Tearing Down the Anbernic ARC

[@sergvr81]

That warm and fuzzy feeling when you find an awesome channel.

[@SaltyOldBaldurian]

In regards to the lack of analog sticks, you can always just pair a controller with analog sticks to the device if you really want to play those style games. It defeats pretty much all of the portability feature of the device, but it is an option, especially if you connect it to an external monitor. As for the class D amplifier, is it possible that is used a separate power source for the 3.5mm jack? As for the mic, which I agree is 'odd' that it wasn't mentioned in any spec listings, it could still be a helpful source for apps like Discord or mobile games that allow for multiplayer chat.

[@KoshakiDev]

Very interesting breakdown! Great job!

[@ahmedp8009]

Would it be possible to do a video on how a motherboard is designed? I have a general understanding of components functions but still not sure on how they are placed and how many there is or should be, for example, under the CPU there usually are multiple capacitors for cleaning/filtering the signal, however, why is there that many capacitors? ... and so on. Anyways, I love your videos and the way you explain technical information, and I always enjoy watching them!

[@whatskenmaking]

Thanks! I really enjoy making deeper technical content, so I'm looking forward to covering more of those types of topics in future videos. Regarding the caps - you're going to see caps near pretty much every IC, as decoupling caps are important to protect the chips from power fluctuations, and you generally want them as close to the pins as possible. When you're dealing with SOCs like that rockchip in the Arc, remember that those chips are multi-functional - so while some of those caps are used for the CPU, they're also used in circuits for the embedded graphics controller, USB host controller, audio input filtering for that onboard mic 😆 and all the other things inside that chip that the Arc is leveraging.

[@ahmedp8009]

@@whatskenmaking Thank you for the explanation!

[@LazyDevs]

Fantastic work, Ken! I'd love to see you tackle the Powkiddy RGB30 next. Or maybe one of the ClockworkPI devices?

[@whatskenmaking]

Thanks! I have a DevTerm which I really enjoy, but I'm still waiting for my uConsole to ship. I'm planning on a video about it, but it may be a while before I get my hands on it

[@alissonanderson923]

Very good tear down! :D

[@penaquex]

Great video, excellent! I would like to ask about the cross-pad, is it of good quality? Doesn't it break easily? Thank you very much for the info.

[@mamaharumi]

Im not a big sega fan, but this does look great.

[@1invisibleB]

Great video, would love to see you do the same for the Retroid line of handhelds specifically the Pocket 2S or + Would be cool to see if screen upgrades are possible with these handhelds as it seems thats where they cut the most corners.

[@whatskenmaking]

I need to pick up the newer Retroid devices - I have one of the older models, but it might be interesting to compare the octa core Retroid with the new Anbernic octa core that's coming out soon

[@TONBOX777]

Hello, Is it possible to swap RG Arc-D case to RG Arc-S? I wonder the screen part was fix permanently or not? thank you.

[@pyronmasters]

Testing Gamma OS right now (Android) pretty good performance. On the Linux side, retro arena is a BIG improvement, wifi is stable on mine, polished interface, the cores are retroarch.

[@hellokittybot7032]

Can we use the microphone for Seaman on Dreamcast?

[@gluttonousmaximus9048]

Considering they probably don't have their own datafarming infrastructure (I mean their firmware files are hosted on Google Drive for fugg's sake. They don't even hire their own software devs at all!) or even any device membership programs like the major phone manufacturers, this inclusion is probably just an accident.

[@whatskenmaking]

Infrastructure issues aside (it kills me that I can never download their firmware files because their Google drive is always past download limits!), they had to have someone engineer that board, and they consciously chose to put a mic on there.

[@rubberduck4966]

to figure out what wifi chip is in the system you could ssh to the linux and look around with lspci or lsusb or dmesg

[@whatskenmaking]

Yeah, if Wi-Fi worked, I could ssh right into it :)

[@likeabarrel]

The mic is for nintendo ds games

[@Beavernator]

I wonder if ARKOS could be easily made to run on the Linux side of this device... I love my RG351P, but I'm curious if the extra ram on this board would give ARKOS a boost in certain emulators...

[@Doktati]

❤

[@EhrenLoudermilk]

Good lord that light bleed

[@Bapao76]

ikr? reminds me of my 1998 laptop RIP

[@bankbank]

I'm quite curious to know if that mic is also present on the non-android model

[@whatskenmaking]

That's a good question. If anyone has one and can peek inside and let us know, I'd appreciate it!

[@TheSonTendo]

I have the transparent black Arc-S. I don't wanna take it apart, but I can faintly see what looks like the mic shown in this video, next to the Select button.

[@TheSonTendo]

Update: Looking through the Retro Handhelds Discord confirms it. Someone took apart their S model.

[@BH-us4ig]

is there also an Microphone in the Anbernic ARC-S (Linux only) version?

[@whatskenmaking]

I'm not sure, but I assume not, but I'd love to know!

[@alissonanderson923]

Hey! Friend, could you tear down the Ambernic RG353PS?

[@SaltyOldBaldurian]

There should be a "The more you know." rainbow badge to award such videos as this. You've earned my sub, sir! Cheers! 🌟🌈🌟

[@demonikous]

Is there any chance that android req a mic?

[@whatskenmaking]

No - it's a passive device; Android has no awareness of what's connected to the ADC

[@enriquepinero707]

The hidden microphone and the A.I that is questionable as to its function and need on this device; sound very suspicious for those looking to build a case for that. Also dosent help that my unit seems to connect to the internet by itself, even whe switching wifi off. It says connected and shows a wierd io addresss but everything the secund line says no connection. I just removed my wifi info since it doesnt reslly seem to work like you said.

[@whatskenmaking]

I do get a non-routable ipv6 address on my Wi-Fi adapter, but still no Wi-Fi access. No Wi-Fi is a big deal for me - most of the time when I'm playing a software emulator, I do it for the Retroachievements

[@Mekaneckpain]

A hidden microphone that isn't mentioned in the specs is 100% nefarious...

[@gbraadnl]

Then all Anbernic devices that run Android are, as that is mostly due to the record function of messages on wechat

[@rolux4853]

Don’t use the Android then or just snip the cable if you do.

[@achirasilva2567]

Is China spying with that hidden mic? 😯

[@akira8-customkeyboards17]

I prefer Miyoo mini with OnionOs. With GammaOS no games stays in memory like OnionOS, buttons of the Anbernic are very cheap, UI is not very good. I regret my buy.

[@ericochoa4034]

The chinese are listening im!

[@astrolink2000]

First

[@danlmult]

Very good tear down! :D