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Building a genesis copier (backup unit)
ThePanda - May 13, 2002
  ThePanda May 13, 2002
Hi, I'm thinking of trying to build this device to play Genesis and SNES games: Multi Console Copier.... Is this a bad idea? Is there a better one available, maybe one with 64M or Flash memory? Please give me any suggestions.

 ExCyber May 13, 2002
There's really not a whole lot of homebrew copier info out there that I know of; never knew about this one. If you're okay with the cost and physical size of it, then I don't see why there's any problem with this design unless you want to run the few games that need odd mapping features (e.g. Phantasy Star 4, which would probably mostly work anyway). This circuit can apparently use flash (assuming that you correct for the minor pinout differences), though I don't think the current version of the software on that page supports writing to flash. 64Mb would require additional mapping hardware, add lots of cost, and would only let you play a few additional games...

 ThePanda May 15, 2002
Hey, I don't know too much about electronics and I was going to have someone help me with it, but I was wondering, does this copier use the parallel port on my computer or do I have to get some kind of PCI card or something?

 ExCyber May 15, 2002
It uses the parallel port.

 ThePanda May 15, 2002
cool, thanks for the info

 ThePanda May 27, 2002
Does anyone know where I might find the Samsung KM684000B 4M memory used in the schematic? I searched sites such as Radioshack and JDR but they didn't have it.

 ExCyber May 27, 2002
Future... has it (full PN KM684000BLP-7), but you apparently need to order in multples of 11.

 maidtina May 27, 2002
Maybee i will build one in good time, still got many projects to do first. Will take me bloody ages to write the PCB design out but when i do figure it out in a few years i'll scan it and make it available here. Give something to the community

None of his wirewrapp prototyping, matrix board or breadboard, Soldermonkey do it proper!

 ThePanda May 27, 2002
Wow that memory is more expensive than I imagined!

 ThePanda May 28, 2002
I found this place called www.americaii.com... that also has the memory, but I can't figure out whether I have to be some huge company or something in order to order from them. Does anyone know about this, or know of any other electronics distributors for people ordering in low quantities? I'm in the US by the way.

Thanks for the help

 ExCyber May 28, 2002

  
	
	

		
		

			I found this place called www.americaii.com... that also has the memory, but I can't figure out whether I have to be some huge company or something in order to order from them.


I think you do for America II, but I'm not sure. You might want to submit an RFQ and see what they say. Most distributors seem to focus on large quantities and manufacturing-related supply chain contracts and stuff, because that's where the real money is. Digi-Key... is usually pretty good for small quantities, they just charge $5 extra if your subtotal is under $20 or $25 (can't remember which). AFAIK the following companies will also do small orders:

Arrow... (but watch out for their shipping and "handling" charges, they could easily double or triple your total on a small order)

Mouser...

Allied...

Jameco... (good for older memory, processors, and standard logic)

You might also want to try Findchips..., which is great aside from not searching Arrow. There are also various smaller distributors, so you might get some results plugging part numbers into Google (but that won't work with partial part numbers because Google's engine is word-based). Also, go to manufacturers' sites to make sure that you're not chasing ghosts - KM684000 (a Samsung... part) is from an obsolete part numbering system, even though some distributors still have it.

 ThePanda May 30, 2002
The guy who developed the copier replied to my email and said that he got the parts from Segor..., a company in Germany. He said they would ship worldwide, so I downloaded their catalog, but it's all in German and I don't understand any of it. They do seem to have the parts though, I think. I also found it listed without a price on the excess inventory page of this place called Edge Electronics, so I emailed them but they didn't write back yet. Maybe I would be better off just ordering the pack of 11 from future electronics unless I can get this german thing figured out.. Could the 4M memory be used instead of 1M memory on the battery backup cart without changing anything in the design or would it not work? Maybe this will help anyone else who is thinking of building this but I doubt it

 Mike G Jun 3, 2002
When I needed some of this memory for a similar project I'm doing, I got it from Farnell (http://www.farnell.com...). The compatible 4MBit static RAM parts they list are:

308-1503: HM628512BLP-7 (Hitachi)

794-193: KM684000BLP-7 (Samsung)

Mike

 superyoshi Jun 3, 2002
It is a bad idea. The ELSPA crime unit... will most likley bust you if you make that game copier.

 Random Hajile Jun 3, 2002
You know, there ARE legit uses for such a device, especially for a system that's over 10 years old.

 Mike G Jun 4, 2002
Have you read that ELSPA page, particularly the section about the "morality" of piracy or some such? It's hilarious.

Mike

 maidtina Jun 4, 2002

  
	
	

		
		

			Originally posted by superyoshi@June 03 2002,08:33



It is a bad idea. The ELSPA crime unit... will most likley bust you if you make that game copier.


hey, its not a console copier, its a motorola 68000 development unit!

 ExCyber Jun 4, 2002
I'm inclined to think that this ELSPA site is a joke. There are such ridiculous statements on there that I can't come to any other conclusion. For example:


  
	
	

		
		

			You will see many pirate sites with disclaimers stating "you are legally entitled to make one backup...." etc. But they misrepresent the facts. The law states you may make a backup "Where it is necessary". This clause was added at the time of the 16-bit machines, because of the volatility of floppy discs.


Quick now, tell me which country this site is supposed to cover. Oh yeah, Europe... wait a second!


  
	
	

		
		

			Publishers and developers make mere pennies per sale of an original game.


Yep, turns out that $30-40 on top of the production cost is pure gravy for the retailer, and they're all conspiring to fix prices...


  
	
	

		
		

			It is estimated that the industry lost in excess of 3 billion pounds to the pirates last year. If you use illegal software, then you contributed towards that three billion large sums of that money could have quite easily (and probably has) been invested in the IRA, the Maffia, Triad gangs, money laundering rackets, prostitution rings how do you feel about that[question_mark]


Now, just in case you haven't been paying attention, that means that a whole lot of money that nobody got was invested into criminal and terrorist groups. Those bastards are getting more clever all the time...

 super active super yoshi Jun 10, 2002

  
	
	

		
		

			Originally posted by ExCyber@June 04 2002,03:12



I'm inclined to think that this ELSPA site is a joke.


Erm.... think again. Here is a real news bulletin from april 22nd this year:

CAR BOOT RAID NETS ALMOST £60K OF COUNTERFEIT

The UKs computer games industry body ELSPA, are praising Staffordshire County Council Trading Standards Department and Staffordshire Police for their continued efforts and determination to eradicate the illegal sale of counterfeits in the region.

The accolade follows visits by the enforcement authorities in March and April, to Shareshill, Cannock, Sunday car boot sales, where officers have removed from circulation to the general public 1,915 counterfeit cartridges.

The cartridges, all for genesis/megadrive format, which have a total estimated retail value of almost £60,000.00p were seized.

Forensic examinations are now being carried out by Officers from ELSPAs Anti-Piracy Unit who will confirm the authenticity of the software. Should the suspicions of the Officers be confirmed, five traders from the West Midlands area may be subject to criminal charges for TradeMark offences.

John Hillier, Manager of ELSPAs Anti-Piracy Unit said:

ELSPA wishes to thank the Officers involved in this investigation who have effectively removed counterfeit product from the marketplace. This should send out a clear message to all those people who may be tempted to become involved in the illegal manufacture or sales of this type of product.

ELSPA is the computer games industry watchdog which represents the interests of games publishers. They have a dedicated Anti-Piracy Unit which is made up of investigators across the country.

According to ELSPA, the UK video games industry loses £3 billion every year to piracy. In 80% of the raids carried out by ELSPA, there is evidence of other criminal activity operating alongside piracy including drug trafficking, pornography and even terrorism.

 Curtis Jun 10, 2002
Piss off you little turd, why don't you go and post some of your helpful messages over at http://www.dcemulation.com...

I'm sure they would really appriciate it there