PS1 PicoMemcard: a cheap DIY Memory Card with USB to transfer saves to PC and store multiple images

[dangiu]

I've been working on this for a while. It's a DIY memory card that you can plg into the PC via micro usb to transfer save-files. It's based on a Raspberry Pi Pico, and the total cost of building it is less than buying an original memory card.
Also, just like any other memory card, it's fully copatible with FreePSXBoot!

The project is fully open source, you can check out the github repository here:
dangiu/PicoMemcard

In the picture you can see two version of the device: one built using a counterfit memory card (on the right) and the other one with a custom PCB I've designed (plugged into the PSX using sheets of paper as a spacer, I'm working on a 3d-printed enclosure).
I've already published this on a Reddit post and I received so many requests for the custom PCB that I had to create a Google Form to keep track of them.
If you like you can request one here.

A friend suggested me to post this in this community. I've seen that it's very active with quite a few interesting projects! Hope you guys like it, let me know what you think!

 

[MonkeyBoyJoey]

That's awesome, I may end up trying this out! This looks like a promising cheaper alternative to something like the Memcard Pro.

 

[Berion]

That's totally awesome. ^^

Yeah, Memcard Pro is an overkill. Who needs WiFi on MC? Who want serious heat source near the ODD? ;p

 

[dangiu]

Yeah, that's also one of the main goals... Being as cheap as possible

 

[DeViL303]

Nice work!

 

[TnA]

@STLcardsWS What about adding @dangui to the Developer-Group?

Nice work! Would you mind adding "SD-Pass-through mode" (if there is an SD-Slot or if one is possible) so that we can use it like an MX4SIO?!

I suppose LEDs and Buttons could in theory be added?!


This might become the most used PS&PS2-Hardware/Accessoire ever used by the Homebrew-scene, especially due to its open nature and price!
Let's hope more people contribute to things like MagicGate Emulation, etc.!

Maybe people create mods with other storage-device-input, LEDs, Displays, whatever!

 

[Berion]

Would you mind adding "SD-Pass-through mode" (if there is an SD-Slot or if one is possible) so that we can use it like an MX4SIO?!

Not in current design I suppose:

ATTENTION: I would recommend to never plug PicoMemcard both into the PC (via USB) and the PSX at the same time! Otherwise the 5V provided by USB would end up on the 3.3V rail of the PSX. I'm not really sure if this could cause actual damage but I would avoid risking it.

Or do You have in mind expose "emulated MC" to SD instead internal one of Raspberry?

 

[TnA]

First of all... How does that relate to A DIRECTLY CONNECTED SD?????????

Second... No...!
Just a "pass-through-mode", exposing SD-SPI to the SIO2.

No emulation, etc.
It would be limited to MX4SIO and OPL features in this "mode" (for now), but should work and quite easily I might add!

I hope for the same for MemCardPro2 and Helder's Project!
IMO all these MC-Adapter projects will be a revolutionary thing for the PS2-Scene, especially once they support PS2-MC-Emulation and - even better - when they support MagicGate!

Add the new app system with an extended OpenTuna (to start any icon/save) to the mix and this is unstoppable! I had the same feeling on MX4SIO, but this is basically a cheap, programmable and REUSABLE project, vs. the simple adapter!
It could be(come) as big as FMCB&FHDB and OPL was (or even still IS)!

Technically one can get it for 10€ in total!

Combine that with it being based on a very well supported platform (original/official RasPi Pico) and the project being fully open source!

I hope MX4SIO had some influence, that those people out there saw how high the possible demand for these kind of things still is!!!

 

[dangiu]

Yess adding buttons and other hardware is possible, although I'm trying to keep it at a minimum and implement what I can via software to make it cheaper and easier to build
By "pass-through-mode" you mean that the microSD card connects (via SPI) directly to the playstation pins (without the Pico as man-in-the-middle)?

 

[Berion]

@TnA So I don't understand You. What do You mean by "pass-through mode"?

 

[TnA]

Yes, either like a "bridge" or another access-mode.

@dangui described it quite well. Pico could still act as a man-in-the-middle for compatibility-reasons though!

 

[dangiu]

I still don't understand one thing, how would this be useful for the PSX?
I don't want to come off as rude, I'm genuinely trying to understand

 

[LogicalMadness]

So this only works on PS1 and no plans to expand to PS2 usage?

 

[1052]

@LogicalMadness, for PS2 there are SD2PSX and MemCard PRO2.

 

[LogicalMadness]

@1052 Got any links for making them diy with my rp2040 zeros?