Cactus Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 I'd like to start my journey into the world of FPGAs, and the Papilio Arcade seems like the best thing ever for someone like me who can't and would prefer not to solder. I'm not really interested in the gaming aspect of it.My question is, what do I need apart from the Papilio One 500k and the Papilio Arcade to get started? I guess I need a power source, and some special cables to connect the One to the PC for programming? Or is this all included in the box? Is it using some standard USB cable? (I understand the PC end of the cable is USB, but is the other end as well? Can I power it via USB?)So basically, what should my shopping list look like if I don't plan to interface the real world except via the Arcade's VGA and PS/2 ports?Also, (way way waaaay less importantly) what hardware can I use with those joystick ports, apart from my ancient C64 joysticks 10 thousand kilometers away from me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 The board takes power from and is programmed through its USB port. You'll need a standard (mini) USB cable. An old VGA monitor and VGA cable might come in handy if you plan to display stuff on a screen when you get tired of blinking LEDs. Old style PS2 mice and keyboards can be plugged in as well for inputs. I believe the joystick ports accept old 9 pin Atari style joysticks, not the PC type. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus Posted September 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 Thanks!Will LCD displays with a VGA input work, or do I need a CRT? Also, do modern keyboards work with a USB -> PS/2 converter, or do those only work with keyboards that explicitly support them?Also, I noticed mentions of some extra connectors (rails?) needed between the FPGA board and the Arcade board. Is that the one included on this picture: http://www.seeedstud...97b3e19189.html and does that mean it's included in that package?I'm just trying to make sure that whatever I end up ordering will be usable from day 1.EDIT: Also, assume I asked the exact same questions about the LogicStart as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 I'm just trying to make sure that whatever I end up ordering will be usable from day 1.EDIT: Also, assume I asked the exact same questions about the LogicStart as well Hi Cactus.Jack will most probably confirm this...The Papilio One is shipped without any headers. This allows it to be used when it will be hardwired into a system (or maybe you want to have pins below, rather than sockets above.The only 'native' interfaces is the MicroUSB port and the DC power socket (that I've never used).If you plan to stack a LogicStart on top you will need a set of headers. Installing these is quiet pain free soldering, and as long as you use a fine gauge of solder and a sensible sized tip it would be pretty hard to put enough on to form a solder bridge (and even if you did cleaning it up would be easy).The LogicStart is shipped ready to go with all pins installed. All I had to do was plug mine into the headers. You could put the headers onto the logcistart and then use that to hold them where you want them while you solder. Maybe if you ask nicely in the shipping instructions you might get them soldered on So for a full setup you will need to order the following- Papilio One of the size you want (get the -500 if you want enough RAM to play Arcade games).- A set of headers- The LogicStartAs well as the above bits, you should have no problem laying your hands of this:- A USB cable- A 3.5mm Audio cable- A monitor with an analog VGA input and cable.- Something to hook test voltages to the ADC headerMike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felix Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 @cactusinstead of an audio cable i use headphones.amplified pc speakers will probably work tooit didnt work with my lcd tv, but its not a terribly good one anyways. besides, all games atm are vertical.it works fine on any monitor flat or crt i have tried tho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Gassett Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 Hello Cactus,I'd like to start my journey into the world of FPGAs, and the Papilio Arcade seems like the best thing ever for someone like me who can't and would prefer not to solder. I'm not really interested in the gaming aspect of it.My question is, what do I need apart from the Papilio One 500k and the Papilio Arcade to get started? I guess I need a power source, and some special cables to connect the One to the PC for programming? Or is this all included in the box? Is it using some standard USB cable? (I understand the PC end of the cable is USB, but is the other end as well? Can I power it via USB?)So basically, what should my shopping list look like if I don't plan to interface the real world except via the Arcade's VGA and PS/2 ports?Also, (way way waaaay less importantly) what hardware can I use with those joystick ports, apart from my ancient C64 joysticks 10 thousand kilometers away from me?One thing of importance is, as hamster responded, if you order the P1 500K from Seeed Studio the headers will not be soldered on. They will provide two rows of female headers that you can solder on yourself. I've received a lot of complaints about having to solder these headers on so I have revised the manufacturing plan for the Papilio One to automatically solder those headers on. So if you are careful of where you order your P1 500K from you can get one with the headers already soldered on. Right now Seeed Studio has the last batch of boards that do not have the header soldered on. If you order from Gadget Factory, LinkSprite, or Sparkfun you will get a P1 500K with the headers soldered on. But the downside is that Seeed just manufactured a batch of Arcade MegaWings and there hasn't been much chance for anyone else to get stock yet! I do have one Arcade MegaWing left in stock at Gadget Factory and I expect to get more in a week.Like others have said a mini-usb cable is all you need to provide power and programming, your monitor should have a VGA cable and a LCD monitor will work.Brand new Atari 2600 Joysticks can be found ebay for around $10, that's where I get mine. You will very much want one of these types of joystick. While there are PS/2 ports on the Arcade MegaWing they are not setup to control the Arcade games at this time. They are there because with future Papilio boards with SDRAM we will be able to run Apple IIe and C64 clones and a keyboard will be needed for that.Thanks!Will LCD displays with a VGA input work, or do I need a CRT? Also, do modern keyboards work with a USB -> PS/2 converter, or do those only work with keyboards that explicitly support them?Also, I noticed mentions of some extra connectors (rails?) needed between the FPGA board and the Arcade board. Is that the one included on this picture: http://www.seeedstud...97b3e19189.html and does that mean it's included in that package?I'm just trying to make sure that whatever I end up ordering will be usable from day 1.EDIT: Also, assume I asked the exact same questions about the LogicStart as well As far as I know a USB -> PS/2 converter should work, I've never tested though so don't know for sure.For the LogicStart, same answers except you don't need a joystick. The mini-joystick works with the games, but I just finished playing Pac-Man on both boards and there is not comparison. It is waaay more enjoyable to play arcade games with an Atari 2600 joystick then the mini-joysick.Jack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 For the LogicStart there is one other thing I just noticed... the Audio socket on the Production LogicStart is mono, so if using headphones a 3.5mm mono to 3.5mm stereo adapter may be useful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus Posted September 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 Jack & others: Thanks for the exhaustive replies!So it seems my best bet is to wait for the Arcade wing to be re-stocked at Gadget Factory and then order from there together with the FPGA board & LogicStart. I looked at Seeed because I got a notification email from them earlier this week that they have the Arcade in stock, so I thought I had to act in a hurry. I'm currently in Singapore so eBay might not really be the best option; however, I'm hopeful I'll be able to find some hidden gems at Sim Lim Square Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus Posted September 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 I see some Arcade MegaWings back in stock at the GadgetFactory store! But the product description page for the One 500k still saysThe Papilio One does not ship with the headers populated in order to allow the end user the greatest flexibility in deciding the final configuration.Any ETA on the pre-assembled ones? I'm itching to order these Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Gassett Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 Cactus,I have a couple pre-assembled left and just got a batch of those without the header from Seeed. So I left the webpage as is for now. If you make a note in the order that you want pre-assembled headers I will make sure to send you one of those boards. Besides that everything else is in stock again.Thanks!Jack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus Posted September 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 Thanks, ordered:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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