Main > Monitor/Video Forum
few beginner questions for the arcade monitor folks
Frostillicus:
I was gonna use a TV in my cab, but after doing some reading it seems like a lot of people are using J-Pacs, monitors, and ArcadeOS. I just have a few beginner questions...
One feature of the JPAC that seems handy is the protection circuitry - I can't find it in a separate package, just a video amplifier. Is this protection circuit available anywhere else? I don't have a Jamma cab so most of the Jpac would be useless to me it seems.
When a computer powers on, it displays all that loading processes before windows and special video drivers load up. I've read about video cards that have support for 15 Khz, but would the video be the right refresh rate as you power on? Don't you have to wait for those drivers to load for the correct output? I wouldn't want to fry a good monitor :(
Ok here's the dumbest question: Can arcade monitors such as the WG K7400 output at other, higher resolutions than the 600x200 it says on the spec sheet? I keep reading about people getting windows to work and it seems like that would be higher than 600x200.
THANKS SO MUCH for anyone's help to any or all of these questions - I got the controls figured out(hopefully) but I'm getting obsessed with this project.... :o
SNAAAKE:
--- Quote from: Frostillicus on August 15, 2002, 09:28:59 pm ---
Ok here's the dumbest question: Can arcade monitors such as the WG K7400 output at other, higher resolutions than the 600x200 it says on the spec sheet? I keep reading about people getting windows to work and it seems like that would be higher than 600x200.
.... :o
--- End quote ---
depends on your video card..you monitor wont do magic and display windows..but if your card outputs 15khz then yes,your card will force windows to run in lower scan rate..however i never seen anyone actually running windows in arcade monitor..i only hear this..try power strip(software)..you can manually change the resolution.you also gotta have the proper video card..its too much hassle..you can just hack a vga cable and use arcade os..or scan converter if you really need windows.or tv with lots of bleeding.LAST choice..get a svga arcade monitor...perfect for any and everything :)
MrTomcat:
--- Quote from: Frostillicus on August 15, 2002, 09:28:59 pm ---
I was gonna use a TV in my cab, but after doing some reading it seems like a lot of people are using J-Pacs, monitors, and ArcadeOS. I just have a few beginner questions...
One feature of the JPAC that seems handy is the protection circuitry - I can't find it in a separate package, just a video amplifier. Is this protection circuit available anywhere else? I don't have a Jamma cab so most of the Jpac would be useless to me it seems.
When a computer powers on, it displays all that loading processes before windows and special video drivers load up. I've read about video cards that have support for 15 Khz, but would the video be the right refresh rate as you power on? Don't you have to wait for those drivers to load for the correct output? I wouldn't want to fry a good monitor :(
Ok here's the dumbest question: Can arcade monitors such as the WG K7400 output at other, higher resolutions than the 600x200 it says on the spec sheet? I keep reading about people getting windows to work and it seems like that would be higher than 600x200.
--- End quote ---
Well not if you use a JPAC, because it manipulates the input signal so that 15khz is only ever output to your arcade monitor. Nice and safe. It may look like crap before your drivers are loaded, but at least nothing will be damaged.
Don't forget that windows on an arcade monitor, even at its lowest resolution will be running as an interlaced screen mode. You will see the full resolution but it will be flickering like mad. Quart => Pint pot :)
Frostillicus:
well what would you guys recommend in terms of software and hardware then? If I don't use a JPAC, but connect the pc video right to the monitor(using a special cable), how would you set up the computer? Using just DOS is fine - I assume there is an initial driver that can be loaded to output at 15khz. So do you wait to turn on the monitor until it that driver is loaded?
What I'd like to do is use Game Launcher on an arcade monitor, andhave most of the games and their resolutions to work. Maybe someone can just give me some ideas of what to use.
Howard_Casto:
If you need to run windows on your arcade monitor then simply get a j-pac and a trident blade 3d card, both of which are available at the ultimarc website.
It's pretty much the only good solution right now, period, for a windows display, although powerstrip is getting closer with each release. Hacking a video cable is dangerous, that's exactly why the jpac was invented, so people would stop blowing up their arcade monitors while testing settings. ;)