DIY Franky PCBs available at SuperSoniqs

The Sega VDP cartridge for MSX, AKA Franky, is now available as bare PCBs at SuperSoniqs website, so you can build your own cartridge from scratch. There, you'll also find:

An English guide written by MSXpro and sd_snatcher, with detailed instructions on how to assemble the PCB with some extra enhancements. There's also a Portuguese version available online at MSXpro;
A model of the cartridge enclosure for 3D printers.

Each bare PCB with included worldwide shipping costs €15. Group purchases can be made for 6 or more PCBs, to split the shipping costs. Please note that it only contains the pcb. You will have to acquire the necessary parts yourself (the parts list is shown in the assembly guide).

Relevant link: DIY Franky PCBs at SuperSoniqs

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Comments (18)

By Pippo

Hero (521)

04-01-2016, 20:13

Wonderful project!
Congratulations!

By JINsMac

Expert (77)

05-01-2016, 14:08

Good~ News~~~

By flyguille

Prophet (3031)

06-01-2016, 12:57

I don't understand, is there a software that uses it? like an emulator?

Or it is half the functionality of PlaySoniq cart? and no software?, it don't expand the main ram, just the VDP, no Sound chips, right? so, what is the goal and actual usability?

By Sander

Founder (1872)

06-01-2016, 15:43

RTM: https://supersoniqs.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/franky-9.pdf

By Grauw

Ascended (10821)

06-01-2016, 16:00

@flyguille Franky was the predecessor of the PlaySoniq cartridge.

By Sander

Founder (1872)

06-01-2016, 16:54

Soundchip is part of the SEGA Master system VDP processor (SN type, colecovision compatible). So you get sound + vdp and vdp memory cartridge. Software exist to convert master system software to run on MSX systems. You can play most games.

By flyguille

Prophet (3031)

07-01-2016, 13:44

oh, is to say, it can use the same software used in the paysoniq, but it requires big RAM from the MSX machine?

What memory needs the SNES games?

By Sander

Founder (1872)

07-01-2016, 16:07

SNES games? 8 beers. 1 empty beer bottle is 0 bit.

By flyguille

Prophet (3031)

07-01-2016, 18:16

oh I mean SEGA....

By Robby

Master (219)

14-01-2016, 12:39

Will this DIY-kit also be available in Nijmegen?

By mtn

Champion (269)

01-02-2016, 14:17

I recieved mine some time ago, and thanks alot for all the components!!

I havent checked 100% but it seems that the only thing I need to get is the Sega A/V..

I was udner the impression that this wasnt coming with any components? Or did I get the package meant for someone else?

anyhow, happy here!

By mohai

Paragon (1031)

30-03-2016, 20:32

Existing loaders require the double RAM than the ROM size. So, if you want to load a 128K ROM, then your MSX should have 256K.
This is due to RAM is used to alocate ROM pages and an extra RAM page is needed as workpace for the ROM.

By mohai

Paragon (1031)

30-03-2016, 20:41

I ordered some boards and got some loose parts too.
Anyway, the main components are ~~inexpensive~~ quite cheap, but the SEGA VDP is expensive and not-so-easy to find.
I got some for my boards, but it took some time.
Another way to get a SMS VDP is to get a cheap (faulty) console that surely has a working VDP. Max 14 Euro is OK for me.

I already have one board assembled and running fine.
Now, the only missing component is the caartdrige box. It is the same type as the GFX9000 or Sunrise IDE V.2.
Does anybody where to get this kind or similar box?

By Grauw

Ascended (10821)

30-03-2016, 20:55

3D printing not an option? 3D model for the casing is on the Supersoniqs website. Otherwise they will be hard to find nowadays (unfortunately, because they were nice cases).

By mohai

Paragon (1031)

30-03-2016, 21:19

Grauw wrote:

3D printing not an option? 3D model for the casing is on the Supersoniqs website. Otherwise they will be hard to find nowadays (unfortunately, because they were nice cases).

Yes. 3D printig could be an option, if you have a 3d printer available. That is not may case
I have checked some 3d printing services, but are expensive. I will try searching...

By Grauw

Ascended (10821)

30-03-2016, 22:25

It’s not super cheap I think, no, but an injection mold has a very high initial cost while 3D prints you can order in low quantities. There’s also crowdsourcing sites where local amateur 3D printers offer the use of their printers for a fee, it might be cheaper.

By mtn

Champion (269)

10-09-2017, 14:52

Sorry for bumping, but I finally managed to get the A/V chip and all components except for the 10.7386 oscillator. Anyone has a good source? I tried ali to no avail..

By _ThEcRoW

Master (145)

15-08-2020, 19:51

Is there any way to get a franky cartridge fully assembled?. I don't have much soldering skills.

DIY Franky PCBs available at SuperSoniqs

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