USB-to-Serial Module based coders cable

[Kortex]

Hello, i think that this mod is very good for all dc coders, it's an interesting idea.i think that if is possible connect a memory card reader (memory stick, compact flash....) and boot software using your usb conector? how the gp32, if this was possible will be fantastic for all people could boot software without burn cd-r. When the project will be finished i will buy one.
Cheers,
Kortex

[pboese]

This device is simply a faster version of the venerable serial coders cable built by Marcus Comsteldt and later sold commerically by Lik-Sang. It does not add a USB port to the DC so you can't plug a USB drive into it. This is essentially a USB-Serial cable with 3.3v ttl interface that connects directly to the DC's serial connector, bypassing the RS232 electical and bandwidth issues. The top baud of this device is 1.56M baud as compared to 115200 baud of a typical serial coders cable. Sorry to dash your hopes. This is a far simpler project then trying to add a USB host controller and device drivers to a DC. You are not the first person I've heard from who has wanted to plug USB devices into a DC for just the reasons you stated.

[semicolo]

And even if you manage to plut a memory or disk somehow to the dreamcast, there's no way to boot on it whithout rom modification or first booting on a cd.

[Kortex]

[quote author=Axlen link=board=hardware;num=1093196907;start=45#51 date=11/14/04 at 00:08:45]This device is simply a faster version of the venerable serial coders cable built by Marcus Comsteldt and later sold commerically by Lik-Sang. Â*It does not add a USB port to the DC so you can't plug a USB drive into it. Â*This is essentially a USB-Serial cable with 3.3v ttl interface that connects directly to the DC's serial connector, bypassing the RS232 electical and bandwidth issues. Â*The top baud of this device is 1.56M baud as compared to 115200 baud of a typical serial coders cable. Â*Sorry to dash your hopes. Â*This is a far simpler project then trying to add a USB host controller and device drivers to a DC. Â*You are not the first person I've heard from who has wanted to plug USB devices into a DC for just the reasons you stated.[/quote]
Thanks for your answer, i think that my english isn't good and i can't say all i want say, i know that your usb cable isn't a usb, but i think that if will be possible use a memory card reader using the correct software and adapting it to your cable (you understand me?) for work with the dreamcast. Sorry if my english isn't good, the next time i try explain me better. Thanks.
Cheers, Kortex

[Alexvrb]

Kortex, what they are trying to say is that you can't run software without a CD anyway. So even if you had a memory card with software on it, you still need a CD to boot from.

[Kochise]

I just wanted to know if the USB coder cable is currently 'finished', the schema reached a stable revision... I want to integrate this on a little PCI board to fit my dev DC inside my PC (PCI -> ATX power with 3.3 v, internal USB coder cable -> PC mobo, VGA box on rear panel, IDE interface on G2 bus, joypad connectors on front 5"1/4 panel, ...).

What is the last schematic available ? Thanks for having made this possible

Kochise, the poor lonesome coder...

[pboese]

The design is nearly finished. I've solved the leakage and ESD issues so now I'm going to have small run of prototype pcb's made.

[wraggster]

it will be interesting to see what speed you get in comparison to a coders cable/BBA

[semicolo]

Well it goes up to 1562500 bps, the max rate of the dc, like dcxfer cards.
A standard coders cable is dependent on the serial port of the pc so it will transfer up to 115200 bps, but I could push mine to 520833 bps on a special serial port.
The BBA is a 100Mbps lan adapter.

[Kochise]

The BBA is no more available. PERIOD ! I would have bought one is possible, but NOT at 160 $/€ on eBay...

Kochise