New Version of MAME - VectorMAME

[SirPeale]

This guy has cobbled together some hardware and built a custom build of MAME just for vector graphics.  MAME ROMs, ready to be played...on a vector monitor!

http://www.zektor.com/zvg/index.htm

[SirPoonga]

hehe, check out lasermame

[Spaced Invader]

The ZVG attaches to an ECP compliant printer port on a standard PC, and to a vector monitor. This allows Retrocade, in the form of "ZvgEmu", and our version of VectorMAME to run all the games supported by these emulators on a real vector monitor! With all the intensity and cool effects that only a vector monitor can produce!

Raster games on a vector monitor? Or is all the raster stuff removed?

[SirPeale]

Raster games on a vector monitor? Or is all the raster stuff removed?

All the raster stuff is removed.  This version is only for emulating the vector games.  The device is for outputting them on a vector monitor.  Note the frontend?  You can choose your choice of vector game (and they're displayed on the vector monitor) via MAME!

[Frostillicus]

My question is still does the ZVG support the sega/gremlin games yet?  

Is this vectormame the answer?  

[Lilwolf]

How easy is it to get the vector monitors?

I thought that the monitors was one of the things that went bad on many old vector games... The reason why there aren't to many star wars controllers left

[SirPeale]

My question is still does the ZVG support the sega/gremlin games yet?  

Is this vectormame the answer?  

I dunno...email the guy and ask him.

And...I'm clueless.  What's the backstory about the Sega/Gremlin games?

[Frostillicus]

I've emailed with the guy a few times, just hate to bug him is all.  I'd buy a ZVG but only if it supported the sega games.  

Sega/gremlin games are those old g-08 color games like zektor, eliminator, startrek, etc.  They were interchangeable (in theory) since they used a 'cage' pcb system of separate sound, 2 xy boards, eeprom board, etc.  Some recycled the same sounds.  They caught fire a lot.

Anyway the original emulator for their vector generator didn't include support for the sega games, which is ironic since their company name is Zektor.  I'm hoping since this is a different emulator it supports all games.  

[Spaced Invader]

Doh! I didn't even see the screen shots (Rushing to work)....of course no raster conversion...feeling stupid...very stupid...

This is awsome...I LOVE TEMPEST! I smell another project! Peale, you've made my girlfriend very, very unhappy.  

Hey, did you see that monster plugged into the vectrex on the last page? Serious cool points for that!  

[pathdoc2]

What exactly is a vector? Vector monitor?  I don't really understand what this means.

[crsdawg]

frostillicus,
  he's got pics of both zector and space fury running off this set up on his screenshot pages. both in b/w and color, so it seems at least those sega titles are running.

man, if only this card wasn't so damn expensive. i'd love to get a vector mame cab up and running.  doing a vectrex/vector mame mini cab would save a few bucks monitor wise. and from the sound of how this card hooks up, it wouldn't be that hard to hack some sort of switch to toggle between the two. hmmmmmmmmmm

[SirPeale]

What exactly is a vector? Vector monitor?  I don't really understand what this means.

There are two types of monitors used in arcade games: raster and vector.

In a raster monitor, the picture is drawn line by line to form the picture.

In a vector monitor, the only thing drawn is the lines for the game.  If you're using MAME32, on the left is a series of subsections.  One of them should be for vector.  Check out some vector games, and see for yourself.  Or, visit the site, and check out the pics.

[Frostillicus]

Ah...I haven't been to the site in a while - looks like those color photos are fairly new.  I hope they sell a good quantity of these, as they were going to offer a few other products but they fell through.  Meaning I hope they don't go out of business or something.  It's a unique product - though a very niche market - and I'd hate to see support for it fizzle out.

[mpm32]

That is so very cool,  now to find a color vector monitor