Thread by @DiscoStarslayer

The Sony PSX DVR uses similar hdd keying techiques as the Konami Python 2 arcade hw which is based on the PS2, so I decided to read up about it.

I was not prepared for this 🧵(1/10)
#ps2 #arcade #konami

Making arcade hardware based off consumer hardware isn't unusual. You have the ST-V (saturn), the Chihiro (xbox), the Triforce (gc), heck even the Namco System-256 is also built on PS2.

But Konami, for DDR Supernova, decided to pave their own path... (2/10)

Instead of integrating closely with existing console hardware designs, or reworking the design into a new custom board like everyone else, Konami literally slapped a full PS2, housing and all, into the system!

The big red sticker is covering up the PS2 logo on the top (3/10)

The IO board is separate from the PS2 console itself. It provides a standard JAMMA connector as you would expect, and uses the USB ports on the front of the PS2 to interface all data, and controller inputs.

It also uses the multi-out of the PS2 to capture RGB vid & sound. (4/10)

Ok! So this is a little crazy, but not too bad, always good to reuse high volume products in a low volume device. That's arguably some tidy engineering.

One wrinkle, JAMMA receives power for the unit, and the PS2 can't be turned on over USB! How can we fix this!? (5/10)

One might put a relay on the power line, maybe tape the "on" button or customize the bios to boot right at power on? Oh, maybe we can cut a hole and simply solder the button to the IO board to manage it there?

All valid, but no, not what Konami did. Here's a hint: (6/10)

You see, the PS2 has an infrared receiver, it doubled as a DVD player. This remote allows you to manage that wirelessly without a controller, all over IR.

It also happens to have a power button for remotely turning on the system. That's just what we need! But, (7/10)

you'd need a IR LED on the IO board pointed at the IR sensor. It would work but it can't be that reliable right? There would be issues with timing, also the system would be susceptible to external light from the sun, and may even emit light turning off other devices etc... (8/10)

WELL DON'T YOU WORRY ABOUT THAT! Just wrap the IR blaster in some fiber optics and electrical tape that to the IR receiver! PROBLEM SOLVED!

Excuse me?! (9/10)

I'm sure there is some nightmare design meetings that went into this, but wow. Talk about working with what you got. Props to the hw team at Konami for somehow pulling this Frankenstein off.

That's all I got right now, thanks for coming to my Ted Talk. (10/10)

Sources (thx others who did the hard work here ♥️):
gamerepair.info/hardware/4_pyt…
gamerepair.info/parts/48_konam…
sega.fandom.com/wiki/NAOMI_Arc…
system16.com/hardware.php?i…