Need direction

[Jouster]

Hey yall,

I need some direction in looking for a FE.

I'd like one that can utilize a LEDWiz...and perhaps send a signal to rotate a monitor.

I've read about PowerMAME & AtomicFE being possibilities...are there any others?  Which one would either be 1) best documented, 2) easiest for a FE newbie to config, or 3) have a bigger following here (so I can ask lots of stupid questions!)??

Thanks,
Jouster

[Circo]

I found Mala to be easy to set up and has good LED Wiz support through a plug-in.  Have no idea about rotating a monitor though.  I would say try Mala and Atomic, mamewah is good but has no led wiz support.  Anyway try those two and see what you like, nothing beats a little trial and error.  Once you pick one you will still be tweaking for a long time, but that is most of the fun!

[headkaze]

To be honest with you the top few FE's have all those features you ask for (GameEx has just had a LEDWiz plugin added), Mala and Atomic FE have had LEDWiz support for a while.

I think GameEx, Mala and Atomic are all well documented. The easiest to setup is debatable, there is Atomic's Plug and Play which is probably very easy to use, and the Setup Wizard for GameEx makes setup pretty straight forward. I'm not sure how Mala is for setting up but I've seen a well written document that guides you through everything. Also not sure about MameWah but there was a setup program that made setup easier when I last checked it out.

There is no big following here for any one FE, in fact Atomic, MameWah and GameEx have their own forums which are the best place to ask questions for those FE's (although you will get answers here too). All developers are active too, so you can often get direct answers to bugs or requests from the big authors Tom, swindus, MinWah and Youki.

The Wiki is a good place to have a look at some comparisons, but I'm biased towards GameEx because that's what I use. Others will give you better advice on the others. Good luck finding a FE that suits your needs!

EDIT: As for rotation using a key, I know GameEx, Mala and Atomic all have this option. MameWah probably does too, but not sure.

[youki]

Anothers points to take in Account is your hadware.

What kind of machine you use.? Processor, Memory...
What OS?
Are you using ArcadeVGA?
Are you using JPAC / IPAC, KeyWiz ?
Are you using GPWIZ?
Are you using XArcade?
etc...

Some FE are better with some hardware, some others are better with other.

But all the major ones will support that , but sometimes it is easier or better on one than an other.

[loadman]

I'd like one that can utilize a LEDWiz...and perhaps send a signal to rotate a monitor.

What do you need to rotate your monitor?  I mean is is a mechnical thing?

Or do you mean screen rotate?

Sorry as a side issue:

in fact Atomic, MameWah and GameEx have their own forums

...
Just so everyone knows, MaLa does have a forum but it is German based but Swindus says you are welocme to post in English (as I did for example)

[jcrouse]

Go North!

John

[Jouster]

Thanks so far...now I have more homework to do!   

Some quick answers:
1. I'm using an old PC I had laying around (as it will mostly be a classic cab) - not sure exactly on the specs any more - should have over 128MB RAM though...and I just bought a new 40 GB HD.  I was planning on using Win 98 SE.
2. I will be using a LCD monitor...I ordered a 19", but now I think that may be too big to rotate in the bartop I want to build...I'd like the FE or some other software to determine when the monitor should be rotated...then send a signal to my motor to turn it.  I've read posts from other people trying this feature...but most of those posts were years old.
3. I'm still undecided between an IPAC or KeyWiz...I'd guess KeyWiz if I'm going to use the LEDWiz(save on shipping)...any serious objections to that thinking?
4. Buttons planned will be the ICE buttons with the RGB LED and board already made up...from GGG I think.

I'll probably announce my project start in the next day or two...I'm building a small bartop first...if things go well, and not extremely over-budget, I'll build a full sized upright later.

Thanks,
Jouster

P.S. - I just occurred to me that perhaps I wouldn't need to rotate afterall.  I think many of the games I'm planning to load are vertical anyway...Pac-man's, DK, Dig Dug, Galaga, Popeye, Burgertime...does anyone know of a database that easily lists the game's orientation?

[Havok]

I'm still undecided between an IPAC or KeyWiz

You can't go wrong with either choice. I have a KeyWiz, and it works great.

does anyone know of a database that easily lists the game's orientation?

Maws is your best friend for that...

[loadman]

I'd like the FE or some other software to determine when the monitor should be rotated...then send a signal to my motor to turn it.  I've read posts from other people trying this feature...but most of those posts were years old.

I vaguely remember people doping this with MameWah. Have a search on this forum and the main BYOAC site. If you decide to do this and you want to use MaLa FE let us know and I'm sure we can whip up a plug-in to do this if you let us know what signal needs to be sent down what port.


As far as choice of FE goes I think the above advice from the other posters is good.

 Just try them all  (at least the ones mentioned above).

And have fun! 

[Organic Jerk]

Thanks so far...now I h...I'd like the FE or some other software to determine when the monitor should be rotated...then send a signal to my motor to turn it. 

That sounds awesome... should be a real trip when complete...

Good luck!

[ardarvin]

My quick 2 cents...if your PC is a SONY, don't get the KeyWiz. It won't work, some sort of PS2 compatability issue.

I'd go with the USB version...the GP-Wiz, since it's gonna be more compatible with whatever your hardware is...assuming you are using a windows based FE, which it sounds like you are.

Or the I-Pac...but like you say...you'll save shipping if you get the LED-Wiz as well.