 Notice. New forum software under development. It's going to miss a few functions and look a bit ugly for a while, but I'm working on it full time now as the old forum was too unstable. Couple days, all good. If you notice any issues, please contact me. |
Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Game*Mite future
| Author | Message | ||||
thwill Guru  Joined: 16/09/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 4301 |
Hi folks, @Volhout reached out via PM to ask about the future of the Game*Mite and in a fit of self-importance  I thought other people might be interested in my reply.At the moment work and illness are taking their toll and what little hobby time I'm able to muster is being put into MMB4L v0.8. - Various bug fixes. - Fill some holes in simulating other platforms, most significantly adding the ability to PRINT to a graphics surface. - Add simulation of PicoMiteVGAUSB and PicoCalc platforms. - Remove limit of 128 internal functions - I've completed this and presented it to Peter as something he might port to the PicoMite, but because it isn't a simple lift and shift (MMB4L has diverged significantly in some areas from the PicoMite) he has not taken the bait. - Add the PicoMite EDITor. The last change is part of preparatory work for v0.9 where I'm going to try and get MMB4L running on Android. I wouldn't call it closed, but I've rather lost enthusiasm. Mick and I sold only ~20 units and I've not heard anyone other than you and a couple of other early adopters mention it since; I'm not sure Geoff's PicoGamer (clone) did much better, as far as I'm aware no-one has posted on TBS about that. Hardware wise I think there are basically 3 update paths (ignoring fitting an RP2350): - More buttons (match a SNES controller) - I could do that but with the exception of PETSCII Robots everything has been just fine with the current configuration. - Keyboard module - that takes it into PicoCalc territory and the honest truth is small keyboards are never much good. - Proper enclosure - both PicoCalc territory and beyond my skill set. In theory MMB4L on the R36S is a much more powerful MMBasic gaming platform, but it's not the easiest thing to install and configure. You need a compatible Wifi dongle and to have some Linux skills. I'm intending to take a look at simplifying deployment to it once I'm done with MMB4L v0.8 + v0.9. Some links to related threads: - MMB4L - Game*Mite - MMB4L on the R36S Best wishes, Tom Edited 2025-05-29 22:15 by thwill MMBasic for Linux, Game*Mite, CMM2 Welcome Tape, Creaky old text adventures |
||||
| robert.rozee Guru Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 2434 |
just my opinion, but... i think the Game*Mite is a unique form-factor that fills a niche, and is not just "yet another basic in a box with video out" project that we all seem to be obsessed with these days. i would certainly like to see someone help out Tom to carry it on, improvements for the next version (again, just) my opinion) might be: 1. upgrading to the Pico2 (RP2350) but retaining the existing version of mmbasic, optimized for speed rather than available RAM. 2. replacement of the audio amplifier module with an LM386 chip. 3. give serious consideration to removing the touch panel to attain better screen visuals. 4. design of a case made out of laser-cut layers of perspex sheet. 5. marketed as a Silicon Chip Magazine project with availability November so kits can be given by readers as Christmas presents. cheers, rob :-) |
||||
Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 7844 |
LM386 is too high a supply voltage. You really need a bridged amp, something like the LM4871, which will run down to 2V supply. That one is mono. Unfortunately there is no PDIP version. The other way is to use the battery to drive a buck converter to get 5V. . Edited 2025-05-29 20:22 by Mixtel90 Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
||||
| robert.rozee Guru Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 2434 |
hi Mick, several places seem to sell small kits based upon the LM386 that they claim can operate from 3v to 12v supply. nonetheless, the TDA7052 is an alternative option, good down to 3v, and readily available (cheaply) in an 8-pin DIP package: https://www.ebay.com/itm/273089922603 cheers, rob :-) Edited 2025-05-29 21:05 by robert.rozee |
||||
| Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 7844 |
You might get something out of it at 3V, but it will probably be horrible. :) The spec says 4-12V but the N-4 version is rated 5-18V. The thing is, at 3V7 you will already be on the edge of operating so the battery life may not be long before your audio disappears. If you are getting a commercial display that is available in touch and non-touch versions then the panel itself will almost certainly have a touch layer, only the touch controller will be missing. It works out cheaper that way. Upgrading to Pico 2 is a good idea as it draws less power and is faster. I also like the idea of the laser-cut case, but it may cause problems with buttons.(different height to the display). A second PCB may be needed, or mount the Pico and other components on the back of the PCB, with just the display and buttons on the front. Buttons are a pain! I would steer well clear of any attempt at a 3D printed case. You'd have to have a source to make them and sell them separately - and there may be a very small number sold. Laser-cut plastic will be bad enough in small quantities. Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
||||
| robert.rozee Guru Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 2434 |
i think this image pretty much sums up my opinions on resistive touch screens:  (from: https://www.thebackshed.com/forum/ViewTopic.php?TID=16242&P=2#210274) you lose a tonne of contrast, and everything appears as if viewed through a silver mist. the only place where resistive touch screens can be made to work passable is in car GPS receivers, where there is enough juice available to run the display really bright. or in an application where the user rarely needs to look at the screen, such as the control panel on a photocopier. cheers, rob :-) |
||||
| Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 7844 |
I'm not arguing with you, just saying that it may not be easy finding a *genuine* non-touch display rather than one without the touch sensor chip. The display assemblers probably only buy one sort of panel as there will be virtually no cost difference to them. Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
||||
| Volhout Guru Joined: 05/03/2018 Location: NetherlandsPosts: 5041 |
If you do not like the touch foil, heat the display in an oven to 60c and pull it off. Do not go above 70c ot the display will get bad. What is wrong with the audio amplifier on the game mite? The game*mite and picogamer are hardware compatible, except flash size. I have no idea how many silicon chip sold, but there may be more than 20. Why develop a new one? Breathe new air in the current. I showed Tom a thermal camera application that plugs into the user port. Not all applications need to be games. I see the game*mite as a portable platform that can accept a pod, and can be used for various tasks depending the pod. To bad Tom does not see that. Volhout P.s. too many variants of a platform makes the audience for your variant thin. You in stead of developing for a large group, you isolate each and everyone. That is why I stopped adopting each new design that comes out. I have 2040 vga and 2040 lcd (game*mitw). And there it stops. I have a 2350 hdmiusb but that is not my development basis. More for verification things could work on that too. P.p.s. I do miss an enclosure... Edited 2025-05-30 05:09 by Volhout PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS |
||||
| thwill Guru Joined: 16/09/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 4301 |
If I'm honest with you I'm not entirely sure what it is you want of me, exactly what nature of "new air" do you think I should provide ? The device exists and I think Mick and I did a really good job of it - we both have stock to sell if anyone is interested. Isn't it now up to users to build it and use it ? It then lives or dies based on what software (or "pods") are developed for it. That seems unfair, why do you think it has a user-port and a header for all the controller button pins (OK, I screwed up by not also bringing out RESET on that header) ? Best wishes, Tom Edited 2025-05-30 05:48 by thwill MMBasic for Linux, Game*Mite, CMM2 Welcome Tape, Creaky old text adventures |
||||
| Volhout Guru Joined: 05/03/2018 Location: NetherlandsPosts: 5041 |
Sorry Tom Did not mean to be unfair. I wanted to say, what you confirmed, that you wait for the comunity to make it popular. That your part is done. I did not want to offend or critisize your position in that. Fact is that activity promotes. No posts on game mite and it dies. That is why flag ship CMM2 is less popular then pico. While there probably are more cmm2 in the field then picomites. Activity is needed to make people enthousiast and join. Volhout Edited 2025-05-30 07:03 by Volhout PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS |
||||
| Volhout Guru Joined: 05/03/2018 Location: NetherlandsPosts: 5041 |
Anyway, I will see what I can do myself. It is unfair to expect others to do it while I myself sit and watch. Volhout Edited 2025-05-30 07:08 by Volhout PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS |
||||
 Print this page |
 |
The Back Shed's forum code is written, and hosted, in Australia. | © JAQ Software 2025 |
