Downing's Basement

Portable OUYA Side Project Under Way

Posted: 04/01/2014 in Current Project

So what do I do with a bunch of extra parts and an OUYA? Well, seems how it’s been almost two years since I made an honest “portable” gaming console, I figured it was time to break that streak. With that, I’d like to introduce my half completed OUYA portable!

Yes, this looks just like the Cross Plane, much due to the fact it’s using many of the parts from the original Cross Plane prototype as well as a spare casing I had. There are a few modifications of course, more so on the back half of the casing which is being printed as we speak, but using this allowed me to use up a lot of the extra parts I had laying around, like PCBs, speakers and a ton of wires!

Clicking the picture above will take you to my build log for this where you can see it’s humble beginnings to what it’s turned into now. I’ll have more updates with this and the Cross Plane Commission in the coming weeks, so hopefully it won’t be a month in between posts!

CrossPlane Commission Update

Posted: 02/26/2014 in Uncategorized

Well that was cool! Most quick progress updates I make have a short video with them. Most don’t attract much more than a few hundred views on You Tube after a couple months, which is about what is to be expected. However, this one seems to have gotten a few people interested as it’s up over 200 in less than a day.

Not amazing numbers I know, but still pretty cool to see that people still like the idea.

Anyway, check out the progress video below. It’s nice and short and shows off how much of a beauty this commission really is!

Quiet On The Modding Front

Posted: 02/04/2014 in Uncategorized

The addition of a new full time job, combined with the sub-zero and snow filled winter have put a lot of my modding and ability to do projects of any kind to a screeching halt. I’ve had a lot of new You Tube activity though, many new subscribers and a lot of requests for case commissions.

Unfortunately I’m sorry to say that I simply don’t have the time for new projects and I’m behind in the ones I’m working on as it is. This is pretty much a “Catch Up” period where I need to get things at home back on track from the rather bumpy ride it’s been for the past year and half. I can’t say I’d do anything different but it came with a cost and now it’s time to pay it forward.

So if you don’t hear much from me for the next couple of months, rest assured that I am working on a couple projects but at a snails paces. I’ll be keeping at it though, no worries there, just need to get back on my feet in the real world.

For Sale: The PS2 Advance Controller

Posted: 01/12/2014 in Uncategorized
Tags: case mod, CNC, PS2

Once again, it’s time to sell off one of my prized creations. The PS2 Advance Controller was kind of a side project that just started to snowball into something that became on of the most fun projects I’ve done. Using a couple pre-made enclosures from two AG-85 cases from Poly Case, a custom DS2 PCB made by RDC and a lot of CNC work, this came out better than was really intended.

First off, please note. This is a controller, not a full portable system, which means that to use this you must have a PS2 and A/V cable. The A/V cable then plugs into the Breakout Box shown above. The rest will be supplied.

Included:
-The PS2 Advance Controller
* 4.3″ TFT Display, 25mm Stereo speakers, Custom PS2miniDS2 controller board, dual analog control sticks
-The Original Cross Plane BOB
-Custom USB Cable for A/V Hook-up
-12V AC Adapter for the BOB.

Asking $250 +Shipping & Insurance

I offer a full 30 day warranty from date of shipment against any defects or issues that arise from a craftsmanship standpoint. Basically if it breaks because I screwed something up than I’ll fix it for free, minus the shipping charge. If however it is a part that fails (which really they shouldn’t) or if it’s after the 30 day mark, we can discuss new terms of repair depending on the situation.

Please feel free to contact me via this site, email, you tube or any of the forums if you’re interested! Thanks and here is a video below to showcase it a bit more.

Cross Plane Commission Update

Posted: 12/21/2013 in Current Project, General News
Tags: 3D Printing, CNC, Cross Plane, Downing, MBB, Project Updates

Hey Everyone! Sorry it’s been such a long time between posts. I’ve been up to my ears in projects as well as finally getting a new job that I should hopefully start at the end of the month!

Anyway, here’s just a quick example of what I’ve been up to, still plucking away at this Cross Plane commission I took on for an enthusiastic KickStarter backer that really just had to have one of these! It’s flattering and I do appreciate the gesture, but man these things are a lot of work! hehe. Not that I’m complaining as this is by far the prettiest work I’ve done to date as I’ve been able to utilize a lot of the skills I learned about 3D printing, CNC machining, case finishing and wireless/HDMI technology. But again, this particular unit is trying to be better in every way to the prototype and in doing so, has made changes that have needed to be tested and troubleshot.

HDMI is a sensitive little bitch that will cause headaches for the simplest reasons. However, these headaches will be totally worth it once the final product is functional.

Still, have quite a bit of work to do on this, the next process being the most time consuming part, the control paks. However, RDC helped me out with these last month so we can actually utilize them the way they were intended to be used back when we did the first prototype, and not the hack job we ended up with.

In any case, I’ll try to be a bit more on top of the postings, as well as looking into maybe bringing on another writer to Downing’s Basement Blog so the down time won’t be so boring and you can have something to read more than once a month! But anyway, I’ll be making more updates soon and hope you have a happy holiday next week!

California Follow-Up

Posted: 11/27/2013 in General News
Tags: Oculus

Well, unfortunately it turns out that I won’t be joining the Oculus team that I was really hoping to do. And of course it’s nothing personal, I just didn’t have the amount of experience they were looking for for the intended position. Such is life and I hold nothing against them for the decision even though it did kind of bum me out a bit at first.

But! The trip may have bore some unexpected fruit which I shall find out next Monday after the holiday as I’ve been contacted by another company out in CA who has a great deal of interest in my Cross Plane project! Now I don’t want to reveal too much at this point as it may very well just turn into a conversation with the guys and that’s it, but the fact one of my projects had an impact on this company enough to reach out to me via an intro from Oculus is pretty cool!

So I’m looking forward to that and this could be quite the large opportunity as well should something come of it. I’ll keep everyone in the loop when Monday gets here!

I wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving and would greatly encourage everyone to “NOT” go shopping Thanksgiving night! That’s not what this is about and I’m surprised at retailers for making this decision. But that’s a rant for another day!