How to Setup a VGA to CGA Video Converter PCB for MAME
So I'm installing MAME (Hyperspin) in my SFII (Dynamo HS-1) cabinet as an option without messing with the original cabinet setup. I'll be setting it up with a second set of parts and wiring for MAME.
I wanted it to make it straight plug and play utilizing the existing JAMMA wiring and edge connector. So, with the help of Prairied1ll0's expertise, I'll be wiring all of the MAME components to a JAMMA fingerboard so I can simply plug the JAMMA edge connector to it. So it's sort of an Arcade PC to JAMMA adapter. In other words, my MAME setup will act as a "JAMMA PCB."
Instead of using Ultimarc parts, I went the bargain route and will be using the following parts from our very own armi0024 of Paradise Arcade Shop (Bryan is a cool guy, ships super fast, and includes a Hawaiian treat of some sort. Highly recommended seller):
Video: VGA to CGA Converter PCB ($39)
Controls: USB to Arcade Controls Interface ($25)
Audio: Audio amp built from parts
Unfortunately, the video converter doesn't come with instructions (it's an HK product so I'm guessing even if it did, it would be in Cantonese). I know there's info on it on BYOAC, but I couldn't really find any clear steps and that forum is hard to navigate. Though it's not rocket science and wasn't too hard to figure out, but for the noob who doesn't want to tinker around, here's how I got it to work.
1. The RGB wiring that comes with the converter doesn't have the right connector for my WG 19K7000, but I won't be needing it since I'm soldering the wires directly to a JAMMA fingerboard. So I just cut off the connector.
2. The wires are somewhat color coded so you can figure out which JAMMA pin it will correspond to based on how your cabinet is setup. So for me, I'm following the JAMMA wiring for SFII. If wired correctly, you should get a blank screen that says "No Signal" and the LED on the converter should light up red.
RGB Wiring:
Red = Video Red
Green = Video Green
Blue = Video Blue
White = Video Sync
Black = Ground
5V Wiring:
Red = 5V
Black = Video Ground
3. There are 4 buttons on the video converter PCB to navigate the menu. The default is in Cantonese. To set it to English, select the second selection and choose "English." To exit out if it's in Cantonese or if you need to go back to a previous menu, the last selection in each menu is "Exit."
4. It will read "No Signal" until you hook up your PC VGA cable and set it to CRT Mode. I'm using Hyperspin, so I make sure to set the resolution to 800X600 in HS settings as well as my PC settings. Then, just adjust your arcade monitor accordingly.
So there you have it. A quick guide on how to hook up the VGA to CGA video converter.
The USB to Arcade controls interface is pretty awesome too. It wires directly to your arcade controls and is straight plug and play via USB interface. Once you plug it into your PC, it acts as two separate USB joystick controllers. However, I'll also be wiring it to the JAMMA fingerboard (as well as a plug and play connector to the CPS1 kick harness already in the cabinet) to be able to just plug and play my MAME setup to the JAMMA edge connector.
VGA to CGA Converter:
Hyperspin Frontend:
SFIII: 3rd Strike running:
USB to Arcade controls wiring and interface:
So I'm installing MAME (Hyperspin) in my SFII (Dynamo HS-1) cabinet as an option without messing with the original cabinet setup. I'll be setting it up with a second set of parts and wiring for MAME.
I wanted it to make it straight plug and play utilizing the existing JAMMA wiring and edge connector. So, with the help of Prairied1ll0's expertise, I'll be wiring all of the MAME components to a JAMMA fingerboard so I can simply plug the JAMMA edge connector to it. So it's sort of an Arcade PC to JAMMA adapter. In other words, my MAME setup will act as a "JAMMA PCB."
Instead of using Ultimarc parts, I went the bargain route and will be using the following parts from our very own armi0024 of Paradise Arcade Shop (Bryan is a cool guy, ships super fast, and includes a Hawaiian treat of some sort. Highly recommended seller):
Video: VGA to CGA Converter PCB ($39)
Controls: USB to Arcade Controls Interface ($25)
Audio: Audio amp built from parts
Unfortunately, the video converter doesn't come with instructions (it's an HK product so I'm guessing even if it did, it would be in Cantonese). I know there's info on it on BYOAC, but I couldn't really find any clear steps and that forum is hard to navigate. Though it's not rocket science and wasn't too hard to figure out, but for the noob who doesn't want to tinker around, here's how I got it to work.
1. The RGB wiring that comes with the converter doesn't have the right connector for my WG 19K7000, but I won't be needing it since I'm soldering the wires directly to a JAMMA fingerboard. So I just cut off the connector.
2. The wires are somewhat color coded so you can figure out which JAMMA pin it will correspond to based on how your cabinet is setup. So for me, I'm following the JAMMA wiring for SFII. If wired correctly, you should get a blank screen that says "No Signal" and the LED on the converter should light up red.
RGB Wiring:
Red = Video Red
Green = Video Green
Blue = Video Blue
White = Video Sync
Black = Ground
5V Wiring:
Red = 5V
Black = Video Ground
3. There are 4 buttons on the video converter PCB to navigate the menu. The default is in Cantonese. To set it to English, select the second selection and choose "English." To exit out if it's in Cantonese or if you need to go back to a previous menu, the last selection in each menu is "Exit."
4. It will read "No Signal" until you hook up your PC VGA cable and set it to CRT Mode. I'm using Hyperspin, so I make sure to set the resolution to 800X600 in HS settings as well as my PC settings. Then, just adjust your arcade monitor accordingly.
So there you have it. A quick guide on how to hook up the VGA to CGA video converter.
The USB to Arcade controls interface is pretty awesome too. It wires directly to your arcade controls and is straight plug and play via USB interface. Once you plug it into your PC, it acts as two separate USB joystick controllers. However, I'll also be wiring it to the JAMMA fingerboard (as well as a plug and play connector to the CPS1 kick harness already in the cabinet) to be able to just plug and play my MAME setup to the JAMMA edge connector.
VGA to CGA Converter:
Hyperspin Frontend:
SFIII: 3rd Strike running:
USB to Arcade controls wiring and interface:
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