Has anyone here made a Dreamcast arcade?

[LoyalistRevolt]

I would like you help figuring out the sound set up among other thing.....

[HaRuMaN]

What seems to be the problem?  I set one up before using a hacked VGA cable to Arcade monitor, and a set of amplified computer speakers for the sound.

[LoyalistRevolt]

Well it is more like I don't know what to do now......I 'm about to hack the controler which I already know how to do and I want to make it so that you put the memory card in the top also do I need to use an arcade monitor or will a regular tv screen work?

[Grasshopper]

... also do I need to use an arcade monitor or will a regular tv screen work?

The Dreamcast produces a superb picture when connected to a VGA monitor, and second hand CRT ones are dirt cheap (or free) these days. So I'd definitely use a monitor in preference to a TV. It's got to be VGA though. A 15khz arcade monitor would be wasting the Dreamcast's capabilities IMHO.

[HaRuMaN]

By all means, if you have a VGA monitor, use it...

The dreamcast DOES look really good on my 25" WG, though (Wei Ya chassis)

[LoyalistRevolt]

Where can I get a VGA set?

[HaRuMaN]

Where can I get a VGA set?

On eBay.  Here's an example:  I have this model

[LoyalistRevolt]

Damn only 2 hours left!
Wait do I need a whole computer for this like with drive and mem and everything?
I wish I could get this...an chance of help on the top loading mem?

[Frosty]

If you happen to have a standard-resolution (GCA) monitor, you can cut the pins out of a Dreamcast VGA cable for 15kHz output.   Check out the post here.

HarumaN didn't mention it in his post, but he does a kick-ass job hacking Dremcast pads...

[northerngames]

... also do I need to use an arcade monitor or will a regular tv screen work?

A 15khz arcade monitor would be wasting the Dreamcast's capabilities IMHO.

no actually it displays best and 100% native on a 15K arcade monitor where it cannot go native on a vga 

why?

it is based off the sega naomi arcade set that is why most games are the same becuase they actually are the same games running off the same systems 

[northerngames]

I use the more expensive adapter from arcadecabinets.UK with a built in amp

I also have used the modded vga box and it gives the same result but not as bright becuase there is no amp built into but it still could be tuned in pretty much the same by the pots on the monitor chassis .

[HaRuMaN]

If you happen to have a standard-resolution (GCA) monitor, you can cut the pins out of a Dreamcast VGA cable for 15kHz output.   Check out the post here.

HarumaN didn't mention it in his post, but he does a kick-ass job hacking Dremcast pads...

Thanks!   

[genesim]

The coolest thing is if you get the DC-X (a boot disc for playing imports) it actually forces games that aren't meant for VGA to output that way!

For instance, NBA Showtime doesn't work straight away....yet with the mod disc it boots great into high resolution!

For my money, Campcom VS SNK 2 is the BEST on Sega Dreamcast, and until one gets a faster computer, it is a nice cheap way to play NFL Blitz and tons of arcade 3D games in full speed!

[HaRuMaN]

And Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is good... if you make your own custom mix and get rid of the original annoying music.   

[northerngames]

what is this thing with certain dreamcast games not working in vga?

the reason I ask is they all work with a modded vga box on a arcade monitor and I cannot seem to find a game that does not work yet 

is it the actual 31K signal only that makes them incompatible?

[MazzMn]

See this thread in Project Announcements, should help

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=77871.0

[LoyalistRevolt]

Thanks guy but I have a huge problem right now...I have been trying to move my VMU so it could top load but when I tried to desolder it I ended up riping it off how could I make my Dreamcast top load? Also what games don't work with the VGA connector one more thing does anyone know where the hotspots and grounds are for this pad?

[northerngames]

look at the trace's look for one that connects to all the buttons and that is your ground side and the side's that have their own single trace are the actuall button signals or +'s.

[solderguy1]

I'm hoping to make a DC cab later this year.  Want to start with a working cab that has two 8-way joys and 12 buttons.  Then install a DC behind the coindoor and have a secret mode that activates when the DC is turned on.  The DC 5v line will throw relays on all the controllers and AV signals to connect itself up.

Superauctions is coming to San Jose in June, so hopefully I can score a cab.  Sure don't want to build one from scratch again, my final cost on my Mame cab was way too high.

[Minwah]

no actually it displays best and 100% native on a 15K arcade monitor where it cannot go native on a vga 

I have to agree. I know a lot of people like the VGA output but it looks even better at 15khz IMO.

[Frosty]

True.  The vast majority of the great fighting games on the Dreamcast were made for 15kHz, and actually tend to not look as good at 640x480....

[northerngames]

shemnue looks unbelieveable on a 15K 26" nanao 

better then shemnue 2 on xbox with a tv.

[lanman31337]

Thought about nulldc by chance?  That's what i'm using in my cab.

[LoyalistRevolt]

Need more help I have been reading this site and I can't see the point in this interface thing could someone explain....http://home.comcast.net/~jdpyle1/controls_dreamcast.htm


also I still need to find the ground in that pad I showed you.

[HaRuMaN]

Need more help I have been reading this site and I can't see the point in this interface thing could someone explain....http://home.comcast.net/~jdpyle1/controls_dreamcast.htm


also I still need to find the ground in that pad I showed you.

Look in top right side... the large, shiny green area... that's the ground.  Notice how it connects to all six of the buttons in that area?

[northerngames]

here's mine but everything is in one box.

4 vmu's 2 in each controller pcb is more then enough storage.

both are in 1 box and on 1 DB25 that other set-up in the link would have a switchbox mess if your doing more console down the road and the vmu port they did is not really needed either.





I also added 4PDT toggle switch's to the joysticks and wired them in after the picture's but that would enable using the joystick to go digital or switch to analog signal but still functions like digital but at lease all games are playable this way now.

there was no way this would fit in my control panel so I found alot of space that is never used and mounted it behind the speakers up top that are behind the marquee there is alot of space up there that is a perfect home for these box's.

I just velcro'ed it up there so it can be installed and removed with no tools.

[LoyalistRevolt]

Need more help I have been reading this site and I can't see the point in this interface thing could someone explain....http://home.comcast.net/~jdpyle1/controls_dreamcast.htm


also I still need to find the ground in that pad I showed you.

Look in top right side... the large, shiny green area... that's the ground.  Notice how it connects to all six of the buttons in that area?

wait is it under th z? could you point it out in paint?

[HaRuMaN]

Here:

[LoyalistRevolt]

So all I have to do is stick a wire there?

[HaRuMaN]

So all I have to do is stick a wire there?

Yes, after scraping away the green laquer... or find a gold colored hole in that area and solder a wire into it. 

[LoyalistRevolt]

  if it works also I want to add you as a friend on Xbox live

[LoyalistRevolt]

Didn't work what could I have done wrong

[HaRuMaN]

Pics?

I still offer Dreamcast Controller hacks...   

[northerngames]

I never used any pcb layers for ground try using it on a real ground trace on one of the button grounds and put the ground wire on it.

some pcb's are layered and that method you may only be hitting a blank bare sheet of metal that connects to nothing.

[superart]

edit

[superart]

edit

[northerngames]

there are grounds all over both sides of the pcb you can use a pin from the cord that comes into the controller you can also use any of the ground pins from the vmu pins

there is a ground on each and every button look for a line that runs to multiple buttons and that is a ground the lines that only run to each button by themselves are your signal line or (+) etc.