The MSTR Case

[akicus]

Posted two news pics on Instagram. Will upload both pics here later as well for those who don't use that media.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CKL5WXrLD7Z ... cotvinfkkd

Any questions please let me know.

I'm very, very excited for this. I'd much rather have something a little bigger with ports on front/back than have the tiniest case ever with ports on all sides. Even in the MiSTer Addons PCB case (which is very nice for what it is) the thing looks hokey as all get-out. I just found out about this today and will follow with great interest.

That was my personal reason as well for even starting this project. Something that is solid, looks good next to other things in the home and is easy to use. Hopefully the end product will live up to this.

[akicus]

Here is the picture.

MSTRPCBJan18.jpg

More updates soon.

[akicus]

Really can't wait for this to be ready!!
Seriously, due to how impressed I am with Mike's work on cases for audio equipment and how much I'm liking the look of DaemonBite I'd seriously be happy to pre-order and pay now even though I know it may not be out until the end of the year. Honestly, it's the only reason I've not bought any DaemonBite hardware yet, with this on the way it makes more sense to just wait for this.

Thanks for the kind words.
We can't accept any payments yet, sorry.
It is important for us to first know that we will have a product that will work as promised and have the high quality that we strive for.
Regarding time frame I don't think it will take the whole year as we come a long way already.

[grizzly]

Damn it!

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[Milspex]

this is pretty much exactly what I'm looking for in a new Mister Case. Looking forward!

Been wanting a bigger wider case for a while instead of the super small yet clunky standard ones.

[Milspex]

Also , the reason I swapped my analog io with the digital io is because of the power switch.

Is there a power switch on this?

[akicus]

Also , the reason I swapped my analog io with the digital io is because of the power switch.

Is there a power switch on this?

There will be a power switch on the back, yes.

[Milspex]

Also , the reason I swapped my analog io with the digital io is because of the power switch.

Is there a power switch on this?

There will be a power switch on the back, yes.

Thanks, perfect!

[akicus]

Updated the instagram account with a new picture for those who want to see. More pictures will be uploaded here shortly...
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKZZWWjrwam ... sphxrd8aqx

[Milspex]

can't wait to see full build pics.

[akicus]

MSTRPCBAssembly.png

More soon.

[Milspex]

full sd card size slot ftw too...

[akicus]

full sd card size slot ftw too...

Yes, we thought it would be easier for the end user to handle. If you use microSD you can just use a adaper card for it.

[Milspex]

yes its great. MicroSD is too finicky as it is ..

[akicus]

MSTRPCBAssembly2.png

Different angle.

[Milspex]

So if I understand correctly, the player cartridges are different modules you can insert, like a module with snes controller ports, or one with 4 db15s, or genesis ports and such?

[akicus]

So if I understand correctly, the player cartridges are different modules you can insert, like a module with snes controller ports, or one with 4 db15s, or genesis ports and such?

Correct.

[akicus]

What time of power connector does this use?
I can see some sort of barrel connector on the back of the PCB, is it the same setup as the DE10-Nano? I currently use a splitter on mine to also power the USB board, I'd assume due to this being a customised setup that it will only need a single input with everything else being taken care of by whatever custom power management is happening inside?
Not that I've minded using a splitter but obviously being able to just plug in a single power lead and flick the power switch is an improvement in my mind.

There is a JST connector in the picture below that will allow us to route a cable inside the case and UNDER the pcbs so it won't look too bad. How it all connects will be presented with more pictures of the real hardware (pcbs) that should show up next month so please wait for that.

[Milspex]

looking good

[akicus]

Thanks @akicus.
It'll be interesting to see actual PCB hardware. If I'm being honest, whatever happens on the inside of the box is something that I'm just happy to think of as magic and leave to you.
My question was more from me as a user and just wondering if I'd be able to use the same power adapter that I'm currently using on MiSTer. Not that it really matters either way, I wa just wondering.

You can use the same power supply, yes. If you want to use all USB ports at the same time you may need to use a little beefier power supply (we have many ports in total on the MSTR).

[akicus]

Thanks for all the messages over e-mail and here, it shows that there is some real interest for this.
One question that keeps popping up is "what will the case look like on the back, will you just cnc out all the holes for the ports"?
We thought about this and since MiSTer is very modular you never know what might pop up in the future (different type of addon board) we thought it would be best to cnc out a little bit bigger hole on the back and use something similar to a I/O shield on a computer motherboard (a higher quality one).
This way the MSTR case can potentially take different pcbs.
Thoughts?

[Milspex]

Smart! There will be different addon boards produced so futureproofing the case is a great idea.

Also, how big is the case exactly? Can you fit like a small external 2.5 drive in there too? It reminds me of the Nacon Daija arcade stick I have

ps4ofarcadestick_3.png

[akicus]

Smart! There will be different addon boards produced so futureproofing the case is a great idea.

Also, how big is the case exactly? Can you fit like a small external 2.5 drive in there too? It reminds me of the Nacon Daija arcade stick I have

Thanks for your input.

Yes, we designed it so it will fit 2.5" drive as well, it will most likely be mounted on top of the player cassette hole (on the inside) and hooked up to one of the USB ports that are mounted vertical.

[Milspex]

keeps getting better and better

[Bennehana]

Would you be able to use multiple diffrent attatchments for the controller. Like 1 snes, 1 nes, 1 Megadrive etc...at once?

[Milspex]

They'd have to make way too many custom options to do that I think

I'm guessing they will do the modules on a per system basis. Like one with snes ports, one with megadrive ports etc etc.

Come to think of it, a single player module with all different ports does make a little bit of sense though.

[Bennehana]

Yeah i mean i often play solo and when i do got company i have usb options.

For me it would be neat anyways.

[akicus]

Would you be able to use multiple diffrent attatchments for the controller. Like 1 snes, 1 nes, 1 Megadrive etc...at once?

I thought about this personally and if it works it could save money for the "solo" player for sure. One cassette with:
NES, SNES, DIN8, DB9, DB15.

That would cover many consoles:
NES, SNES, Master System, Mega Drive, PC Engine, NeoGeo and some other systems.

Maybe we should sell it with this cassette as standard, we will see.

There could also be 2 x NES and 2 x SNES for example, it just depends on how much hassle it is to do so many variations.

[Milspex]

PSX and Saturn incoming though....

How many ports can fit on one module? because the use case scenario is gonna be different for everyone and all of a sudden you have soooo many options..

[Milspex]

you cant do custom cartridges on a per customer basis obviously, so there has to be some kind of middleground solutions.

I would sell it standard with a placeholder cartridge with nothing in it for people that wont be using it anyway and do a "Add Optional Cartridge"