Hey guys, just a quick update to reassure everyone that I'll keep you posted. My new solder station arrives Monday (an X-Tronic 9020-XTS). I'm still not sure exactly when the adapters will arrive. The rest of my order has shown up. I got a new Fluke 115 multimeter for testing the quality of my work, a PanaVise PCB vise, some proper plastic glue, and better quality flux. I already own everything else I need. Pretty overkill for this but I've been meaning to make these purchases for a long while.
So, not to misinterperate this thread, are you basically trying to make SD cards for the that can have AES/MVS ROMS read from them via the X?
Right. The SD slot on the NGX features swapped data pins (thanks go to ack and NeoTurfMasta for figuring it out). Because of this, it will not read normal SD cards.
With an adapter, in an unmodded unit, you could add your own game ROMs to a microSD. In a modded unit, you could put anything on you want on it (including media files).
If so, do you think this will hinder any possible support the X *may* have planned for it down the road?
Okay. Valid point. That certainly makes me re-think my position.
The truth is, I obviously don't know. Personally, I think sales will make a far bigger impact on potential support than the possibility of piracy. Especially since the people that are unwilling to buy games have already decided not to purchase a NGX because they can already pirate every Neo Geo game.
I'm going to continue with making some by hand, but we shouldn't try to do mass production. Maybe reconsider that idea if the system is officially abandoned.
Could a conductive ink pen make the job easier?
Well, there's two problems. The pins aren't etched on PCB; they're free floating pins so there's nothing to draw on. The second problem is that the pins have to be rewired three dimensionally because there's no way to route them without at least two cross overs.
Also from experience, Chinese factories won't even answer your emails for 100-200 units of a custom job. Bump up your minimum to 25,000 and maybe, just maybe they'll consider it. I'm not trying to be mean or discourage you but these are the facts.
Well, I'm not some overly sensitive guy that takes this personally. I just didn't want to hear empty speculation without some real numbers to consider. This is the type of information I was looking for.
Truth is, a few days ago, I tried speaking to the seller in China that I purchased the adapters from. He said he could help. Originally, he thought I wanted custom logos. He dropped interest when I clarified what I wanted. Haha.
Bloodshed, what adapter did you modify? I'm looking to try and make my own (I realise you say it was an absolute ballache, but I fancy my chances)
It was a SanDisk microSD to SD adapter. Any adapter will do though. I do some good work (adapter is a bad example) but I'm hardly the best at soldering. So, if you have experience with surface mount soldering, you can definately do it. It's just surprisingly more painful than I expected.