Two questions on the ActLabs guns

[HeadRusch]

Currently using a 20" TV for my screen, and its working ok.
I was, however, going to swtich to COMPONENT IN...so I could cut the "red push" I get on this TV to tone down the red without washing out the other colors......I noticed Act Labs site siad their upcoming TV guns wont work without either SVideo or Composite...so...no component input I guess?


Second Question: They claim dual light gun support for games that support them.  Tell me, does this functionaly actually work mame-side?  Or is it only for retail games like house of the dead and such.
Is this one of those MAME .7X type of things that we can look forward to but isn't there yet??  If the lightgun support is really there, i'd definately pick up a pair.


Ok..and a silly third question:  I know alot of games didn't use actual light-guns, they used what were basically fancy analog joysticks with Pots inside of em (I think Operation Wolf, and the terminator games fall into this category)...do they work well with the Act Labs guns?

Tanks All.

[anthony691]

Currently using a 20" TV for my screen, and its working ok.
I was, however, going to swtich to COMPONENT IN...so I could cut the "red push" I get on this TV to tone down the red without washing out the other colors......I noticed Act Labs site siad their upcoming TV guns wont work without either SVideo or Composite...so...no component input I guess?


Second Question: They claim dual light gun support for games that support them.  Tell me, does this functionaly actually work mame-side?  Or is it only for retail games like house of the dead and such.
Is this one of those MAME .7X type of things that we can look forward to but isn't there yet??  If the lightgun support is really there, i'd definately pick up a pair.


Ok..and a silly third question:  I know alot of games didn't use actual light-guns, they used what were basically fancy analog joysticks with Pots inside of em (I think Operation Wolf, and the terminator games fall into this category)...do they work well with the Act Labs guns?

Tanks All.

Well, I don't think 2 player would be too much fun... (maybe U_rebelScum can explain in more detail)

And some games (like T2) don't play too well with the PC AL Lightgun; because it didn't have auto-fire like the new gun does. As to how well this auto-fire works I cannot yet say.

The gun has it's quarks (boy does it ever), but it is REALLY worthwhile and an entertaining diversion from the Joystick

[OSCAR]

The gun has it's quarks (boy does it ever), but it is REALLY worthwhile and an entertaining diversion from the Joystick

I will agree that it is an entertaining diversion from joystick games.  However, not to put down the act-labs USB gun since it is really the only feasible MAME lightgun option, but I find it more of a novelty than a real "control".  I have enjoyed a few rounds of Area51 with it, but I have also found it to be just annoying enough (shooting exactly at the edge of the screen to reload, and so forth) that I can't play more than a couple games with it before switching to a non-lightgun game.

I guess what I'm saying is that I wouldn't compromise the design of your project/cabinet unless the TV version has implemented some enhancements over the PC monitor one in terms of accuracy in MAME games & cabinet implementation (the short cable).

[anthony691]

The gun has it's quarks (boy does it ever), but it is REALLY worthwhile and an entertaining diversion from the Joystick

I will agree that it is an entertaining diversion from joystick games.  However, not to put down the act-labs USB gun since it is really the only feasible MAME lightgun option, but I find it more of a novelty than a real "control".  I have enjoyed a few rounds of Area51 with it, but I have also found it to be just annoying enough (shooting exactly at the edge of the screen to reload, and so forth) that I can't play more than a couple games with it before switching to a non-lightgun game.

I guess what I'm saying is that I wouldn't comprise the design of your project/cabinet unless the TV version has implemented some enhancements over the PC monitor one in terms of accuracy in MAME games & cabinet implementation (the short cable).

I completely agree! I couldn't have said it better myself! Hey OSCAR, I think it would be interesting if OSCAR Controls amde a lightgun... that would be way cool... I know it isn't what OSCAR makes... but they could...

I know it would be insane work and not in your area of expertise (it think) It would be nice to have a PC lightgun from the Arcade point of view...

[OSCAR]

I completely agree! I couldn't have said it better myself! Hey OSCAR, I think it would be interesting if OSCAR Controls amde a lightgun... that would be way cool... I know it isn't what OSCAR makes... but they could...

I know it would be insane work and not in your area of expertise (it think) It would be nice to have a PC lightgun from the Arcade point of view...

Heh, I appreciate your confidence in my ability, but this would be getting a bit out of the scope of my knowledge & expertise.  I would defer this one to gurus such as Andy or RandyT since their talents far exceed my own in these types of areas.  I'm more of a "metal" guy; if I can't cut, bend, or weld it, then don't hold your breath.  

[shmokes]

The TV version has a 10' cable.

[Chris]

I have enjoyed a few rounds of Area51 with it, but I have also found it to be just annoying enough (shooting exactly at the edge of the screen to reload, and so forth) that I can't play more than a couple games with it before switching to a non-lightgun game.

There's a patch for this which works perfectly; firing off-screen reloads correctly.  URebelScum has integrated this patch into MAME Analog+; I just compiled the patch into standard MAME.  I also made an external connector for the gun, effectively extending the cable another foot and a half or so, so I can stand back as far as I would in the arcade, and the gun is still pretty accurate from that distance...

--Chris

[Luxury]

heres another stupid question.  how feasible would it be to use a gun as your mouse?  I dont have a trackball in my panel, and i for sure dont want an ugly mouse sitting on top of it either.  so would it work for selecting games, navigating menus, etc?  - not that i would, im just curious.  or would i need to calibrate it every time it starts up (and you probably need a mouse to calibrate).  

[Chris]

You do not need a mouse to calibrate.  If your a really good shot, yes you can mouse with it, although you can't "drag-and-drop" and you can only "right click" after first "left clicking".

--Chris