This is a copy of my reply in the noob questions thread and it serves as a nice intro:
Hey there BitBuilt community, I am a noob! I have never built a portable, however I've seen them around a lot. I have read a ton of articles, worklogs, guides, ebay product pages, forums, and instructables pages, and I would really like to construct my own. I have a fair amount of knowledge with electronics hardware, and a lot of knowledge of working with software, and I think I'm about ready to construct my own.
I think it's a fun idea to document my progress as I go along, and it's a good place to get handy feedback from a lovely community of experienced creators. I look forward to playing F-Zero GX on my train commute to class!
Before I jump into it I thought I would run my general plan by the experts of the craft and get some feedback. So here's what I know;
building a Wii is the best route to go, as I'd like to play Gamecube games as well as Wii games.
building a portable involves these steps,
Install Portablizemii
disassembling the Wii down to the motherboard,
trimming the motherboard so the system only contains the crucial pieces needed to boot and run games, as described in this lovely article: https://bitbuilt.net/forums/index.php?threads/the-definitive-wii-trimming-guide.198/#post-1492 ,
relocating the pieces of the broken motherboard and reconnecting the pieces via wires so it can actually function once again, yet is far more compact,
giving it an internal, rechargable, and protected power supply,
connecting the video outputs to a small screen,
connecting the audio outputs to headphones,
putting tact buttons into the case of the portable, and connecting them to the system,
allowing the Wii to draw it's data from a USB or SD card, which contains the games and allocated storage space for game saves,
and ensuring that the system stays cool with a fan and installing an exhaust,
digitally model a case that fits the build, print, and assemble.
I also intend on purchasing some old, used Gamecube controllers from a pawn shop, and integrating the original controller arms and button into a 3D printed case (I actually have 3D design skill, and access to a 3D printer)
My reference material and resources are as follows:
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-a-Portable-Game-System/
http://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=av:wii_multi_av_pinout
https://bitbuilt.net/forums/index.php?threads/the-definitive-wii-trimming-guide.198/#post-1492
https://bitbuilt.net/forums/index.php?threads/resistors-for-custom-regulators.1078/
https://bitbuilt.net/forums/index.php?threads/custom-regulators-an-explanation-and-guide.754/
I'm using these parts (not a conclusive list, this is just what I have at the moment):
Wii
Gamecube original controller (not the GC+ because of nostalgia and the GC+ costs a lot if you're a Canadian)
7" Primeview PW070XS1 screen (taken from a DVD player that cost me $10)
RCA to female 3.5mm (no speakers on my portable, I don't need any if I'm playing this on the bus or train which I always will be)
Maybe speakers (maybe I might play at home sometimes...maybe)
custom regs (PTH08080 and appropriate resistors and capacitors)
Portablizemii (already flashed on Wii)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1pcs-4S1P-1...044923?hash=item283226077b:g:yKMAAOSw3ZRY~KCx (I want interchangable batteries so I can throw new batteries in on the fly as opposed to charging the whole portable every night)
and 4 Sony brand 18650 (unprotected, but from a trusted source not too worry they won't explode)
Items I need to figure out:
Some kind of audio amplifier and volume control
Some kind of cooling system
Case design (this comes last for me; I want to design a case at the end because I don't want to have to worry about positioning or shape of circuitry just yet, I simply want to focus on making it as small as possible and I can digitally model and print a case later, although I have a pretty good Idea of what I want it to look like and how to make it look good)
I would upload some pictures to show my progress, but there isn't much too see aside from some resistors, a screen and it's driver board, a whole Wii with Portablizemii, and a desk cluttered with tools, solder, and notes upon notes upon notes. I'll be sure to update this thread with progress, thoughts, and ideas.
Hey there BitBuilt community, I am a noob! I have never built a portable, however I've seen them around a lot. I have read a ton of articles, worklogs, guides, ebay product pages, forums, and instructables pages, and I would really like to construct my own. I have a fair amount of knowledge with electronics hardware, and a lot of knowledge of working with software, and I think I'm about ready to construct my own.
I think it's a fun idea to document my progress as I go along, and it's a good place to get handy feedback from a lovely community of experienced creators. I look forward to playing F-Zero GX on my train commute to class!
Before I jump into it I thought I would run my general plan by the experts of the craft and get some feedback. So here's what I know;
building a Wii is the best route to go, as I'd like to play Gamecube games as well as Wii games.
building a portable involves these steps,
Install Portablizemii
disassembling the Wii down to the motherboard,
trimming the motherboard so the system only contains the crucial pieces needed to boot and run games, as described in this lovely article: https://bitbuilt.net/forums/index.php?threads/the-definitive-wii-trimming-guide.198/#post-1492 ,
relocating the pieces of the broken motherboard and reconnecting the pieces via wires so it can actually function once again, yet is far more compact,
giving it an internal, rechargable, and protected power supply,
connecting the video outputs to a small screen,
connecting the audio outputs to headphones,
putting tact buttons into the case of the portable, and connecting them to the system,
allowing the Wii to draw it's data from a USB or SD card, which contains the games and allocated storage space for game saves,
and ensuring that the system stays cool with a fan and installing an exhaust,
digitally model a case that fits the build, print, and assemble.
I also intend on purchasing some old, used Gamecube controllers from a pawn shop, and integrating the original controller arms and button into a 3D printed case (I actually have 3D design skill, and access to a 3D printer)
My reference material and resources are as follows:
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-a-Portable-Game-System/
http://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=av:wii_multi_av_pinout
https://bitbuilt.net/forums/index.php?threads/the-definitive-wii-trimming-guide.198/#post-1492
https://bitbuilt.net/forums/index.php?threads/resistors-for-custom-regulators.1078/
https://bitbuilt.net/forums/index.php?threads/custom-regulators-an-explanation-and-guide.754/
I'm using these parts (not a conclusive list, this is just what I have at the moment):
Wii
Gamecube original controller (not the GC+ because of nostalgia and the GC+ costs a lot if you're a Canadian)
7" Primeview PW070XS1 screen (taken from a DVD player that cost me $10)
RCA to female 3.5mm (no speakers on my portable, I don't need any if I'm playing this on the bus or train which I always will be)
Maybe speakers (maybe I might play at home sometimes...maybe)
custom regs (PTH08080 and appropriate resistors and capacitors)
Portablizemii (already flashed on Wii)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1pcs-4S1P-1...044923?hash=item283226077b:g:yKMAAOSw3ZRY~KCx (I want interchangable batteries so I can throw new batteries in on the fly as opposed to charging the whole portable every night)
and 4 Sony brand 18650 (unprotected, but from a trusted source not too worry they won't explode)
Items I need to figure out:
Some kind of audio amplifier and volume control
Some kind of cooling system
Case design (this comes last for me; I want to design a case at the end because I don't want to have to worry about positioning or shape of circuitry just yet, I simply want to focus on making it as small as possible and I can digitally model and print a case later, although I have a pretty good Idea of what I want it to look like and how to make it look good)
I would upload some pictures to show my progress, but there isn't much too see aside from some resistors, a screen and it's driver board, a whole Wii with Portablizemii, and a desk cluttered with tools, solder, and notes upon notes upon notes. I'll be sure to update this thread with progress, thoughts, and ideas.