Dreamcast VMU Zero All-in-one V2

Show off your completed VMµ, or post your build logs here!
satri360
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Dreamcast VMU Zero All-in-one V2

Post by satri360 » Sun Nov 04, 2018 11:51 pm

Dreamcast VMU Zero V2
This is an upgraded version of the Dreamcast VMU case mod for Raspberry Pi. Major improvements from the previous project are:
  • Supports Safe Shutdown
  • Supports Background Charging
  • Power Indicator
  • Easier Assembly
  • Reduced Cost
Details will be discussed in the following posts.
vmuzero_v2_front_rear.png
vmuzero_v2_front_rear.png (922.54 KiB) Viewed 42331 times
Look Inside🔬Show
vmuzero_v2_pcba_front_rear_pi.png
vmuzero_v2_pcba_front_rear_pi.png (1.02 MiB) Viewed 42331 times
Parts List:
Build Instructions:
  1. Software
  2. Modifying Raspberry Pi
  3. Modifying VMU Case
  4. Final Assembly
Schematics and Eagle CAD PCB File
Dreamcast VMU powered by Raspberry Pi Zero Project @ GitHub
vmuzero_V1-9-4_released.zip
(697.93 KiB) Downloaded 664 times
FBDEV Driver for SEPS525/DD-160128FC OLED Module
fb_seps525.c.zip
(1.62 KiB) Downloaded 642 times
Last edited by satri360 on Wed Dec 04, 2019 10:24 pm, edited 8 times in total.

satri360
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Dreamcast VMU Zero V2 Build Instruction - Software

Post by satri360 » Sun Nov 04, 2018 11:52 pm

VMU Zero Build Instruction - Software

Install RetroPie
Download RetroPie.

Code: Select all

curl -O -L https://github.com/RetroPie/RetroPie-Setup/releases/download/4.4/retropie-4.4-rpi1_zero.img.gz
Unzip image.

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gunzip retropie-4.4-rpi1_zero.img.gz
Insert an SD card and find the disk number. disk2 is assigned to my SD card but result would vary on the envrionment.

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diskutil list
:
/dev/disk2 (internal, physical): 
Burn the SD card. Hit Ctrl-T to see the progress.

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diskutil unmountDisk /dev/disk2
sudo dd bs=1m if=./retropie-4.4-rpi1_zero.img of=/dev/rdisk2
Create WiFi configuration file. Change the SSID and Password to match with your network.

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tee /Volumes/boot/wpa_supplicant.conf <<EOF
country=US
ctrl_interface=DIR=/var/run/wpa_supplicant GROUP=netdev
update_config=1

network={
    ssid="SSID"
    psk="password"
}
EOF
Enable SSH.

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touch /Volumes/boot/ssh
Enable GPIO Shutdown

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sudo tee -a /boot/config.txt <<EOF
dtoverlay=gpio-shutdown,gpio_pin=5,active_low
EOF
Boot the Pi Zero with the SD card then log on to it. The default password is raspberry.

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ssh pi@retropie.local
The rest of the instructions would be performed on the Pi.

Fix Slow Boot
Install fake-hwclock

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sudo apt-get update; sudo apt-get install fake-hwclock
Install FBCP and FBTFT
Enable SPI.

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sudo raspi-config nonint do_spi 0
Disable Overscan.

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sudo raspi-config nonint do_overscan 1
Install FBCP.

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sudo apt-get install cmake
git clone https://github.com/tasanakorn/rpi-fbcp
cd rpi-fbcp/
mkdir build
cd build/
cmake ..
make
sudo install fbcp /usr/local/bin/fbcp
Register FBCP as a service. # DO THIS STEP ONLY ONCE

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sudo sed -i "s/^exit 0/\/usr\/local\/bin\/fbcp \&\\nexit 0/g" /etc/rc.local
Install FBTFT

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sudo tee /etc/modules-load.d/fbtft.conf <<EOF
spi-bcm2835
fbtft_device
EOF
Install SEPS525 driver.

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curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/satri360/vmuzero_seps525/drivers/kernel-4.14.30/fb_seps525.ko
sudo cp fb_seps525.ko /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/staging/fbtft/
sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/fbtft.conf <<EOF
options fbtft_device custom name=fb_seps525 speed=10000000 gpios=reset:24,dc:25 rotate=180
EOF
Update module dependency

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sudo depmod
Install Retrogame
Download and install Retrogame. Select 3. PiGRRL Zero but Do NOT reboot until config file is created.

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curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/adafruit/Raspberry-Pi-Installer-Scripts/master/retrogame.sh
sudo bash retrogame.sh

SELECT 1-8: 3
Downloading, installing retrogame...OK
Downloading, installing retrogame.cfg...OK
Performing other system configuration...OK

REBOOT NOW? [y/N]N
Configure Retrogame.

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sudo tee /boot/retrogame.cfg <<EOF
LEFT      17
RIGHT     22
DOWN      27
UP        23
Z          4  # 'A' button
X         12  # 'B' button
LEFTCTRL  16  # 'Select' button
ENTER     26  # 'Start' button
EOF
Setup Audio
Enable PWM Audio.

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sudo tee -a /boot/config.txt <<EOF
dtoverlay=pwm,pin=18,func=2
EOF
Set Maximum Volume.

Code: Select all

amixer cset numid=1 -- 100%
History
Last edited by satri360 on Fri Nov 09, 2018 8:34 pm, edited 2 times in total.

satri360
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Dreamcast VMU Zero V2 Build Instruction - Modifying Pi

Post by satri360 » Sun Nov 04, 2018 11:54 pm

VMU Zero Build Instruction - Modifying Pi

Tools Parts
  • Assembled PCB
  • 3M 300LSE Double-sided Adhesive Tape
  • AWG34 Enameled Wire
  • AWG28 Stranded Wire
  • Kapton Tape
  • OLED Display
  • Pi Zero W
  • LiPo Battery
Remove Pi Connectors
Remove Camera, HDMI, OTG and USB connectors from the Pi. Remove bulk cap between the 2 USB ports. Use heat gun for cleaner results but soldering iron would also do the work. Cover the whole bottom side with the kapton tape for electrical isolation.
Raspberry PiShow
00_vmuzero_v2_rpi_stripped.png
00_vmuzero_v2_rpi_stripped.png (637.11 KiB) Viewed 42242 times
Wire PCB
Pre-solder all of the GPIO pads on the backside of the PCB.
Prepare 2.5cm of 21x AWG34 enamel coated wires. Apply enough solder on the iron and dip the wire to strip the coating for 1mm.
Prepare another 2cm of 3x AWG28 wires for power supply.
Pre-solderingShow
02_vmuzero_v2_presolder_combined.png
02_vmuzero_v2_presolder_combined.png (2.04 MiB) Viewed 42242 times
Solder wires to the PCB.
WiringShow
03_vmuzero_v2_rpi_wired_combined.png
03_vmuzero_v2_rpi_wired_combined.png (1.62 MiB) Viewed 42242 times
Tape PCB
Align the Pi on the PCB and tape it down.
TapingShow
05_vmuzero_v2_rpi_taping.png
05_vmuzero_v2_rpi_taping.png (2.32 MiB) Viewed 42242 times
Wire Pi
Cut the wire to adjust the length. Strip the enamel by dipping the tip then solder it to the corresponding GPIO pads of the Pi.
Solder power wires to the Pi. Use tester to check each connections.
BondingShow
06a_vmuzero_v2_rpi_adjust_wire.png
06a_vmuzero_v2_rpi_adjust_wire.png (554.56 KiB) Viewed 42242 times
07_vmuzero_v2_rpi_complete_combined.png
07_vmuzero_v2_rpi_complete_combined.png (1.52 MiB) Viewed 42242 times

Pre-assembly Test
Solder the battery and attach the OLED display. Slide switch to the left to turn on the power. Check display showing the retropie splash screen.
SpoilerShow
08_vmuzero_v2_rpi_preassy_test.png
08_vmuzero_v2_rpi_preassy_test.png (855.83 KiB) Viewed 42242 times
Remove the battery and OLED after the test.

History
Last edited by satri360 on Fri Nov 09, 2018 2:32 am, edited 5 times in total.

satri360
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Dreamcast VMU Zero V2 Build Instruction - Modifying VMU

Post by satri360 » Sun Nov 04, 2018 11:56 pm

VMU Zero Build Instruction - Modifying VMU

Tools
  • Screw Driver
  • Side Plier
  • 7mm Flat File
  • Dremel drill
  • XACT Knife
  • Air Duster
Parts
  • VMU
Disassemble VMU
Strip down the VMU and keep everything but the PCB, coin cell and display. De-solder speaker wires from the VMU PCB.
Try not to touch the piezo speaker to prevent fingerprints on the disc.
VMU Tear DownShow
Dreamcast - the ultimate gaming system 🙂 Yeah it was great console... What was your favorite title ?
01_vmuzero_v2_vmu_stripped_combined_1.png
01_vmuzero_v2_vmu_stripped_combined_1.png (2.35 MiB) Viewed 40947 times
Modify Case
TopShow
Cut the inner plastic beam and post.
05_vmuzero_v2_top_lid_mod.png
05_vmuzero_v2_top_lid_mod.png (1.29 MiB) Viewed 42182 times
FrontShow
Use flat file to make enough room for the USB connector and the Switch.
Shave just a bit of each corners of the display housing if it is too tight to fit the OLED panel.
02_vmuzero_v2_case_front_mod.png
02_vmuzero_v2_case_front_mod.png (658.76 KiB) Viewed 42182 times
### Side Image to be added here ###
RearShow
Chop off the coin cell holder and grind down the edges.
03_vmuzero_v2_case_rear_mod.png
03_vmuzero_v2_case_rear_mod.png (681.46 KiB) Viewed 42182 times
Battery CoverShow
Cut 2 tabs.
04_vmuzero_v2_case_rear_cover_mode.png
04_vmuzero_v2_case_rear_cover_mode.png (608.16 KiB) Viewed 42182 times
History
11/25/2018 Replaced VMU stripped image to reflect the actual design
Last edited by satri360 on Mon Nov 26, 2018 12:40 am, edited 3 times in total.

satri360
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Dreamcast VMU Zero V2 Build Instruction - Final Assembly

Post by satri360 » Sun Nov 04, 2018 11:56 pm

VMU Zero Build Instruction - Final Assembly

Tools Parts
  • Assembled PCB + Pi (Step2)
  • Modified VMU Case (Step 3)
  • OLED Display
  • 500mAh LiPo Battery
  • Tape/Adhesive
Display
Snap the display in to the housing. Glue it down if it is too loose.
Flip the case and attach the display FPC to the connector. Close the tab to lock.
Display InstallationShow
01_02_vmuzero_v2_assy_panel_combined.png
01_02_vmuzero_v2_assy_panel_combined.png (1.67 MiB) Viewed 42180 times
Keys
Put back the D-pad support, elastics and ivory-colored plastic post.
Keys InstallationShow
03_04_vmuzero_v2_assy_keys_combined.png
03_04_vmuzero_v2_assy_keys_combined.png (1.99 MiB) Viewed 42180 times
PCB
Screw down the PCB. Leave the right hole unconnected.
PCB InstallationShow
05_vmuzero_v2_assy_pcba.png
05_vmuzero_v2_assy_pcba.png (758.7 KiB) Viewed 42180 times
Speaker
Solder speaker wires to the PCB.
Speaker InstallationShow
06_vmuzero_v2_assy_speaker.png
06_vmuzero_v2_assy_speaker.png (1.17 MiB) Viewed 42180 times
Battery
Tape the battery to the case and lay the wires to go around the speaker. Slightly close the case and solder the battery wires to the PCB. Pay attentions to the battery polarity. Negative is closer to the edge.
Battery InstallationShow
07_08_vmuzero_v2_assy_battery_combined.png
07_08_vmuzero_v2_assy_battery_combined.png (2.63 MiB) Viewed 42180 times
Rear Case
Screw all 4 corners of the case and close the top. Tape the battery cover.
Rear Case InstallationShow
09_10_vmuzero_v2_assy_complete_combined.png
09_10_vmuzero_v2_assy_complete_combined.png (1.35 MiB) Viewed 42180 times
This concludes the V2 build instructions. Enjoy your revived VMU!

History

edd247
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Re: Dreamcast VMU Zero All-in-one V2

Post by edd247 » Mon Nov 12, 2018 9:31 am

Thank you for the detailed instructions. I was able to finish steps 1 and 2 this weekend. Soldering those tiny wires took a while but I got it done.
IMG_20181111_233734.jpg
IMG_20181111_233734.jpg (3.62 MiB) Viewed 42007 times

AzureStarline
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Re: Dreamcast VMU Zero All-in-one V2

Post by AzureStarline » Fri Nov 16, 2018 8:38 am

Can I commission and buy one? I've posted on a couple other threads...I'm a huge VMU fan and a longtime collector, but I have no skills or experience to do this myself. :)

satri360
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Re: Dreamcast VMU Zero All-in-one V2

Post by satri360 » Sat Nov 17, 2018 2:58 pm

AzureStarline wrote:
Fri Nov 16, 2018 8:38 am
Can I commission and buy one? I've posted on a couple other threads...I'm a huge VMU fan and a longtime collector, but I have no skills or experience to do this myself. :)
I don't usually sell an assembled kit as this project started to share the fun of DIY-ing something. Although I spent quite time to design appropriate circuits, there is always a safety risk in this type of hobby gadgets particularly powered with the high energy battery. Having said that I may have one time offer for you. Please check the PM if you understand the general liability limitations and potential risks.

satri360
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Re: Dreamcast VMU Zero All-in-one V2

Post by satri360 » Mon Nov 26, 2018 12:44 am

A few assembled V2 PCB are restocked as of this writing. Check Online Store.

satri360
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Re: Dreamcast VMU Zero All-in-one V2

Post by satri360 » Tue Nov 27, 2018 1:04 pm

All units claimed for now but will update this thread when some available.

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