NooB needs help. First build.

[sillbilly]

Hi everyone.

I´m pretty new to all this but I´m starting my first build. I´ve already set up the PC i´m using and have the controls ready.
But I recently got a generic cabinet with fighting vipers and an extra arcade monitor.

The monitor is a "Hantarex polo/2 28 15/25 auto" arcade monitor.
Now I have never hooked up an arcade monitor to a MAME pc so I was wondering what would be the best/easiest/cheapest way to do so?

The fighting vipers cab works fine, but I´m not a fan of the game and I was thinking that maybe it would be easier to convert that one into a MAMe cab?
Would save me alot of build time.

Would the J-pac work with that one?
I think it´s a Sega model2.
The monitor in that one is a Orion a68ktb 140x e55289 Ir77203 60hz
Any tips on the best way to convert it would be greatly appreciated and since I´m pretty new to this all any tips at all are welcome.

Thanks in advance.

[elkameleon]

That's too bad, I loved that game!

[Paul Olson]

That game is Sega Model 2. If the cabinet is generic, it may be wired jamma and use a model 2 adapter to run the board. If not, it will be wired as model 2, then you would need a model 2 to jamma adapter. Once that is figured out, the easiest way to convert it is to use a JPAC and an ArcadeVGA. Plug the jpac into the jamma harness, Install the video card and plug a vga cable into the jpac. If I remember right, sound is not supported on the jpac, so you will need to use computer speakers. I put the sub in the bottom of the cab, then tore apart the satellite speakers and wired in the existing cab speakers. It sounded more authentic to me, but the computer speakers had better sound than the cab speakers. I would probably just leave them whole now. If you are happy with the existing controls, you should be ready to go. If you want to add extra buttons, you can wire a few to the jpac. If you want to add a trackball, spinner, or analog controls, you will need to add additional encoder(s).

[sillbilly]

Thank you so much Paul!

Really helped me a lot. 

[sillbilly]

About the Hantarex monitor that I have... (Hantarex polo/2 28 15/25 auto)

Do I need a j-pac to hook it up to a PC with an arcade VGA card or is there an alternative?
I´m thinking ahead to another build or if I decide not to convert the "Fighting vipers" generic one and build a cab from scratch.

I have a USB control panel already built and working, so I basically would just need to hook up the monitor to the PC.
Just wondering what i´d need to do so....?

Thanks.

[Paul Olson]

You can hook it up without a jpac, but I don't know all of the steps involved since I never tried it. I am pretty sure you need a signal amplifier (there is one built into the jpac). Search in the monitor forum; there should be plenty of info there. You don't even really need an AVGA, but it is an easy solution. You can use Soft15KHz (there is a thread in the monitor section), but last I checked, it didn't work with Windows 7. I stopped using it when I upgraded Windows, so I haven't kept up with the development. You will want to use your monitor in 15KHz mode since most games used that. You can switch yours, but since it is a mechanical switch, it is probably not worth the effort for the few Med res games. They will look fine in standard res anyway. Most of them even have setup options to use standard since that is what is in most cabinets.

I ended up using other encoders with my cab over time, but I left the JPAC in there just to connect the monitor. Ultimarc sells a breakout cable, which should allow you to hook up the monitor (it probably wouldn't be hard to make your own out of a VGA cable), I think you would just need to add an amplifier. The JPAC also protects the monitor during boot before it can sync at 15KHz, so that is added value as well. For the price, I think the JPAC is worth it just to hook the monitor to the computer, and everything else is a bonus. You will have to decide what is best for your budget though. Spend money on controls and whatever makes your life easier. I tried to save money on controls and do things the hard way to save money. I will buy NOS or new controls every time now. It is just not worth the effort unless you really like spending a lot of time fixing up old parts.

I have seen complete setups for $50, and some that cost thousands to build. They are all discussed here, so read a lot. When it comes to controls, make up a quick mock up to test them out. test them well. If you don't like something, replace it. If you don't like the positioning, fix it before you make the final artwork covered version of the CP.

My current cab is a CP sitting on a table with an LCD TV on the wall. The CP was always the most important to me, so it is still fully functional as far as I am concerned. Figure out what you care about, and build to that. It may or may not be what is popular here, but if you like it, it is perfect.
Have fun with the project!

[MTPPC]

I use ATI video cards with soft 15khz software. You do not need a j-pac. Many say you can damage a monitor with over-sync, but I just let the screen go crazy for the boot-up on my ms pacmame with a hacked keyboard in it.

If you run with a similar setup, you will want to use catalyst v. 6.5 specifically as it works good with soft15khz. Then the next tool you should use is quickres and go through all the resolutions and write down the ones that work. TAB, ENTER is your friend when you can't read the screen - otherwise boot into safe mode and remove the catalyst driver to reset your resolution to something the arcade monitor or your regular VGA monitor can display. Once you have your list of working resolutions on your arcade monitor, then you use avres ( found here: http://www.ultimarc.com/avres.zip ) or powerstrip to generate ini files that will be optimal for your available resolutions.

On my machine, Pac-man runs a little off the top and bottom of the screen at its native resolution. This is fine because I can jump to any game and its resolution is set at the optimal for my screen.

It sounds real complicated, but I figured it out after a couple days of google and trial and error.

[sillbilly]

Thank you guys so much. I've gained a lot of knowledge and feel more confident now.

The thing is I live in Iceland so parts and service regarding Arcade cabinets here is none existing and shipping and tax from abroad to here is ridiculous!. This forum is a godsend.

Just one question, do I need a breakout cable or a modified VGA cable to hook it up to my ATI card?
I have a few old ATI ones (will have to look up the types/models). Any ones that work better than others?

Thanks.

[MTPPC]

Sorry to take so long. I've had good luck with Rage Pro 9200SE.