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Dreamcast VMU stand-alone?

HornheaDD

HornheaDD

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I have a Dreamcast MGCD, and this device was able to have a VMU "adapter" of some sort to keep saves and settings. I wasnt able to get a hold of the memory card device, but is it possible to identify what corresponding connector is needed here, as well as get a pinout of the VMU connector? The casing doesn't leave much room inside to keep an extra controller to keep the VMU plugged in. Maybe it's possible to gut a controller and use the one that's there? Even then that might be too large.

I know some of these cables exist, but I can only assume they are pretty tough to come by. I've attached some image to check out.


VMU2.jpgVMU1.jpg

IMG_20210427_192459.jpg


IMG_20210427_192537.jpg
 
Can confirm; thats a JST XH 2.54 header

If you want to make your own cables you will need

A housing to match the header - I count 8 pins, so you will need an 8 position connector housing
https://www.digikey.co.nz/products/en?keywords=XHP-8

Pins to populate the housing - these ones are suitable for 22 to 28AWG wire
https://www.digikey.co.nz/product-detail/en/jst-sales-america-inc/SXH-001T-P0.6/455-1135-1-ND/527370
You can also get pins that are only suitable for 26 to 28AWG wire, dont get those, they are tiny and fiddly and a pain in the arse

A specialist XH crimp tool to crimp the pins - JST XH pins are nothign like standard JST pins. Many generic crimp tools claim to crimp them but will not crimp them. I had the same problem making Minigun-Supergun kick harnesses here
https://www.arcade-projects.com/thr...d-the-projects-that-others-have-shared.17296/
Problem was solved by ordering these
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000412502024.html

Cheap pins and housings are cheap for a reason , the universe will thank you for not using the ones that come with the tool for anyhting other than practise. Get decent ones from Mouser/Digikey/RS

On a side note it looks like one of the pins in the header in your photo is bent(?) if it is you may need to straighten it out before pugging somehting in to it
 
the mgcd vmu part is a cable and a small pcb with no parts to a memory card conector. i recently also got a mgcd and was looking for info how to make this board adpater for teh vmu.
 
@hatmoose daamnn son! Thanks for the info!

@werejag - this PCB, you said it had no parts? So no components, diodes, resistors, chips - just flat greenboard with leads from the cable to the VMU edge connector?

Do you think it would be possible to build something without the PCB? just straight lines from board to VMU connector? I have zero knowledge about stuff like this, so I apologize if my question seems ignorant.

Because it totally is lol
 
im basing this on the pictures i could find. if i find the info. ill share and hopefully we can get a pcb designed for it .also there is a steering wheel subboard that can be added. looks like only few parts for that.
 
Id be interested in something like this. So far it's working beautifully, and I got an adapter from JNX to my cab's CP configuration so everything works like it would if it were a Naomi. Now being able to save a game? Shoot.

Heck, I'd even settle for a simple Dreamcast controller cable that has a DC controller port on one end, and terminates into a VMU slot. Long as that badboy can fit in the case, no big deal!
 
there is a mega virtual memory project on dream-talk forums... dont see teh pcb files yet thou
 
I have this mgcd too, and for a mgcd for ps2 using the same pc board converter, just the ones going to the controller is PlayStation 2 connector
 
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