Multiple Console Solution.....

[Negativecreep0]

I want to have ps2 dc xbox and mame in my cab, now i know the whole deal about switch boxes for the control switching. My question is how do i get all these systems running on one monitor and one speaker setup ? I dont want to have to open the cab and unplug and plug in different cables everytime i want to play a diff console. I guess what im asking is is there a way to have the d9200 wells gardner monitor i use in my cab able to be hooked up to all those systems. Like for ps2 i want it to be component video for hi res.... I know DC has vga box but i dont think i can use that for my ps2... THanks for any info you can point me to.

[elvis]

The Dreamcast and PC are easy enough, as they have VGA interfaces with the right signals being sent.

For Playstation and XBox, you can build yourself a simple SCART (RGB) -> JAMMA (essentially 15KHz RGB ready for a monitor) circuit, using the guide here:
http://www.mameworld.net/pc2jamma/arc_sat1.html

Then just use a DB15 switch box to choose your video input.

For controls, check out this site:
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jdpyle1/controls.htm

They hook everything into 25pin serial connectors, and use a DB25 switchbox to choose controls.

Very simply stuff.  You're not going to find a nice easy turnkey solution.  You *ARE* going to have to build this yourself, but it's not difficult.

[Negativecreep0]

http://cgi.ebay.com/HI-RES-COMPONENT-VGA-BOX-DVD-XBOX-PS2-LCD-Monitor_W0QQitemZ8730458128QQcategoryZ174QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem



this looks like just the thing all i have to do is switch over tothe system with a click of a button.



what do you guys think is this a cheappo brand or what? also it looks like it shares audio too is that right?

[Goz]

If you are using a VGA/SVGA monitor you could always use one of these and a simple video game multi switch to toggle between systems. I've actually got a cav with an XBox, Dreamcast, and a PS2 in this configuration and using a Xarcade BYOA kit for controls via a DB25 switch box and with two switches I can go between consoles.

There are a number of ways to do this of course.

Hope it helps,

-Goz

[Goz]

http://cgi.ebay.com/HI-RES-COMPONENT-VGA-BOX-DVD-XBOX-PS2-LCD-Monitor_W0QQitemZ8730458128QQcategoryZ174QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem



this looks like just the thing all i have to do is switch over tothe system with a click of a button.



what do you guys think is this a cheappo brand or what? also it looks like it shares audio too is that right?

Looks like a good solution despite the lack of true VGA from the Dreamcast. If you could keep the DC VGA you'd be a lot happier with the visuals.

[yalborap]

Well, if I were you, I'd just acquire a component-VGA converter, like this:

http://www.vdigi.com/index.php?option=content&task=blogcategory&id=67&Itemid=28

Just plug the DC VGA cord into the 'input' end, moniter into 'output' end, output of a standard console switcher into the component plugs.

However, to my knowledge this one only supports progressive scan and HD resolutions, so you might want to look into a different one if most games are going to be interlaced.

[Negativecreep0]

hmmm

so now my question is if i go from my ps2 composite video cable into a vga adapter for ps2 will it look the same as if i went from my ps2 component video cable into the same vga adapter? does the vga adapter upgrade both to one type of image??? or if im coming from a stronger image to vga will that look better

[shodokan123]

They hook everything into 25pin serial connectors, and use a DB25 switchbox to choose controls.

elaborate please

[Minwah]

What I did was come up with a 'standard' for each system:

Video - 15khz with VGA socket
Audio - stereo with 3.5mm jack socket
Controls - IPAC-adaptor style, PS/2 mini-din socket

How you do this depends on each system, but Ultimarc do adaptors for a lot of this.  Dreamcast needs hacked VGA box & PSX adaptors (I have problems with mine, but others have got them to work with Ultimarc PS2 control adaptors).

Then I made a custom lead for each system which combine all of these things into one cable, terminated with a DB25 plug...these plug into a printer switchbox and then to the cabinets monitor, audio amp and IPAC.  This way everything (video, audio & controls) are switched at once, and other systems can be added with relative ease.

Something like this...

Console / PC:

Video Out         }
Audio Out         } Cable to input of switchbox
Controller input (IPAC Adaptor)   }

Cabinet:

Monitor      }
Audio Amp   } Cable to output of switchbox
Controls (IPAC)   }


The big advantage of using IPAC console adaptors is that you only need switch 5 connectors (PS/2) rather than all joystick/button inputs.

Oh, and I also actually switch a couple of other contacts which I use for the cabinets power button (requires a bit of console hacking).

[dennis808]

Actually you don't need to have a video-switch, since you'll only have 1 of the 4 systems powered on at a time.
I don't know wether you're in Europe, but I had good experiences with a cheap 'combiner'-box (opposite of a splitter) which multiplies the SCART input of my TV-monitor. It carries both composite, S-Video, RGB and audio in one big plug:


Whichever system I power on, the videosignal gets sent to the TV (in RGB, the console and the TV's native signal) and the corresponding audio to the cab's speakersystem via a plug between the TV's SCART input:


Controls are switched separately with a DB25 switcher and hacked pads:

I also actually switch a couple of other contacts which I use for the cabinets power button (requires a bit of console hacking

Did you succeed in putting an external powerswitch on a Playstation2? I can't figure out how to do that :S

[Minwah]

Actually you don't need to have a video-switch, since you'll only have 1 of the 4 systems powered on at a time.

Well the way mine works all systems can be on at the same time...and I didn't want to use Scart (since my ArcadeVGA, DC VGA box and xbox adaptor video outputs were all VGA-style already).  But you're right Scart is fine as long as only one system is on.

Did you succeed in putting an external powerswitch on a Playstation2? I can't figure out how to do that :S

I don't currently have one, but I'm sure it is possible.  You'd need to take it apart and check the momentary action switch on the front - assuming it has just two contacts it should be easy to extend some wires from there (you would have to leave the main rear rocker power switch permanently on).  I did this with my xbox and mounted a 2.5mm mono jack socket in the back of it so I can easily plug in for the cabinets power switch.  You could probably check out some PS2 modding sites to see if anyone has done anything similar...