Hardware Development - The World of CD-i Forum https://www.theworldofcdi.com/community/hardware-development/ The World of CD-i Discussion Board en-GB Sun, 05 Apr 2026 11:07:47 +0000 wpForo 60 CD-i 2 Bluetooth https://www.theworldofcdi.com/community/hardware-development/cd-i-2-bluetooth/ Fri, 22 Apr 2022 12:51:24 +0000 Maartje Eyskens is an applied computer science teacher in Belgium, she is one of the many other developers from the Philips CD-i Discord server who are enjoying developing new accessories for the Philips CD-i system. We all know how expensive it is to get an original CD-i gamepad or touchpad, that is why she has developed a CD-i accessory to connect any Bluetooth controller and let you play your favourite titles with. Her work is based on Anarterb SNES2CDi and TwBurn Controller Library, but with modification to get the Bluetooth working, and she still keep it as an Open-Source on her GiHub. But she went further... you can pair 2 Bluetooth controllers and play 2 player games! No need to use the same controllers to play Head-to-Head. Any working controller will be OK (the compatible controllers is on this article). Visit her personal website at www.eyskens.me to discover all the process done since day 1 until the final product. You can buy them at the official online store. Depending on your skills you can buy different products: The complete set-box is for me the best choice you can make as it is a ready to go device, including a Mini DIN-8 pin cable!
Compatible controller list:
  • DualSense (PS5)
  • DUALSHOCK 4 (PS4) controller, both 2013 and 2016 editions
  • DUALSHOCK 3 (PS3) controller
  • Nintendo Switch Pro controller Confirmed by community
  • Nintendo Switch JoyCon Confirmed by community
  • Nintendo Switch Online SNES Controller Confirmed by community
  • Nintendo Wii U Pro controller
  • Nintendo Wii Remote and Remote Motion Plus, including Nunchuk and Classic Controller Confirmed by community
  • Xbox Wireless controller (model 1708, not the Series controllers) Confirmed by community
  • 8BitDo controllers Confirmed by community
  • Android controllers
  • iCade controllers
  • Nimbus SteelSeries
  • OUYA controllers
  • Some TV remote controls, like the Amazon Fire TV
From the first attempt until the final product, it just took a few days... incredible! She worked on it mostly figuring out hardware issues at first, the biggest challenges were to re-work TwBurn library to work on ARM based micro controllers and debugging behaviour of the latest CD-i devices not recognising the controller due to a timing issue. Only 3 prototypes where needed to get a final full working device, a very efficient work.
With the help of MrMii6 and Victonator, they designed a PCB, produced a prototype batch. Tested in well. Prepared packaging, shipping, assembly, a website a shipping box was made and a website for selling setup.
Congratulations and thank you Maartje Eyskens,you did an awesome work!
A work done by a lady must have a feminine touch, look at the back of the PCB "Made with ♥ in Belgium for the CD-i community" A HUGE thumb up for the Interactive Community technical experts who contributed to the final product: cdifan, Rosewood (retrostuff.org) and TwBurn with helpful tips on the community, MrMii6 with testing.
]]> Hardware Development omegalfa https://www.theworldofcdi.com/community/hardware-development/cd-i-2-bluetooth/ CD-i Controller Arduino Library https://www.theworldofcdi.com/community/hardware-development/cd-i-controller-arduino-library/ Sun, 03 Jan 2021 22:18:17 +0000 Hardware Development TwBurn https://www.theworldofcdi.com/community/hardware-development/cd-i-controller-arduino-library/ Make your own CD-i Port Splitter for 2 player games https://www.theworldofcdi.com/community/hardware-development/make-your-own-cd-i-port-splitter-for-2-player-games/ Fri, 08 May 2020 09:42:59 +0000 You have some 2 players games but never experienced them by playing in 2 players mode? Don't worry, you have not the only one, this is actually a very common situation, and for many reasons... but believe me, you don't know what you are missing! The first one is because a CD-i gamepad is expensive, so imagine having 2 gamepads... The 2nd one is because not all CD-i players allow you to connect 2 controllers without the need of a special accessory. Let's start from the beginning, the early CD-i players let you connect 2 controllers for player 1 and player 2 by using Input 1 (front side) and Input 2 (rear side). The players that allows you to connect 2 controllers without the the need of a Port Splitter are: 910/00, 205/00, 205/05, 210/00, 210/20, 220/00, 220/20, 220/40, 21TCDi30 (Combined CD-i + TV). If you own one of those players, then, you can stop reading this article and start playing with your friend right now (well, not now because at the time I am writting this article, we are still under the threat of coronavirus)! If you don't have any of them or you also have others players and want to use them for 2 players games, then follow me into this adventure! We will create our own Port Splitter! Wait wait… What is a Port Splitter? That is a very good question! Thank you in advance for asking! ;) A Splitter is an accessory that will connect into Input 1 from one extremity, and in the other side, will let you connect 2 controllers using 2 ports. 1st of all, before you start searching for new gamepads over the internet, remember an important thing... ANY WIRES CONTROLLER CAN BE USE AS A CONTROLLER! What does it means? Simple, if you want to try a Port Splitter you may already own, or test the one you are about to create, you just need to use 2 wired controllers. Thy can be the Peacekeeper gun as player 1 and the Trackerball for player 2 for example, or a CD-i mouse and the Roller Controller. They all will work and let you play any games. What will you need? – 1 male Mini-DIN 8 pins. – 2 female Mini-DIN 8 Pins. – A soldering iron (30W if possible). – Solder. – 1 light little box. – 1 meter length of cable with 8 wires. – Retractable sleeve. – Double-sided adhesive tape. Basic soldering skills are needed! If you think you are not able to do this, please contact an electronic repair store, a friend, or if you prefer, I am selling them at the price of 20€ ports included for Europe shipment, and 25€ ports included for the rest of the world shipment. (contact me here). For the following work, you will need this table information to know which wires connect to which pins.
IMPORTANT NOTES: - Remember to take a note about the wires colors and pins numbers, it will save you time in the upcoming steps. - It is important to use a 30 Watts solder, a higher power may damage the very fin pins connectors. Bad connection to the player or to the controllers can result.
1. Prepare the little box: I am using the one you see on the pictures, you are free to choose the box you want to use. Just remember to use a light and small one. Open it. In one side, open 1 hole using a drill for the cable that goes to the CD-i Player. In the opposite side, open 2 holes using the same drill for the 2 cable that will connect to the controllers. Remember to use a drill that will feet exactly with the cable, to avoid loose.  2. Soldering INPUT 1: - Dismantle the male Mini-DIN 8 pins, and solder the pins following INPUT 1 information from the table. That means you will have to connect all the pins. - Cut the cable coming from Input 1 about 50 centimeters long. 3. Soldering PORT 1: - Dismantle the female Mini-DIN 8 pins, and solder the pins following the PORT 1 information from the table. That means you will have to connect 6 wires in total. - Cut the cable coming from PORT 1 about 20 centimeters long. 4. Soldering PORT 2: - Dismantle the female Mini-DIN 8 pins, and solder the pins following the PORT 2 information from the table. That means you will have to connect 4 wires in total. - Cut the cable coming from PORT 2 about 20 centimeters long. 5. Insert the cable into the box: - Insert INPUT 1 into the one hole side. - Insert PORT 1 and PORT 2 into the two holes side. - Prepare the wires to be soldered. - Use the retractable sleeve to isolate the soldering points. 6. Connect the 3 cables: - Use the table on the top of the article to know to soldering configuration. 7. Close the box: - Close the box. - Place the double-sided adhesive tape at the bottom side of the box, and fix the box on your CD-i player. This way the box will not fall (Only optional). - Test your new Port Splitter using 2 wires controllers.
PORT 1 or PORT 2 to play as Player 1? Officially Philips explain this way: For CD-i 450 or 550 Models produced before August 1994: - If you own one of those models, and you are using the Port Splitter but only using 1 controller only, then you will need to connect the controller under INPUT 1. - If you own one of those models, and you are using the Port Splitter using 2 controllers, then Player 1 will work under INPUT 2, and Player 2 will work under INPUT 1. But Player 2 controller will only work after Player 1 choose all the options and the game are ready to be played as 2 players. For CD-i players produced from August 1994 and onward: - If you own one of those models, and you are using the Port Splitter but only using 1 controller only, then you will need to connect the controller under INPUT 2. - If you own one of those models, and you are using the Port Splitter using 2 controllers, then Player 1 will work under INPUT 2, and Player 2 will work under INPUT 1. But Player 2 controller will only work after Player 1 choose all the options and the game are ready to be played as 2 players. This is due to the internet kit and Télé CD-i for the use of the modem connection. In fact, if you turn on your CD-i player (before or after August 1994), the player will recognize the controller, wherever it is connected on INPUT 1 or INPUT 2.
Enjoy your brand new Port Splitter and call your friends and neighbors to finally play 2 players CD-i games! Special thank to Rosewood from Retrostuff.org who kindly share with me some technical information and brochures. And this time in French, une spéciale dédicasse à MomoRetro qui va enfin pouvoir tester ses jeux! ;) Contact: omegalfa@theworldofcdi.com Twitter: @omegalfapt Written by omegalfa, © 17/04/2020]]> Hardware Development omegalfa https://www.theworldofcdi.com/community/hardware-development/make-your-own-cd-i-port-splitter-for-2-player-games/ Port Splitter development https://www.theworldofcdi.com/community/hardware-development/port-splitter-development/ Tue, 11 Feb 2020 17:35:52 +0000 @rosewood This project was in my mind for many years, but I only got really some time to give for it now, especially after my article on Console Purist, talking about players and splitters. I have started a Port Splitter development, but after all wires connected correctly as the ICDIA schematic indicates, I have some strange reactions. 1st, let's explain what is a port splitter (for the people who don't know). It is an accessory that will devise Input 1 port into a double connector for 2 controllers, for 2 players games. So after having  connected the Male and 2 Females, I have #1  controller not responding and #2 controller working as player 1. Of course, I have tested it on a 2 players game (Striker Pro), and on 2 different players (450/00 and 210/40), all from the 2nd Shell version. The only 1st Shell version I have is the 205/00, but this one don't need a splitter. Also on the ICDIA schematic, pin #1 isn't  connected, but it is for the splitter. So I am wondering if the ICDIA splitter is correct. I am still working on it... More news to come.]]> Hardware Development omegalfa https://www.theworldofcdi.com/community/hardware-development/port-splitter-development/ DFO for PAL/NTSC modifications https://www.theworldofcdi.com/community/hardware-development/dfo-for-pal-ntsc-modifications/ Fri, 17 Jan 2020 08:15:09 +0000 https://retrostuff.org/2020/01/11/philips-cdi470-pal-ntsc-modification/ This modification is still in the experimental stage, as I had run into some problems with the DFO. The video output, however, is nice and stable.]]> Hardware Development rosewood https://www.theworldofcdi.com/community/hardware-development/dfo-for-pal-ntsc-modifications/ Modifications for CD-i players - master list https://www.theworldofcdi.com/community/hardware-development/modifications-for-cd-i-players-master-list/ Fri, 17 Jan 2020 08:08:01 +0000 https://retrostuff.org/2020/01/12/modifications-for-philips-cd-i-players/ This article is a work in progress, as there is always something new to discover. Please let me know if you develop something new or find a modification in the www that I haven't considered yet. I'll update the list from time to time. Thanks!]]> Hardware Development rosewood https://www.theworldofcdi.com/community/hardware-development/modifications-for-cd-i-players-master-list/ Want to share my CD-i efforts https://www.theworldofcdi.com/community/hardware-development/want-to-share-my-cd-i-efforts/ Fri, 30 Aug 2019 09:42:06 +0000 Hardware Development LarryE https://www.theworldofcdi.com/community/hardware-development/want-to-share-my-cd-i-efforts/ TAB Quizard on Philips CD-i https://www.theworldofcdi.com/community/hardware-development/tab-quizard-on-philips-cd-i/ Sat, 06 Jul 2019 21:03:40 +0000 Hardware Development rosewood https://www.theworldofcdi.com/community/hardware-development/tab-quizard-on-philips-cd-i/