EvilDragon17

We should aim at devices not using more than 10 - 12 W at maximum for anything USB Sent from my Moto Z using Tapatalk

Well... I still have an idea... when it's finished, we might make a redesign for other consoles / computers. Using a 4-pin Molex connector and custom made cables, so you could for example buy the universal USB power plug and a CD32 cable that plugs in there and use it for the CD32. I first need to check out what consoles / computers could be powered with that and where the connector can also be easily bought. So yeah, a universal one with different plug-in cables might be a good idea after that. Still, the Colecovision one can't easily be made like that, as it has a custom connector that can't easily be bought, so the universal one won't replace the Colecovision plug.

If they're interested, sure. I'm open for distributors

Here's a short video review: CE/FCC testing is planned for early July, after that, I'll start with preorders (without down-payment) and mass production Until then I'll also have the final price.

I didn't even start taking orders I might make a free preorder soon though.

Probably around 30 - 35 EUR, but I need to properly calculate that. And let's first finish this one before moving on to the next systems

And some news update: Received the case samples today and they seem final as well So, next step: CE / FCC testing - and then we're ready to go for mass production

Whooot, how could I have missed such an awesome project so far? I grew up with the 2600 (it was my first console) and always wanted to resell a flashcart for it as well (www.everdrive.de and www.dragonbox.de are my shops) I'd really love to resell it here in Europe, if you're fine with that. I am experienced in PCB and case production, so I could do that. As far as I read, a shell doesn't exist yet, right? I could take care of that. I could also mass produce PCBs (though it looks like these are done in the US?) So, I'm ready to contribute and make them more widely available. I don't want to simply steal the design and reproduce it, I'd be happy buying finished PCBs, producing them myself (contributing some of the income to the main developer) and of course provide the 3D files for the case or fully produced plastic shells for everyone who already has one of the PCBs. Would that be possible and what would you prefer? Sent from my Moto Z using Tapatalk

A quick update: I just finished the case for the new PCBs. And everyone who tested the small plugs was impressed so far, as it is working very well. So what's left now is the CE/FCC testing and after that the mass production. Anyone here who has a 3D printer and wants to see what the plug will look like? Then I could post STL files here for you

Well, as far as I can tell, FCC has different requirements based on what you have. There is the verification, which is similar to the CE: You have to test your item according to given specs in a lab and make sure it's within those limits. I hope that's what we need, as that wouldn't be an issue. Certification is expensive (10 - 20k with everything involved), but I think you only need that for radiation devices. One thing that's important to note: The plug is NOT a power supply! It is a power CONVERTER. The power SUPPLY is the USB AC Adaptor, the Colecovision Plug uses 5V input and converts it to -5V, 5V and 12V. My original idea was to create a power supply, but that would've been hell already for CE: As soon as you're dealing with high voltage, it's a lot more complex! That's why we've chosen to make such a plug - which is also way better to use internationally I just need to figure out whether FCC verification is enough. Anyone here who is knowledgable of the FCC? Otherwise, I'll check with a certified lab here.

Oh, that's too bad Well, for various reasons: 1. The Pandora couldn't be produced anymore (EOL-Chips) and there still was a lot of demand. 2. There was no other similar product (there are some now, like the GPD Win... but I know some customers who own both still prefer the Pandora for some reasons). 3. I have to pay back the investors at some time (around 300k EUR), so I need to make some money. A follow-up should help here, as we got a good customerbase already 4. The Pandora was awesome, so I didn't want to see the idea die and improve it... 5. I thought it would be a lot more easier when we just can reuse most of the case design and improve it. Who'd have thought the new case company doesn't have a clue about improving the case and modern hardware (like the OMAP5) is a lot more picky when it comes to design and layout. That's the reason I'm still thinking it will all work out. Once we're done and have the first unit out, we can produce that and improve it. We don't have to reinvent the wheel every time.

Well, I HAVE to do CE, as otherwise I couldn't even sell it. About FCC and UL: I need to check what the needed requirements here are. Sometimes, FCC only requires certain tests (which can be done at the same time as the CE testing), sometimes they require a full certification which costs around 10000 USD. Though I think the full certification is mostly needed for anything to do with wireless transmissions (Wifi, etc.), which the adaptor doesn't. I still plan to check that though.

I don't know how you make the time for this, your job, the Pyra and your shop! Well, actually, the adaptor has something to do with the Pyra. It uses parts of the power circuit (Nikolaus had to look up parts for power regulation and stabilization for the Pyra). And in the end phase of the Pyra, there were a lot of times where we just had to wait for the next PCBs to be produced... so there was time for this adaptor Thanks. Like the Pandora, it's a trip to hell and back

Almost done, the PCBs are already in the hands of some from the community here and so far work fine I'll finish up the case and then it's time for mass production

Sorry for the late reply, but I got good news indeed! We improved the design adding a proper 5V voltage stabilisator and now all USB power supplies (even cheap ones) work properly. This also protects the Colecovision from broken USB power supplies (as it limits the input power to 5V). New prototypes have been built end of last week. I've got 10 of them (only PCBs yet, we'll get the cases for them soon), and I'll send one out to the original tester and a few reviewers. If there is anyone here who has multiple Colecovision and / or accessories, please contact me via PM. I'd like to send out another prototype for testing as well

Sorry for the lack of updates - I'm quite stuffed with work, so I can't work on everything as fast as I'd love to.. We're currently improving the adaptor! The current version has two issues: 1. It needs a very good USB AC Adaptor and cable. Cheap ones (that deliver less than 5V) will cause graphic issues. We've added another power converter that makes sure that anything between 2,7V and 12V will be converted into a stable 5V (this way, you can also be sure a cheap USB Adaptor cannot damage your Colecovision!) 2. The current 12V converter adds a 1,1MHz frequency signal onto the 5V and 12V traces. As the Colecovision has absolutely no filters, this will lead to a barely visible distortion on the video output. We'll add some capacitors to filter this, so the picture will be perfect. I'll keep you updated

I don't have any leadtimes yet... once we've fixed the last issue, I guess it'll be about 1 - 2 months until I can ship them.

Sure, the good ones do have that. But we also want to filter out any noise from them as good as possible That won't hurt

Quick update: tarkus666 has been testing the adaptor, and so far, it works fine with various Colecovisions from different regions, modded and non-modded AND including the accessories. Only one minor issue left: There's some interference in the picture, which is worse the cheaper the USB adaptor is. That shouldn't be a big thing though, probably only needs a different sized capacitor on the PCB. I'll test the adaptor with an Oscilloscope to see what frequency needs to be filtered out from what power trace. I've seen that on my Colecovision as well when I tested it - however, I thought that it might be my Coleco that's broken here (I bought it with a defective power adaptor and did an AV mod, so I thought the interference comes from that...) But yay, it's working fine so far, so once that issue has been fixed, it's mass production time

Well, depending on how well it sells and how complicated that would be, I'm up for it Though I'm also thinking about an NES-Style controller for the Colecovision with DPad and buttons and instead of SELECT + START a small numpad... but I first want to finish this power supply. I have a lot of ideas but way too little time... that's always an issue.

And just a quick update: The adapter has successfully arrived at a tester here from the board, who has multiple Colecovisions (modded and unmodded), with accessories and from multiple regions He wants to test it next week. Hopefully, it works fine - then we can start with the mass production

Well, not taken over - but I'll try to find out how easy it would be to switch from his prototypes to a mass production run...

So far, I have not had an offer from Europe and I could not get hold of the Supergame module. So yes, if you would like to test it for me, I'd send it to you Unless someone else here from Europe contacts me before next week Some more update: I received quotations for the production costs for PCBs and the cases. With 500pcs. planned, we can't sell them for a price below 20 EUR, but we should be able to manage 25 - 30 EUR, so not too bad. Just as a quick information

Well, my shop (www.dragonbox.de) accepts PayPal, Amazon Pay, CreditCards, Bank Transfer, Bitcoins, etc. And as we're sitting in Europe, a 2 years warranty is required anyways for any product

Yes and no. If you ordered from me, you have received your Pandora. If you ordered from Craig in UK, then you probably didn't... and no one (not even me) knows what he did exactly with the money. I've lost 150K EUR thanks to him... great time :/