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New batch of Jammafiers

Just a short update on things cooking in the lab.  A new batch of Jammafiers is in the works, almost ready to go out – except the audio connectors are still missing, but supposedly in transit.  There are a few units in this batch that are not spoken for, so if you are in need of one – pre-order yours today 🙂

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JVS-PAC 2 features

I’ve finally gotten around to tinker with the JVS-PAC 2, a lot of the core stuff has been ported over from work on the Jammafier.

Keyboard output with MAME mapping is a no-brainer and default, I always strive for things to ‘just work’ for ‘most cases’. There will be no XBOX360/One, PS4 support as I assume official licenses are out of reach and I’m not in the possession of the crypto stuff Brooks have – I actually have no idea how they pulled it off.

What I’m aiming for with this one is a single firmware that presents itself to the computer as:

  • A Capable keyboard (enough simultaneous button presses for fighting games etc)
  • A Mouse (I got a dynamic golf panel and would very much like to play marble madness on it)
  • Two Joypads

The idea is to have an .ini file on micro-sd and use the OLED/buttons to toggle/set configuration – i.e. to switch from keyboard to joypad without having to re-flash the firmware.

I’ve gotten some input on making it ‘xinput’, which I frankly don’t completely understand as x-input is an old windows API, these requests also mention the xbox 360 controller and steam..?

Is the challenge at hand to make the JVS-PAC2 work ‘out-of-the-box’ with steam titles – drop me a message via the contact section if you have any input (pun intended 🙂 ).

 

 

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Second batch of Jammafiers out

The second batch of Jammafiers were sent out today, I hope you will like them.

Unfortunately, I don’t have a hidden stash of Jammafiers, or JVS-PAC2’s for that matter.  When more units will be for sale is TBD at the moment, but do check back for updates.

 

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More Jammafiers

First batch of the Jammafiers went out last month, and while there was a slight issue (later resolved) with the IO boards found in Vewlix cabinets, I think it was a success.  

I’m making another small batch and as of right now, there are 4 units not spoken for.  If you want one, you can pre-order in the store section.  They should be ready to ship in about 2 weeks.

The store section is not really completed, shipping and payment plug-ins are not working so it’s all rather static for now.  The way it works is you put in your order, and once I’m ready to ship – I’ll send you a PayPal invoice.

Shipping methods are FedEx and non-tracked air-mail.  

 

 

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Second Iteration of the JVS-PAC 2

This is a new prototype of the next JVS-PAC.  Apart from the processor which is really fast, it has a  surprisingly readable tiny screen and two buttons. Micro-SD for firmware updates, so no need for special Windows drivers.  I’m still ‘bringing it up’ – but at least the screen works 🙂  I’ll post a note when the hardware is properly verified and I have some idea on availability schedule.

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New upscaler prototype

Making an upscaler is not for the easily discouraged, that’s for sure.  This is rev 1.3, the 4th revision of the upscaler.

Most notably for users is that input and output is clearly labeled on the PCB, as I found myself plugging input video to the output connector and vice versa.If it’s confusing to me that actually makes the thing, I’m sure it would be confusing for others too.

Most of the changes has to do with making it feasible to have it manufactured – I’ve changed the size of some components, improved the power delivery part and managed to re-arrange things so all components fit on the top side of the PCB, which should bring production cost down a bit.  It’s still in development, but hopefully (famous last words) – the hardware part is pretty much done. 

 

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Bigger Faster Better!

The old JVS-PAC works well (I think), but is not easy to maintain or expand.  Running at 48MHz, it had a whopping 2048 bytes of memory and 32KB of flash, all of which encompasses the firmware update software, JVS stack, USB stack and the actual firmware itself.  The limited memory was particularly a challenge and some ‘tricks’ had to be used.

The new JVS-PAC, I think it will be called JVS-PAC2, has the features of a small computer with 256KB of flash, 64KB ram and running at twice the speed of the original.  This means that the software can be written in a ‘normal’ way.

For normal use, this won’t mean a whole lot as the JVS-PAC is made to do its job and stay out the way during gaming.  However – when setting things up and troubleshooting, it will make things a lot easier.

The new JVS-PAC will feature an OLED screen that can display stuff like status of the IO board, if the buttons in your cab is working etc.  

Firmware updates will also be a little simpler, as it will use a micro-sd card – no more special windows drives to do an update.

As for bigger, the board will be a tad bigger to fit the OLED screen and miro-sd slot, but not by a whole lot.

Prototype PCB’s for the new version should be here early May, and if things work the way I hope I will plan for a production run shortly after.

 

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First Iteration of the JVS-PAC 2

This is the first iteration of the JVS-PAC 2, picture is from September 2017 with the old JVS-PAC for size comparison.  It’s basically the same product, but with more modern parts. 

It’s working fine, but I’m not entirely happy with it.  Firmware updates are user unfriendly, and it doesn’t address some of the short-comings of the first version in a good way.  So – I’m ditching this first iteration, and continue working another iteration that is a bit more exciting.  Stay tuned 🙂

 

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home

Hi, and welcome to my page where I cover the gadgets I make and sell.

At the moment, unfortunately nothing for sale as it’s either sold out, or work-in-progress that is not ready yet.  

2018-03-14 Update

Third prototype for Jammafier PCB’s ordered.  The Jammafier will be shipped with an acrylic top cover, a prototype should arrive shortly.

2018-03-03 Update

Second prototype for Jammafier PCB’s ordered.  

2018-01-03 Update

Jammafier – WIP, first batch planned for early 2018

JVS-PAC2 – WIP, likely to be available after the Jammafier

Retro Scaler A1 – WIP, likely last to be available, mostly because of high production cost 

JVS-PAC – End-of-life, no more stock