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Author Topic: Arcade 1UP - Countercade Tablet PC Multigame - MAME MOD  (Read 3926 times)

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negative1

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Arcade 1UP - Countercade Tablet PC Multigame - MAME MOD
« on: January 13, 2020, 03:51:39 am »
Arcade 1UP - Countercade Multigame-mod
======================================



So, I got the Dig Dug countercade, but wasn't
happy with the controls for Dig Dug 2. Also,
Dig Dug was the Japanese settings, which is
5 men only, which makes it much harder to
get to 1 million and killscreens.

Anyways, I bought the LVDS adapter, but haven't
been able to get it to work quite right, so
I've given up on that for now. My plan was
to add a pc, or small computer to it, for
using MAME for multigames. Or to input
from a game console.

------------------------------------
Issue - Small screen size, actually it isn't
too bad, when sitting in front of it, but it
is very small when playing horizontal based games.

Solution - New Screen

========================
Issue - Bad emulation, and controls

Solution - Better PC, and alternate controls with joystick,
trackball and spinner
========================
Issue - Mono sound (loud though)

Solution - Stereo Sound
==========================
Issue - Poor screen angles and colors

Solution - New Screen
==========================

I ended up using a Fujitsu 13 inch tablet PC which
I had not being used currently.

Its a Core 2 Duo, 1 Gig ram, 80Gig hard drive.
So tons of horsepower, and space for many
emulators, and ROMS.


This solved all problems at once, and also added
pen input to the screen, so no keyboard is needed.

The tablet PC has 2 usb inputs, firewire, audio in,
audio out, VGA out, microphones.
- 1 usb used for controller(s)
- 1 usb used for keyboard or HUB

Resolution : 1024x768 32 bit color
Size       : 12.1 inches
Networking : Built In

Battery    : Up to 4 hours with expanded battery

YES, it can be 'portable', and does not need to be plugged into wall socket.

--------------------------
Bezel - Too large on original

Solution - Replaced with Black Plastic Board cut to allow screen to show.

========================
Total Price  - Tablet ($50-150 spent several years ago - many can be found on EBAY)
             - Bezel  ($5 spent at Art supply store)

Keyboard (already had spare)

Joystick, Mouse, Trackball, Spinner (already owned).

So technically it cost me $5, since I owned all the other parts.

=======================
Game notes:
=======================
- Software
MAME 0.106 for testing.
I can upgrade to much later versions for other
games, but I was trying to show Arcade 1UP ones,
and mostly vertical ones.

OFFICIAL CURRENT Arcade 1up Games
======================================
Dig Dug - Slight glitch in sound, but can play Atari Roms, besides Namco, and alter player settings.

Dig Dug 2 - Perfect emulation of both versions, and superior controls, since 2 buttons are on the
            right side mapped correctly
--------------
Centipede - Works great, haven't put in correct settings for trackball
Missile Command - Did not Test
---------------
Space Invaders - Works excellent, need to tweak settings for correct sound
Space Invaders Color - Works excellent, need to tweak settings for correct sound
----------------
Pac-Man   - Did not test, expect it to work perfectly
Pac n Pal - Tested, works perfectly
-----------------
Galaga   - Tested, works perfectly
Galaxian - Did not test
------------------

PROPOSED BUT NOT RELEASED
=========================
Defender - Works, but have to map controls correctly
Joust    - Works perfectly

Ghosts N Goblins - Works perfectly

GAMES I LIKE, BUT NOT OFFICIAL
==============================
Galaga '88 - Excellent game in the series
Joust 2    - Excellent Vertical oriented game, very tough

Pac-Man plus - Tested, works perfectly
Super Pac-Man - Tested, works perfectly
Pacmania - Tested, works perfectly (will have a separate gameplay video too)
==============================================================


Final notes: You can see the tablet green LED's, but when playing
they are blocked by the Bezel. Also in the video, the left side
appears to bent slightly, but from the front view, its fine.


I need to tweak the software somemore, and add some more ROMS.

I don't care about frontends, and MAME GUI works fine for me.

Any questions about the games, let me know.

later
-1

lilshawn

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Re: Arcade 1UP - Countercade Tablet PC Multigame - MAME MOD
« Reply #1 on: January 13, 2020, 12:41:11 pm »
if you plotz your proposed LCD panel part number into google usually you can find a datasheet that will tell you the panel's operating voltage, the native resolution, and the data bit format you need to set/order your LVDS board to drive it.

I usually buy LVDS boards that have jumpers to set everything, not the pre-programmed type you typically find on ebay. they are a little harder to find, but the "MT6820" and the  "MT561" are both very good boards that work with a very wide variety of panels (has onboard regulation and will drive 3.3v and 5v panels with only a 5v input.) though only has VGA input and I feel you are looking for one with HDMI for a pi or something.

Something to roll around in your head anyways.

negative1

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Re: Arcade 1UP - Countercade Tablet PC Multigame - MAME MOD
« Reply #2 on: January 13, 2020, 01:21:18 pm »
if you plotz your proposed LCD panel part number into google usually you can find a datasheet that will tell you the panel's operating voltage, the native resolution, and the data bit format you need to set/order your LVDS board to drive it.

I usually buy LVDS boards that have jumpers to set everything, not the pre-programmed type you typically find on ebay. they are a little harder to find, but the "MT6820" and the  "MT561" are both very good boards that work with a very wide variety of panels (has onboard regulation and will drive 3.3v and 5v panels with only a 5v input.) though only has VGA input and I feel you are looking for one with HDMI for a pi or something.

Something to roll around in your head anyways.

I bought an early one, so it may not have been compatible.

That's ok. I'm repurposing the original PCB, screen, and bezel, into a mini-cocktail table unit probably.

I like to tinker with stuff, and sometimes stuff works, and sometimes it doesn't.

In this case, using the Tablet PC was a much better solution, with many advantages.
Sure I lose the dedicated bezel, but it was pretty huge anyways.

later
-1

JDFan

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Re: Arcade 1UP - Countercade Tablet PC Multigame - MAME MOD
« Reply #3 on: January 13, 2020, 01:39:40 pm »
if you plotz your proposed LCD panel part number into google usually you can find a datasheet that will tell you the panel's operating voltage, the native resolution, and the data bit format you need to set/order your LVDS board to drive it.

I usually buy LVDS boards that have jumpers to set everything, not the pre-programmed type you typically find on ebay. they are a little harder to find, but the "MT6820" and the  "MT561" are both very good boards that work with a very wide variety of panels (has onboard regulation and will drive 3.3v and 5v panels with only a 5v input.) though only has VGA input and I feel you are looking for one with HDMI for a pi or something.

Something to roll around in your head anyways.

There is this kit for $20 shipped that has everything needed to hook them up to the rpi- https://www.ebay.com/itm/Arcade1Up-8-LCD-Video-Driver-Converter-Board-add-HDMI-VGA-Countercade-Counter/163888094287

OR this type should work also but doesn't have the VGA to HDMI adpater (like the ones you mention with dips for setting program) IF you use their coupon they are $6.18 shipped from china - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32280436798.html?aff_request_id=3bbee4e795054b2791f0b0c4c6da57bf-1578940613629-06691-dTi0zhbE&aff_platform=link-c-tool&cpt=1578940613629&sk=dTi0zhbE&aff_trace_key=3bbee4e795054b2791f0b0c4c6da57bf-1578940613629-06691-dTi0zhbE&terminal_id=12cf96166a7b40879af78f3186dec12b

leapinlew

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Re: Arcade 1UP - Countercade Tablet PC Multigame - MAME MOD
« Reply #4 on: January 14, 2020, 07:28:04 pm »
Very cool...

some build pics would be nice. If the bartops can come in around the $99 price point, that's a great candidate for a bartop build.

JDFan

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Re: Arcade 1UP - Countercade Tablet PC Multigame - MAME MOD
« Reply #5 on: January 15, 2020, 09:53:53 am »
Very cool...

some build pics would be nice. If the bartops can come in around the $99 price point, that's a great candidate for a bartop build.

THe v2 release is going to have a MSRP of $99 - they've redesigned with a 7" screen instead of 8" and made it more proportioned to get to the lower price point - so not sure how much room there will be inside but should still make a decent starting point and with the artwork included at that price it makes for a good starting point with no need to Paint,sand,paint,sand,paint !