Analogue NT Mini Hardware

[atmn]

I don't believe you missed anything, I just tested Ice climber with player 2 and no problems here. So it looks like a problem with your hardware. wow that's bad luck I guess.

 

Yep, I dont know what I could have missed. Had issues with the analogue output as well and got my unit replaced.. One more with int.shipping..

 

A loose / broken connection on the clock pin might cause this. Controller only receives the latch signal and no clock pulses, sending out all 8 logical inputs whenever A is pressed, and the other buttons don't respond at all.

 

I tried the Analogue Nt mini built in controller test (down on P1 D-pad when powering up) and it looks like all buttons presses on P2 and P4. Guess you are right..

 

Notice that the controller ports are connected with ribbon cables, possible one of those? Not the first time a ribbon cable dont have a secure connection.

Looking trough the plexi, it looks straight and fine tho..

Edited April 4, 2017 by atmn

[hyrulebr]

 

Same.. something seems up with Mega today and yesterday, although it's working for others using jdownloader,

 

I ended up just using the filefactory mirror. It's a lot slower but works off the bat.

 

I've just downloaded using the "mega downloader" that Smokemonster recomends in that site that cannot be named.

[Radfoo]

 

I wonder who will sell the cart-adapters for the Nt Mini, Jason on gametech?

Yeah, I wondered if they might be sold through Gametech, would make sense for someone else to do it, think Kevin is busy enough. Have ordered some bits for a PS/2 keyboard adapter but I think thats as far as I will go making bits for myself.

 

Sorry to read you might be having further troubles with your system, hope you don't have to send it off again. I did play a four player game of Super Off Road on mine but that does not use every button, i'll have to test it here.

Edited April 4, 2017 by Radfoo

[atmn]

Yeah, I wondered if they might be sold through Gametech, would make sense for someone else to do it, think Kevin is busy enough.

 

Sorry to read you might be having further troubles with your system, hope you don't have to send it off again. I did play a four player game of Super Off Road on mine but that does not use every button, i'll have to test it here.

Gametech is gonna sell it, when its available. I dont know.

Found some old Intv and GB chart from my childhood i would like o play.

 

Ye, there are provlems with P2, checked every other port and they work fine.

Got player 2 to work with NES by picking fami four in controller mode and have player2 connected to port 4.

 

Must be HW fail again. Are in contact with support.

 

With the NES controller test roms it just says controller fail when i press A button. All other does nothing.

Edited April 4, 2017 by atmn

[Andromeda Stardust]

Yep, I dont know what I could have missed. Had issues with the analogue output as well and got my unit replaced.. One more with int.shipping..

 

 

I tried the Analogue Nt mini built in controller test (down on P1 D-pad when powering up) and it looks like all buttons presses on P2 and P4. Guess you are right..

 

Notice that the controller ports are connected with ribbon cables, possible one of those? Not the first time a ribbon cable dont have a secure connection.

Looking trough the plexi, it looks straight and fine tho..

P2 and P4 ports presumably both share the Player 2 clock signals (and likewise for P1 and P3 sharing P1 clock) so it's a distinct possibility. Latch I believe is shared between all ports including the Famicom EXP connector, at least it is on NES and Famicom hardware. Player 2 15-pin accessory controllers are rare but you may try tapping your P2 controller signals from there if you're good at splicing extension cables.

 

It really does appear that the signal is missingbor broken though. Perhaps the ribbon connectors are the achilles heel of the system. The VGA port also uses a ribbon I believe, but HDMI port is soldered onto the board itself.

 

Ye, there are provlems with P2, checked every other port and they work fine.

Got player 2 to work with NES by picking fami four in controller mode and have player2 connected to port 4.

 

Must be HW fail again. Are in contact with support.

That sucks man. I'm sure the heavy aluminum body doesn't help when shipping it back to the US a second go round...

[Andromeda Stardust]

It does appear a lot of NT hardware failures are the direct result of ribbon cable defects.

 

Not trying to shill for RetroUSB, but on the AVS, everything except the NOS power connector is soldered directly to the PCB, and Brian won't automatically void your warranty if you open the console out of curiosity or to try to diagnose/repair issues yourself.

[atmn]

P2 and P4 ports presumably both share the Player 2 clock signals (and likewise for P1 and P3 sharing P1 clock) so it's a distinct possibility. Latch I believe is shared between all ports including the Famicom EXP connector, at least it is on NES and Famicom hardware. Player 2 15-pin accessory controllers are rare but you may try tapping your P2 controller signals from there if you're good at splicing extension cables.

 

It really does appear that the signal is missingbor broken though. Perhaps the ribbon connectors are the achilles heel of the system. The VGA port also uses a ribbon I believe, but HDMI port is soldered onto the board itself.

 

That sucks man. I'm sure the heavy aluminum body doesn't help when shipping it back to the US a second go round...

 

Its strange that they dont do a simple controller test before shipping. Thought that was test 1A.

Got the P1,P3 and P4 ports to work configured as 4-score. If P2 and P4 share the same clock signal it not a issue with the clock signal in itself, just the wiring to P2 port.

 

First when i checked trough the plexi the ribbon cables looked firmly inserted. But now when I look again I can see that P1,P2 side arent firmly inserted. I can see little of the connection pads on the ribbon cable itself.

If they green light it to not void the warranty I could try fix it myself.

 

 

 

It does appear a lot of NT hardware failures are the direct result of ribbon cable defects.

 

Not trying to shill for RetroUSB, but on the AVS, everything except the NOS power connector is soldered directly to the PCB, and Brian won't automatically void your warranty if you open the console out of curiosity or to try to diagnose/repair issues yourself.

Got an AVS aswell. Im very in to FPGA harware, love that machine aswell. Had no issues with it.

I Think, in theory its better to use ribbon cable with the controller ports. The original NES controllers are very stiff when trying to remove them from the socket. With soldered directly on they could eventually break I think.

 

 

 

EDIT: I removed the plexi bottom shield and carefully inserted the ribbon cable a little bit more. and, it worked! P2 works fine and passes the test now.

 

What a relief! I'm just glad its working now! Hopefully my bad luck with the consoles makes Analogue check extra carefully before shipping now.

Edited April 5, 2017 by atmn

[Andromeda Stardust]

So the ribbon may not be inserted properly. Do they have security stickers? How would they even tell it had been opened if you loosed the screws to open the plexi botton and resecure the ribbon?

[gulps]

 

Same.. something seems up with Mega today and yesterday, although it's working for others using jdownloader,

 

I ended up just using the filefactory mirror. It's a lot slower but works off the bat.

 

I downloaded to with the filefactory mirror too. Slowly, all the night downloading.

Maybe there are issues now with mega.nz and the navigator. I didn't used the official app. I downloaded a few months ago some of the packs with Firefox without issues.

[gulps]

Ribbon cables are good enough if they have the socket lock. A lot of optical drives use it with the motorized lens without any fail.

 

Maybe bad lock socket? Or isolated issue?

 

 

Yes! They have to test more their units. Aren't they made in USA? Or test at the Analogue factory/warehouse?

 

 

 

 

Yes. It appears at the basket as stock, but later at the checkout displays "sold out". White units are in stock.

I contacted to them if is an issue but they answered me that is correct.

Just waiting for the announcement

 

 

 

 

I saw yesterday at the Analogue's Twitter this comment about the restock timeline:

 

@https://twitter.com/11numbers/status/849128858460794881

 

@analogue_co Do you have a timeline for the black NT Mini to come back in stock?

 

analogue‏ @analogue_co Apr 3

More

Replying to @11numbers

won't be until later this year, could be 3-4 months. We're nearly 100% sold out of classic's, too.

 

 

 

 

Maybe they are doing a revision for all the issues found?

[atmn]

So the ribbon may not be inserted properly. Do they have security stickers? How would they even tell it had been opened if you loosed the screws to open the plexi botton and resecure the ribbon?

Yes, that was the case. They do not have security stickers so there will be no way they can claim that it was opened if you are careful.

 

 

Ribbon cables are good enough if they have the socket lock. A lot of optical drives use it with the motorized lens without any fail.

 

Maybe bad lock socket? Or isolated issue?

 

 

Yes! They have to test more their units. Aren't they made in USA? Or test at the Analogue factory/warehouse?

 

 

 

 

 

I saw yesterday at the Analogue's Twitter this comment about the restock timeline:

 

@https://twitter.com/11numbers/status/849128858460794881

 

 

Maybe they are doing a revision for all the issues found?

The ribbon cables are good in general i think, preventing things to break of the mainbord. NES controllers contacts are sometimes very hard to connect/disconnect. The 8bitdo reciever have better fit than the original.

 

Think there is no direct HW issues, the problems are rather production and testing.

I belive they will make other colors, Kevtris purple one are neat.

 

Glad I brought one now and dont have to wait months for restock.

[gulps]

Yes, that was the case. They do not have security stickers so there will be no way they can claim that it was opened if you are careful.

 

This is a little issue to polish. Because locked socket can't cost more than 50 cents...

 

Other thing to add/solve could be the missing 5v Pin-out at VGA port.

 

 

 

I prefer the bigger sockets. THey are more factible for manipulation and connect/disconnect.

 

 

 

But in overall seems near perfect. Good enginier Kevin!

 

 

I'm glad you solved the issue! You are a technician now!

 

I prefer the bigger sockets. THey are more factible for manipulation and connect/disconnect.

[atmn]

 

This is a little issue to polish. Because locked socket can't cost more than 50 cents...

 

Other thing to add/solve could be the missing 5v Pin-out at VGA port.

 

 

I prefer the bigger sockets. THey are more factible for manipulation and connect/disconnect.

 

I'm glad you solved the issue! You are a technician now!

I prefer the bigger sockets. THey are more factible for manipulation and connect/disconnect.

It is a locked socket at the motherboard, even with a lock if its not firmly inserted it wont work.

 

But I agree, they are a bit small and flimsy.

The design where the NES-contacts are secured with a big screw is great. It will last.

 

T5V on the analoge would be great tbh. I suppose they wont go out with improvements until current batches are sold out.

Have to manually switch on and off my SCART-switch when I want to use the Mini. I dont want it to send 5V to the TV all the time.

 

Ye, actually I work assembling hardware, not designing tho. So I have some knowledge in troubleshooting.

[Keatah]

So the ribbon may not be inserted properly. Do they have security stickers? How would they even tell it had been opened if you loosed the screws to open the plexi botton and resecure the ribbon?

 

Without naming names, some companies will use a thin enamel clearcoat inside the screw. If it's scratched with a screwdriver it shows up under a uv-light.

[gulps]

It is a locked socket at the motherboard, even with a lock if its not firmly inserted it wont work.

 

 

Huh! Human mistake. Maybe they have to do better or more testing at the units before shipment.

 

 

I suppose you can't lose the warranty as you solved the issue easily

[eebuckeye]

In regards to each cores default video resolutions.. is it possible that the resolutions chose is the largest picture Kevtris can get while maintaining the exact ratio? Otherwise wouldn't each core fill the screen bigger by default for 720p and 1080p? Ideally it would be best I think to fill the screen as much as possible while maintaining the correct pixel ratio.

[cacophony]

It does appear a lot of NT hardware failures are the direct result of ribbon cable defects.

 

Not trying to shill for RetroUSB, but on the AVS, everything except the NOS power connector is soldered directly to the PCB, and Brian won't automatically void your warranty if you open the console out of curiosity or to try to diagnose/repair issues yourself.

 

The first run AVS wasn't exactly without issue. Lots of people had this happen:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/3117805/hardware/tested-the-retrousb-avs-a-high-def-8-bit-nes-remake.html#slide15

 

Plus didn't all green strip carts fail to play?

 

Personally, I've had a lot more stability issues with my AVS (game freezes, glitches, etc). The USB port hasn't broken off for me, but l've been very careful to never move it

[Radfoo]

 

 

Huh! Human mistake. Maybe they have to do better or more testing at the units before shipment.

 

Could the ribbon connectors come loose during shipping?

[atmn]

Could the ribbon connectors come loose during shipping?

Most likely not. It sat tight, it just wasnt inserted enough.

Easy fix tho, thank god.

[Keatah]

All this ribbon cable stuff sounds like the assemblers aren't pushing them in far enough.

[Andromeda Stardust]

 

The first run AVS wasn't exactly without issue. Lots of people had this happen:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/3117805/hardware/tested-the-retrousb-avs-a-high-def-8-bit-nes-remake.html#slide15

 

Plus didn't all green strip carts fail to play?

 

Personally, I've had a lot more stability issues with my AVS (game freezes, glitches, etc). The USB port hasn't broken off for me, but l've been very careful to never move it

I preordered mine with "launch" games. The games were delayed a bit, so by the time my AVS shipped, he had already applied a fix to the USB port thingy. Revision 2.0 will use through hole connectors.

 

And you are correct about the cart slot being to shallow for "green stripe" games. Brian will be supplying a user installable drop in replacement for the NES connector (yes, he ship it for free and you open your console yourself to install it) after the second shipment of AVS arrives. In the meantime the workaround for green stripe games is to use a Game Genie or a Famicom to NES adapter as a pass-through device.

[atmn]

Wishlist if there will be an updated HW rev.

 

- 5V on the 15pin analogue port, for RGB blanking.

- SD card slot more sunken in and with push to release.

- Better connection on the cart connector, more sensitive than NES top loader.

 

 

Cant think of anything else.

[atmn]

All this ribbon cable stuff sounds like the assemblers aren't pushing them in far enough.

Mine was in for service for the RGB port, dont know if I got a replacement or another console.

Think is was a service issue rather than production problems.

[gulps]

Could the ribbon connectors come loose during shipping?

 

It is very hard to happen but may be is a possibility if not correct connected or secure locked.

Normally the lock-on ribbon connectors are very hard to pull-up if not manually unlocked before.

But can happen of course. If is a little flimsy. Vibrations, hits, ...

[Andromeda Stardust]

I've had ribbon cables for keyboard / trackpad come loose inside my laptop. That was a pain to fix LOL...