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Dragon multi-cartridge to VECTREX Extension
Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2016 8:20 pm
by Rolo
The Dragon multi-cartridge is playing "SCRAMBLE" on the VECTREX console!
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The Dragon multi-cart to Vectrex Extension
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- MCVectrexExtension03sml.JPG (36.24 KiB) Viewed 42983 times
Play 4k/8k/16k VECTREX-roms with the Dragon multi-cartridge. Mix roms for Dragon, Odyssey2 and Vectrex in any way you want on one chip. At least 50 new roms for the Dragon multi-cart! A real Multi-cart!
The prototype is ready and running. As you can see, I had to make some corrections on the prototype pcb. And, annoyingly, the Dragon multi-cart is upside down. This will change on the production pcb! Don't ask me, why it's upside down.
NOTE: To work with the Vectrex, a simple, minor mod is necessary on the Dragon multi-carts (version 1.5, version 1.6, version 1.6.1) . I'll show this a bit further down.
Future Dragon multi-carts will be modded by me. Dragon multi-carts version 1.0 will
not work.
Owners of the multi-cart, who don't want to do the mod themselves, are invited to send their carts to me. Modding is free of charge, you just pay shipping both directions. Please attach address sticker on cartridge and PM me.
NOTE: The
Dragon multi-cart to Vectrex Extension is not a stand-alone storage device. It is just an adaptor-pcb for the Dragon multi-cartridge.
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Playing a 16k-game
- MCVectrexExtension05sml.JPG (34.28 KiB) Viewed 42983 times
New pcbs will be ordered soon. First production-run will start probably middle of august.
Exact price yet unknown, due to component price problem. I absolutely try to stay under €20, cheaper if possible. I'll keep you informed.
If you are interested in the
Dragon multi-cart to Vectrex Extension you can register now, right here or privately via PM. If you decide not to want one later on, please tell me soon and I'll scratch your name from the list.
Modding your Dragon multi-cartridge for VECTREX
Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2016 8:34 pm
by Rolo
Modding the Dragon multi-cartridge
Note: Photos show version 1.6.1
Preparation: disassemble cartridge (metal plate)
1. cut pcb-layer connection (via) with an electric drill
2. cut trace with an electric drill
3. solder wire to eprom-socket-pin (pin 16)
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4. solder other end of wire to contact (pin 34)
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5. attach wire with the help of some glue to pcb
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Finally,reassemble cartridge
Ready.
Re: Dragon multi-cartridge is back! Version 1.6 for sale
Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2016 3:56 pm
by Rolo
project update
- Going to order the newly designed Vectrex Extension Cartridges pcbs today
- Waiting for a batch of eproms to arrive ...
- I think I found affordable connectors. I hope they are no trash. Waiting for them to arrive from the Far East ...
- Ordered all kinds of components. Waiting for delivery ...
- Registered a handful of potential customers for Multi-carts and Extension carts.
- Need to build a few more Multi-carts.
Re: Dragon multi-cartridge is back! Version 1.6 for sale
Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2016 1:47 am
by Rolo
project update
collecting components and parts:
- P43.JPG (310.17 KiB) Viewed 42915 times
building things as far as possible:
- P44.JPG (226.04 KiB) Viewed 42915 times
Still waiting for some parts, but making good progress. Delivery will start soon.
I did a
price calculation:
The price for the Multi-cart to Videopac Extension will be: US$12.99 (plus shipping)
Same price for the Multi-cart to Vectrex Extension: US$12.99 (plus shipping)
- Rolo
Re: Dragon multi-cartridge is back! Version 1.6 for sale
Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 12:16 am
by Rolo
The
Dragon/CoCo multi-cart to Vectrex Extension now is available!
I tested the prototype and made a batch of cartridges. Look at the photos:
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Extension cartridge and Dragon/CoCo Multi-cartridge:
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- Carts.JPG (89.83 KiB) Viewed 42891 times
Plugged into the console. Note the direction of the boards:
Always component side up or showing to the front of the console. Do not plug in, in opposite direction!
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- PluggedIn02.JPG (56.39 KiB) Viewed 42891 times
It's working (playing) ...
Roms up to 16k can be played, with the current Multi-cart.
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Price
US$12.99 plus shipping!
Register now!
Next step: Reproduction of some Dragon/CoCo Multi-carts...
-Rolo
Re: Dragon multi-cartridge is back! Version 1.6 for sale
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2016 9:30 pm
by Rolo
Modding Dragon Multi-cart version 1.5 for use with Vectrex Extension
You have a Dragon Multi-cart version 1.5, which you would like to use with your Vectrex console? Before you can do that, you have to do some little modding of your cartridge.
Please get the instructions at
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/255174 ... try3575840
-Rolo
Re: Dragon multi-cartridge is back! Version 1.6 for sale
Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2016 12:39 am
by Rolo
Since all information is scattered around the place, I added a Dragon/CoCo Multi-cart FAQ-section on the
The DRAGON Archive's home page in
DIY projects. Thanks robcfg for the idea!
http://archive.worldofdragon.org/index. ... 1.6_(Rolo)
-Rolo
Re: Dragon multi-cartridge is back! Version 1.6 for sale
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 10:29 pm
by Rolo
project update
I burned an eprom full of Vectrex-roms for testing purposes and checked them all:
slot size game
00 16 AllGoodThings.bin
02 16 DarkTower.bin
04 16 Moon9.bin
06 16 PatriotsIII.bin
08 16 Revector.bin
10 16 Rounders_16k.bin
12 16 Royal21.bin
14 16 SpikeHoppin'.bin
16 16 StarTrekTheGame(Hacked)_16k.bin
18 16 V-Frogger.bin
20 16 Vaboom!_16k.bin
22 16 VecSportBoxing.bin
24 16 Vector21.bin
26 8 8Ball_8k.bin
27 8 Arkanoid_8k.bin
28 8 ArmorAttack_8k.bin
29 8 Bedlam_8k.bin
30 8 Berzerk_8k.bin
31 8 Blitz!.bin
32 8 Citybomber_8k.bin
33 8 CleanSweep_8k.bin
34 8 CosmicChasm_8k.bin
35 8 Etch-a-Sketch(LightPen)_8k.bin
36 8 FortressOfNarzod.bin
37 8 HeadsUp.bin
38 8 HyperChase_8k.bin
39 8 MailPlaneFull.bin
40 8 MelodyMaster(LightPen).bin
41 8 NarrowEscapeMod.bin
42 8 NebulaCommander.bin
43 8 Nonagalf_8k.bin
44 8 Paratroopers_8k.bin
45 8 PitchersDuel.bin
46 8 PolarRescue.bin
47 8 PolePosition.bin
48 8 RipOff_8k.bin
49 8 RockaroidsRemix.bin
50 8 SQUAREZ2015_8k.BIN
51 8 Scramble_8k.BIN
52 8 SolarQuest.bin
53 8 SpaceWars_8k.bin
54 8 Spike'sWaterBalloons_8k.bin
55 8 Spike.bin
56 8 SpinBall.bin
57 8 StarCastle_8k.bin
58 8 StarHawk_8k.bin
59 8 VecDrum_v101.bin
60 8 VectorVaders.bin
61 8 Vectrace_8k.bin
62 8 VectrexPong_8k.bin
63 8 WebWars.bin
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- CleanSweep400.jpg (56.05 KiB) Viewed 42852 times
- StarHawk400.jpg (55.8 KiB) Viewed 42852 times
- PatriotsIII400.jpg (43.85 KiB) Viewed 42852 times
- MailPlain400.jpg (56.88 KiB) Viewed 42852 times
- PolePosition400.jpg (57.03 KiB) Viewed 42852 times
- PatriotsIII400.jpg (43.85 KiB) Viewed 42852 times
- HeadsUp400.jpg (67.76 KiB) Viewed 42852 times
All of them are working!
How did I make the collection?
- created a new folder "myMultiCartRomDir"
- copied all roms I wanted to this folder
- padded the 4k-roms and all roms with a wrong byte count to full 8k-roms or 16k-roms (with the help of an hex-editor)
- left 512k of roms inside the folder, removed the rest
- opened console and typed:
Code: Select all
cd myMultiCartRomDir jump into my folder
cat $(ls -S1) > VectrexTestRom.bin concatenate all files in this folder, sorted by size, and write result into VectrexTestRom.bin
(sorting by size guarantees, that all 16k-files are starting on even numbers)
- burned this file
Quick and easy!
Re: Dragon multi-cartridge is back! Version 1.6 for sale
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2016 11:35 am
by robcfg
My Dragon to Videopac converters just arrived, they look gooooorgeous!
Looking forward to try them!
Re: Dragon multi-cartridge is back! Version 1.6 for sale
Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2016 11:28 am
by Rolo
November 01: The
"International Play Your VECTREX Day"
It's coming ...
Be prepared ...
Buy your
DRAGON/CoCo Multi-cart a
VECTREX Extension Cartridge!
US$12.99 plus shipping
http://vectrex.wikia.com/wiki/Internati ... ectrex_Day
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