GT Turbo 5 Report post Posted April 20, 2009 Yes a long time without any news about the JagCF, here comes two beautiful photos from the PCB : Just hoping SCPCD et Zerosquare will give you more infos in the next days GT Turbo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SebRmv 2 Report post Posted April 20, 2009 Very exciting! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zerosquare 10 Report post Posted April 20, 2009 Yes, we finally got the PCBs from the manufacturer... the afternoon before the AC opening, in fact, so no time to solder the components (yet ) What you see are the first 4 prototypes. Two of them are for SCPCD and me, to check that the hardware is working as intended. The remaining two will probably be used for network testing, and may be sold if there are collectors interested in them The pictures are not ideal, because the PCB were still packaged inside a transparent plastic film ; we didn't remove it to keep them protected until they're soldered. The whitish look on the pads is because of the silver plating (it was cheaper than gold plating, and it is a better conductor, actually). Besides the two sides shown, there are four internal copper layers. And I won't tell how much those 4 PCBs cost us, but they're not exactly cheap (but it's only because of the low volume : they're much cheaper if you make several tenths of them) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SebRmv 2 Report post Posted April 20, 2009 if there are collectors interested in them Where on earth have you seen collectors in the Jaguar community? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zerosquare 10 Report post Posted April 20, 2009 ...about everywhere ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kskunk 0 Report post Posted April 21, 2009 here comes two beautiful photos from the PCB: That is a beautiful layout! The placement is very symmetrical which is a sign of a well thought-out design. And the routing is nice and direct. I guess that's the advantage of FPGAs. - KS P.S. Built-in USB support? Nice! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fadest 0 Report post Posted April 21, 2009 Where on earth have you seen collectors in the Jaguar community? Versailles, France... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ovalbugmann 0 Report post Posted April 21, 2009 Well that's pretty awesome guys! Nice! Now, if the testing goes well and you do not have to make any more changes to the PCB, how long will it be before you can order a decent size run of them and start selling? Or is it just a random thing totally dependent on how much free time may or may not be available to both of you? Question 2: When/If you order a larger run, can the PCB manufacturer solder all the components on for you so it will be faster and easier to populate the boards, saving work and time for you? I bet there were some significant changes on these PCBs compared to that other Proto CF cart you guys have, that I saw demonstrated at one of the Jag shows and in some older pictures. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Odie_one 0 Report post Posted April 21, 2009 It's very impressive ! Good job, but the most hard will be arrive (solding-iron). Good luck ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Atari060 0 Report post Posted April 21, 2009 Looks very nice! Excellent layout, very professional! I hope it will be finished soon and therefor wish you all the best! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
atari_fan 0 Report post Posted April 21, 2009 Looks very promising. I hope I can buy one soon. Are you already taking pre-orders? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pocket 0 Report post Posted April 21, 2009 Can't wait to order my CF Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zerosquare 10 Report post Posted April 21, 2009 Thanks for the kind comments kskunk > They're fake USB ports. Actually, they're PS/2 ports with the equivalent of an embedded USB-to-PS/2 plug adapter (a lot of USB mice and keyboards also support the PS/2 protocol). We couldn't use the standard mini-DIN connectors, because there wasn't enough space left on the PCB. We also considered implementing real USB ports, but it would have made the hardware (and software) too complex. For those who would like to use real PS/2 devices, PS/2-to-USB plug adapters also exist. ovalbugmann > Free time is indeed an important factor, so we prefer not to announce any release date... not yet, at least And the production run will be machine-soldered. SCPCD says he'd be able to solder them by hand, but I don't want him to end up in an psychiatric asylum atari_fan > No pre-orders yet. We want to be sure everything is OK first. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SebRmv 2 Report post Posted April 21, 2009 Versailles, France... Right, you caught me Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nonner242 0 Report post Posted April 21, 2009 I will say it again! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tursi 0 Report post Posted April 21, 2009 Nice work, guys! They look great. Good luck with the prototype phase! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doctor Clu 0 Report post Posted April 22, 2009 Whoo hooo!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ovalbugmann 0 Report post Posted April 22, 2009 Great! Thanks for the info Zero - yes machine soldered components to easily populate will be nice! I await the CF's fruition with a fervor & ardor. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
atari_fan 0 Report post Posted April 22, 2009 Thanks for the kind comments atari_fan > No pre-orders yet. We want to be sure everything is OK first. OK, I will be eagerly waiting in line... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ovalbugmann 0 Report post Posted May 2, 2009 Let us know how testing and evaluation of this revised, and hopfully final, CF Prototype goes for you guys. I am optimistic that there are no major hurdles left to jump. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zerosquare 10 Report post Posted May 2, 2009 Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GT Turbo 5 Report post Posted May 7, 2009 Here come some news JagCF's photos : GT Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GT Turbo 5 Report post Posted May 7, 2009 Two others : GT Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Odie_one 0 Report post Posted May 7, 2009 Very nice ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ovalbugmann 0 Report post Posted May 8, 2009 Oh WOW!!! That is really really nice! I am so glad Jagware has continued to develop the JagCF and I very much loook forward to it's release later this year(hopefully). Thank you GT Turbo for these great pictures, and I hope testing goes well so a production run can be made. I appreciate the JagCF updates as of late, they are quite re-assuring that this device will make it out to the Jaguar fans in the U.S. France and Jagware rocks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites