Would there be interest into another PS/2 to Amiga adapter?

[hkzlab]

Hi everyone!
I recently recovered an Amiga 2000 mobo and a CDTV at a flea market, both without accessories of any kind. As I didn't like the idea of spending big money to buy keyboards for machines I paid next to nothing, I decided to solve the problem myself by building a converter which translates the PS/2 scancodes to the proper Amiga signals.

I currently have a working prototype (built on breadboard, based on Atmega328) and I was thinking of printing a PCB for myself, but having a PCB etched for a single person is just too expensive for something I already own in breadboard form. So I'd like to print a few more (like 10 in total) and sell them to drop the cost a bit.

Right now I'm just investigating: I don't want any money and expressing interest doesn't force you to buy anything at all. It's just for me to check if people have any use for this kind of device.

My objective is to stay under the following prices for the device:
<10€ for the board only (nothing soldered on it)
<20€ for the complete device (which includes the board, the microcontroller, connectors, etc..)
With possibilities choose an intermediate combination (eg. you might want only the board + pre-programmed MCU, and add the rest yourself).

The components on the boards will all be easy to solder through-hole and an ISP socket will be left on it to reprogram the microprocessor, for upgrades or for custom firmwares (to add functionalities if you need them).

Just asking if anyone feels the need for such a device.

BTW: I took a video (sorry for the bad quality) of an early version of my adapter. You can see it on YouTube

WARNING: The adapter I'm talking about is KEYBOARD ONLY! I'm planning to do something for mices too, but as I already had an Amiga mouse around, that became of secondary.

 

[ColourWheel64]

I like the idea.

There are a lot of PS/2 mice out there, and as such it would be great to be able to utiise them should all the Amiga mice run out.

I have one of those Logitech wireless mice and keyboards, and that has PS/2 plugs built in. Will I be able to use that with my amiga?

Would the rolly-wheels, balls and extra buttons be useable too? Please make them useable and map them to CD32 buttons if possible.

Will they be compatible with those USB to PS/2 converters too?

 

[roy_bates]

i would say yes.

will it support keyboard reset?

it might also be a good idea to mention its for keyboards in your first post.

 

[salaxi54]

@nicholas.jj.taylor: I believe he's only mentioning a keyboard interface.

 

[ColourWheel64]

It's a good idea in theory, but I really don't like the idea of all those Windows keys being present on Amiga system keyboards.

They will all have to be replaced.



Only kidding. It's a brilliant idea.

 

[hkzlab]

i would say yes.

will it support keyboard reset?

it might also be a good idea to mention its for keyboards in your first post.

Ehrr. You are right... going to edit the first post mentioning it's for keyboard only! (For now, actually I was thinking of doing something for mices too, in the future )

It already supports keyboard reset!

 

[roy_bates]

i would say yes.

will it support keyboard reset?

it might also be a good idea to mention its for keyboards in your first post.

Ehrr. You are right... going to edit the first post mentioning it's for keyboard only! (For now, actually I was thinking of doing something for mices too, in the future )

It already supports keyboard reset!

then yes,its a really great idea.

will you also be doing this in kit form,or peaple that want to do tower conversions?

 

[hkzlab]

will you also be doing this in kit form,or peaple that want to do tower conversions?

With kit form, do you mean PCB only + components, so the end user can solder them? Yep, why not.

I never did a tower conversion myself. What would that require?

 

[salaxi54]

That would depend on the Amiga models to be supported. My understanding is that this is for 'Big Box Amigas'.

 

[johnim]

hi a longer wire and something like this for a tower

http://www.axiomtek.com/products/ViewProduct.asp?view=603

or

http://www.cclonline.com/product/56...d-Mouse-Converter-Adaptor-PS/2-panel/ACC0144/

 

[hkzlab]

That would depend on the Amiga models to be supported. My understanding is that this is for 'Big Box Amigas'.

Indeed. But I guess something for the 500/500+ could also be done quite easily, with minimal changes to the MCU code to take into account that the reset signal is not on the clock line AFAIK.

 

[salaxi54]

As is, you could utilize it with a cable extension like johnim said in case you want to towerize an A2/3/4000 motherboard. Not exactly sure about the A500, although i think it's a little bit different on the keyboard controller front (never had an A500). The A600 and A1200 would need something really different.

 

[roy_bates]

will you also be doing this in kit form,or peaple that want to do tower conversions?

With kit form, do you mean PCB only + components, so the end user can solder them? Yep, why not.

I never did a tower conversion myself. What would that require?

yes, pcb and components so theres an option to self build it.

some tower conversions require a external keyboard for 1200 600 and 500 etc because the keyboard controller is on the motherboard.(500 isent though its on the keyboard)
maybe an adaptor for the mpu or something,but then again if someone has bought the self build kit they could do that themselves if it acts like a normal amiga keyboard.
i hope that makes sense.

 

[hkzlab]

yes, pcb and components so theres an option to self build it.

I see absolutely no problem in doing that.

some tower conversions require a external keyboard for 1200 600 and 500 etc because the keyboard controller is on the motherboard.(500 isent though its on the keyboard)

I'm actually modifying my prototype code right now to support the Amiga 500. It should be just a matter of adding a connection and take it low to reset the machine. This is not going to be a problem. I think I know where to get a 500+ to test this on...

As for the 600/1200, now that you mention it, a few years ago I did a cap swap on one of those (a 600 actually) for a friend, and now I remember the keyboard being connected with a flat cable. I guess 600 and 1200 will be out of this project for now.

Another thing: I'd like to know if there would be more interest in the board having a PS/2 connector directly soldered to it or just a row of contacts where you can solder a cable at leisure. Neither is a problem for my use so I'd just like to know if there is any preference before preparing the final version of PCB layout. Just remember it's a little homebrew project

 

[roy_bates]

ps2 connector on board.


could you make sure theres some holes in the pcb in the corners for fixing?

 

[hkzlab]

ps2 connector on board.


could you make sure theres some holes in the pcb in the corners for fixing?

The holes are not a problem per-se, but they require more space on board and the production costs would rise. I need to check how much more that would be.

 

[roy_bates]

ps2 connector on board.


could you make sure theres some holes in the pcb in the corners for fixing?

The holes are not a problem per-se, but they require more space on board and the production costs would rise. I need to check how much more that would be.

two holes on the ps2 side then?

 

[hkzlab]

two holes on the ps2 side then?

I've been able to add two on the sides of PS/2 and one on the back of the board. Hopefully it will suffice

 

[cosmicfrog]

count me in plz so I`m a +1 too :blased:

amiga keyboard on a wire so I can have it in my lap
when this is done its only a short step to having a wireless keyboard and mouse and that be way cool too

though I would like mine premaid if pos :roll:
if not am sure I can do through hole soldering but it might be better if we can find some 1 willing make a small batch of 5 or 6

can some1 change title plz something aboutkeyboards

so hows the doing the A500

thoughts on the A600 and A1200 versions ??

love the keyboard sound in the vid hehehehe