I'm so terribly confused!!! (ArcadeVga + ipac/jpac)

[sphetr2]

I thought I knew exactly what to do until I went to the Ultimarc website. I was just going to get an ArcadeVGA + ipac for my JAMMA cab (i'm not actually using the Jamma controls).

But Utlimarc says "you need a video amp nyar nyar nyar!!!"

So. Is this true? If so, should I get a jpac instead of an ipac? Or do i not need amplification?

Also, will jpac support more than 3 buttons per player? Cause last time I checked that was JAMMA's limit (not sure though- and not sure if that translates to the jpac).

Thanks.

[CheffoJeffo]

VideoAMP -- I hve never needed one (well, not sure for some since I used J-Pacs), but know people who have (and bought the ones I previously ordered). When in doubt, tell Andy what kind of monitor you have.

The J-Pac "supports" 8 buttons per player (buttons 4-8 on screw terminals).

http://www.ultimarc.com/jpac1.html

Cheers.

EDIT: FWIW, if you have an intact JAMMA harness, I would choose a J-Pac over an I-Pac2 everytime.

[meltman]

Which monitor are you using?

[sphetr2]

Which monitor are you using?

I don't know, it came with the machine. Machine is 'Air Buster.'

EDIT: FWIW, if you have an intact JAMMA harness, I would choose a J-Pac over an I-Pac2 everytime.

But what if I don't want to use the original JAMMA controls?

[SirPeale]

But what if I don't want to use the original JAMMA controls?

Why not?  What *do* you want to use?

[sphetr2]

But what if I don't want to use the original JAMMA controls?

Why not?  What *do* you want to use?

I want to use a ball top joystick and different buttons. Also, I want more buttons per player.

[CheffoJeffo]

But what if I don't want to use the original JAMMA controls?

Why not?  What *do* you want to use?

I want to use a ball top joystick and different buttons. Also, I want more buttons per player.

I think you are misunderstanding ... by all means, disconnect the JAMMA harness from the existing controls and put new controls in. Then connect the ends of the JAMMA harness to the new controls.

EDIT: When disconnecting the wires, I recommend labelling where they came from for easy identification and reconnection.

See how you only had to connect some wires for those controls that are JAMMA standard ?

What about extra buttons, you ask ?

Well, now you run the extra wires from the extra buttons to the extra spots on the JPac. But you are only wiring a few buttons per player (since the sticks, coins,P1,P2 and first three player buttons are already wired in the harness), so is a big timesaver.

Oh, almost forgot ... you didn't have to do any wiring at all for that arcade monitor. That's nice, particularly if you are not so sure of your cable-hacking or open-frame monitor abilities.

Did I mention that you are now done and ready to go ?

I don't think I know anyody who keeps the original controls when MAME(tm)ing a JAMMA cabinet ... I sure don't. In fact I will rewire a stripped cabinet JAMMA and drop in a J-Pac because I prefer it to wiring an I-Pac2.

Cheers

[sphetr2]

Thanks so much for your help. I will be ordering this weekend!

Oh, almost forgot ... you didn't have to do any wiring at all for that arcade monitor. That's nice, particularly if you are not so sure of your cable-hacking or open-frame monitor abilities.

Heh....you hit the nail on the head