Niel: I got the schematic, very simple. Not even a microcontroller in site. Will play with the idea of making some, might take a while though.
Let me know if you manage to "perfect" it. I'd be interested in one.
I might suggest you do a search for a post titled "Building a lean, mean jaycar", or something similar, by GW1. He shows how to disable the smartmouse side of it and have it run as a card reader only.
There's also some good notes about voltage protection - make sure you don't build a combined card reader/cooker - as many before you have done...
For the time and effort involved the Jaycar isn't so bad... Personally I think there's alot easier ways to save $20... Especially when you spend $300 worth of time doing it... :)
Time and effort is not an issues if it is a hobby and you also want to improve it (like make it 10% the size). I've done electronics for 23 years now and still get a kick from doing it.
So my understanding for this to work we need only the Phoenix interface, 3.58MHz, 5V supply, and an option to invert the card detect signal. Any point in a 3.3V option (for newer cards only)? Is an internal module enough, or is an external one preferred? Think it is an advantage allowing for a USB-to-RS232 interface chip so the reader can be plugged into a modern motherboard with no RS232 port. Comments please.
What software is available for testing the interface on WinXP?
Niel: Time and effort is not an issues if it is a hobby and you also want to improve it (like make it 10% the size). I've done electronics for 23 years now and still get a kick from doing it.
So my understanding for this to work we need only the Phoenix interface, 3.58MHz, 5V supply, and an option to invert the card detect signal. Any point in a 3.3V option (for newer cards only)? Is an internal module enough, or is an external one preferred? Think it is an advantage allowing for a USB-to-RS232 interface chip so the reader can be plugged into a modern motherboard with no RS232 port. Comments please.
What software is available for testing the interface on WinXP?
I personally prefer an internal module. being they're for a HTPC, internal is just much neater, even with cutting and drillinf of the case.
ProgIC can give you an indication as to whether or not the reader is working.
My picture reception is freezing up from time to time. I've had a look at the NewCS monitor and it seems to be resetting itself about the time of the freezes.
Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly
to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.
Trusted
