Ultimarc Update

[AndyWarne]

Hi All,

Just some snippets which have not warranted individual announcements:

Our range of console adaptors now includes the Wii. This will be on the website next week.

New item added to our range: A Cold-Cathode (CCFL) Marquee Light.

Updated item: The Ultrastik 360 now has an optional octagonal restrictor and the restrictor kit has been improved with easier-to-fit mounting pillars.

UltraLux buttons now have optional logo inserts for Start1,2,3,4 and coin.

ArcadeVGA card 32 and 64 bit Vista drivers now available.

New Third-Party Software: Now a GUI programming utility for Linux available.
Support for Pac-Drive board in Game-Ex and the LEDBlinky plug-in for Mala. Thanks to HeadKaze and Arzoo.

More new-product announcements coming soon!

Andy

[TheDriver]

Thanks for the update andy. I can confirm to everyone the Marquee light works great and the Ultralux insert's look really good also. Soon to be seen on my next project.

Regards.

[ark_ader]

Andy,

How about changing your shipping options to include Royal Mail too?

[squirrellydw]

Between you and Randy you guys keep coming up with great products.  I could only imagine what you guys could do if you teamed up.

[ArtsNFartsNCrafts]

Good stuff!  I made my first order from ultimarc the day before yesterday, and in doing so, have OFFICIALLY thrust myself into the world of arcade emulation.  Tally ho!

[AndyWarne]

Andy,

How about changing your shipping options to include Royal Mail too?

For UK orders we can arrange this option. If you drop me an email we can set this up.
andy@ultimarc.com

[edge]

Great stuff, Andy.  Working on a new cab with 4 of your bad-boy UltraStiks.  

[squirrellydw]

hey Andy, how about a tease of some new products?

[genesim]

Do you have an update for Ipac programming drivers that are more Vista friendly??

In other words, so you don't have to go into administration mode to change them.   Thx

[AndyWarne]

Do you have an update for Ipac programming drivers that are more Vista friendly??

In other words, so you don't have to go into administration mode to change them.   Thx

This is on the "to do" list. Vista does not like data files being saved into the "program files" folder. I will get this changed. The first time the program is run though, it will definitely need to be run as admin. No way around that at all as its installing a driver.
Andy

[headkaze]

Do you have an update for Ipac programming drivers that are more Vista friendly??

In other words, so you don't have to go into administration mode to change them.   Thx

Can't you perminately set a program to "Run as administrator" so you don't have to actually log in as administrator?

[genesim]

It isn't just the first time as I remember...but everytime.

But yeah, who cares.   It works in Vista and that is what ultimately matters.

As a side note, I had the best luck with Ultimarc and Xarcade through USB using a PCI Express card.   I don't know why, but it just seems to work faster.   

Xarcade seems to be more picky though.   Sorry to hijack, but I used to get USB not recognized on rare occasions for both encoders.   I haven't had it sense though.

[genesim]

Oh Andy on another matter...your website says that you have special Mortal Kombat mode of 300x256 at 53hz....don't you mean 400x256 instead? 

[headkaze]

It isn't just the first time as I remember...but everytime.

If you go into the advanced properties of the shortcut to a program you can make it perminatly run as administrator. Only need to do it once

[genesim]

Thank you for that info!   I think I had already done that though and foolishly went from memory.   I think the admin properties is a good thing for security though.

So my bad.

[AndyWarne]

Oh Andy on another matter...your website says that you have special Mortal Kombat mode of 300x256 at 53hz....don't you mean 400x256 instead? 

Yes, its actually correct in the table of all modes. I'll correct that on the next update.
Andy

[AndyWarne]

As a side note, I had the best luck with Ultimarc and Xarcade through USB using a PCI Express card.   I don't know why, but it just seems to work faster.   

Xarcade seems to be more picky though.   Sorry to hijack, but I used to get USB not recognized on rare occasions for both encoders.   I haven't had it sense though.

That seems to indicate you might have a problem with the on-board USB controller or its drivers.

[ArtsNFartsNCrafts]

WOW.  That was fast!  My ultimarc goodies got here today!  I only ordered them a couple of days ago!

I've already got 'em "ghetto mounted" on cardboard, ready to test out.  Can't wait!

[genesim]

That seems to indicate you might have a problem with the on-board USB controller or its drivers.

That is no doubt the case, but using PCI express USB can never be a "bad" thing IMHO.

[BobA]

Andy

Could you please comment on the minipac wiring thread we have going again.
Link

Also could you please clarify if there are 2 versions of the minipac or if there is only one version and the cable makes the difference?   

Thanks

[ARTIFACT]

I looooooooooooooooooooooooove my U360s

standard... no restrictor, regular spring
Awesome

[camsauce]

Andy, those chrome bezeled Ultralux buttons are damn sexy!  However, I really can't see myself playing with convex buttons.  Any idea if a regular happ pushbutton can fit inside the bezel?  Would you consider sending one button out as a sample/review?   

P.S. Where's the photos of those babies lit up ?

[AndyWarne]

The Ultralux button tops are pretty much flat in appearance from the top as the convex curve is so slight.
The Classic concave button centers don't fit though as there is an internal shoulder on the Ultralux surrounds.
I have tried to get photos of them lit, but the pictures just don't show how great they look. Someone else posted some pictures here a while ago and those were equally bad, the pictures indicate a kind of flaring and unevenness of the light which is not there in reality. I will consult a professional photographer I know.
Andy

[Level42]

Between you and Randy you guys keep coming up with great products.  I could only imagine what you guys could do if you teamed up.

Are you nuts ?  It's the healthy competition that keeps them on their toe's 

[Dazz]

I :heart: Ultimarc!   I purchased my IPAC4 and Opti-Pac from them.  Excellent service. 

On a side note....  I think my IPAC4 is giving me problems as my player 3 button 4 will not accept any programming now.  I'm praying that it is my USB ports on my mother board giving me problems and not my beloved IPAC.   

I've emailed Andy before about this for suggestions, but have not had time (or money) to replace my mother board and try his suggestions.  It's my fault that I've waited for so long and my warranty probably expired.  But excellent support and I highly recommend ULTIMARC to any of my friends inquiring about building a cabinet.

[camsauce]

The Ultralux button tops are pretty much flat in appearance from the top as the convex curve is so slight.
The Classic concave button centers don't fit though as there is an internal shoulder on the Ultralux surrounds.
I have tried to get photos of them lit, but the pictures just don't show how great they look. Someone else posted some pictures here a while ago and those were equally bad, the pictures indicate a kind of flaring and unevenness of the light which is not there in reality. I will consult a professional photographer I know.
Andy

I just placed an order for the buttons, some LEDs and the driver board.  I'll get some pics once everything is setup.

[protokatie]

Well since someone dug this thread up, I was pondering:

 Will there ever be a Minipac4? Or maybe a second minipac with the player 3 and player 4 controls set up in Prom? (I know I could program a second minipac with p3/p4 controls, but it would be neat to have to not do that, and just have a plug n play p3/p4 minipac that one could daisy chain off of the first one)

Wonder if there would be enough demand for the p3/p4 minipac to even make it worthwhile...

[Retro_SA]

Andy, how about stocking a wider variaty of coin doors?  I'm still trying to find a specific one (http://www.happcontrols.com/images/40/40005500.jpg), so far only Happ stocks it and they don't ship to South Africa. 

[polaris]

Andy, how about stocking a wider variaty of coin doors?  I'm still trying to find a specific one (http://www.happcontrols.com/images/40/40005500.jpg), so far only Happ stocks it and they don't ship to South Africa. 

im fairly sure ponyboy or divemaster can get any happ part for you as long as you have the part number. look in their threads in BST

[DeLuSioNal29]

If that doesn't work out, I'm sure that someone here on the board would be willing to receive the order for you and then ship it out to South Africa.

[Retro_SA]

Andy, how about stocking a wider variaty of coin doors?  I'm still trying to find a specific one (http://www.happcontrols.com/images/40/40005500.jpg), so far only Happ stocks it and they don't ship to South Africa. 

im fairly sure ponyboy or divemaster can get any happ part for you as long as you have the part number. look in their threads in BST

The shipping from Divemaster is almost more than the coin door.  I paid A LOT less for shipping for my joysticks and stuff from Ultimarc.  I'll find out from Ponyboy.  Thanks.

[camsauce]

Andy,

Any plans to make some chrome plated joystick handles to go with the Ultralux buttons?  Alternatively, do you know of any replacement aluminum or chrome handles that will fit your Magstik Plus joysticks?