You will go down in history if you...

[XtraSmiley]

...can freakin' come up with windows drivers for this:

http://www.zektor.com/zvg/index.html

The ZVG is an awesome tool that allows you to build a real VectorMAME machine, but it only works in DOS, with support for it stopped years ago.

There was a guy who built a GUI for it also, but lost some of his source and just stopped working on it.

It would just be easier (ie USB support, easy sound support etc) if we had a way to run this thing in Windows.

Anyone want to take it on?

[TheGatesofBill]

It's not a video card though. And you can only play vector-based games in MAME with it. And I'm pretty sure about your "years ago" thing. The latest version of VectorMAME is 0.96 and includes the frontend.

[XtraSmiley]

It's not a video card though. And you can only play vector-based games in MAME with it. And I'm pretty sure about your "years ago" thing. The latest version of VectorMAME is 0.96 and includes the frontend.

I'm not sure I understand your post.  I've spoken with the inventor of the ZVG.  It needs drivers to work.  No it is not a video card in the traditional sense, but it needs Windows drivers to work in Windows.  Right now the drivers are only in DOS.  He said that he would try to write the drivers, but ended up not being able to because he didn't know how.

As far as the updates go, I asked him to do this a few months ago since the newer MAME had some proto vector games recently added as well as better samples, but it still doesn't beat having it on Windows.

As far as the frontend goes, it's like 4 years old, hasn't been updated and the source has been lost, thus I don't think anyone can make changes to it.

Besides, I'd like to do things like easily add overlays and such to games.

Anyone?  Please!

[TheGatesofBill]

You can't add an overlay (which is a raster graphic) on a vector monitor. The device connects to the parrallel port of your computer. Its not really a driver so much as their build of MAME just sending data out the parrallel port. It shouldn't be too hard to do under Windows (although if its a newer version of Windows you'd need that parrallel port unlocker software). However, you'd still need a standard monitor in order to do anything else.

[XtraSmiley]

You can't add an overlay (which is a raster graphic) on a vector monitor. The device connects to the parrallel port of your computer. Its not really a driver so much as their build of MAME just sending data out the parrallel port. It shouldn't be too hard to do under Windows (although if its a newer version of Windows you'd need that parrallel port unlocker software). However, you'd still need a standard monitor in order to do anything else.

Yes, not overlays, but making games that need overlays work.  Like, adding a building "overlay" for Armor Attack.  Not an actual over lay, but adding colored vectors for the buildings so you know where to drive.  You see what I'm saying?

If you don't think it will be to hard to do, great, can you do it?  I would be very grateful!

[XtraSmiley]

here is more clarification on the overlays I mean:

http://www.zektor.com/zvg/vectormame.htm

"Mark Perreira who added the vector overlays needed to play Armor Attack and Warrior. He also added colorization to B&W games such as Star Castle and Battlezone, where color was originally done with overlays."

[TheGatesofBill]

I'm guessing those "overlays" are just changes to the game drivers in VectorMAME. I would consider doing it, but I'm sure people would rather see a new No Name MAME first, and I don't have a ZVG or vector monitor to test with. Find a way to hook me up with those and I'll work until it runs.

[XtraSmiley]

I'm guessing those "overlays" are just changes to the game drivers in VectorMAME. I would consider doing it, but I'm sure people would rather see a new No Name MAME first, and I don't have a ZVG or vector monitor to test with. Find a way to hook me up with those and I'll work until it runs.

Sweet.  Where do you live?  I'm in MD and can lend you a Vectrex (for the monitor) and possibly the ZVG.  Let me contact the creator first as he may be "talked" into giving you one if you write the drivers...

Hit me up on email:  hearingprotection@yahoo.com