Vector Monitor / game questions

[Jess--]

this may sound like a silly idea (couldnt sleep last night)

If i were to obtain a Vector game board set how many positions per second would a monitor be able to position.

the reason I am asking is that I have Laser projection systems capable of 30,000 positions per second (with blanking also running at 30khz)

would these be fast enough to render a full vector screen.

if they would I cant help thinking it would be really nice to be able to play some of these vector games projected on clouds (1000ft screen anyone)

[SirPeale]

It'd work.  I remember someone made something similar some time back.  Looked really cool.

[Jess--]

Hmm I smell a crazy project coming up.

just gotta get it all together.

[ChadTower]

Could you post some details on the projection systems?  It has been done before but usually with ridiculously high end university owned hardware.

So long as the projectors use an XY coordinate system it could be done.  I'd love to contribute to such an effort.

[Jess--]

heres an ebay auction of the kit I am using for the scanning, http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250046646818 with the addition of a third galvo and driver board for blanking

inputs are pretty simple
+5v to -5v for x scan
+5v to -5v for x scan
>0.2v for beam blanking 0v for beam on

currently using overdriven 30mw green laser (estimating 50+mw) pulled from one of these http://www.fleetsound.com/catalogue.asp?ID=3014&task=full although I feel that this would be in need of an upgrade

[ChadTower]

I'll take a look at that tomorrow when I have more time... I Can tell you, though, that the intensity range of a vector monitor is not binary.  It's a range just like the vector grid (but probably not  -12 to 12, I can't remember off the top of my head)

[Jess--]

ok so it sounds like I will need to invert my beam blanking signal, not a problem.
also if the game board is putting out -12 to +12 for the scan then it is also not a problem

[FrizzleFried]

Star Wars on a cloudy day....

[Jess--]

Star Wars on a cloudy day....

Or star wars on the side of a house:)

[Level42]

this may sound like a silly idea (couldnt sleep last night)

If i were to obtain a Vector game board set how many positions per second would a monitor be able to position.

I think a real CRT is capable of an unliminted amount of positions per second in theory. But of course the controlling PCB's were not, especialy in that age.
I wonder if the mirrors of a laser can move that fast, but it may very well be.

It is a very cool idea !

[Jess--]

I can reliably hit 30,000 points per second, but can push up to 40,000 with a little overshoot.

[Level42]

I can reliably hit 30,000 points per second, but can push up to 40,000 with a little overshoot.

And I guess it doesn't matter if the laser is on or off between the points right ?
Than that should be enough I think, but I'm no vector expert.

Could a small laser take the place of a X-Y monitor and hit the phospor on a CRT ?

[Jess--]

laser on / off can be driven by the original game circuit (again can cut the beam up to 30,000 times per second)

you couldnt use this to hit the phospher on a monitor as it would have to hit it from within the vacuum of the tube, far too dangerous to attempt it from the front of the tube due to reflection of the laser going into players eyes,

in my case 40mw of laser is enough to cut / burn if the beam is held static for a short period, (as an example of what a laser of even this low power is capable of I can light a ciggie off the beam at over 100 feet away)

note to people thinking hang on 40mw shouldnt be able to do that, I have no infra red filtering in place and due to the nature of DPSS lasers there is far more infra red in the beam than visible light (which is what the figure of 40mw is based on)

[richms]

This is too cool not to try and document well with photos.

[Jess--]

gotta get myself a vector game board first

[Jess--]

10 points to the first person that says do a search noob.

this has been done before, search google for lasermame

[ChadTower]

If you can light a cigarette from 100feet away, what is going to happen when you project that onto a house?  Sounds like you'd burn the game patterns into the siding.

[Jess--]

they make houses out of bricks here, not some thin rubbish that could burst into flames by me firing a laser at it

[Ed_McCarron]

Sounds like you'd burn the game patterns into the siding.

Like theres ever been an arcade game with no burn-in on the monitor after a while?  It'd just add to the authenticity.