Introducing the Uni-Gen Converter!

[segasonicfan]

Hey folks!
So I've been working hard building a new website and designing some cool new PCBs! Thought I would share my latest invention, the

Here is the new upgraded case version! Please see later posts for more updates!

uniweb1.jpguniweb2.jpguniweb3.jpg20171009_223927.jpg

*New version 2.2018 includes:
- 3mm plexi acrylic case
- control knob
- jumper for A button / Up (for C64 / Atari, so you can jump with the A button)
- plug for optional A & Start outputs (for use with PC Engine board and other upcoming boards)


NOW TAKING ORDERS
This handy board lets you use a Sega Genesis controller to safely play on Commodore 64, Amiga, ZX Spectrum (with adapter), Atari, and SMS - pretty much any 1980's system with a DB-9 connector! You can also use it as a dedicated SMS controller adapter with autofire on your Sega Genesis/Mega Drive

"but I can already plug in my Genesis controller and it works OK!" True, however Commodore 64 and some other systems are known to blow their internal chips because they were not designed for this. The Genesis controller sends +5V logic high across unused buttons (without a pull-up resistor) resulting in disaster for your console. It's risky, but some people keep on doing it and are lucky so far. and some people do a simple "diode mod" to fix the issue. However, all diodes have leakage currents that could still potentially harm the system.

Enter the Uni-Gen Converter. This board corrects these issues 100% by keeping every ungrounded input to a floating / high impedance state, without diodes, and this is *exactly* what the systems are designed for! It is a FULL demultiplexer using only TTL logic which means ZERO lag time and perfect compatibility! It uses the same chips of the 1980's gaming era.

What's more, it has adjustable auto-fire and remapping of the jump button (from the annoying "up" configuration) to the A button.
Here's a simple breakdown of features:

• Built-in Adjustable Auto-Fire feature
• Mapping of jump (Up) to the A button
• ZERO lag. No microcontroller
• True-floating outputs when depressed: safer than the popular"diode mod"- will not damage your consoles!
• Selectable solder jumper for SMS or other consoles
• Selectable solder jumpers for swapping B and C buttons (when you want auto-fire on a different button)
• Auto-Fire LED indication
• short-circuit and reverse-polarity protection
• Ultra-low power consumption
• Fully compatible with both 6 and 3-button Genesis controllers (tested on official pads)
• Start button support for installing inside a SMS / Game Gear or other consoles

This board can be used inside a Sega Game Gear or Sega Master System to add start support for an external Genesis controller (it was designed to fit!) or for any other hacking project where you want to use a Genesis controller and have access to all the buttons demuxed.
Note: If using the board to plug into a Genesis / MD you will likely need an extension cord like this one. This is due to the recessed jacks on the console which do not fit well with regular DB-9 connectors.

PRICE: $49.00 USD
BUILT 100% by hand in the USA - no sweat shop labor!
PM me or you can purchase on my new website SEGASONICFAN DESIGNS

Thanks for looking and long live the Sega hacking!

[Black_Tiger]

Does it work with Intellivision systems such as the Intellivision II and Super Video Arcade?

[segasonicfan]

afraid not. Intellivision uses a specialized input system that no other console uses AFIK. It doesn't adhere to the standards (or even in the same ballpark) of all the other systems.

-Segasonicfan

[CrossBow]

Does it provide two separate fire button support such as with the Atari 7800?

[segasonicfan]

Does it provide two separate fire button support such as with the Atari 7800?

It wasn't designed with the 7800 in mind (it has 2-button support for Amiga). However, from what I can tell the primary difference is that the extra button is on pin 5 (7800) instead of pin 6 (Amiga) so I could customize it to work for the 7800 with a single wire.

-Segasonicfan

[cleeg]

So, could this be used on a Megadrive console to provide autofire on it? One thing I'd love to have is autofire on my IR six button pads, my preferred controllers.

[CrossBow]

It wasn't designed with the 7800 in mind (it has 2-button support for Amiga). However, from what I can tell the primary difference is that the extra button is on pin 5 (7800) instead of pin 6 (Amiga) so I could customize it to work for the 7800 with a single wire.

-Segasonicfan

Little bit more than that...yes it does use the two wires, but those wires also have actual resistors on them so the 7800 knows what is being done.

See here:

http://atariage.com/forums/uploads/m...1469570286.jpg

[Tor Landeel]

Very interesting! I'm spreading the word

[segasonicfan]

Little bit more than that...yes it does use the two wires, but those wires also have actual resistors on them so the 7800 knows what is being done.

See here:

http://atariage.com/forums/uploads/m...1469570286.jpg

ah, thanks. The resistor and pinout difference is OK but needing to use a different common pin instead of ground really switches things up a lot. It would be some work to hack this board to do it, though it is possible. A better solution would be for me to design a version solely for use with the 7800. I can do this if there is interest, say 10 people or so interested in a pre-order.

Very interesting! I'm spreading the word

Thanks!

-Segasonicfan

[xelement5x]

Cool idea. I've actually got an X68K to Genesis adapter I've been needing to build as well and this would be another good option to add to it if possible.

[segasonicfan]

Cool idea. I've actually got an X68K to Genesis adapter I've been needing to build as well and this would be another good option to add to it if possible.

Great idea! Yeah, this board would be perfect for a Genesis controller on a 68K (with your board to convert the serial data).

I also forgot to mention this converter works great for adding Sega Genesis controller functionality to arcade games with the JAMMA standard.

-Segasonicfan

[segasonicfan]

OK, I've managed to squeeze the Atari 7800 settings into the design now. Just note that these are solder jumpers which set the board to the system you want to use, so I wouldn't recommend buying one for your Atari 7800 and Amiga since they are different settings. However, you could buy 2 boards that I could set to the respective consoles.

Also note it will take ~4 weeks to fabricate the new design and test on a real 7800 console. The design is finished though

and here is a pic of the board powered up in a C64:

IMG_4598 web.jpg

-Segasonicfan

[CrossBow]

OK, I've managed to squeeze the Atari 7800 settings into the design now. Just note that these are solder jumpers which set the board to the system you want to use, so I wouldn't recommend buying one for your Atari 7800 and Amiga since they are different settings. However, you could buy 2 boards that I could set to the respective consoles.

Also note it will take ~4 weeks to fabricate the new design and test on a real 7800 console. The design is finished though

and here is a pic of the board powered up in a C64:

IMG_4598 web.jpg

-Segasonicfan

Very cool! I was just mainly curious from an academic standpoint though. There is already the EdLaddin seagull78 adapters for like $25 each + Shipping from AtariAge that allow Genesis controllers to be used on Atari systems and the 7800 as well. But yours adds even more systems with the commodore in there so hence...my curiosity on it. Also your adapter I think would be too large to actually plug into the 7800 ports as is with the lip of the top shell overlapping the controller ports the way it does. So would need a small 3 - 6inch cable in front of it.

https://atariage.com/store/index.php..._detail&p=1079

[Lichtkegel]

ah, thanks. The resistor and pinout difference is OK but needing to use a different common pin instead of ground really switches things up a lot. It would be some work to hack this board to do it, though it is possible. A better solution would be for me to design a version solely for use with the 7800. I can do this if there is interest, say 10 people or so interested in a pre-order.


Thanks!

-Segasonicfan

Would it be possible do build a PS2 to Genesis adapter? So we could use a PS2-Mouse and a PS2-Keyboard on the Genesis? That would be great!

[segasonicfan]

Very cool! I was just mainly curious from an academic standpoint though. There is already the EdLaddin seagull78 adapters for like $25 each + Shipping from AtariAge that allow Genesis controllers to be used on Atari systems and the 7800 as well. But yours adds even more systems with the commodore in there so hence...my curiosity on it. Also your adapter I think would be too large to actually plug into the 7800 ports as is with the lip of the top shell overlapping the controller ports the way it does. So would need a small 3 - 6inch cable in front of it.

https://atariage.com/store/index.php..._detail&p=1079

ah, now you tell me...lol. Well, it never hurts to add more compatibility. The advantage of the Uni-Gen is that it has adjustable autofire and A can be set to jump (this is a huge deal to me for those older games). Another advantage is that I will be adding support for more controllers via breakout boards to the Uni-Gen (for example, I'm making a Uni-Gen to PCEngine adapter right now).
For $49.00 shipped it's not a bad alternative. Though yes, someone would need a extensions cable for any Atari / SMS / Genesis because of the plastic lip around the board. I wish I knew where to source plugs to fit into that...

Would it be possible do build a PS2 to Genesis adapter? So we could use a PS2-Mouse and a PS2-Keyboard on the Genesis? That would be great!

it's very possible but I won't be doing it because this requires a lot more circuitry. The Uni-Gen converter changes your Genesis pad into a purely analog joystick, that's the great thing about it. PS/2 stuff is serial data with a clock signal and such - that requires converting the analog back to serial. There's lots of serial converters floating around for sale that allow you to use all sorts of controllers via USB and stuff. However, there's nothing quite like the Uni-Gen out there that lets you add a Genny pad to so many systems with as much DIY functionality without using a micro-controller.


-Segasonicfan