One of the Philips CD-i console’s weak points is its power supply: it uses an 8P8C connector, like the kind found in Ethernet, and as a result its tab frequently breaks. [MattKC] has developed an upgrade that lets the console run on USB-C.
Although the console runs almost entirely on 5 V, it draws 3 A from that line and also requires a 0.2 A -5 V line. The requirements don’t end there. If it weren’t for the negative line, an ordinary 15 W USB-C charger would suffice. However, because high-wattage chargers typically deliver the extra power at a higher voltage, their 5 V output remains limited to 3 A.
The board handles this negotiation. The board’s division of labor consists of three parts, with each component taking on a different stage in the process of converting the power delivered over USB-C:
- The CH221K handles the 9 V USB-C power negotiation.
- The TPSM84538 steps the voltage down to 5 V with a 5 A capacity.
- The LT3580 inverts the voltage for the -5 V line.
The board also includes a separate circuit designed to fulfill the power switching function found in the original power adapter. The functionality doesn’t end there. For CD-i owners tired of dealing with the original adapter, this board could be a good upgrade.
Why it matters
One of the hardest parts of keeping old game consoles running is that manufacturer-specific power adapters fail over time or become impossible to find. The CD-i’s fragile connector is a typical example of this problem; as such, the board in question offers owners who still use their consoles, as well as collectors, a practical way out that extends the device’s lifespan. The project also shows that power drawn from USB-C can, with the right conversion, meet unusual needs such as negative voltage, though whether the same approach could be applied to other legacy hardware with similar power requirements is a separate question. In addition, the report does not answer whether the board will be mass-produced or how other owners might get access to this upgrade. For devices with no spare parts left, such modifications become a necessity rather than a preference.
Background
USB is not a new name in the FikirPilot archive: we have published 8 stories mentioning this name in the last 90 days; the most recent is dated October 22, 2026.