Author Topic: Taken a slice of the pi (Read 9415 times)

ballboff · « **on:** April 14, 2016, 11:03:52 am »

Ok so i've taken a bite of the pi. I had the 1st model when it first came out and couldn't find a use for it back then. However, recently I've spotted the 3rd model and it looks really interesting. Plus there is the beauty of the custom image for retro games called retropie, which wasn't available 4 years ago. I've sold my bartop arcade machine, and now I want to go small. I bought an ion icade bluetooth arcade dock controller cabinet. I can almost follow the below guides, but there isn't enough description about the software side of things, and not being great at linux i'm a little worried about getting my project off the ground.

http://mancavemodder.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/build-cheap-arcade-cabinet-with_16.html
http://www.instructables.com/id/Bartop-Mini-Retro-Arcade-Raspberry-Pi-and-Customis/

Anyway, my issue is quite simple, or at least I think it is to start off with. I'm sure I'll need further assistance along the way. I've imaged the retropie image to the sd card and managed to boot up the pi! I've got an 8bitdo snes controller which is connected via usb at this point, but I don't seem to be able to progress past the "hold a key to continue" screen. Do I need a keyboard at this point? It says I have 1 controller attached, so I assumed I could program my usb controller at this point.

ballboff · « **Reply #1 on:** April 18, 2016, 03:39:00 am »

Made some progress on this. Looks like the 8bitdo controller doesn't work off the cuff. Didn't recognize any key commands, I've not tried it using the bluetooth, but i've heard the onboard bluetooth is a bit shaky. I've managed to rip out the bluetooth board from the icade and i've replaced it with an ipac that I had lying around from a previous machine. This was where it started happening! I've managed to reconfigure my controls using the ipac after I rewired everything. I had to cut off the connectors and strip all the wires and extend all the wires so that they fit out the back of the joystick controller. Positioning the wires was a hard job because they kept covering over the screw holes, I ended up having to tape down all the wires so that they lay neat between the screw holes. Anyway I managed to get it fully operational and I've managed to play some older games. They didn't all work, I think i'm using a newish romset. All I need now is a screen. Pics to follow...

ballboff · « **Reply #2 on:** April 18, 2016, 03:49:21 am »

some progress photos...

acvieluf · « **Reply #3 on:** April 18, 2016, 10:13:42 pm »

Following. I have an icade that's calling my name when my current project is completed. Interested in watching yours! : )

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mike5im5 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 20, 2016, 01:20:46 pm »

Nice. I posted my picade project on here last year. It's a perfect size for an iPAD LCD. Mine had a pi B so with a Pi3 it'd be even better.

mike5im5 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 20, 2016, 01:22:43 pm »

dunno if this link will work but my one: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,146302.msg1522423.html#msg1522423

ballboff · « **Reply #6 on:** April 24, 2016, 05:08:12 pm »

Quote from: mike5im5 on April 20, 2016, 01:22:43 pm

dunno if this link will work but my one: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,146302.msg1522423.html#msg1522423

Yeah I've seen that before, it's a great build.

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ballboff · « **Reply #7 on:** April 24, 2016, 05:11:04 pm »

Quote from: mike5im5 on April 20, 2016, 01:20:46 pm

Nice. I posted my picade project on here last year. It's a perfect size for an iPAD LCD. Mine had a pi B so with a Pi3 it'd be even better.

I've gone for a 8 inch 4:3 screen from pimoroni.com which they recommend and have used in their own projects. Think I have to make some changes to the config.txt to get it to work. I think the max resolution is 800 x 600 which is imo perfect for retro games.

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ballboff · « **Reply #8 on:** April 28, 2016, 04:00:17 pm »

Anyone got any tips on the lcd? I'm getting no signal, I'm guessing I need settings for 800 x 600 resolution and non hdmi mode....

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ballboff · « **Reply #9 on:** April 29, 2016, 12:17:49 pm »

It's OK, I have progress....

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ballboff · « **Reply #10 on:** April 29, 2016, 12:18:57 pm »

Quote from: ballboff on April 29, 2016, 12:17:49 pm

It's OK, I have progress....

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ballboff · « **Reply #11 on:** April 29, 2016, 01:30:39 pm »

Can an administrator move this to project announcements now, as I don't think I've got many raspberry pi issues now and the project is off the ground...

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acvieluf · « **Reply #12 on:** April 29, 2016, 09:18:13 pm »

This looks awesome! how difficult was it to nail that frame in? (and get it to stay)

ballboff · « **Reply #13 on:** April 30, 2016, 01:35:53 pm »

Er yeah. I haven't got it to stay in place yet, and I've still got a bezel to cut out and a piece of perspex to cut...

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Slippyblade · « **Reply #14 on:** April 30, 2016, 01:47:24 pm »

Epoxy is your friend.

ballboff · « **Reply #15 on:** April 30, 2016, 05:39:57 pm »

Yeah didn't want to go down the glue route in case I ever need to remove the screen at a later date. I need some kind of screw clips which hold the screen in place.

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ballboff · « **Reply #16 on:** May 04, 2016, 09:18:18 am »

This could be the last update for a while. Disaster struck. I've split my monitor ribbon meaning my screen doesn't work anymore...

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ballboff · « **Reply #17 on:** May 04, 2016, 09:21:52 am »

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acvieluf · « **Reply #18 on:** May 10, 2016, 09:10:34 am »

That sucks, sorry to hear it.

ballboff · « **Reply #19 on:** May 15, 2016, 04:13:05 pm »

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ballboff · « **Reply #20 on:** May 15, 2016, 04:17:58 pm »

The new screen i've chosen is a 7 inch one. The reason for this is that the screen I originally chose was too flimsy. The ribbon is just not robust enough for my sausage fingers lol. There shouldn't be too much difference size wise. ..

The new screen has the display driver board built in, so the ribbon isn't on display. I only have to screw it in place and plug in a hdmi cable

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ballboff · « **Reply #21 on:** May 19, 2016, 08:37:31 am »

Tested with a game of berserk. Struggling with space, I've got 3cm to squeeze in a HDMI cable... hmmmm!

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ballboff · « **Reply #22 on:** May 27, 2016, 06:02:01 am »

I'm losing my will to carry on with this project. It's not looking as nice and clean as I first thought. I'm hoping these final stages will put the icing on the cake and bring it all together.

Does anybody know how I can create multiple gamelists for the same emulator using retropie? I've chosen to run everything on mame2003 libretro emulator which seems to run everything I need, and uses mame 0.78 which I have been able to download roms for that version. I want to be able to run neo geo in 1 screen labelled neo geo and another screen labelled mame. Can I run a neo geo system off the same emulator as mame? Or do I have to use a neo geo emulator to run neo geo games if I want them in a different category? Does this make sense?

Had to cut a hole and buy a right angled hdmi cable to squeeze in at the side of the screen.

Runs off a 10000 maH power bank. Get about 10 hours play off a full charge, maybe more...

ballboff · « **Reply #23 on:** May 28, 2016, 05:04:40 pm »

Almost complete. Things to do: marquee, service hatch, add more games, power switch

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ballboff · « **Reply #24 on:** May 29, 2016, 08:59:45 am »

99% finished!

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ballboff · « **Reply #25 on:** June 09, 2016, 04:05:34 pm »

Decided on new buttons. You know when you wish you didn't start something?! The connectors were smaller on these buttons, so I had to use some pliers just to pinch them all a bit tighter.

Makes such a difference, the clicking sound was much louder on the stock buttons. You can give these some serious rat a tat tat on 1943! Rapid Fire is possible, unlike before.

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acvieluf · « **Reply #26 on:** June 16, 2016, 09:57:22 pm »

Nice job! Although I think when i get to mine (after current cab is finished), I'll go with something bigger than 7" for the screen. It is a bit dwarfed, IMHO.

I know you had the larger one earlier, but is the size something you miss?

ballboff · « **Reply #27 on:** June 17, 2016, 02:14:45 am »

Quote from: acvieluf on June 16, 2016, 09:57:22 pm

Nice job! Although I think when i get to mine (after current cab is finished), I'll go with something bigger than 7" for the screen. It is a bit dwarfed, IMHO.

I know you had the larger one earlier, but is the size something you miss?

Yeah definitely. Get the 8 inch one from pimoroni it's perfect for this project. I'm learning to live with it now but I wish I had waited. They keep going out of stock but like I say they are worth waiting for at the price. They are also 4:3 ratio too, which gives you a nice full screen on those classics. One other thing; vertical games are tiny, games such as 1942 are shockingly small on a 7 inch widescreen.

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SNAAKE · « **Reply #28 on:** June 24, 2016, 02:16:49 am »

I got one too and its really good!

acvieluf · « **Reply #29 on:** June 25, 2016, 08:27:17 pm »

Quote from: ballboff on June 17, 2016, 02:14:45 am

Quote from: acvieluf on June 16, 2016, 09:57:22 pm
Nice job! Although I think when i get to mine (after current cab is finished), I'll go with something bigger than 7" for the screen. It is a bit dwarfed, IMHO.

I know you had the larger one earlier, but is the size something you miss?
Yeah definitely. Get the 8 inch one from pimoroni it's perfect for this project. I'm learning to live with it now but I wish I had waited. They keep going out of stock but like I say they are worth waiting for at the price. They are also 4:3 ratio too, which gives you a nice full screen on those classics. One other thing; vertical games are tiny, games such as 1942 are shockingly small on a 7 inch widescreen.

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That sounds perfect. I'll keep that in mind. When I do mine, i'm considering going ALL vertical anyways. I think 8" would look perfect that way.

ballboff · « **Reply #30 on:** June 30, 2016, 03:55:58 pm »

Does anyone know if I can power the pi off a tablet battery and charge it up etc so I can make it fully portable? I'm connecting it to an external battery at the moment which is fine but not perfect.

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Slippyblade · « **Reply #31 on:** June 30, 2016, 04:01:25 pm »

Battery is a battery. As long as it can provide the proper voltage and has enough amps to run for decent length of time.

ballboff · « **Reply #32 on:** June 30, 2016, 05:17:49 pm »

Quote from: Slippyblade on June 30, 2016, 04:01:25 pm

Battery is a battery. As long as it can provide the proper voltage and has enough amps to run for decent length of time.

Yeah but I need to know how to do it. I want to try to connect a tablet battery. Do I need another board so I can charge it etc? I want to be able to charge it and then disconnect the wall charger and then go full mobile

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ballboff · « **Reply #33 on:** July 01, 2016, 12:28:27 pm »

Scrap that idea. Can't be arsed wiring this up. I've realised after doing a bit of research that obviously whatever power supply you choose, you're always supplying a constant power to the pi. This means that unless you find a switch off board or do some fancy soldering you're always gonna have to pull the plug when it's shut down. This is what I do anyway and just shut it down via the built in menu

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SNAAKE · « **Reply #34 on:** July 03, 2016, 06:00:04 am »

you can just get a usb cable with on/off switch from ebay

ballboff · « **Reply #35 on:** July 03, 2016, 03:02:23 pm »

Quote from: SNAAKE on July 03, 2016, 06:00:04 am

you can just get a usb cable with on/off switch from ebay

I've seen those, but I still think I'd need to build a hack. Battery inside. Switch outside. My battery is pretty big too. Makes sense at the moment to have the battery external and have it on the same surface as the machine itself. I'm looking at maybe using a tablet battery and an aurdino power boost board. In the future maybe... Got an other project in mind first lol

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ballboff · « **Reply #36 on:** July 30, 2016, 06:22:46 am »

A battery...

An adafruit powerboost...

A switch...

Bit of gaffa tape...

I can now switch the power off before charging so it doesn't drain power while charging. When I switch it on it powers up if there is enough charge. I can also charge and use at the same time but i'm guessing it drains quicker than charges. All in all though it's fully mobile...

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