X-Arcade PCB kit, What do you think?

[The_Roker]

http://xgaming.net/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=XOS&Product_Code=XPCB&Category_Code=

I was thinking of purchasing this PCB kit and building my own MAME machine from an old SF2 arcade cab.

All I would have to do is drill another hole on the bottom left for the Neo 4 button layout.

Are these reliable?  Do you recommend another kit?

at 59.99, it doesn't seem like that bad of a deal.

[zaphod]

It depends on your intended use.  If you plan to just hook up a PC to your cab and run MAME and/or other PC games, there are, in my opinion, better options.  What many people use, myself included, is Ultimarc's I-Pac2 ($39)  www.ultimarc.com.   It doesn't come with the token amount of wiring that the X-arcade does but is a much better product.  It is extremely simple to hook up and the customer service is fantastic.

However, if you plan to run a PS2 or  X-box through this cab, and need the adapters the X-arcade sells, then the X-arcade PCB becomes a more attractive option.  If that's not what you plan to do, stick with the I-Pac.  You won't go wrong with it.

Just my .02

[mahuti]

Why is the ipac a much better product? I have one and I like it, but from the specs it seems it is just diffferent. Not having a shift key sucks, but other than that, is there some sort of quality lacking in the x-arcade encoder?

[zaphod]

Why is the ipac a much better product? I have one and I like it, but from the specs it seems it is just diffferent. Not having a shift key sucks, but other than that, is there some sort of quality lacking in the x-arcade encoder?

A lot is personal preference.  However, I have an X-arcade and used it extensively for 5 months.  I have built my own controller which uses the I-pac and have used it for the last 6 weeks or so.  I can tell a big difference in response using the I-pac.  Robotron for example, which I play a lot of, handles a lot better now.  It fires quicker and moves about faster.  It just handles better now, from the control viewpoint.  The shift function is also very nice, as you pointed out.  There is a big price difference, too, in the favor of the I-Pac.

By no means did I mean to say the X-arcade is a bad product.  On the contrary, I have been very pleased with it.  But there is a noticable difference in quality (meaning responsiveness) if you have the ability to compare them.  Specs don't always tell the whole story.  

[mahuti]

That's cool. I haven't used the x-Arcade, but I was thinking of hooking up a few of my consoles.

Too bad they don't have an NES adapter.

[rampy]

Why is the ipac a much better product? I have one and I like it, but from the specs it seems it is just diffferent. Not having a shift key sucks, but other than that, is there some sort of quality lacking in the x-arcade encoder?

Someone mentioned performance which is valid point, also you can't use p360's with an x-arcade pcb unless you came up with some fancy circuit...

But Zaphod hit it on the head.  If you aren't going to interface other consoles to your project (besides/in addition to a PC) the ipac is a cheaper/better solution.

The Original Poster stated they were using a SFII cab.. is it intact, JAMMA wiring, arc monitor and all?  Then a JPAC (also from ultimarc) might be a good way to go and save you some wiring, assuming you wanted to run on the original arcade monitor that may or may not be there =P  (why you're at it throw the arcadeVGA card in your cart if that's the case)

*shrug*

Rampy

[The_Roker]

The Original Poster stated they were using a SFII cab.. is it intact, JAMMA wiring, arc monitor and all?  Then a JPAC (also from ultimarc) might be a good way to go and save you some wiring, assuming you wanted to run on the original arcade monitor that may or may not be there =P  (why you're at it throw the arcadeVGA card in your cart if that's the case)

I haven't purchased it yet, but I found one for a pretty good deal.  I have no idea what a Jpac is, but I will I be able to add another button?  Is it easy to wire the coin dispenser?

I'm going to look into the Ipac.

btw, I have had no problem with X-Arcade, I'm not sure if I'm going to run any other consoles especially if I decide to keep the original arcade monitor.

[rampy]

The Original Poster stated they were using a SFII cab.. is it intact, JAMMA wiring, arc monitor and all?  Then a JPAC (also from ultimarc) might be a good way to go and save you some wiring, assuming you wanted to run on the original arcade monitor that may or may not be there =P  (why you're at it throw the arcadeVGA card in your cart if that's the case)

I haven't purchased it yet, but I found one for a pretty good deal.  I have no idea what a Jpac is, but I will I be able to add another button?  Is it easy to wire the coin dispenser?

I'm going to look into the Ipac.

btw, I have had no problem with X-Arcade, I'm not sure if I'm going to run any other consoles especially if I decide to keep the original arcade monitor.

ipac linkage
jpac linkage

A J-pac slides into the jamma harness ( the harness where SFII pcb used to plug into and breakout into 90% of the connections, from most of the controls, to audio, to video, to power sourcing...)  The j-pac has keyboard encoder functionality like an ipac, but has bonus arcade monitor max sync protection, video amplification, AND slides right into that JAMMA connector.  Less muss, less fuss (if you are going the arcade monitor jamma conversion route, that is)...   all of those goodies are at/from http://www.ultimarc.com  The other "bonus" to going the jpac route is your are less likely to make radical changes to the cabinets setup, i.e. preserve the ability to throw the SFII (or other similiar jamma boards) back into the cabinet... although why you'd do that after MAME'ing it is beyond me... but hey you never know.

*shrug* YMMV but thought it was worth mentioning, depending on the approach you plan on taking for your cabinet, and the completeness of the cab you are acquiring...

good luck!

Rampy

PS regardless of if you go ipac/jpac, if you keep the arcade monitor people highly recommend (and later this week, I'll be able to highly recommend it too, I believe) the ArcadeVGA card from ultimarc.  ( working JAMMA cab + ArcadeVGA + Jpac == least muss and fuss for a "quick" MAME cabinet )

[Bloker]

/\/\/\/\ I'd really like to know how the ArcadeVGA card from ultimarc is.  You have to post impressions.

So far I'm leaning towards the Jpac.  I'm going to use the existing harness and add a button or two.

Thans for the info, it's been helpful.

BTW, My old name "The_Roker" won't stay logged in.  It's really ticking me off, so I have to use this account for the time being.

[rampy]

/\/\/\/\ I'd really like to know how the ArcadeVGA card from ultimarc is.  You have to post impressions.

So far I'm leaning towards the Jpac.  I'm going to use the existing harness and add a button or two.

Thans for the info, it's been helpful.

BTW, My old name "The_Roker" won't stay logged in.  It's really ticking me off, so I have to use this account for the time being.

If you are using an Arcade standard res monitor (which if you get an intact SFII that's what you'll have) the ArcadeVGA card is the easiest AND best way to interface your PC's video to an arcade monitor.

If you browse the monitor/video forum here you'll see posts detailing different peoples success/happyness with the product.  After this weekend, I'm sure I'll be singing the praises too (I hope I'm not jinxing myself/project/weekend)...  it's the right tool for the job.  But you don't have to take my word for it, open a book... er... read the monitors/video forum here.

Have you seen oscar's pics/blurb on his site?  ArcadeVGA screen shots...   Here's pyronius impressions and gorgeous screen shots  his site also has this write up/overview

Also minwah has pics of arcade VGA with european SCART TV (rgb)

jerryjanis pics of his arcadevga

*shrug*

rampy

[jakejake28]

BTW, My old name "The_Roker" won't stay logged in.  It's really ticking me off, so I have to use this account for the time being.

check the board discussion forum. there's a sticky about that. or, change your cookies

[aust_txv]

Hi All,

I purcahsed an X-arcade for the sole reason of tearing it apart and using the PCB to interface PC/DC/PS/2   controls into the same control panel.  I also have an IPAC -
which is sweet.  The X-arcade PCB does its job well.
( I used everything minus the case )

Problem - the wires are way to short and you will have to extend them in a full size cab. Easy.

A helpful hint - set your buttons up for the PS/2 / DC beause not all of those games let  you pick which buttons do what, where MAME is totally configuable in terms of buttons.  For example if you use the eight button config
2 rows of 4 buttons then

b5 = L2 b6 = square b7 = triangleb8 = R2
b1 = L1 b2= X             b3 = O          --BINGO! Either that, or I was attempting to say "before" but it was too many letters to type-- = R1

Yes you will have to set your buttons up in MAME but that is simple.  Hope this helps.  Also I like the standard happ horizontal buttons, not the Xarcade buttons.  

Have fun,

TV