J-PAC alternative?

[iscariot]

Just wondering abt this....

I'd like to build another MAME cab for a buddy of mine, and he wants it to be as drop-in as possible since he wants to keep using some of his boards.  The JPAC looks like it is the best solution, but is there anything else out there?  I didn't see a lot of information on how the JPAC handled video signals other than it would take a signal and downsample it.

[notroubleclubber]

I seem to remember seeing somewhere a jamma connection which split into 2 so he could have the jpac connected to one and then swap his boards out the other.
Cant remember where though.

[BobA]

Here is a link for some 2 in one jamma adapters.  2 in 1 jamma   The jpac is about your only choice for a pc adapter that plugs into jamma harness.  You can find some other ones around the internet but Andy's support and shipping is top notch.

[Nephasth]

I seem to remember seeing somewhere a jamma connection which split into 2 so he could have the jpac connected to one and then swap his boards out the other.
Cant remember where though.

Are you talking about a JAMMA switcher? They can be bought through many different arcade parts suppliers. There are also switchers that can switch more than 2 boards... But remember, all boards would be powered at the same time and JAMMA+ harnesses (like MK's kick harness) can complicate things a bit.

[iscariot]

Thank you all for the fast response.

I should have been clearer.....

He has a splitter in there now.  I think it might be 2 or 4.  Frankly, I haven't looked closely.  What I need is to go from the PC to the JAMMA harness.  I saw one but it used the parallel port.  I'd really prefer to just use a USB or KBD if possible.

How does it handle sound anyway?

[Nephasth]

From the J-PAC's info page:

JAMMA cabinet speaker routed to screw connectors for wiring to powered sound card or hacked PC speakers.

Video is connected to the J-PAC via VGA cable. The J-PAC connects to the computer via USB.

[CheffoJeffo]

From the J-PAC's info page:

JAMMA cabinet speaker routed to screw connectors for wiring to powered sound card or hacked PC speakers.

Video is connected to the J-PAC via VGA cable. The J-PAC connects to the computer via USB.

Misleading ... there are two connections to the PC ... one USB and one VGA.

[clutch]

You can connect the JPAC to the pc via usb OR the regular keyboard connector.  If you do usb, you'll have to get an adaptor and I've heard some people have problems when going the usb route.  You can run the sound through the JPAC for mono sound.  I have a 001 loom as seen below.  I used an adapter to run the two rca plugs into the out on my pc soundcard.  This takes the JPAC out of the equation for sound.

[emphatic]

http://www.arcadeshop.de/Encoder-JammASD-v2_829.html

PRO: The JAMMA ASD has a built in amplifier for sound
CON: Doesn't work with USB only PS/2

[JoeB]

Don't forget about the power supply, you'll need a way to turn off the arcade power supply since with a PC it will have no load, and some PSUs don't like that.  Also, for buttons 4+, you need to hard code them (wire directly into the JPAC)