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Schematic and Reverse Engineering
The unique schematic for the re-flashable Sport Boy Digital camera cart was created by Martin Refseth, a good friend of mine. Nonetheless, he did not share the schematics publicly. So, I took on the duty of reverse-engineering his work and the unique sensor board to create my very own model. In the course of the course of, I made a mistake by sending voltage to the flawed place, which resulted in frying one Sport Boy Digital camera mapper (the MAC-GBD chip). However by the second model, all the pieces was working completely.
Second Era Mini Digital camera
This mini digital camera I designed is definitely the second era. The primary era utilized the unique sensor board. Contained in the GBCamera, there are two PCBs – one for the cart and the opposite for the sensor. These two boards are linked by a set of wires, permitting the eyeball to twist round. Initially, I used to be hesitant to take away the sensor as a result of it was encased in resin and making use of an excessive amount of warmth may injury it. I had beforehand tried a restore job on a GBCamera and by chance broken the resin. Resulting from that have, I used to be nervous about attempting once more. Nonetheless, after a yr and with improved soldering expertise, I discovered it a lot simpler the second time round.
Challenges in Reaching the Authentic Dimension
One of many principal challenges I confronted was replicating the thinness of the unique GBCam cart. To realize this, I wanted to switch a cumbersome aluminum capacitor with a smaller tantalum capacitor. Moreover, the unique lens was fairly massive, so discovering an appropriate alternative was important.
Switching to an iPhone Lens
The choice to change to an iPhone lens was truly unintended. Initially, I used to be experimenting with higher-quality alternative lenses, reaching out to firms on Alibaba to inquire if they may produce a greater glass alternative for the unique plastic lens. Nonetheless, the method proved tougher than anticipated as a result of uncertainties surrounding the lens dimensions. On the identical time, I used to be engaged on one other Sport Boy-related challenge, which concerned creating an iPhone-like design with a glass-and-metal sandwich. This sparked an thought – why not incorporate a model of this design into the digital camera? Thus, the idea of utilizing an iPhone lens was born.
Deciding on the Appropriate iPhone Lens
I bought numerous iPhone lens alternative components on Aliexpress, starting from iPhone 7 to 14 Professional Max. After experimentation, I settled on utilizing the XR lens, which curiously sufficient, is identical lens because the X mannequin. This lens offered a great center floor when it comes to high quality and was additionally appropriate with the steel digital camera lens ring. Moreover, it gives shade choices for future makers after I finally share the information. I’m at present exploring the opportunity of utilizing a 5C lens with out the digital camera bump, though I’m involved it might trigger some vignetting. I additionally consider that the 13/14 lens has the potential to supply barely higher high quality, but it surely comes with a bigger digital camera bump.
Timeline and Value
I’ve been engaged on this challenge, together with the event of the unique model, for a couple of yr on and off. This specific model, from inception to completion, took roughly two months, beginning in March and wrapping up in Could. Excluding the tools, I estimate that it value me round $150 to construct. This contains bills for check lenses, shell iterations, and GBCams that I bought on eBay.
Conclusion
The journey of making this mini digital camera has been an thrilling and difficult one. By means of reverse-engineering and experimentation, I efficiently developed a re-flashable Sport Boy Digital camera cart with an iPhone lens. This second-generation digital camera incorporates enhancements in measurement and design, providing a novel and high-quality images expertise. With its compactness and enhanced options, this mini digital camera opens up thrilling potentialities for Sport Boy fans and images fans alike.
Continuously Requested Questions (FAQ)
1. Who created the unique schematic for the re-flashable Sport Boy Digital camera cart?
The unique schematic was created by Martin Refseth, a good friend of the content material author.
2. How was the mini digital camera reverse-engineered?
The content material author reverse-engineered Martin Refseth’s authentic schematic and the unique sensor board to construct the mini digital camera.
3. What challenges had been confronted in the course of the improvement of the mini digital camera?
One of many challenges was reaching the thinness of the unique GBCam cart. The content material author needed to change a cumbersome aluminum capacitor with a smaller tantalum capacitor. Moreover, discovering an appropriate alternative for the big authentic lens was additionally a problem.
4. Why was an iPhone lens chosen for the mini digital camera?
An iPhone lens was chosen after experimenting with higher-quality alternative lenses. The content material author was impressed by a separate challenge involving an iPhone-like design and determined to include an analogous idea into the digital camera. The XR lens was chosen as a great center floor when it comes to high quality and compatibility with the digital camera lens ring.
5. How lengthy did it take to develop the mini digital camera and what was the associated fee?
All the challenge, together with the unique model, took a couple of yr of labor on and off. The precise model mentioned within the content material was developed over two months, beginning in March and ending in Could. Excluding the tools, the estimated value of constructing the mini digital camera was roughly $150, contemplating bills for check lenses, shell iterations, and the acquisition of GBCams.
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