MAME *plus* JAMMA+

[schwefeljm]

I am building my cab right now. (Coming along slowly, but surely.)

In addition to it being MAME, I plan on making it JAMMA+ compliant.

Wha are your thoughts on this? I like the idea of being able to buy the boards and play those too. (Yes, MAME is great, and replicates the games very well, but it just is not the same. VERY close, but not the same.)

[lightspeed]

If this is the route you want to go, buy a JPAC from Ultimarc.com.   It will allow you to easily swtich a standard JAMMA harness from your boards to the compu.   You can hack the JAMMA+ "kicks" harness to the screw terminals, too.  The JPAC will also sync the proper signal to a true arcade monitor.  

I have a similar set-up.   Get a  onestandard, pre-wired JAMMA harness that you can easily swap from JPAC to JAMMA board, one "Control panel" side "kicks" harness and ground loop, and whichever PCB side "kicks" harnesses you need.  


Some sites of interest:

The real Bob Roberts (parts and how-tos)

http://www.dameon.net/BBBB/plus.html

http://www.dameon.net/BBBB/parts.html

Ultimate Arcade Controls (JPAC):  

http://www.ultimarc.com/

[schwefeljm]

I looked at the J-Pac, and I really don't like it. (Not that it is a bad product.) Plus, it doesn't totall suit my needs.

I plan on using a TV set. (According to a friend that runs and arcade, there is very little diferance between a TV and an arcade monitor, other than the input. Also, Like I said, it will be a JAMMA+ (as in 4 player) also, so I would need another encoder, anyway. (J-PAC, from what I can tell, will allow the exstra buttons for P1 and P2, not does not support P3 and P4

What I plan, like you said, is to get a full JAMMA harness and wire that up. I also plan on getting the appropriate connectors used for various JAMMA+ incarnations.

Everything will be contained within a handy Radio Shack proect box. That way, all I have to do is plug the appropriate cables into that. Still don't have ALL of the details worked out, or all the parts purchased, but making my way along.

[eightbit]

I plan on using a TV set. (According to a friend that runs and arcade, there is very little diferance between a TV and an arcade monitor, other than the input.

Wow your bold to make a statement like that here. I don't have any arcade monitors but I've seen the difference. A lot of people go to a lot of expense and a lot of trouble to make arcade monitors work.

It all depends on what look your going for. If you want arcade authentic then there is no better way to go than with an arcade monitor. Even then its still not the same as an arcade.

To get decent results with a TV you need to go with a really good tv and a really good tv out video card.

[tom61]

I plan on using a TV set. (According to a friend that runs and arcade, there is very little diferance between a TV and an arcade monitor, other than the input.

Unless that TV has RGB inputs (good luck finding one if you're in the US), you're not going to to be able to plug a real arcade board into it without a special converter, and it won't look as good as a real arcade monitor.

J-PAC, from what I can tell, will allow the exstra buttons for P1 and P2, not does not support P3 and P4

You can hook it together with an Ipac to get all the inputs you need.

[schwefeljm]

I plan on using a TV set. (According to a friend that runs and arcade, there is very little diferance between a TV and an arcade monitor, other than the input.

Unless that TV has RGB inputs (good luck finding one if you're in the US), you're not going to to be able to plug a real arcade board into it without a special converter.

That is what I plan on doing. (getting a converter)

http://www.mikesarcade.com/eStore/store.pl?action=link&sku=RGBENC is one example

J-PAC, from what I can tell, will allow the exstra buttons for P1 and P2, not does not support P3 and P4

You can hook it together with an Ipac to get all the inputs you need.

So why not just buy the 54 input I-PAC (or another encoder) and a JAMMA finger board? Other then the downscanning provided by the J-PAC, it is prett much the same, and would be cheaper
I have been bee looking at the Hagstrom KE72T. I know it is more expensive than the I-PAC, but I do like the intgrated trackball interface.

Also, me coming home saying "Hey honey, I just paid $150 ($200, $250, whatever) for a used arcade monitor" will not go over very well. Ok that is an understatement.

One thing I saw on the woodworking sites I frequent was the almighty SWMBO. This is a very powerful, and quite destructive menace, uh excuse me, I mean, a very gentle and understanding creature

SWMBO == She Who Must Be Obeyed (I would wager most of this board has a SWMBO)  

[schwefeljm]

I plan on using a TV set. (According to a friend that runs and arcade, there is very little diferance between a TV and an arcade monitor, other than the input.

Wow your bold to make a statement like that here. I don't have any arcade monitors but I've seen the difference. A lot of people go to a lot of expense and a lot of trouble to make arcade monitors work.

It all depends on what look your going for. If you want arcade authentic then there is no better way to go than with an arcade monitor. Even then its still not the same as an arcade.

To get decent results with a TV you need to go with a really good tv and a really good tv out video card.

From what I have seen, while yes, there is a diference, it is not that substantial of one, at least in my opinion.


I would not consider it to be bold, unless the board is populeted with a dispropotionate ratio of rabid jaeckyls (sp?) Quite honestly, it is more a matter of econimics. Is the picture dif between a TV and an arcade monitor enough to justify the price dif? (Yes, I know that they can be cound at a resonable price, but that usally involves fairly substantial shipping costs that would negate most, if not all of the savings.) If I was a true purist or had unlimited funds, I would buy the original machines.

[Kilgore]

Dude,

What are you really trying to accomplish?  You keep contradicting yourself.  You say you want it JAMMA compatible but then you say you want to use a TV.   So when someone calls you on it, you say it would be cheaper and then give a link to a $95 RGB->NTSC converter.  You would probably have a better deal getting a used JAMMA cabinet with a decent monitor.  

There really isn't any standard as JAMMA+, it just means that you have JAMMA plus some proprietary connectors for additional controls.  So what does this really mean to you?

You do mention that you want to buy and play the boards also.  If this is the case I would say the JPAC is the way to go.   It may be work getting an IPAC to use in additiona to the JPAC if you need additional inputs.  

If space isn't a concern get seperate JAMMA and MAME cabinets.   JAMMA cabinets can be had pretty inexpensive depending on your needs, location and determiniation.

If this comes off as grumpy or doesn't make any sense then ignore it.  I shouldn't post messages at 3:15am...

[schwefeljm]

You proboobly shouldn't (Then again the pot shouldn't call the kettle black.)

Sure, I would love to use an arcade monitor, but I cannot justify the cost of an arcade monitor, at least not in quality condition. Either I will have to pay a high price for it within pickup distance (unless, I can find deal even remotely similar to my cab) or will find one for a good price, but get raped on shipping. My wife, who is not particularly enthusiastic about this project, would likely casterate me if I brough one home. A TV may not be good enough for you, or other people on this board, but it is plenty good enough for me. I am much mor likely to find a TV in good working order, localy for under $50. (The TV we have in out bedroom works great, and paid $20 for it.)

As for JAMMA+, I know there is no standard for the '+' part, that is why I said I was going to wire up the appropriate connectors (plural) for the major ones. It will play as many of the JAMMA/JAMMA+ boards that want it to. If I don't have a connector for a particular game, I will buy one and wire it in, it is not that hard.


When I asked for thoughts on this, I guess I should have been more clear. I should have asked for constructive comments. Instead I get berated because I am not using an arcade monitor, but a TV instead and whatnot.

So, unless you have something USEFULL to contribute there is no need to reply.

To recap, in the two weeks I have been on here I have been berated for wanting to use a TV in place of a monitor, I want to wire the cab to play MAME and JAMMA/JAMMA+ boards. The kick has to be when I was on the IRC chat and some 14 year old snot nosed puck says he is going to come over to my house and beat me up if I *dare* modify my cab. (If he had the means, I think he would have at least tried) I came on here for advice, and to those that have been helpful, thank you.

To those who have the attitude, "If you don't replicade as much of the original game(s)/how dare you do that, you have no business doing this" PISS OFF.


Well, I would imagine it is time to break out the aspestos suit.

[Sasquatch!]

I plan on doing the same thing that you're thinking about with my next cab: making it JAMMA/JAMMA+ compatible.  I have a Neo-Geo MVS boardset, and I was almost about to get that up and running as a separate cab, but I figured what the heck - I might as well incorporate it into my next MAME cab.

The whole "choice of monitor" thing tends to draw out strong opinions in a lot of people here, so don't get too worked up over it.  If you're happy with the look of a TV, then go for it, and don't worry about what other people think.  I plan on doing the same.

BTW, I have bought the Jrok RGB converter that you linked to, and it works great (using the S-Video connector). I bought it directly from jrok.com though - $75 + shipping.

[schwefeljm]

The holy wars on here are some of the worst I have seen. hehehehe

Well, then I will likely get that one then. Thanks

[Kilgore]

When I asked for thoughts on this, I guess I should have been more clear. I should have asked for constructive comments. Instead I get berated because I am not using an arcade monitor, but a TV instead and whatnot.

Actually I don't have any problem with you using a TV.   Everyone should weigh the pros and cons and decide for yourself.
 It just doesn't seem the practical choice if you want to use it as a JAMMA cabinet though.  As you said you can use an RGB->NTSC converteror and it should work.  

It is worth your time to shop for a good arcade cabinet and go from there.   Where are you located maybe someone near you has a connection.  

Good luck.