Arcade Monitor and MAME SETUPS (UPD 13th)

[Acids]

Hello, is there a web site that has all the info required for setting up a arcade monitor and mame, does it require a special version of mame or can i use the std version with special options...  

I have a 15khz arcade monitor and a jpac on the way.

any help would be great.

Thanks

[Lilwolf]

The video card will be more of the issue... and if you want windows support

ArcadeVGA is the easy way.  

Trident64 can do it also with hacked drivers.  (one other I think)

Other then that.. your dealing with making sure that you don't turn on the monitor until AFTER your INSIDE mame/frontend or you might blow up the monitor.  AdvancedMame and AdvanceMenu is what you would want to look into.

[SirPeale]

The video card will be more of the issue... and if you want windows support

ArcadeVGA is the easy way.  

Trident64 can do it also with hacked drivers.  (one other I think)

Other then that.. your dealing with making sure that you don't turn on the monitor until AFTER your INSIDE mame/frontend or you might blow up the monitor.  AdvancedMame and AdvanceMenu is what you would want to look into.

I don't know why everyone makes the video card out to be such an issue.  Actually the video card is an easy part.  Many of them will output a 15KHz signal, and then again, many will not.

S3 cards don't, ATI cards do.  nVidia do, a lot of Trident cards do.  I've got an STB Velocity that does it flawlessly.

If you're getting a J-PAC, don't waste your money on an ArcadeVGA.  The J-PAC will automatically knock the signal to an acceptable level before they are knocked down via drivers.

Windows @ 15KHz, OTOH, is an issue.  For this, the ArcadeVGA will work well.

What other methods, besides the ArcadeVGA, work for getting Windows @ 15KHz?

[SaiNRuB]

What other methods, besides the ArcadeVGA, work for getting Windows @ 15KHz?

From what i understand only the trident blade T64 in windows 98 will allow that with the drivers from Saka and Andrew Lewis.

[Acids]

Sorry to bug ya but this seems to happen everythime i ask this type of question.

Im asking for info on setting up mame so it suits a arcade monitor.
I have a jpac comming and im gonna use my ati video card.

"Do i need a special version of mame or any special settings ?"
thats the question...

[jcoleman]

Acids,

The issue is that there is no simple answer to your question.  AdvanceMAME will solve the problem of connecting a 15 kHz monitor to a video card that is made for modern 31 kHz computer monitors, but you're not going to be able to display Windows on the monitor without some serious work, and it's likely not even possible with your setup.

http://advancemame.sourceforge.net will have the software you need.  Also check http://easymamecab.mameworld.net for some tutorials and information.  You have a long and difficult road ahead of you...this is why some have suggested that you look into the ArcadeVGA.  This stuff is not for the faint of heart.

[menace]

advmame is the best option for a non arcadevga+jpac setup--once you follow the easymame cab tutorials, it really isn't that bad--sure its trickier but you only have to do it once and the results are great.

[b3atmania]

If you really must have a Windowing system on a 15kHz monitor, just install FreeBSD and XFree86. The mode lines generated with the advcfg tool that comes with AdvanceMAME can be used with XFree86 easily.

[Acids]

Acids,

The issue is that there is no simple answer to your question.  AdvanceMAME will solve the problem of connecting a 15 kHz monitor to a video card that is made for modern 31 kHz computer monitors, but you're not going to be able to display Windows on the monitor without some serious work, and it's likely not even possible with your setup.

http://advancemame.sourceforge.net will have the software you need.  Also check http://easymamecab.mameworld.net for some tutorials and information.  You have a long and difficult road ahead of you...this is why some have suggested that you look into the ArcadeVGA.  This stuff is not for the faint of heart.

Thanks, Im quite happy to run this thing is dos only mode, its not going to be used for anything but a arcade machine anyway. the only time i would need windows is for transfering files with wifi but i could keep the monitor off for that and use VNC...   sound like a good option

[generousben4]

acids.

if you already have arcade monitor ,jpac and a radeon card,
just use powerstrip to add the res 736x288 to windows.
this will give you a uninterlaced (partial)windows desktop on ur 15khz monitor,
then you can launch, windows mame32plus , dos mame with arcadeos,
or advance mame , from within a windows desktop depending of what you prefer.