Gamepark Holdings is shipping a breakout board for its GP2X, a sub-$200 Linux-based handheld gaming platform and portable media player (PMP). The “Breakout Board” adds standard PC I/O, helping hobbyists build GP2X-based home DivX systems, MAME cabinets, MP3/OGG sound systems, or classic computer set-ups, the company… suggests.

Two views of GP2X Breakout Board
(Click either to enlarge)

The “Breakout Board” adds an RS-232 serial port and a JTAG port, which can be used for debugging and reflashing GP2X units. Free software development toolsets for Windows-based development hosts have long been available for the GP2X.

The Board also adds four USB ports, along with audio/video out ports, enabling users to attach USB keyboards, mice, and joysticks, and hook their GP2Xs to televisions, creating a “proper computer/console set up,” GP32/2x Distribution says.

Like the GP2X, the Breakout Board can run off batteries; however, Gamepark Holdings recommends using a power supply, rather than wasting batteries, when operating the board at home.

About the GP2X

The GP2X is an inexpensive device powered by dual AA batteries. Gamepark Holdings claims that the device offers up to eight hours of battery life, when playing video, or up to 14 hours, when playing music with the LCD off.

The GPX2-F100 has a top-mounted SD card slot, and what appears to be a clever drop bumper on the bottom

The GP2X is powered by a pair of ARM9 processors. It has 64MB of NAND Flash and 64MB of RAM. Its 3.5-inch QVGA (320×240) TFT LCD supports 170K colors. Hardware controls include a fourway controller on the right and a small thumb joystick on the left.

I/O ports include a stereo headphone port and a USB 2.0 client port that Gamepark says supports 500Mbps file transfers (about 62MB/sec). The device also includes a top-mounted SD card slot.

Along with Linux, the GP2X runs several open source game emulation packages, including MAME (multiple arcade game emulator).

The device went on sale in the U.S. in April, and free software development tools are available for the device.

Lots more information about the GP2X are available in our detailed GP2X Device Profile.

Availability

The Breakout Board for the GP2X is available now, direct from U.K.-based distributor GP32/2X Distribution, Ltd., priced at 25.52 GBP (about $32.50), less VAT and shipping. GP32/2X also stocks standard and 275MHz versions of the GP2X, priced at 125 and 140 GBP, respectively, including VAT ($155 and $175).

 
This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.