Schwanck wrote:
will it support folders on the sd card? I like to keep homebrews and Patched Roms separate.

Another question:
so these will completely work with the VB Programmer?

Folders- probably since my programmer already supports folders.

VB programmer support- it could with a firmware update. TBD.

ScreamingNarwhal wrote:
So it’s a little unclear whether or not there will be the eInk display. I think that’s really awesome. I saw here you said you’re some it back, but on the page you said you would ommit it, not sure on the order of these. Cool stuff, Kevin!

eInk included.

I originally said I’d let it go and not include it. Figuring out the FR4 case design allowed it to be added back. The only question now is monochrome black and white or black/white/red.

Project is continually evolving so you’ll need to be OK with changes. If not, I advise to wait until the next batch.

[mellott124]

brumbie13 wrote:
If I understand correctly, with this latest design update, we can use the buttons on the cart to switch between games. Is that it?

If so, I am sold. I was holding out for the MultiBoy32, but if this will let me switch between ROMS without needing to plug the cart into a computer, I’m sold.

Also, if we don’t need to plug the unit into a computer and the ROMs are stored on an SD card, what is the purpose of the USB connection?

You need USB for power. You can’t flash it while plugged into the VB.

I’m open to suggestions for powering the cart when out of the VB.

• This reply was modified 6 years, 7 months ago by mellott124.
• This reply was modified 6 years, 7 months ago by mellott124.

nmalinoski wrote:
Will the HyperFlash use USB C or Micro-B?

Micro B. I had a USB-C connector in there but they’re much thicker. Had to switch to micro B because it’s height is nearly perfect. Around 2.4mm.

[mellott124]

Update on the case design. I’ve been hard at work on the mechanical design of how the cart is assembled together.

HyperFlash32 will be a red FR4 based case with a carbon fiber black 3D printed frame. This allows the unique ability to embed electronics into the actual cases on the backsides. FR4 is the same material as the PCB, and its strong as hell. Much stronger than ABS plastic. This means I can make it thinner and fit more components inside. I’ve already had the frames printed and they look really good. They’re also ridiculously strong.

The drive to make more space was to add back the eInk display. If this all pans out, which it looks like it will, then the eInk display will be added back along with 3 capacitive touch buttons on the back of the case. You won’t see the buttons except for an outline as they’re actually embedded into the case. Same goes for the top cover, or case. The display is embedded into the top 1.5mm of the case. This was the only way to get it all to fit and work. It’s quite a unique design and I’m quite proud of it. The test PCBs (shape but no traces) are being ordered now. I’m doing some mechanical samples to make sure the board house can get the correct dimensions and stack heights I need to put it all together. They’ve reviewed the design and said its not a problem.

Back to the 3 capacitive buttons. This is to allow selection of the ROM files and programming without needing the PC. With a display available, this is now possible. However it will still need to be powered via the USB cable input. Also keep in mind that eInk is slow. Update rates of 3Hz or so. So it won’t be fast but it will be usable. It’s primary function is to allow user graphics for labels. Secondary function will be an on-device screen for programming.

Which eInk, I’m still debating. Monochrome black and white are much faster and allow partial update zones which is much better for an on-device screen that helps with programming. However, its hard to pass up a red and black eInk display given the Virtual Boy. I’ll build both initially and then post my results and let people decide which one they prefer.

Anyway, some pictures attached to show the design. Design files of the case design are shown, as well as the art that will be added to the top and bottom surfaces. I’ve also attached a picture of an early test carbon fiber frame with a display sitting in it next to a Mario Tennis cart. That frame happens to have a slight wave in the top of the case but the others are straight and it won’t be an issue when building units.

Super excited about this project. Probably more so than any other VB project I’ve done. I’ll post another design update once the test PCBs come in and I do fit checks. Then it will be modifying the electronic design and then doing layout for both PCBs (the main cart PCB, and then the bottom cover PCB that will contain the eInk electronics and SD card electronics).

• This reply was modified 6 years, 7 months ago by mellott124.

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All gone now. Thanks.

I built a couple more of these if anyone is interested. PM me or email me.

Decided my new injection molded cases will need a new PCB to go with them. 🙂

32Mbit Flash and 8kx8 nvSRAM with an option of 32kx8 nvSRAM as well.

Also ordered red ABS pellets to test with the new molds, in addition to black.

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Sorry you’re having this experience. One thing to know is that PayPal and eBay will both screw you in a heartbeat. They almost always side with the buyer. I just had a guy pull something similar with a GPU. He even took it apart and I could show proof. I even had an email from the guy admitting fraud towards the end. Didn’t matter. He got his money back.

[mellott124]

First mold ordered. Testing the top cover first. If all goes well then I’ll order the bottom. I’ve wanted to get parts injection molded on a lot of projects. This will be a great test case to go through the process.

• This reply was modified 6 years, 8 months ago by mellott124.

[mellott124]

Greg2600 wrote:

mellott124 wrote:

Greg2600 wrote:
So to understand the design, we put all the roms on an SD card, and the cart will display a menu to choose a rom and load it to memory?

No. Like Flashboy, you’ll remove the cart from the VB, connect a USB cable from your PC, and then select and program the game on your PC. The files reside on the SD card merely to make programming faster. I could have done it on the PC just like flashboy but I wanted to speed up the programming. There will be no on-screen menu for HyperFlash32. That’s one of the things that makes this design easier to get done.

Oh, gotcha. Well, I’ll just stand by and hope you can accomplish the Multi-Boy at some time in the future.

I hope to change your mind once you see the final HyperFlash32 product!

• This reply was modified 6 years, 8 months ago by mellott124.

HorvatM wrote:
Chapter 5 of the V810 hardware manual might answer your question.

Thanks!

Mumphy wrote:
Thanks for the update. I’m voting on the red case too (opaque), if possbile. As Ethan.Snyder98 pointed out I think that would look really cool together with the black dust cover.

Cart model is just about ready to go out for quote to my injection mold guy. I do, however, have a more wild idea for a case that I’m chasing down at the moment so molded cases aren’t 100% yet.

Some minor updates to share.

Donors are rolling in. Just received a box of 60. I have about 75 right now and will collect probably 25 more.

I also had my VB stickers made again and will send them along with the carts to everyone who preordered.

I’m also hopefully only a few more days away from sending the case model off to my injection molding guy to have him start working on the mold design.

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thefred wrote:
Do you loose your save status when you reflash the cart? Are you able to save your progress on the SD?

You’ll be able to save your save status from the sram. It’s a feature already implemented with my standalone programmer.

Sie1984 wrote:
A box would be nice if that could be included.

Not planning to do a box at this point. Bigger fish to fry. Maybe in the future.

The “donor included” ones are almost gone. Only a single person has ordered a “I’ll send a donor” version. So looks like getting donors is going to be even more important as people don’t want to ship them to me probably due to shipping cost.

If anyone has donors please email or PM me. Also, if you can send 15 donors then I’ll give a free HyperFlash32 cart. Contact me if this may be something you’re interested in.

Greg2600 wrote:
So to understand the design, we put all the roms on an SD card, and the cart will display a menu to choose a rom and load it to memory?

No. Like Flashboy, you’ll remove the cart from the VB, connect a USB cable from your PC, and then select and program the game on your PC. The files reside on the SD card merely to make programming faster. I could have done it on the PC just like flashboy but I wanted to speed up the programming. There will be no on-screen menu for HyperFlash32. That’s one of the things that makes this design easier to get done.

speedyink wrote:
If you can hold tight. There’s an upgraded version in the works.

Yep, being worked on. Chasing a few things down to finalize on which version I’ll move forward with. I’ll create a thread dedicated to the topic shortly.

nmalinoski wrote:
This is really cool, and reminds me a lot of the Dreamcast VMUs.

Would there be any protection for the screen, or is it sturdy enough to be gripped when handling the cart?

How, exactly, would this work in practice? I can see utility for this with single-game flash carts, where it gets updated when you flash a new game via PC, so you can easily identify which game is currently on it.

It doesn’t really make sense to me for something like the MultiBoy, where you’re most likely to be leaving it in your VB all the time. Maybe if the MultiBoy had its own battery, and you changed games by pulling the cart out, hitting one or two buttons to cycle games (maybe pressing another to program it, if that’s necessary), then sticking it back in to play that game; but that sounds like it’s more hassle and expense than it’s worth.

Intention is that it would be for a single-game flash cart. Everything else is still TBD.