Heber, the creators of the MiSTer MultiSystem, have just opened pre-orders on a Raspberry Pi Compute Module-based kit. The price starts at about $130 for a PCB-only version, up to about $260 for a fully completed unit that includes a 3D-printed case and the CM4, Model number CM4104000; Power supplies are sold separately. There’s also an optional analog output adapter for about $25 that allows for SCART or dsub video output and RCA audio. Pre-orders are open until August 25th and they’re due to ship by the end of the year. More info after the links:
Pre-Order Here: https://shop.heber.co.uk/Multi-Pi/
PSU: https://amzn.to/3S5rxkt
This is a really interesting project, as the Compute Module 4 is small and allows all the connectors to be broken out onto the Heber board. This results is a far more “pro” look that has the ports oriented like a PC and less “science project looking” than a standard Raspberry Pi setup, while also supporting all the features the CM4 has to offer: The front provides easy access to a MicroSD card, USB ports and a power switch. In the rear, there’s two HDMI ports, a composite video port, power and USB. There’s no analog audio, as that’s not something the CM4 generates natively.
That said, the optional analog adapter has it’s own built-in DAC, as well as an RGB SCART or dsub video output; Only one analog video output can be used at a time. I wouldn’t buy this module just for the audio DAC (as you could just use the 2nd HDMI port and an audio extractor), but it seems like a really elegant and cost-effective way to get analog audio and video.
The newly announced CM5’s might work in this kit, but not with all options, such as PCIe x1. I don’t beleive there’s an official release date for the CM5 anyway, so this might be available before it anyway. I’m definitely curious how the CM4 compares to the CM5 and Raspberry Pi 5 for software emulation, however the regular Pi’s are a bit out of scope – This project aims to feel like a console and the RPi’s form factor inevitably leaves it almost always feeling like a “science project”. Don’t get me wrong, I still think they’re awesome…I just understand Heber’s goal with this project.
We’ll post more, as new information becomes available.
