should be bundled in kit, or there may be some shift registers and connectors to adapt another common controller)
- 28.6363 MHz crystal (it's quite expensive to get one piece for me)
- pre-programmed ATMega644 (I can program it myself, but I think, it would help many people, to buy pre-programmed "ready-to-go" chip with undestroyable bootloader and one game to test whole device).

So if you're planning some "European DIY kit" - maybe "EUzebox", I will wait for it (and I can help you with development a little).

But, I want EUzebox to be as cheap as possible - i.e. can be bought together (PCB, preprogrammed ATMega, scart connector, SD card connector, crystal, and other parts, optionally with controllers and their connectors and maybe with some nice enclosure) from one place (without expensive multiple postages and custom fees).

Maybe the goal is not to develop whole new PCB, but only "SCART board", which will be connected to A/V header of Uze's PCB. But it can be more expensive to buy 2 boards than one. Does anybody know if there is need of board and another parts (resistors etc.) for SCART? Or SCART is only wiring problem?

[Harty123]

Hi,

So if you're planning some "European DIY kit" - maybe "EUzebox", I will wait for it (and I can help you with development a little).

EUzebox is a good name

But, I want EUzebox to be as cheap as possible - i.e. can be bought together (PCB, preprogrammed ATMega, scart connector, SD card connector, crystal, and other parts, optionally with controllers and their connectors and maybe with some nice enclosure) from one place (without expensive multiple postages and custom fees).

This is my opinion too! The sockets for the controllers are also a problem for the most people, it is important to put these sockets into the kit. I found - with help from Uze - a source in Germany for this sockets

Another question is the generally design of the PCB - designed for THT or SMD. Some people have no experiences with the assembly of SMD parts. For these people a PCB with pre assembled SMD parts is important (like Fusebox). The customer have to assemble only some THT parts (controller socket, SCART socket ...) in this way. On the other hand a full THT design is also possible without pre assembled parts. The problem is here the higher price and lower availability of the microcontroller in DIP (I asked some distributers in Germany about this... )

Furthermore I thinking about the circuit for the MIDI interface on this PCB (but not the required parts).

It is also usefull to offer an optional prefabricated case for this kit. For me it is easy to design and manufacture a nice aluminium profile case, like this design:

http://gonintendo.com/wp-content/photos/case_1.jpg

For the RESET button and power LED I ordered blue illuminated, stainless steel buttons from china.

Maybe the goal is not to develop whole new PCB, but only "SCART board", which will be connected to A/V header of Uze's PCB. But it can be more expensive to buy 2 boards than one. Does anybody know if there is need of board and another parts (resistors etc.) for SCART? Or SCART is only wiring problem?

I'm affraid 2 boards are too expensive (and the wiring is also a problem)

-Harty

[martinsustek]

Hi,

I agree, that THT is much comfortable for most people to work with. In our case, there is only one IC, so there are not space issues, I think. I'm not sure about your planned quantities, prices and distributors, but I found some distributor (http://www.tme.eu/de/katalog/#cleanPara ... szukaj%3D+), that claims to have 95pcs in stock with price starting at aprox €7.33, maybe they can get more. And I think it can be ordered in much bigger quantities from Digikey at similar price (but I don't know how is it about post fees).

MIDI seems not being an issue (UZE's PCB has MIDI-IN, I think).

Your case illustration looks great, there may be some logo on the top (printed or laser engraved). What price do you expecting for case?

[martinsustek]

Hi,

I've briefly compared UZE's scheme and SCART scheme by hwhardsoft.de.vu, and it seems, it would be sufficient to connect SCART interface to A/V header on UZE's board (without AD725 and maybe some other parts). So we should not solder SCART to PCB, but screw to case and connect by some flat wire with connector (Something like here with DB9 connectors http://uzebox.org/wiki/index.php?title= ... zebox2.JPG, but with SCART on one side - it can be done very easy at home).

I prefer mounting connectors to case and connecting it by cables than mounting to PCB directly because of mechanical stress, that can damage PCB during scrambling with connector (SCART connectors are usualy very hard).

[uze6666]

Hi guys, my 2 cents regarding your latest posts. From past experience, we should aim for 100% through hole. It's just more easy for most hobbyist. Although the mechanical stress point in very pertinent, I noticed most peoples don't really uses/need a case so it's important that the PCB is made for both. A 90deg SCART connector like those and within that footprint, I'd put a header footprint for those wanting to use a case. The DIP part are not [url]that[/url]expensive in America. Have you checked the prices from Digikey?

Another thing that could be great IHMO is to aim for the same PCB form factor/parts placement for all version if possible, perhaps using a different color...?

I can work/help on that. There's no more AD725 on the market right now, so I need something else to fiddle with!

-Uze

[Harty123]

Hi,

I agree, that THT is much comfortable for most people to work with. In our case, there is only one IC, so there are not space issues, I think. I'm not sure about your planned quantities, prices and distributors, but I found some distributor (http://www.tme.eu/de/katalog/#cleanPara ... szukaj%3D+), that claims to have 95pcs in stock with price starting at aprox €7.33, maybe they can get more. And I think it can be ordered in much bigger quantities from Digikey at similar price (but I don't know how is it about post fees).

Very expensive!

http://www.reichelt.de/Atmel-ATMega-AVR ... 89954f4c81

But he price is much lower from some commerical distributers...

Your case illustration looks great, there may be some logo on the top (printed or laser engraved). What price do you expecting for case?

This illustration is not from me. But I will realise a case in the same style. A laser engraved frontplate is not a problem. We have such engraving machines in the company, where I work. I will order the complete milled and engraved case form the company.

I've briefly compared UZE's scheme and SCART scheme by hwhardsoft.de.vu, and it seems, it would be sufficient to connect SCART interface to A/V header on UZE's board (without AD725 and maybe some other parts). So we should not solder SCART to PCB, but screw to case and connect by some flat wire with connector (Something like here with DB9 connectors http://uzebox.org/wiki/index.php?title= ... zebox2.JPG, but with SCART on one side - it can be done very easy at home).

I know. This circuit diagram and the picture is from my DIY Uzebox. But don't look at the backside of the prototyping board.
The circuit diagram was made with Target 3001 - I'm familar with this CAD System. It's not a big step to a schematic without ATARI interface and a THT layout...

In the company where I work, we have a own PCB assembly line and also good connections to China... I can order the PCB over the purchase department of the company. (This is also the reason for better prices for ATMEGA644 devices, because we use tons of other ATMEGA derivates in our products).

-Harty

[uze6666]

martinsustek wrote:Your case illustration looks great, there may be some logo on the top (printed or laser engraved). What price do you expecting for case?

This illustration is not from me. But I will realise a case in the same style. A laser engraved frontplate is not a problem. We have such engraving machines in the company, where I work. I will order the complete milled and engraved case form the company.

Btw, FYI, the case I used for this rendering is this one: http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=HM894-ND. On a humorous note, I noticed Hammond makes aluminum enclosure with Walnut sides...very retro indeed! http://www.hammondmfg.com/dwg21CWW.htm

-Uze