Main Restorations Software Audio/Jukebox/MP3 Everything Else Buy/Sell/Trade
Project Announcements Monitor/Video GroovyMAME Merit/JVL Touchscreen Meet Up Retail Vendors
Driving & Racing Woodworking Software Support Forums Consoles Project Arcade Reviews
Automated Projects Artwork Frontend Support Forums Pinball Forum Discussion Old Boards
Raspberry Pi & Dev Board controls.dat Linux Miscellaneous Arcade Wiki Discussion Old Archives
Lightguns Arcade1Up Try the site in https mode Site News

Unread posts | New Replies | Recent posts | Rules | Chatroom | Wiki | File Repository | RSS | Submit news

  

Author Topic: ArcadeVGA2 Video Review/Informational/Tutorial  (Read 10954 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Epyx

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1961
  • Last login:December 25, 2023, 07:56:36 pm
  • "You're an oddity"
ArcadeVGA2 Video Review/Informational/Tutorial
« on: July 27, 2009, 11:34:23 pm »
Here is my look at the ArcadeVGA2 video card from www.ultimarc.com.  One of the things I wanted when buying all the components for my cab was a video to see the component before assembly and then in action but other than glimpses in youtube videos on other people's cabs or still photos there wasn't much (at least that I could find).

Hopefully these videos will give researchers/future buyers the opportunity to see the card, learn a bit about it in terms of configuration and see it in action and thereby assist them in making an informed decision.

Part 1 ->
Part 2 ->
Part 3 ->
 
« Last Edit: November 26, 2009, 11:15:00 am by Epyx »
Last Project



Epyx Tutorials:
Tutorials

Kman-Sweden

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 526
  • Last login:October 23, 2015, 07:29:00 am
  • Up the Irons!
Re: ArcadeVGA2 Video Review/Informational
« Reply #1 on: July 28, 2009, 01:24:37 pm »
Again, great review.  :applaud:
What would happen if you hookup a "normal" pc monitor to that card now using the card and the software installed? Would it run 800x600 max then also?
Does the screen your using have a vga-port or do you use somekind of special VGA->RGB cable?

Epyx

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1961
  • Last login:December 25, 2023, 07:56:36 pm
  • "You're an oddity"
Re: ArcadeVGA2 Video Review/Informational
« Reply #2 on: July 28, 2009, 02:14:52 pm »
You can hook up a regular monitor to the card via the DVI port and would then get the maximum resolution the card is capable of 2048 x 1536 but of course you are limited to your monitors resolution 1680x1050, 1920x1080 etc

The monitor I am using WG D9800 http://www.xgaming.com/htm/wells-gardner-mame-arcade-cabinet-machine-monitor.shtml

has an RGB VGA connector so I just use a standard VGA cable to connect between it and the ArcadeVGA2 card.
Last Project



Epyx Tutorials:
Tutorials

javeryh

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 7901
  • Last login:Yesterday at 10:28:40 am
Re: ArcadeVGA2 Video Review/Informational
« Reply #3 on: August 04, 2009, 05:30:26 pm »
This is EXACTLY what I needed.  Great review and thanks for putting this up for everyone!   :cheers:

axewater

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 23
  • Last login:February 07, 2013, 04:09:58 pm
Re: ArcadeVGA2 Video Review/Informational
« Reply #4 on: October 14, 2009, 09:38:44 am »
have you tried running Hyperspin frontend on it ?

Epyx

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1961
  • Last login:December 25, 2023, 07:56:36 pm
  • "You're an oddity"
Re: ArcadeVGA2 Video Review/Informational
« Reply #5 on: October 14, 2009, 05:16:27 pm »
Quote
have you tried running Hyperspin frontend on it ?

No, but I did have Maximus Arcade running and Mala. You shouldn't have any issues though...its still at its core an ATI card.  Hyperspin should be fine, its Hyperpin that would have issues if used with an arcade monitor as you typically want higher resolutions with Hyperpin, unlike Hyperspin.
Last Project



Epyx Tutorials:
Tutorials

Ummon

  • Trade Count: (+13)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5244
  • Last login:June 09, 2010, 06:37:18 pm
Re: ArcadeVGA2 Video Review/Informational
« Reply #6 on: October 15, 2009, 08:50:02 pm »
Hadn't seen that card close-up. Short board on it. Only 64-bit, too.
Yo. Chocolate.


"Theoretical physics has been the most successful and cost-effective in all of science."

Stephen Hawking


People often confuse expressed observations with complaint, ridicule, or - even worse - self-pity.

Epyx

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1961
  • Last login:December 25, 2023, 07:56:36 pm
  • "You're an oddity"
Re: ArcadeVGA2 Video Review/Informational
« Reply #7 on: October 16, 2009, 12:02:38 pm »
Quote
Hadn't seen that card close-up. Short board on it. Only 64-bit, too.

Ya it is. No issues up to about 2005 but beyond that for 3d anyways, the card is pretty crippled.  Best I have managed ST: IV for example with most gfx options turned off is about 28fps...hardly in the playable territory :(

But for what it was designed for, the classics etc its a great card.
Last Project



Epyx Tutorials:
Tutorials

Mickelonis

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 40
  • Last login:November 24, 2017, 06:23:25 pm
Re: ArcadeVGA2 Video Review/Informational
« Reply #8 on: November 19, 2009, 11:05:00 pm »
Sorry to bump an old post, but WOW, this is great!

Thanks for putting this up, it helps clear a lot up for me.

Pretty nice monitor isn't it? I own the same one =)

-Pete

Epyx

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1961
  • Last login:December 25, 2023, 07:56:36 pm
  • "You're an oddity"
Re: ArcadeVGA2 Video Review/Informational
« Reply #9 on: November 19, 2009, 11:11:49 pm »
Glad it helped, just let me know if you have additional questions. Also, use that utility I mentioned in your other thread, Trisync on the Ultimarc site...it will make your WGD9800 really shine in 640x480/800x600 for higher res Mame games and of course Maximus arcade.
Last Project



Epyx Tutorials:
Tutorials

dekar24k

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 378
  • Last login:April 28, 2019, 03:50:11 pm
    • ArcadeForum.com
Re: ArcadeVGA2 Video Review/Informational
« Reply #10 on: November 26, 2009, 04:39:34 am »
Great review! Really answered a lot of my questions regarding the ArcadeVGA2 and the D9800. Also I'm excited to learn about ArcadeVGARes as I've never heard of that util before. I was worried about gettinge very game to run it's native res, but with ArcadeVGARes this looked like an easy task.

Thanks again! :)  :applaud:
Finished project: "The Saloon Arcade" - 2 player upright cabinet

Joystick.net - Retro gaming news and reviews

dekar24k

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 378
  • Last login:April 28, 2019, 03:50:11 pm
    • ArcadeForum.com
Re: ArcadeVGA2 Video Review/Informational/Tutorial
« Reply #11 on: December 12, 2009, 04:32:41 pm »
BTW, I ordered an ArcadeVGA2 + a WG D9800 a couple of days ago. This review/tutorial made me make up my mind. Thanks again!
Finished project: "The Saloon Arcade" - 2 player upright cabinet

Joystick.net - Retro gaming news and reviews

Epyx

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1961
  • Last login:December 25, 2023, 07:56:36 pm
  • "You're an oddity"
Re: ArcadeVGA2 Video Review/Informational/Tutorial
« Reply #12 on: December 14, 2009, 05:26:04 pm »
Quote
BTW, I ordered an ArcadeVGA2 + a WG D9800 a couple of days ago. This review/tutorial made me make up my mind. Thanks again!

Good stuff!  :cheers:

Msg me if you have any questions during configuration and don't forget to install tri-sync for a smoother non flickery high resolution display.
Last Project



Epyx Tutorials:
Tutorials

dekar24k

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 378
  • Last login:April 28, 2019, 03:50:11 pm
    • ArcadeForum.com
Re: ArcadeVGA2 Video Review/Informational/Tutorial
« Reply #13 on: December 15, 2009, 01:48:10 am »
Quote
BTW, I ordered an ArcadeVGA2 + a WG D9800 a couple of days ago. This review/tutorial made me make up my mind. Thanks again!

Good stuff!  :cheers:

Msg me if you have any questions during configuration and don't forget to install tri-sync for a smoother non flickery high resolution display.

Thanks a lot. I really appreciate it!
Finished project: "The Saloon Arcade" - 2 player upright cabinet

Joystick.net - Retro gaming news and reviews

dekar24k

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 378
  • Last login:April 28, 2019, 03:50:11 pm
    • ArcadeForum.com
Re: ArcadeVGA2 Video Review/Informational/Tutorial
« Reply #14 on: January 11, 2010, 03:35:51 pm »
I have one question regarding the WG D9800 and MAME:

I have used AVRes with great success so far and most horizontal games look really great, filling up the entire screen in their original resolutions. Except for a chosen few... One example is Final Fight, which is centered on the screen but it only covers approximately 50% of the screen. Do I have to set resolutions manually for this game (and every other horizontal game not filling up the screen) or is it a quicker way to fix it?

Thanks! :)
Finished project: "The Saloon Arcade" - 2 player upright cabinet

Joystick.net - Retro gaming news and reviews

Kman-Sweden

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 526
  • Last login:October 23, 2015, 07:29:00 am
  • Up the Irons!
Re: ArcadeVGA2 Video Review/Informational/Tutorial
« Reply #15 on: January 12, 2010, 07:13:14 am »
Some games have screen options like cocktal etc.
Check the in game menu (tab)... or was it in the service menu?.. (F2)
Good luck.
 

dekar24k

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 378
  • Last login:April 28, 2019, 03:50:11 pm
    • ArcadeForum.com
Re: ArcadeVGA2 Video Review/Informational/Tutorial
« Reply #16 on: January 12, 2010, 12:23:55 pm »
Some games have screen options like cocktal etc.
Check the in game menu (tab)... or was it in the service menu?.. (F2)
Good luck.
 

Hmm.. Thanks, I will check it out now!

Edit: The settings were ok (not in cocktail mode, no bezel/artwork, correct aspect ratio etc.). I'm pretty sure that it's the resolution that is messed up. The .ini file says 512x288 but it doesn't look like it to me (compared to when I set my windows desktop to 512x288).
« Last Edit: January 12, 2010, 12:40:18 pm by dekar24k »
Finished project: "The Saloon Arcade" - 2 player upright cabinet

Joystick.net - Retro gaming news and reviews