I'm assuming that it is just a scan converter with provisions for audio and controls added on, and since even broadcast quality ($$$) scan converters aren't perfect (from what I have heard/read)...
I don't know what it costs, but if it is in the range of an AVGA + JPAC, then the AVGA + JPAC would be a better way to go I would think, since the AVGA generates a native 15 khz signal in the first place with no conversion required.
Folks, prepare to be shocked! The JPAC has competition! The PC2JAMMA device on that website (see previous posts for link) costs a mere $20us plus $20 shipping. Cheaper if you buy orders of 20 or more.
The specs are still a little sketchy, but here's what it says:
"PC2JAMMA board is designed for converting the signals of PC keyboard to arcade joystick and supporting standard CGA (RGB) monitor. It only works with DOS version MAME games, you have to install all required software and drivers for your PC yourself. We don't provide any driver either software.
PC2JAMMA does not have the function to convert VGA to CGA, if you have a non synchronized screen after installing it, then you might need to download a driver called arcmon.sys to synchronize the video signal."So, it sounds like it still requires an ArcadeVGA or AdvanceMAME.
The cables you see in the photo are:
- Black plug = stereo connect to sound card (but according to their jamma pin-out, only a single speaker is supported. They don't say if their board amplifies the sound or not.)
- Small grey plug = connect to VGA output (but no conversion of video on the board. It probably doesn't block out of range signals either)
- Large grey plug = connect to Paralell port (weird! I would think a serial port would be used for keyboard input!)
- White plug = +5v and +12v