Blitz Cab to MAME Questions

[thewmster]

I recently got a Blitz cabinet from Q*Bert_24/7 in great condition. (Thanks again Q*Bert). The cab has the arcade monitor but no controls. It does have a JAMMA Harness but no game pcb. I originally planned on buying the Blitz pcb, but could not find a reasonably priced set. I figured I could run the PC version of Blitz to get the same original arcade feel. Anyway, onto the questions:

For the monitor, I have read that the best route to take is to get a JPAC and ArcadeVGA. I am thinking that the monitor is the original so it requires 25KHz. I read on the ultimarc website that ArcadeVGA will output this signal, but the JPAC page says that it will change a 31KHz signal to 15KHz signal. Will the JPAC affect the signal if it is at 25KHz or can I safely run the video signal computer>ArcadeVGA>JPAC>Monitor?

Since the cabinet does not have controls, I see a couple of ways to go about adding them:
A) I could go with 8-way joysticks and buttons wired to the JAMMA harness then to the JPAC.
B) Get a couple of U360s and, using the optional wiring harness, wire the buttons to the joystick then connect the USB from joystick to computer.
C) Use U360s just as joysticks connected via USB and buttons connected to JAMMA harnessand JPAC.
D) I have some Midway 49-ways. Is there any way to use them with the JPAC or computer?


Based on my previous post, it seems like U360s are the way to go, but I am wondering if using the 49-ways would be most cost efficient and work just as well.

Any ideas would be very useful. Thanks.

[itnick]

I have some Midway 49-ways. Is there any way to use them with the JPAC or computer?

I dont think there is an easy way to get them to work but you can read up on them here http://urebelscum.speedhost.com/49waySticks.html.

As far as your Blitz cab check out my thread about mine, there may be some info that could help you out.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=92077.msg995122#msg995122

[gatordad]

Wow I don't know where to start except by saying you have found the right website, be prepared to do a ton of reading.

1st things first, you need to know the exact make and model of your monitor. if it's 25 only I know of no good solution to run mame on it. A 15 khz monitor will run 97% oif the games mame has., so find out what you have in there, some are switchable from 25 to 15khz, some are digital and switch automatically some are single resolution only.
here is a site that will help you identify what you have
http://www.therealbobroberts.net/monitor.html

49 ways can work and work well, 8 ways work well, and the u360 are great.
Plenty of opinions for all of the mentioned.

You have to decide what type of games you will be playing before anyone can answer your joystick questions.
If you are going for the broadest range of application u360's perform great.
If you like fighters and only play those 8 way sanwas's
play only the classic's 8 way leaf wico's
you see your questions are broad difficult to answer.
Baby steps, is your best approach.
remember leave the control panel for last, cause once you have that built and start playing games, it is very difficult to finish your cab.

[thewmster]

Thanks for the responses. I am going to use 8 way joysticks. Seems like the easiest way to connect to and utilize the JPAC. I will probably take pictures and put my progress on the project announcements when I get around to it.

[Q*Bert_OP]

I am thinking that the monitor is the original so it requires 25KHz.

The monitor was a Wells Gardner U5000 series. That chassis is able to support 15 or 25KHz with a simple change in jumper settings.