Author Topic: Arcade Monitor Test Pattern Generator (Read 14325 times)

CraftyMech · « **on:** January 25, 2014, 01:40:14 am »

I started a thread for this project over on KLOV right before Christmas, and now that the project is nearing completion I wanted to share with the BYOAC crowd as well.

I'm developing a Standard/Medium Res arcade monitor test pattern generator that will be compact and battery powered. The current set of test screens are: Checkerboard, 8 color bars, Color Gradient, 3 color bars, Black & White gradient, Solid R,G, and B, and a Crosshatch pattern. The attached photo is a thumbnail grid of the test patterns.

There is also a fast running animation for burn testing:

A .156 header provides the output with the pinout of: R,G,B,Gnd,+V,+H,GND,-V,-H

I also plan to output -Composite Sync, but am not 100% yet on where in the header that would go (currently at the end after -H, if anyone has a monitor that takes composite sync, would love to know how the chassis header laid out).

Looking at a release next month, with a price of ~ $40.

emphatic · « **Reply #1 on:** January 25, 2014, 07:11:15 am »

Cool. You should consider doing a JAMMA version too.

CraftyMech · « **Reply #2 on:** January 26, 2014, 04:34:40 pm »

I'm one step ahead of you! I have a Jamma version planned for release next.

Might also include a Super Breakout clone on that board as well, since the full Jamma controls would be available.

matsadona · « **Reply #3 on:** January 27, 2014, 05:00:28 am »

Sweet, I could get some good use of something like that.

yotsuya · « **Reply #4 on:** January 27, 2014, 11:58:45 am »

I'd probably be down for a JAMMA one! Love seeing the innovation!

HaRuMaN · « **Reply #5 on:** January 27, 2014, 01:37:49 pm »

Nice!

chopperthedog · « **Reply #6 on:** January 28, 2014, 12:04:28 pm »

Waiting to order....

good day.

opt2not · « **Reply #7 on:** January 28, 2014, 12:49:14 pm »

I fully endorse this message.

CraftyMech · « **Reply #8 on:** January 28, 2014, 03:16:27 pm »

Went over to a friend's 'Cade over the weekend and had a chance to do some hands on testing.

Worked great on a WG 25" in a Namco MsPac/Galaga reunion cab. Also tested on a WG 4700 19" in a Spy Hunter. There was a bit of horizontal roll that might have been the signal timing, or how I hooked it up. Need tndo more testing with a 4700.

Also tried a G07, but I had the sync hooked up in the wrong place.. next time I need to bring pin outs!

I had a good talk with another KLOV'er (Buffett) who really knows his stuff when it comes to arcade monitors. I'm working with him on developing a "Pro" version that would include extra capabilities such as testing with inverted colors (including the correct header for the Sanyo chassis usually found in Nintendo cabs), and driving tests to multiple monitors.

CraftyMech · « **Reply #9 on:** January 31, 2014, 03:23:42 pm »

Attached is a diagram of the 10pin header that will be on the board.

CraftyMech · « **Reply #10 on:** February 04, 2014, 02:02:24 am »

I've done some battery life testing and come up with around 22hrs of continuous use with an alkaline 9V.

That is longer than I expected, and has convinced me that an AC plug is not needed. Leaving off the plug and making the unit battery only will save me $ in parts to support dual power sources. There are AC adapter -> 9V connectors available if someone really wanted to run the unit off a wall wart for long duration testing.

Working on the final board design right now, I'm also adding a 6pin header to support Jamma: R,G,B,GND,N/C,-SYNC

The board will be fairly small, about the same width and length as a pack of cigarettes.

Ken Layton · « **Reply #11 on:** June 15, 2014, 03:18:55 am »

The "TPG Pattern Generator" is now shipping to those on the list. Details of the unit are in this long thread:

http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=297247

Here is a picture of the unit.

CraftyMech · « **Reply #12 on:** June 15, 2014, 02:19:28 pm »

Thanks Ken for posting the KLOV link & photo!

The final product definitely evolved from my last update in this thread. It is now a handheld unit powered by a 9volt battery. Both standard & medium resolutions are supported, and there is a dip switch to select inverted video for Nintendo monitors (Sanyo & Sharp). There is also a programming header for updating the firmware with a GQ-4X or compatible burner that can flash ATmega 88 microcontrollers.

Just drop me a PM if you would like to be added to the waiting list. The price is $49 until June 21st, and anyone I hear from will be added to the list and locked in at that price. After the 21st, the price will go up to $59.

GeoMath · « **Reply #13 on:** July 30, 2014, 12:06:16 pm »

Please add me to the list for a test pattern generator.
Thanks, GeoMath

Please add me to your list for a test pattern generator.
Thanks, GeoMath

i

DGP · « **Reply #14 on:** July 30, 2014, 11:43:03 pm »

yotsuya · « **Reply #15 on:** September 02, 2014, 10:26:05 pm »

Just got mine today! Quality item, as usual. Can't wait for the next Craftymech arcade innovation!

jennifer · « **Reply #16 on:** September 02, 2014, 11:54:24 pm »

You got a pretty cool idea there (and Jennifer approves this message)

... If you plan a revised model perhaps incorporate a staircase, multiburst, and maybe even a audio signal.

Rick · « **Reply #17 on:** September 04, 2014, 09:42:30 am »

I know so little regarding monitor testing, but this tool looks amazing! Trust Craftymech to design something you didn't even know you wanted! I want one! I don't even know what I'd use it on, but I want one!

yotsuya · « **Reply #18 on:** September 04, 2014, 10:27:59 am »

Quote from: Rick on September 04, 2014, 09:42:30 am

I know so little regarding monitor testing, but this tool looks amazing! Trust Craftymech to design something you didn't even know you wanted! I want one! I don't even know what I'd use it on, but I want one!

It doesn't test LCDs, bro....

Rick · « **Reply #19 on:** September 04, 2014, 10:44:48 am »

Quote from: yotsuya on September 04, 2014, 10:27:59 am

It doesn't test LCDs, bro....

You don't know that! You haven't tried that!

yotsuya · « **Reply #20 on:** September 04, 2014, 10:47:28 am »

Quote from: Rick on September 04, 2014, 10:44:48 am

Quote from: yotsuya on September 04, 2014, 10:27:59 am
It doesn't test LCDs, bro....

You don't know that! You haven't tried that!

Actually, I guess you COULD use it to test one of those arcade drop-in LCDs....

Well-played, Ricardo. Well-played.

Rick · « **Reply #21 on:** September 04, 2014, 10:55:58 am »

Quote from: yotsuya on September 04, 2014, 10:47:28 am

Actually, I guess you COULD use it to test one of those arcade drop-in LCDs.... Well-played, Ricardo. Well-played.

Merci!

In all seriousness, if it does work to test LCD monitors, would it be a benefit for fine-tuning their display? If so, I'm ordering one today!

yotsuya · « **Reply #22 on:** September 04, 2014, 11:13:05 am »

Quote from: Rick on September 04, 2014, 10:55:58 am

Quote from: yotsuya on September 04, 2014, 10:47:28 am
Actually, I guess you COULD use it to test one of those arcade drop-in LCDs.... Well-played, Ricardo. Well-played.

Merci!

In all seriousness, if it does work to test LCD monitors, would it be a benefit for fine-tuning their display? If so, I'm ordering one today!

It doesn't do VGA out, if that's what you're thinking. Those arcade drop-ins have the CGA pin-out on them so you can use JAMMA connections, if I'm not mistaken. I GUESS you could use a CGA>VGA converter with it... I wonder what CraftyMech thinks...

Rick · « **Reply #23 on:** September 04, 2014, 11:18:15 am »

Quote from: yotsuya on September 04, 2014, 11:13:05 am

I GUESS you could use a CGA>VGA converter with it... I wonder what CraftyMech thinks...

I think he's coming up with an "XL" model as we speak!

yotsuya · « **Reply #24 on:** September 04, 2014, 11:19:19 am »

Naw, any recommendations and improvements I've seen him discuss on KLOV are all CRT-related. You can pretty much press the "Auto-Adjust" button on your LCD and your golden.

kayard · « **Reply #25 on:** May 04, 2016, 07:10:11 pm »

Are you still selling the test pattern generators?

Thanks,

Steve

AgentAlbatross · « **Reply #26 on:** May 22, 2016, 01:48:26 pm »

I would also like to pick one of these up if they're still available!

johnrt · « **Reply #27 on:** May 22, 2016, 01:50:30 pm »

Me too! I would love to have one of those!

yotsuya · « **Reply #28 on:** May 22, 2016, 02:43:45 pm »

Try posting your request in the thread on klov. I think you'd have better luck there.


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Author Topic: Arcade Monitor Test Pattern Generator (Read 14325 times)

johnrt