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Just in case I do manage to write some Sega Master System games, and want to make cartridges of them, I've come up with a simple cartridge case design today.
I guess I'll have one 3D printed to see how it turns out and I'd also have to design a fitting pcb.

Philipp

SMS.png (15.08 KB)

SMS2.png (9.1 KB)

I suggest designing a case with the same internal pcb-mounting locations as an offical cart. That way, you can advertise them to a wider audience.

Jazzmarazz wrote

I suggest designing a case with the same internal pcb-mounting locations as an offical cart. That way, you can advertise them to a wider audience.

Using a Sega pcb in my cart wouldn't make sense to me, so I don't think I have to plan for that. The cart will require custom pcbs (which Ihaven't designed yet).

Philipp

Not a fan of that design, IMO it looks bulkier than it needs to be and it sticks out like a sore thumb compared to the official carts.

Philipp, there are a few custom PCBs already available or in the process, so you might want to check those. Also, they fit the original cart so that you can use an old cart shell for your homebrew. Also, someday, we will have repro shells and you might want your PCB to be compatible.

ApolloBoy wrote

Not a fan of that design, IMO it looks bulkier than it needs to be and it sticks out like a sore thumb compared to the official carts.

Actually, I think this design is as un-bulky as one can get. All the previous ideas I came up looked a lot more bulky.
In this design, each end is 4cm long, with a 1cm middle part to smooth the trasition.

Philipp

sverx wrote

Philipp, there are a few custom PCBs already available or in the process, so you might want to check those. Also, they fit the original cart so that you can use an old cart shell for your homebrew. Also, someday, we will have repro shells and you might want your PCB to be compatible.

AFAIK, there are no original universal shells, and no universal PCBs. So I see no point in trying to be compatible with them.

Philipp

Why is it wider at the top? why not the same width at the top and bottom?

PkK wrote

Actually, I think this design is as un-bulky as one can get.

The official Sega shells are a lot less bulky than that...

Chicho wrote

Why is it wider at the top? why not the same width at the top and bottom?

Each end has the necessary dimensions to fit into the respective cartridge slot.

Philipp

ApolloBoy wrote

PkK wrote

Actually, I think this design is as un-bulky as one can get.

The official Sega shells are a lot less bulky than that...

Official shells that fit into all Master Systems? Did I miss something?

Philipp

I think you originally missed out the bit where you said it's double ended. That's an interesting idea but I guess of limited use - few people will have both types of system.

Maxim wrote

I think you originally missed out the bit where you said it's double ended. That's an interesting idea but I guess of limited use - few people will have both types of system.

That explains it then. Nowhere did he say that it was a double-ender so I didn't understand why it was designed like that.

Me too, now i understand. Is doubble ended

Maxim wrote

I think you originally missed out the bit where you said it's double ended. That's an interesting idea but I guess of limited use - few people will have both types of system.

Oooooooohh.... :D

Here are some pictures of the first prototype. I had made a design mistake, so I had to file away about 2 mm³ of material on the inside. There is no PCB yet.

Philipp

Cart.jpeg (39.8 KB)

Back side of Cart

MIIIback.jpeg (33.34 KB)

Back of Cart in Mark III

MIIIfront.jpeg (37.14 KB)

Front of Cart in Mark III

MSIIside.jpeg (40.75 KB)

Side of Cart in Master System II

MSIIfront.jpeg (32.55 KB)

Front of Cart in Master System II

My current prototype hardware is finally working: I put Weka Invaders 0.24 on it (http://www.smspower.org/Homebrew/WekaInvaders-SMS).

The game works on both the Mark III and the SMS II¹.

Philipp

¹ The dark picture on the SMS II isn't nice though; I guess I'll need an amplifier in the SCART cable.

Original colors on SMS2 are pretty bad compare to a SMS1, but I learned yesterday that you can fix that.

First you need to use RGB, if you don't have a French SMS2 and don't have an original RGB cable you can follow this tuto: http://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthread.php?30821-Master-System-2-RGB-mod-with-p...

The best way if you have any SMS2 (and SMS3) is to use the official RGB cable (10 euro) then put a DIN 8 (262°) who is already present on French system and then soldier wires from the 5246 chip directly to the DIN 8 like the attached pictures. Then you will have SMS1 colors.

ps: the view of the DIN 8 is from face, soldier are other side. Thanks to Ichigo ;)

ps 2: pin 3 of DIN 8 is composite, not needed.

chip 5246 pinout.jpg (112.41 KB)

DIN8face.jpg (69.68 KB)

I have a french RGB SMS II. But I don't have the "Adapteur R.V.B." So I just used a plain SCART cable that works fine with the Mark III.

Since the "Adapteur R.V.B." apparently has some amplifier in it (http://www.smspower.org/Development/AdapteurRVB) I assume it won't be that easy to get a reasonable picture from my SMS II (unless I somehow manage to get this "Adapteur R.V.B." or build one myself).

Philipp

Edit: make URL a link

It's pretty easy to found one, as it's the same for SMS1, SMS2 and Megadrive 1.

Revo wrote

It's pretty easy to found one, as it's the same for SMS1, SMS2 and Megadrive 1.

Sorry, I'm getting confused here.

I have some cheap cables with a DIN plug on eone end, and a SCART plug on the other.

If I use them on a Mark III, I get an okay picture.
If I use them on a SMS II, I get a very dark picture.

From what I've read, I assume, that the "Adapteur R. V. B." is necessary to get a proper picture from the SMS II.

You say it is the same as the SMS I and Megadrive 1. So none of SMS I, SMS II, Megadrive 1 had a directly-usable RGB output? All of them require this "Adapteur R. V. B."? Is that only true for the French models? Do SMS I and Megadrive I from outside France have a directly-usable RGB output?

Philipp

P.S.: You claim that the "Adapteur R. V. B." is easy to find. Any ideas where I could find one?

PkK wrote

My current prototype hardware is finally working: I put Weka Invaders 0.24 on it (http://www.smspower.org/Homebrew/WekaInvaders-SMS).

Pictures! Pictures! Pictures!!! :D

PkK wrote

You say it is the same as the SMS I and Megadrive 1. So none of SMS I, SMS II, Megadrive 1 had a directly-usable RGB output? All of them require this "Adapteur R. V. B."? Is that only true for the French models? Do SMS I and Megadrive I from outside France have a directly-usable RGB output?

Philipp

P.S.: You claim that the "Adapteur R. V. B." is easy to find. Any ideas where I could find one?

French SMS1, SMS2 & MD1 all need the Adapteur yes, I don't know about other country. I think RGB (RVB) was not common outside France.

To find one try ebay France or the forum Master System France.

sverx wrote

PkK wrote

My current prototype hardware is finally working: I put Weka Invaders 0.24 on it (http://www.smspower.org/Homebrew/WekaInvaders-SMS).

Pictures! Pictures! Pictures!!! :D

One can see Weka Invaders on the screen in the background (due to the sunlight the picture looks dark, and for the SMS II it really is dark, since I dont have an "Adapteur R. V. B.").

The Mark III, SMS II (and CV on the left) are connected to a SCART switch (the black box on the table). the output from the switch goes to a SCART-HDMI converter (small black box beside the SCART switch) and then via HDMI to the screen in hte background.

Philipp

LA.jpeg (192.38 KB)

Mark III running Weka Invaders (LA probes attached)

MarkIII.jpeg (186.22 KB)

Mark III running Weka Invaders

SMSII.jpeg (189.92 KB)

SMS II running Weka Invaders

Author	Message
PkK Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 220 Location: Yach, Germany	Cartridge case idea Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2016 9:35 pm
	Just in case I do manage to write some Sega Master System games, and want to make cartridges of them, I've come up with a simple cartridge case design today. I guess I'll have one 3D printed to see how it turns out and I'd also have to design a fitting pcb. Philipp SMS.png (15.08 KB) SMS2.png (9.1 KB)

Jazzmarazz Joined: 17 Sep 2013 Posts: 140 Location: TC, MI	Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2016 3:53 am
	I suggest designing a case with the same internal pcb-mounting locations as an offical cart. That way, you can advertise them to a wider audience.

PkK Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 220 Location: Yach, Germany	Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2016 2:56 pm
	Jazzmarazz wrote I suggest designing a case with the same internal pcb-mounting locations as an offical cart. That way, you can advertise them to a wider audience. Using a Sega pcb in my cart wouldn't make sense to me, so I don't think I have to plan for that. The cart will require custom pcbs (which Ihaven't designed yet). Philipp

ApolloBoy Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 314 Location: San Jose, CA	Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2016 8:57 pm
	Not a fan of that design, IMO it looks bulkier than it needs to be and it sticks out like a sore thumb compared to the official carts.

sverx Joined: 05 Sep 2013 Posts: 3827 Location: Stockholm, Sweden	Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2016 8:33 am
	Philipp, there are a few custom PCBs already available or in the process, so you might want to check those. Also, they fit the original cart so that you can use an old cart shell for your homebrew. Also, someday, we will have repro shells and you might want your PCB to be compatible.

PkK Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 220 Location: Yach, Germany	Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2016 9:52 am
	ApolloBoy wrote Not a fan of that design, IMO it looks bulkier than it needs to be and it sticks out like a sore thumb compared to the official carts. Actually, I think this design is as un-bulky as one can get. All the previous ideas I came up looked a lot more bulky. In this design, each end is 4cm long, with a 1cm middle part to smooth the trasition. Philipp

PkK Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 220 Location: Yach, Germany	Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2016 9:54 am
	sverx wrote Philipp, there are a few custom PCBs already available or in the process, so you might want to check those. Also, they fit the original cart so that you can use an old cart shell for your homebrew. Also, someday, we will have repro shells and you might want your PCB to be compatible. AFAIK, there are no original universal shells, and no universal PCBs. So I see no point in trying to be compatible with them. Philipp

Chicho Joined: 15 Mar 2010 Posts: 49 Location: Florida	Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2016 4:56 pm
Chicho Joined: 15 Mar 2010 Posts: 49 Location: Florida	Why is it wider at the top? why not the same width at the top and bottom?

ApolloBoy Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 314 Location: San Jose, CA	Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2016 9:09 pm
	PkK wrote Actually, I think this design is as un-bulky as one can get. The official Sega shells are a lot less bulky than that...

PkK Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 220 Location: Yach, Germany	Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2016 9:19 pm
	Chicho wrote Why is it wider at the top? why not the same width at the top and bottom? Each end has the necessary dimensions to fit into the respective cartridge slot. Philipp

PkK Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 220 Location: Yach, Germany	Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2016 9:20 pm
	ApolloBoy wrote PkK wrote Actually, I think this design is as un-bulky as one can get. The official Sega shells are a lot less bulky than that... Official shells that fit into all Master Systems? Did I miss something? Philipp

Maxim Site Admin Joined: 19 Oct 1999 Posts: 14741 Location: London	Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2016 9:44 pm
	I think you originally missed out the bit where you said it's double ended. That's an interesting idea but I guess of limited use - few people will have both types of system.

ApolloBoy Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 314 Location: San Jose, CA	Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 3:29 am
	Maxim wrote I think you originally missed out the bit where you said it's double ended. That's an interesting idea but I guess of limited use - few people will have both types of system. That explains it then. Nowhere did he say that it was a double-ender so I didn't understand why it was designed like that.

Chicho Joined: 15 Mar 2010 Posts: 49 Location: Florida	Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 4:21 am
Chicho Joined: 15 Mar 2010 Posts: 49 Location: Florida	Me too, now i understand. Is doubble ended

Jazzmarazz Joined: 17 Sep 2013 Posts: 140 Location: TC, MI	Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2016 6:45 pm
	Maxim wrote I think you originally missed out the bit where you said it's double ended. That's an interesting idea but I guess of limited use - few people will have both types of system. Oooooooohh.... :D

PkK Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 220 Location: Yach, Germany	Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2016 5:31 pm
	Here are some pictures of the first prototype. I had made a design mistake, so I had to file away about 2 mm³ of material on the inside. There is no PCB yet. Philipp Cart.jpeg (39.8 KB) Back side of Cart MIIIback.jpeg (33.34 KB) Back of Cart in Mark III MIIIfront.jpeg (37.14 KB) Front of Cart in Mark III MSIIside.jpeg (40.75 KB) Side of Cart in Master System II MSIIfront.jpeg (32.55 KB) Front of Cart in Master System II

PkK Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 220 Location: Yach, Germany	Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2017 9:51 am
	My current prototype hardware is finally working: I put Weka Invaders 0.24 on it (http://www.smspower.org/Homebrew/WekaInvaders-SMS). The game works on both the Mark III and the SMS II¹. Philipp ¹ The dark picture on the SMS II isn't nice though; I guess I'll need an amplifier in the SCART cable.

Revo Guest	Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2017 10:08 am
Revo Guest	Original colors on SMS2 are pretty bad compare to a SMS1, but I learned yesterday that you can fix that. First you need to use RGB, if you don't have a French SMS2 and don't have an original RGB cable you can follow this tuto: http://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthread.php?30821-Master-System-2-RGB-mod-with-p... The best way if you have any SMS2 (and SMS3) is to use the official RGB cable (10 euro) then put a DIN 8 (262°) who is already present on French system and then soldier wires from the 5246 chip directly to the DIN 8 like the attached pictures. Then you will have SMS1 colors. ps: the view of the DIN 8 is from face, soldier are other side. Thanks to Ichigo ;) ps 2: pin 3 of DIN 8 is composite, not needed. chip 5246 pinout.jpg (112.41 KB) DIN8face.jpg (69.68 KB)

PkK Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 220 Location: Yach, Germany	Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2017 10:13 am Last edited by PkK on Mon Feb 27, 2017 10:24 am; edited 1 time in total
	I have a french RGB SMS II. But I don't have the "Adapteur R.V.B." So I just used a plain SCART cable that works fine with the Mark III. Since the "Adapteur R.V.B." apparently has some amplifier in it (http://www.smspower.org/Development/AdapteurRVB) I assume it won't be that easy to get a reasonable picture from my SMS II (unless I somehow manage to get this "Adapteur R.V.B." or build one myself). Philipp Edit: make URL a link

Revo Guest	Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2017 10:22 am
Revo Guest	It's pretty easy to found one, as it's the same for SMS1, SMS2 and Megadrive 1.

PkK Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 220 Location: Yach, Germany	Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2017 10:43 am
	Revo wrote It's pretty easy to found one, as it's the same for SMS1, SMS2 and Megadrive 1. Sorry, I'm getting confused here. I have some cheap cables with a DIN plug on eone end, and a SCART plug on the other. If I use them on a Mark III, I get an okay picture. If I use them on a SMS II, I get a very dark picture. From what I've read, I assume, that the "Adapteur R. V. B." is necessary to get a proper picture from the SMS II. You say it is the same as the SMS I and Megadrive 1. So none of SMS I, SMS II, Megadrive 1 had a directly-usable RGB output? All of them require this "Adapteur R. V. B."? Is that only true for the French models? Do SMS I and Megadrive I from outside France have a directly-usable RGB output? Philipp P.S.: You claim that the "Adapteur R. V. B." is easy to find. Any ideas where I could find one?

sverx Joined: 05 Sep 2013 Posts: 3827 Location: Stockholm, Sweden	Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2017 10:45 am
	PkK wrote My current prototype hardware is finally working: I put Weka Invaders 0.24 on it (http://www.smspower.org/Homebrew/WekaInvaders-SMS). Pictures! Pictures! Pictures!!! :D

Revo Guest	Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2017 11:03 am
Revo Guest	PkK wrote You say it is the same as the SMS I and Megadrive 1. So none of SMS I, SMS II, Megadrive 1 had a directly-usable RGB output? All of them require this "Adapteur R. V. B."? Is that only true for the French models? Do SMS I and Megadrive I from outside France have a directly-usable RGB output? Philipp P.S.: You claim that the "Adapteur R. V. B." is easy to find. Any ideas where I could find one? French SMS1, SMS2 & MD1 all need the Adapteur yes, I don't know about other country. I think RGB (RVB) was not common outside France. To find one try ebay France or the forum Master System France.

PkK Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 220 Location: Yach, Germany	Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2017 12:57 pm
	sverx wrote PkK wrote My current prototype hardware is finally working: I put Weka Invaders 0.24 on it (http://www.smspower.org/Homebrew/WekaInvaders-SMS). Pictures! Pictures! Pictures!!! :D One can see Weka Invaders on the screen in the background (due to the sunlight the picture looks dark, and for the SMS II it really is dark, since I dont have an "Adapteur R. V. B."). The Mark III, SMS II (and CV on the left) are connected to a SCART switch (the black box on the table). the output from the switch goes to a SCART-HDMI converter (small black box beside the SCART switch) and then via HDMI to the screen in hte background. Philipp LA.jpeg (192.38 KB) Mark III running Weka Invaders (LA probes attached) MarkIII.jpeg (186.22 KB) Mark III running Weka Invaders SMSII.jpeg (189.92 KB) SMS II running Weka Invaders

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