83 replies to this topic

[terrorgen]

Zammykoo's G5 I/O Board had created a lot of buzz until he shifted focus to other projects. And now, since he has released his board design, I would like to continue to work on his legendary board that will enable a G5 mod without going through the hassle of cutting the case.

My initial design will be based on zammy's released design so it will only work with G5 cases of early-2005. I might consider making late-2005 compatible boards if there is enough demand.

What has changed:
1. Board is redrawn in a CAD software
2. Manufacturer obsolete parts are replaced with parts still in production.
3. Excess empty space is trimmed.
4. Final board design will be released as Opensource Hardware (OSHW). Zammykoo I hope this is okay.
5. The board will be done in a fab house.

Since the fab house is involved, we will need enough orders in order to keep costs down. Please let me know if you are interested. I am still working on the pricing so if you have a budget in mind please let me know in your replies so it could be considered.
The board is now currently priced at $40 (One Ethernet Jack) and $50 (Two Ethernet Jacks) plus shipping, which is around $2 - $5 in the United States. For destinations outside the United States, shipping will be around $15 to $20 via USPS Priority Mail with tracking number. You will get the fully assembled board plus all the cables.

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List of Interested Parties:

1. Zammykoo (Since you are the original author, you are first in line and you'll get it for FREE!)
2. Treegjansen
3. Teme
4. Jeffkck
5. PromoMotion (1E)
6. I-Heine-I (1E)
7. Kara5 (1E)
8. Vpr99 (1E)
9. Uknown334 (1E)
10. Geb (1E)
11. Kolki (1E)
12. chocula (1E)
13. chdrsto
14. aeropg1
15. vanderveeken
16. fifty50am
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Update Oct 12, 2012 10:15PM Central Daylight Time:

Here is the first draft:
 G5 rear IO board first draft.png   175.98K   497 downloads

Update Oct 12, 2012 4:20AM Central Daylight Time:

Here is the second draft:
 G5 rear IO board second draft.png   177.17K   530 downloads

The second draft further shrinks the IO board down and centralizing all connections toward the middle.

Update Oct 20, 2012: iPod Dock Connector 1

Update Oct 26, 2012: iPod Dock Connector 2

Update Oct 31, 2012: Putting together

=================================================================================
Update Jan 3rd, 2013 11:40PM Central Standard Time:

I hereby present you... Version 2.0.4b!!

The "b" in the version number stands for "beta" and it means the board layout is NOT TESTED.
Those who would like to make their own version of the board, you'll assume the risks yourselves. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

This attached ZIP file contains two EAGLE schematics and two EAGLE brd files as well as a list of parts with their Digikey part number. You can get the manufacturer's part number by referencing them on DIgikey's website: www.digikey.com

This version contains two boards: one main board that contain all the connectors and a daughterboard that contains the cables. They mate with each other via two 0.05" pitch 30 pin connectors.

 g5board2.0.4b.zip   60.03K   78 downloads

[Smi]

i would like to have one! if its cheap enough ... if not i'll probably build one board for myself.

[terrorgen]

How cheap is cheap enough?

[Smi]

incl shipping (to europe, germany) about 30 $ ?!

[terrorgen]

_{I'll put you down in the list, but in case I cannot match the price... you are always free to make one yourself once the files are released!}

[Mr.D.]

I may be interested - but I need to know dimensions. I have very little room between the uATX MB and the case. I'll pay ~30 as well, that  was the cost for the front panel stuff I got, and that shipped from Spain.

Also, I noticed 2 lan ports - I assume one is going where the modem port was? If so, would you be willing to modify the design further? Like adding an RCA connector for S/PDIF or even thunderbolt if that is even possible?

[terrorgen]

Right now we are looking at 5.7" L and 0.8" W... I am going to stick to the current layout I inherited for now, since adding more ports mean more parts and more cost...

Mind you, making a printed circuit board cost waaay more than cutting cables and soldering them together. I can't promise anything right now before completing my cost analysis.

[terrorgen]

Ok. I am done with cost analysis and we are looking at $50 with the fully assembled PCB and cables (2x Audio, 2x USB and 2x Ethernet).

Shipping is not included, but it will be around $5 for continental US and maybe $10 - $15 for overseas shipping.

[Smi]

50$ is way too much, sry dude. also 0,8" (2,035cm) are too wide. it would have to be like 0,75" or less. so i think i'm gonna build one myself. would you mind i'll take your files and change them to fit my needs?

i'm also thinking of selling them in europe so shippingcosts would be low here in europe. but i cant tell now cause i have to calculate the costs. could you give the exact dimension of USB, audio and ethernet (w,h,l)

[Treegjansen]

$50 seams reasonabel to me.
Ik don't have the skills to make one myself.
I like one.

[terrorgen]

Treegjansen, on 14 October 2012 - 11:15 AM, said:

$50 seams reasonabel to me.
Ik don't have the skills to make one myself.
I like one.

Added you to the list

[terrorgen]

Those 22 pins at the middle is pretty fugly and bulky... I was thinking about a more elegant solution while laying my eyes on the 30 pin connector for all iGadgets laying on my desk... and blink! Yes, a 30-pin connector is all I need to package the pins better, and we add expandability too.

[Smi]

where do you get the connecters from ( usb, ethernet audio etc) ? cant find a good website to order from oO

[terrorgen]

Hey guys, beta build is sent to the fab house. I'll probably get them before Halloween. I am excited!

[enjoyfebruary]

Looks good! Wanted to offer an idea. If it were possible to integrate a USB hub IC and a CM108 audio chipset you could get your cable connections down to two connections. One usb and one for ethernet You could get two USB, analog audio in and out, TOSLINK audio In and out, and ethernet. The audio would be awesome in a hackintosh world. Maybe this could be done with a dual layer pcb? Just an idea.

[terrorgen]

enjoyfebruary, on 19 October 2012 - 07:45 PM, said:

Looks good! Wanted to offer an idea. If it were possible to integrate a USB hub IC and a CM108 audio chipset you could get your cable connections down to two connections. One usb and one for ethernet You could get two USB, analog audio in and out, TOSLINK audio In and out, and ethernet. The audio would be awesome in a hackintosh world. Maybe this could be done with a dual layer pcb? Just an idea.

Good idea! I wonder how good the audio quality is for a USB base sound card though... For myself, I would rather plug my speakers into my motherboard built in soundcard. Also we could consider thunderbolt in the future as well.

[terrorgen]

I got one of the specimens today in the mail: an Apple 30-pin Dock connector extender. Basically it has a female 30-pin connector at one end and a male 30-pin connector at the other end. The reason I am getting the extender is if all 30 wires were brought to the other end, I could save some headache trying to solder wires to those tiny 0.5mm pitch pins.

Here is the extender in the packaging:
 IMG_1544.jpg   115.63K   45 downloads

I am cutting the cable!
 IMG_1545.jpg   95.61K   37 downloads

Surprisingly... there are only 4 wires in the cable, which is only enough to bring USB signals forward... T_T
 IMG_1546.jpg   111.38K   37 downloads

I opened up the female end and there is a breakout board attached to the connector, if the male end has breakout boards as well, at least I can solder wires onto the board instead of the pins!
 IMG_1548.jpg   123.79K   43 downloads

Sadly, the wires are soldered directly to the pins at the male end, and the unsoldered pins were removed!
 IMG_1549.jpg   131.91K   39 downloads

So, the attempt to use extenders for making the cables is unsuccessful. Maybe if I will have better luck if I try a cable of better quality. However I doubt any extenders will bring all 30 pins forward.

I am trying to stay away from the ones like those Sparkfun is selling. Not only they are expensive, they are kinda bulky too!

Any suggestions?

[teme]

I'm interested in one. Sign me up please.
Thanks

[terrorgen]

teme, on 21 October 2012 - 01:28 PM, said:

I'm interested in one. Sign me up please.
Thanks

Added you to the list

[Smi]

what exact parts do you use? cant find fitting audio ports oO