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Forum 141

Group Project: Building the Hedghog 405 standards converter

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Doz
 Doz
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Build a Hedgehog

Designed by Frank Cuffe: The 'Hedghog' 625-405 standards converter.

The Hedghog is an open source home-brew 625 to 405 line standards converter based around a EP2C5T144 FPGA development board. 

For more detailed information visit Franks site http://electronics.frankcuffe.ovh/hedghog

Forum 142
Below are direct links to the open source files Frank supplies to those wishing to build the Hedghog

 

OK, as I stated before, I will have 4 boards spare when my batch arrives.

Mark, (vrat member mfd70) wants one so that leaves three. Express an interest here (no obligation) and I'll work out total cost including shipping etc once they land (I'm bound to get stung a bit for import duty!)

 

Mod Note: To clear up some misinformation/fake news reported elsewhere;

Fact 1: The hedgehog design project and discussion only ever took place on the Golborne forum back in Feb 2017  see  for yourself here  that's a full five months after vrat 1.0 closed on the 10th Sept 2016. Frank states in that golborne thread, in the opening post, he only thought of the idea for the hedghog in November 2016. Again that's a whole two months after vrat 1.0 closed! 

Fact 2: Therefore nothing ever took place or ever appeared on the Vrat  forums with regards to the hedghog converter until this recent build thread of Andy and his team of fellow constructors. 

What did appear at vrat 1.0 and 2.0 :  Franks previous project, the excellent Pic Pattern gen see here https://www.radios-tv.co.uk/community/in-the-workshop/pic-405-line-pattern-generator/

With those facts now clear, I'm sure we are all looking forward to following Andy and the rest of the groups efforts as they build their respective Hedghog's. Good luck guys and remember, lots of photo's. 

 
Posted : 23/10/2018 2:16 pm
Jac Janssen
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I'd like a pcb too, if possible.

Thanks,

Jac

 
Posted : 23/10/2018 3:20 pm
Doz, Doz and Doz reacted
PYE625
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Hi Doz,

Could I possibly put my name down too?

Many thanks.

To understand the black art of electronics is to understand witchcraft. Andrew.

 
Posted : 23/10/2018 5:13 pm
Norman-Raeburn
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Can I have one if there are any left please. Norman

 
Posted : 23/10/2018 5:32 pm
Doz
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PCB's are on their way!

 

 
Posted : 24/10/2018 2:27 pm
MurphyV310
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Great to see others now opting to build these brilliant converters. One worthwhile mod could be to add an audio level control,  DVD players don't always have audio level adjustment and there can be overloading from some,  of course a simple inline control could be added.

Cheers,
Trevor.
MM0KJJ. RSGB, GQRP, WACRAL, K&LARC. Member

 
Posted : 25/10/2018 9:42 am
Doz
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Duty has now been paid. 

 
Posted : 25/10/2018 2:14 pm
MurphyV310
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How much did the boards cost in all?

I may do the same if this can help out others too.

Cheers,
Trevor.
MM0KJJ. RSGB, GQRP, WACRAL, K&LARC. Member

 
Posted : 25/10/2018 6:45 pm
Doz
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Posted by: MurphyV310

How much did the boards cost in all?

I may do the same if this can help out others too.

Not a fat lot. The postage was the expensive bit. I'll tot it all up when the invoice lands.

 
Posted : 25/10/2018 10:03 pm
freya
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Posted by: MurphyV310

Great to see others now opting to build these brilliant converters. One worthwhile mod could be to add an audio level control,  DVD players don't always have audio level adjustment and there can be overloading from some,  of course a simple inline control could be added.

There are already controls for audio level and gain, but they are only accessible if the cover is removed or if it has been drilled to allow screwdriver access.

Untitled
 
Posted : 26/10/2018 8:00 am
MurphyV310
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Posted by: freya
Posted by: MurphyV310

Great to see others now opting to build these brilliant converters. One worthwhile mod could be to add an audio level control,  DVD players don't always have audio level adjustment and there can be overloading from some,  of course a simple inline control could be added.

There are already controls for audio level and gain, but they are only accessible if the cover is removed or if it has been drilled to allow screwdriver access.

Untitled

Indeed.

What I meant to say was a control that was easily accessible either a trimpot on the front or next to the phono sockets. 

Cheers,
Trevor.
MM0KJJ. RSGB, GQRP, WACRAL, K&LARC. Member

 
Posted : 26/10/2018 8:09 am
Jayceebee
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Posted by: MurphyV310

How much did the boards cost in all?

I may do the same if this can help out others too.

If you do I will gladly take one off your hands.

John.

 
Posted : 26/10/2018 9:05 am
FRANK.C
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Posted by: MurphyV310

What I meant to say was a control that was easily accessible either a trimpot on the front or next to the phono sockets. 

Hi Trevor
I don't know if this meets your requirements but the horizontal gain preset can be replaced with a vertical one that fits fairly snugly against the back panel. A hole could be then drilled in the back panel for access.
I tried it sometime ago I don't have the exact preset to hand that I had, but if it is any use I can find out later and let you know.

Frank

www.electronics.frankcuffe.ovh

 
Posted : 26/10/2018 9:53 am
MurphyV310
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  • Thanks Frank.
  • To be fair I don't have a problem as I use the Antiference box that has a volume control. Older DVD players don't and some combinations of disc/player can lead to overloading. It's no big deal at all, the front switches are so handy and quick. I often use test card C from the stick in the Antiference box and the 1KHz tone. 

Cheers,
Trevor.
MM0KJJ. RSGB, GQRP, WACRAL, K&LARC. Member

 
Posted : 27/10/2018 7:09 pm
FRANK.C
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In case anyone wants to do that mod I found a preset that suits it is a Bourns part no. 3309W-11-503
pictures below of how it is when fitted on a PCB.

Frank

vert preset 1
vert preset 0

www.electronics.frankcuffe.ovh

 
Posted : 28/10/2018 8:07 pm
Doz
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A delivery of the boards was attempted yesterday. Sadly, I was out 🙁

Coming again Wednesday.

 
Posted : 30/10/2018 8:27 am
freya
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If there is a spare board going I would like to make another as I have enough components left from the first one.

 
Posted : 30/10/2018 9:44 am
Doz
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Posted by: freya

If there is a spare board going I would like to make another as I have enough components left from the first one.

I think mine are all spoken for now, but I frequently get PCB's made,  and if PCBway's boards are as good as the service is prompt, I'll be using them again. I can always tag another order on and split the postage.

 
Posted : 30/10/2018 1:18 pm
Katie Bush
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Just out of curiosity, what would be the typical cost of building a Hedgehog? - I'm just curious to know if it would come in low enough to inspire me to consider a build in the future, or if the cost would care me witless for fear of ruining an expensive piece of kit.

 
Posted : 30/10/2018 5:45 pm
freya
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Thanks Doz, keep me penciled in for one please.

Stephen

 
Posted : 30/10/2018 6:15 pm
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