All-In-One Dreamcast Wifi Adapter

[Zuchary]

I am looking into creating a cheap, small adapter to get rid of the scary complexity that keeps potential Dreamcast fans from playing online.

When plugging this device into the Dreamcast, and plugging in a micro USB power supply, there will be instant Wifi internet connection with 0 setup required (except a few steps in Dreamkey, and such).

No extra modems. No Line Voltage Inducers. Nothing. Just a all-in-one Dreamcast Wifi adapter!

If I get anywhere with this, I plan on selling them for somewhere between $40-$65. That all depends on if I see that there is even an audience who would want to buy this.


Here is how I am planning it on working out:
-The user plugs a 5V Micro USB Charger Adapter Cable Power Supply into their wall. The other end will go into the Dreamcast Wifi Adapter.
-On the inside of the adapter: The power goes to both a LVI, as well as a Pi Zero.
-The Pi Zero is pre-installed with Dreampi on a 4GB Micro SD card. The card can easily be accessed on the outside of the adapter box thanks to an extension cable running off the Pi.
-The one and only Micro USB port on the Pi is occupied by a stripped down DELL NW147. That specific device is the go-to for Dreampi, so I wont even try to replace what is essentially perfect.
-The Raspberry Pi Zero has built-in Wifi, and hopefully Dreampi 1.5 and up will support this feature.
-The DELL NW147 is connected to a Male to Female RJ11 Plug. In between the NW147, and the plug is where the LVI will be located. The LVI does not need batteries. It will be powered by a UBS 9V Converter that is plugged into the power supply through the splitter mentioned in the beginning.
-The RJ11 plug is visible on the outside of the adpater box, and is where the user will plug in a regular telephone cable to put into their Dreamcast. The device would come with a short cord just in case the user may not have one lying around the house.
And that is just about it!

The struggles:
-Getting everything to be 100% perfect before giving it to other people.
-Finding the perfect case, or making a case for this device. I do not have a 3D printer. I certainly wont get a bank loan to buy one either. Maybe if there is a cheap Dreamcast device that could be used to house the tech, or something.
I only have approximations, but the size of this device should not be much too much bigger than a pack of cigarettes. Without the Dell modem it would probably even be able to fit inside a VMU. If only!
-Getting Raspberry Pi Zeros. This project relies on the availability of Pi Zero. Why? Well, Zero is significantly smaller, and without a need for HDMI, and more than 1 USB slot, it cuts alot of cost.
The problem with mass-buying these things is that every store either has shipping costs way too high to use, or a 1-per-costumer rule. An easy way around this might be for people to purchase themselves a Pi Zero, and send it my way to get it turned into the Dreamcast Wifi adapter.

I will keep updated on things here on this page as I look more into this. If you want to share ideas, help answer questions, find solutions, or help out in whatever other way, just chat it up on here! Don't be afraid to PM me if you would like as well.

[Xiden]

I've been wanting to do an all in one dreampi, the problem for me is the usb ports needing to be flipped around for my vision to work.

But here's something you might consider.

It's a project box, something to at least get a concept of the layout you want. And then a 3-d print shop would have a better idea on how to make a custom box.

http://www.simcobox.com/075X12-Plastic- ... oC-lrw_wcB

[pcwzrd13]

A few problems I see:

1. The Raspberry Pi Zero doesn't have built-in Wi-Fi.

2. The user still needs to configure their Wi-Fi SSID and password which needs to be done through the Linux command line (not very user friendly). In this sense a standard Raspberry Pi is more plug-and-play since you just need to plug in an Ethernet cable.

3. The 9v step-up converter will not work with PAL Dreamcast modems since they require 18v. I have not seen any that go up to 18v so it would likely need to be custom made.

[lerabot]

I work in a Fab Lab and could prototype a couple of cases for you.
3D printing doesn't work well for large scale manifacturing, but laser cutting some boxes might work well.

Could even offer a "sandwish" box or a more fancy box.

[Xiden]

I work in a Fab Lab and could prototype a couple of cases for you.
3D printing doesn't work well for large scale manifacturing, but laser cutting some boxes might work well.

Could even offer a "sandwish" box or a more fancy box.

Id like to see a case for a Raspi 2 or 3 + the dial up modem in an all in one solution

[lerabot]

Well I'm receiving my LVI this week so I might just try one on thursday, or next week.

[DarkSynbios]

A few problems I see:

1. The Raspberry Pi Zero doesn't have built-in Wi-Fi.

2. The user still needs to configure their Wi-Fi SSID and password which needs to be done through the Linux command line (not very user friendly). In this sense a standard Raspberry Pi is more plug-and-play since you just need to plug in an Ethernet cable.

3. The 9v step-up converter will not work with PAL Dreamcast modems since they require 18v. I have not seen any that go up to 18v so it would likely need to be custom made.

This can be happen later on future if :

1. Raspberry Pi zero get wifi built-in
2. If the next versions of Dreampi get GUI something like raspian os.?
3. There its a solution called usb step up converter which can give from 5V till 28 V.
If this last and i mean step up conveter can fit on board who can include all that will be an awesome dreampi plug n play. Take an example of zero4u board for raspberry pi zero.

[colgate]

Number 2 is easy to accomplish we can easily create a console gui using ncurses or even a simple bash script.

Sent from my ASUS_T00J using Tapatalk

[Zuchary]

I've been wanting to do an all in one dreampi, the problem for me is the usb ports needing to be flipped around for my vision to work.

But here's something you might consider.

It's a project box, something to at least get a concept of the layout you want. And then a 3-d print shop would have a better idea on how to make a custom box.

http://www.simcobox.com/075X12-Plastic- ... oC-lrw_wcB

That looks good, Ill take a look at getting one of those. Thanks

[Zuchary]

A few problems I see:

1. The Raspberry Pi Zero doesn't have built-in Wi-Fi.

2. The user still needs to configure their Wi-Fi SSID and password which needs to be done through the Linux command line (not very user friendly). In this sense a standard Raspberry Pi is more plug-and-play since you just need to plug in an Ethernet cable.

3. The 9v step-up converter will not work with PAL Dreamcast modems since they require 18v. I have not seen any that go up to 18v so it would likely need to be custom made.

Wow, What an oversight on my part. I had just simply assumed the Pi Zero had Wifi because the C.H.I.P. did. I did not even think about the whole network password thing either.

It looks like Wireless is off the table then. A bummer, but not a complete loss. The simplicity still stands. We only lost a luxury.
If the Zero plays nice with simple and compact Ethernet dongles, then I am still convinced it will be worth the effort to use it.

Yeah, pal would be a completely new beast to tackle. I don't plan on starting with Pal in mind, but what if... TWO 9v step-up converters where attached to the LVI?