You have some 2 players games but never experienced them by playing in 2 players mode?
Don’t worry, you have not the only one, this is actually a very common situation, and for many reasons… but believe me, you don’t know what you are missing!
The first one is because a CD-i gamepad is expensive, so imagine having 2 gamepads…
The 2nd one is because not all CD-i players allow you to connect 2 controllers without the need of a special accessory.

Let’s start from the beginning, the early CD-i players let you connect 2 controllers for player 1 and player 2 by using Input 1 (front side) and Input 2 (rear side).
The players that allows you to connect 2 controllers without the the need of a Port Splitter are:
910/00, 205/00, 205/05, 210/00, 210/20, 220/00, 220/20, 220/40, 21TCDi30 (Combined CD-i + TV).

If you own one of those players, then, you can stop reading this article and start playing with your friend right now (well, not now because at the time I am writting this article, we are still under the threat of coronavirus)!

If you don’t have any of them or you also have others players and want to use them for 2 players games, then follow me into this adventure! We will create our own Port Splitter!

Wait wait… What is a Port Splitter?
That is a very good question! Thank you in advance for asking! 😉
A Splitter is an accessory that will connect into Input 1 from one extremity, and in the other side, will let you connect 2 controllers using 2 ports.
1st of all, before you start searching for new gamepads over the internet, remember an important thing…
ANY WIRES CONTROLLER CAN BE USE AS A CONTROLLER!
What does it means? Simple, if you want to try a Port Splitter you may already own, or test the one you are about to create, you just need to use 2 wired controllers. Thy can be the Peacekeeper gun as player 1 and the Trackerball for player 2 for example, or a CD-i mouse and the Roller Controller. They all will work and let you play any games.

What will you need?
– 1 male Mini-DIN 8 pins.
– 2 female Mini-DIN 8 Pins.
– A soldering iron (30W if possible).
– Solder.
– 1 light little box.
– 1 meter length of cable with 8 wires.
– Retractable sleeve.
– Double-sided adhesive tape.

Basic soldering skills are needed! If you think you are not able to do this, please contact an electronic repair store, a friend, or if you prefer, I am selling them at the price of 20€ ports included for Europe shipment, and 25€ ports included for the rest of the world shipment. (contact me here).

For the following work, you will need this table information to know which wires connect to which pins.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
– Remember to take a note about the wires colors and pins numbers, it will save you time in the upcoming steps.

– It is important to use a 30 Watts solder, a higher power may damage the very fin pins connectors. Bad connection to the player or to the controllers can result.

1. Prepare the little box:
I am using the one you see on the pictures, you are free to choose the box you want to use. Just remember to use a light and small one.
Open it.
In one side, open 1 hole using a drill for the cable that goes to the CD-i Player.
In the opposite side, open 2 holes using the same drill for the 2 cable that will connect to the controllers.
Remember to use a drill that will feet exactly with the cable, to avoid loose.

 2. Soldering INPUT 1:
– Dismantle the male Mini-DIN 8 pins, and solder the pins following INPUT 1 information from the table.
That means you will have to connect all the pins.
– Cut the cable coming from Input 1 about 50 centimeters long.

3. Soldering PORT 1:
– Dismantle the female Mini-DIN 8 pins, and solder the pins following the PORT 1 information from the table.
That means you will have to connect 6 wires in total.
– Cut the cable coming from PORT 1 about 20 centimeters long.

4. Soldering PORT 2:
– Dismantle the female Mini-DIN 8 pins, and solder the pins following the PORT 2 information from the table.
That means you will have to connect 4 wires in total.
– Cut the cable coming from PORT 2 about 20 centimeters long.

5. Insert the cable into the box:
– Insert INPUT 1 into the one hole side.
– Insert PORT 1 and PORT 2 into the two holes side.
– Prepare the wires to be soldered.
– Use the retractable sleeve to isolate the soldering points.

6. Connect the 3 cables:
– Use the table on the top of the article to know to soldering configuration.

7. Close the box:
– Close the box.
– Place the double-sided adhesive tape at the bottom side of the box, and fix the box on your CD-i player. This way the box will not fall (Only optional).
– Test your new Port Splitter using 2 wires controllers.

PORT 1 or PORT 2 to play as Player 1?

Officially Philips explain this way:

For CD-i 450 or 550 Models produced before August 1994:
– If you own one of those models, and you are using the Port Splitter but only using 1 controller only, then you will need to connect the controller under INPUT 1.
– If you own one of those models, and you are using the Port Splitter using 2 controllers, then Player 1 will work under INPUT 2, and Player 2 will work under INPUT 1. But Player 2 controller will only work after Player 1 choose all the options and the game are ready to be played as 2 players.

For CD-i players produced from August 1994 and onward:
– If you own one of those models, and you are using the Port Splitter but only using 1 controller only, then you will need to connect the controller under INPUT 2.
– If you own one of those models, and you are using the Port Splitter using 2 controllers, then Player 1 will work under INPUT 2, and Player 2 will work under INPUT 1. But Player 2 controller will only work after Player 1 choose all the options and the game are ready to be played as 2 players.

This is due to the internet kit and Télé CD-i for the use of the modem connection.
In fact, if you turn on your CD-i player (before or after August 1994), the player will recognize the controller, wherever it is connected on INPUT 1 or INPUT 2.

Enjoy your brand new Port Splitter and call your friends and neighbors to finally play 2 players CD-i games!

Special thank to Rosewood from Retrostuff.org who kindly share with me some technical information and brochures.
And this time in French, une spéciale dédicasse à MomoRetro qui va enfin pouvoir tester ses jeux! 😉

Contact: omegalfa@theworldofcdi.com
Twitter: @omegalfapt

Written by omegalfa, © 17/04/2020