MiSTer FPGA Forum

Hi Everyone,

Do we have a SNAC connector interface design for the PSX wired controller, if not does anyone know if this likely to be implemented with the PSX core? - I would be very happy to do a SNAC design for the PSX controller if a pinout has been defined or planned - or if it's already in progress can someone point me in the right direction.

The original SNAC interfaces from blue212 are 3 years old now, with no new adaptors/controllers being added.

https://github.com/blue212/SNAC-adapters

Apologies if this is already being discussed, but I could not find an answer with searching the forums or GitHub.

Cheers,

Rich.

Hi Rich,

I asked a while back, see here the twitter link below so it is indeed expected at some point.

https://twitter.com/AzumFpg/status/1466436886843596806

Edit:

The MiSTer PSX SNAC Adapters for the PSX core are now available on the web store.

Nat wrote: ↑Thu Apr 28, 2022 11:44 am Hi Rich,

I asked a while back, see here the twitter link below so it is indeed expected at some point.

https://twitter.com/AzumFpg/status/1466436886843596806

Perfect, thanks Nat. I'll keep an eye on the progress.

Nat wrote: ↑Thu Apr 28, 2022 11:44 am

Hi Rich,

I asked a while back, see here the twitter link below so it is indeed expected at some point.

https://twitter.com/AzumFpg/status/1466436886843596806

We made up a very quick (hacked) PSX SNAC interface for the Multisystem User port - it's all working quite well in the new PSX Core that now supports direct PlayStation controllers via SNAC. - this is using a port set from a real PlayStation, it's very simple to connect up to the SNAC pins.

multisystem wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 3:31 pm

Nat wrote: ↑Thu Apr 28, 2022 11:44 am Hi Rich,

I asked a while back, see here the twitter link below so it is indeed expected at some point.

https://twitter.com/AzumFpg/status/1466436886843596806

We made up a very quick (hacked) PSX SNAC interface for the Multisystem User port - it's all working quite well in the new PSX Core that now supports direct PlayStation controllers via SNAC. - this is using a port set from a real PlayStation, it's very simple to connect up to the SNAC pins.

Multisystem_PSX_SNAC_prototype.jpeg

rumble/vibration works with it? if so when can I buy it?

Just looking at this while even the prototype stage has me excited, but could someone clarify if my presumtions are correct for the following:

2 pads via 1 SNAC?
That Yellow Phono... Could that be for a Lightgun? Please say it is...


*EDIT
Just noticed this on the PSX-Mister Github...

SNAC can be selected for each port and will support gamepads and memory cards on the corresponding slot. When SNAC is enabled for a slot, the emulated gamepad/memory for this slot is disconnected.

Physical Memory Card support, this gets even better

multisystem wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 3:31 pm …it's very simple to connect up to the SNAC pins.

Great!
Is there a connection schema available?

Sure, there is a design for the new PSX SNAC from Blue212 - https://github.com/blue212/SNAC-PSX

But this version uses a genuine PlayStation front panel so also includes the cartridge ports and with the Multisystem we can switch to output 3.3v so there is no need for a voltage regulator.

Here is a slightly updated prototype of the PSX SNAC-Box for the Multisystem -

A few more images of the SNAC-BOX PSX (for the Multisystem USER Port).

Is this something people would like to see made available, or just a set of instructions to make your own? - or both?

This can read two physical memory cards, and works with light guns, PSX mouse, rumble pads / shock feedback/recoil etc. and the Multitap 4 port adaptor.

multisystem wrote: ↑Sat May 07, 2022 5:37 pm But this version uses a genuine PlayStation front panel so also includes the cartridge ports

My feeling is the ethos of MiSTer is about preservation, not canabilization of original hardware.

If people have faulty playstation 1 consoles give the choice to them for use their ports to build one, but knowing these are only available as original parts, please keep that supply in the market so original hardware benefit from the spare parts availability to repair real playstation 1 consoles.

annette wrote: ↑Sat May 07, 2022 6:21 pm

multisystem wrote: ↑Sat May 07, 2022 5:37 pm But this version uses a genuine PlayStation front panel so also includes the cartridge ports

My feeling is the ethos of MiSTer is about preservation, not canabilization of original hardware.

If people have faulty playstation 1 consoles give the choice to them for use their ports to build one, but knowing these are only available as original parts, please keep that supply in the market so original hardware benefit from the spare parts availability to repair real playstation 1 consoles.

I could not agree more.

This used a port set from a very dead and scrap PlayStation, so yes I completely agree. It would not be possible to do in this way for a product. But if other people also wanted to do the same thing with similar dead PlayStation systems we could show how to reuse the panel in this way for MiSTer PSX core.

You are giving new life to a dead system, but I would be the first to say it's better to keep old hardware alive and working as much as possible, that also often means using parts from donor systems, so it's always good to have spare/scrap/junk systems around.

multisystem wrote: ↑Sat May 07, 2022 5:37 pm …
But this version uses a genuine PlayStation front panel so also includes the cartridge ports and with the Multisystem we can switch to output 3.3v so there is no need for a voltage regulator.

Thanks for the link!
Is your Adapter working with a normal IO Board 6.1/1.2?
If yes, could you share some connection details.

multisystem wrote: ↑Sat May 07, 2022 5:40 pm Is this something people would like to see made available, or just a set of instructions to make your own? - or both

Please do both! There are plenty of dead Playstations out there.

venice wrote: ↑Sun May 08, 2022 5:55 pm

multisystem wrote: ↑Sat May 07, 2022 5:37 pm …
But this version uses a genuine PlayStation front panel so also includes the cartridge ports and with the Multisystem we can switch to output 3.3v so there is no need for a voltage regulator.

Thanks for the link!
Is your Adapter working with a normal IO Board 6.1/1.2?
If yes, could you share some connection details.

Yes, It would work with the normal MiSTer I/O boards directly connected to the USER port (No SNAC adaptor required) but you would also need to add a 5v to 3.3v regulator because the USER port needs all the I/O and also 3.3v for the PSX.

On the MiSTer Multisystem we have a little switch that can change the 5v output to be 3.3v so that's why an external regulator is not needed for this module when using the Multisystem.

I am still hoping for a connection schema

I will try to import the .sch file from the above github link into KiCad.

multisystem wrote: ↑Mon May 09, 2022 8:18 am Yes, It would work with the normal MiSTer I/O boards directly connected to the USER port (No SNAC adaptor required) but you would also need to add a 5v to 3.3v regulator because the USER port needs all the I/O and also 3.3v for the PSX.

On the MiSTer Multisystem we have a little switch that can change the 5v output to be 3.3v so that's why an external regulator is not needed for this module when using the Multisystem.

Thanks for these Infos.
Any chance to get more details (drawing/electrial schema/pcd/detailed pictures) from your build?

//Edit
Got all infos, no answer needed.

Both please! Thanks so much for all of the work so far!

@multisystem Any update on the release of the information? I have a parts Playstation I'd like to try with.

pic of my retrocastle psx snac interface

I was excited about PSX SNAC right up until I realized that it also prevents use of virtual memory cards. Ugh.

rhester72 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 21, 2022 5:10 am I was excited about PSX SNAC right up until I realized that it also prevents use of virtual memory cards. Ugh.

really? so when you are using PSX SNAC you are limited to only 2 physical memory cards?

hooxxx wrote: ↑Tue Jun 21, 2022 7:06 am

rhester72 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 21, 2022 5:10 am I was excited about PSX SNAC right up until I realized that it also prevents use of virtual memory cards. Ugh.

really? so when you are using PSX SNAC you are limited to only 2 physical memory cards?

Unless I'm misunderstanding something, I don't think this is the case. I have used my SNAC adapter to transfer saves from a physical memory card to a virtual one multiple times now.

hipsofjw wrote: ↑Tue Jun 21, 2022 7:15 am

hooxxx wrote: ↑Tue Jun 21, 2022 7:06 am

rhester72 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 21, 2022 5:10 am I was excited about PSX SNAC right up until I realized that it also prevents use of virtual memory cards. Ugh.

really? so when you are using PSX SNAC you are limited to only 2 physical memory cards?

Unless I'm misunderstanding something, I don't think this is the case. I have used my SNAC adapter to transfer saves from a physical memory card to a virtual one multiple times now.

Unless something has changed, once you enable SNAC, only virtual cards in slot _2_ are supported, slot 1 is physical via SNAC.

Psyko_2000 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 20, 2022 11:55 pm pic of my retrocastle psx snac interface

Hi.

How works this version?. I planned to buy one but I waiting any feedback of this hardware.

SHIVER_169 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 21, 2022 3:55 pm

Psyko_2000 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 20, 2022 11:55 pm

pic of my retrocastle psx snac interface

Hi.

How works this version?. I planned to buy one but I waiting any feedback of this hardware.

this one is made to fit the retrocastle IO board and case.

you can still use it with other IO board and cases, but you would need to use USB extension cables, as the PSX SNAC board will not be able to fit in flush.

Psyko_2000 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 22, 2022 4:58 am

SHIVER_169 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 21, 2022 3:55 pm

Psyko_2000 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 20, 2022 11:55 pm pic of my retrocastle psx snac interface

Hi.

How works this version?. I planned to buy one but I waiting any feedback of this hardware.

this one is made to fit the retrocastle IO board and case.

you can still use it with other IO board and cases, but you would need to use USB extension cables, as the PSX SNAC board will not be able to fit in flush.

do you sell them?

Psyko_2000 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 22, 2022 4:58 am

SHIVER_169 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 21, 2022 3:55 pm

Psyko_2000 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 20, 2022 11:55 pm pic of my retrocastle psx snac interface

Hi.

How works this version?. I planned to buy one but I waiting any feedback of this hardware.

this one is made to fit the retrocastle IO board and case.

you can still use it with other IO board and cases, but you would need to use USB extension cables, as the PSX SNAC board will not be able to fit in flush.

do you need to plug the second usb (white one) for it to work?

AmintaMister wrote: ↑Wed Jun 22, 2022 10:34 am

do you sell them?

you can get them from here: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003883854556.html

hooxxx wrote: ↑Wed Jun 22, 2022 11:05 am

do you need to plug the second usb (white one) for it to work?

the white USB is just a passthrough for the USB1 slot.

Are the Saves on your physical MemCards are shown correctly in the PSX Memory Card Manager?

On my System only sometimes all Saves are shown, but mostly not.
But the Saves should be Ok as the games don‘t show loading or saving errors.
Controller are working fine.

Psyko_2000 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 20, 2022 11:55 pm

pic of my retrocastle psx snac interface

what is that yellow port?!