mirror of
https://github.com/dekuNukem/USB4VC.git
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176 lines
6.9 KiB
Markdown
176 lines
6.9 KiB
Markdown
# USB4VC: USB Inputs on Retro Computers!
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[Get USB4VC!](https://www.tindie.com/products/dekuNukem/usb4vc-usb-inputs-on-retro-computers/) | [Official Discord](https://discord.gg/HAuuh3pAmB) | [Getting Started](getting_started.md) | [Table of Contents](#table-of-contents)
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-----
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USB4VC is an **active protocol converter** that let you use **USB keyboard, mouse, and gamepads** on many different retro computers.
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With a **modular design**, different platforms are supported by swapping out **Protocol Cards**:
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USB4VC is [now available on Tindie](https://www.tindie.com/products/dekuNukem/usb4vc-usb-inputs-on-retro-computers/), with two Protocol Cards:
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#### IBM PC Compatible
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* PS/2 Keyboard (Scancode set 1, 2 and 3)
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* PS/2 Mouse
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* AT Keyboard
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* XT Keyboard
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* Microsoft Serial Mouse
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* Mouse Systems Serial Mouse
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* 15-pin Gameport Gamepad
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* Mapping USB Gamepad to PC Mouse/Keyboard
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From the very first IBM PC in 1981 until the end of PS/2 ports in early 2000s, this Protocol Card covers it all!
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#### Apple Lisa, Early Macintosh, and Apple Desktop Bus (ADB)
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* Apple Lisa Keyboard (A6MB101)
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* Apple Lisa Mouse (A9M0050)
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* Macintosh Keyboard (M0110A)
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* Macintosh Mouse (M0100)
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* ADB Keyboard
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* ADB Mouse
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* Mapping USB gamepad to all above
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From Apple Lisa in 1983 to PowerMac G3 in 1999, and everything in-between!
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#### More to Come!
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Of course, more Protocol Cards are planned, and you can try [make your own](technical_notes.md) too!
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## I Want One! / Get in Touch
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USB4VC is now available [on my Tindie store](https://www.tindie.com/products/dekuNukem/usb4vc-usb-inputs-on-retro-computers/) after being successfully funded [on Kickstarter!](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dekunukem/usb4vc-usb-inputs-on-retro-computers)!
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**Questions or comments?** Ask in [official Discord](https://discord.gg/HAuuh3pAmB), raise a [Github issue](https://github.com/dekuNukem/USB4VC/issues), [Twitter DM](https://twitter.com/dekuNukem_), or email `dekunukem` `gmail.com`!
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## Videos
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* [Click me for LGR Review!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbHr7ULpusM)
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* [Click me for Michael MJD Review!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv4A9p7Cn2s)
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* [Click me for 1Bit Fever Dreams review of Lisa/Mac/ADB card!](https://youtu.be/ALm5LWS0fqU)
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## Highlights
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* USB Keyboard/Mouse/Gamepads on Vintage Computers!
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* Modular & Swappable Protocol Cards
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* Wireless / Bluetooth
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* Ultra Low Latency (0.5ms)
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* Fully Open-source
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* Make-your-own Protocol Card [Instruction Provided](technical_notes.md)
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## How it Works
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USB4VC consists of two halves: **Baseboard** and swappable **Protocol Cards**.
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Baseboard contains user buttons, OLED screen, and a Raspberry Pi. It processes USB input events, which are sent to Protocol Card.
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Each Protocol Card has a dedicated microcontroller and connectors for a specific platform.
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By splitting duties, RPi can focus on input parsing, and Protocol Card handles timing critical signal generation, resulting in a flexible architecture and reliable performance.
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USB peripherals can be connected via cables, wireless dongles, or Bluetooth.
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## Getting Started
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[Click me](getting_started.md)
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## Technical Details / Make Your Own Protocol Cards
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[Click me](technical_notes.md)
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## Why / Project Goals
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Before the homogeneity of USB peripherals today, computer input devices were a wild west of proprietary peripherals, as different platforms used their own connectors and protocols for keyboards, mice, and gamepads.
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With the popularity of retro computing today, it poses several issues:
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* Many of those peripherals are simply **hard to find**, commanding a premium on online marketplaces. They are only getting rarer, and without them, the computer itself is useless.
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* After decades of service, many can be **degraded and unreliable** (e.g. foam & foil keyboards), requiring extensive restoration.
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* Many early peripherals simply **does not feel that great**. Mushy membrane keyboards, sticky ball mice, plasticky gamepads, etc. And of course, the good ones gets [*very expensive*](https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=ibm+model+f&_sacat=0&rt=nc&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1).
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* On the other hand, good quality USB peripherals can be had for a very reasonable price today with vastly **superior tactility, precision, and ergonomics**.
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* Thus, this project aims to make retro computers simply **more enjoyable to use**.
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* I also hope it can **lower the barrier of entry** for certain machines, put more computers **back in action**, help **preserving** existing peripherals, and generally **help more people** get into this hobby!
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But of course, one can argue that using period-correct peripherals is simply part of the hobby, but just like HDMI upscalers or floppy emus, it's nice to have the option to enhance the experience.
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## Q&A
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### Where can I get one?
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This project have been successly funded [via Kickstarter!](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dekunukem/usb4vc-usb-inputs-on-retro-computers), now it is available [on my Tindie store!](https://www.tindie.com/products/dekuNukem/usb4vc-usb-inputs-on-retro-computers/)
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### Which Raspberry Pi can I use?
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Any RPi with a **40-pin header** *should* work, although **Model B/B+** is preferred. See [this table](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raspberry_Pi#Model_comparison) for details, sort by **GPIO** column.
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USB4VC has been officially tested on **Raspberry Pi 2/3/4 Model B**.
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Raspberry Pi Zeros should work too, but would need a USB hub.
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No need to get the latest and greatest. An older RPi is plenty fast enough!
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### What about latency?
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0.5ms to 1ms depending on the Raspberry Pi generation.
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1ms is *one thousandth* of a second. [More info here](technical_notes.md#latency-information).
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### Can you develop a Protocol Card for ___ ?
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I'd love to! But I would need a working machine with working peripherals.
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So if you're in UK and is happy to lend me one for a while, [let me know!](#i-want-one--get-in-touch)
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Also, as I can only work on so many at once, I'll probably focus on the more popular machines at first, but still, do let me know!
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### Can I make my own Protocol Cards?
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Of course! See [this document](technical_notes.md).
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### What does USB4VC stand for?
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USB for Vintage Computers. Although come to think of it, it's perfect for vintage consoles too! 🤔
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## Questions or Comments?
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Feel free to ask in official [Discord Chatroom](https://discord.gg/HAuuh3pAmB), raise a [Github issue](https://github.com/dekuNukem/USB4VC/issues), [DM on Twitter](https://twitter.com/dekuNukem_), or email `dekunukem` `gmail.com`!
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## Table of Contents
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[Main page](README.md)
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[(Youtube Video) USB4VC in Action](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54sdPELuu4g)
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[Getting Started Guide](getting_started.md)
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[Kit Assembly Guide](kit_assembly.md)
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[Tinkering Guide / Make Your Own Protocol Card / Technical Notes](technical_notes.md)
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[Kickstarter Acknowledgements](kickstarter_info.md)
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