Quantum PCB preorder

[pmichelsen]

I am trying to scrounge together some cash to get in on this, hopefully I can do so by the 27th, don't really keep an arcade budget anymore.

 

[bungy]

To everybody that's ordered, I have been tossing around the idea of changing the color of the mask from green to blue. I thought this would match the amplifone monitor boards more and still have an Atari feel to it, but be unique.

If I did something like that it would have to be for all the boards, but there would be no extra cost or delay of any kind.

I wish I had a picture example to show you but all I have are their green mask samples.

What do you guys think?

I say stick with green. Not all amp boards were blue, there were also green and beige.

 

[bheineck]

Pretty sure rants belong in another forum section.

Just my $.02

Why even make a knock-off. I just don't get it. Why spend all that money on something that is not even real and tarnish what is. Why not just go the mame route and save a bunch of money. In my opinion once you are all done building your game I would still put it in the category 'mame' or 'atari-chinese-quantum knock-off'.

If you want a Quantum, step up to the plate and buy one.

Its all about staying ORIGINAL and DEDICATED.




---just my 2cents---

 

[dezbaz]

All you have to do is include an extra comment on the board

Rev-02 etc OR June 2011 etc

Only the new boards will have that, so people will know.

By the way, in response to the Knock off comment, WTF, why flame someones for sale thread

Great effort!

 

[Tronic]

All you have to do is include an extra comment on the board

Rev-02 etc OR June 2011 etc

Only the new boards will have that, so people will know.

Already done, those that look closely enough on the back side of the board will see:

039298-02 instead of 039298-01

I did that because this includes the modification Atari added with the blue wire you see on all the Quantum boards. I figured it would be fair to call this revision 2

 

[bheineck]

Nice touch, but fair smair....Atari is dead anyway.

Already done, those that look closely enough on the back side of the board will see:

039298-02 instead of 039298-01

I did that because this includes the modification Atari added with the blue wire you see on all the Quantum boards. I figured it would be fair to call this revision 2

 

[PeRFiDiouS]

Except that it's not a knock-off. It's an exact copy of the original PCB, if you held them up together all the traces are in the same spot.

And as to "Why?", it's to keep the real Quantum's alive with the same parts they started with. The PCB's are getting old, traces come off them when they are reworked, edge connectors burn up, etc.

I agree that an exact copy of the PCB is something useful to have out there. Whether or not it is populated to a new board or serves to fix an old one its a good thing to have around.

I do have a technical concern that I have not seen addressed. I know the replacement AVG's have all had problems with some Space Duel pcbs in the past. It has been documented and was traced back to some type of RAM speed issues between the gameboard and the replacement AVG's. I would like some feedback on how extensive the AVG replacement has been tested in a Quantum pcb both original and this re-build. Especially on the higher levels of the game where some use of the vectors and colors are very extreme and unlike other Atari vector games before it.


..

 

[Tronic]

I do have a technical concern that I have not seen addressed. I know the replacement AVG's have all had problems with some Space Duel pcbs in the past. It has been documented and was traced back to some type of RAM speed issues between the gameboard and the replacement AVG's. I would like some feedback on how extensive the AVG replacement has been tested in a Quantum pcb both original and this re-build. Especially on the higher levels of the game where some use of the vectors and colors are very extreme and unlike other other Atari vector games before it.


..

Good question, and I have tested it with the orignial AVG chip which of course works, Mark Spaeth's replacement, and Arcade shops version.

I haven't tried the higher levels with the Arcade shop version but both Mark's and the original work at least through the first 4 levels. I can try to get video if people want showing how the vectors draw at whatever level I can get up to.

I know there was concern with Arcade shops version because the newer chip's logic is a faster speed, and it wouldn't run with certain boards they tested on. I didn't see that problem on mine, but I haven't pushed the Arcadeshop AVG at all to know.

I also wonder if the fact that those boards are almost 30 years old and some of the components have worn down below their tolerence rating, where my board is brand new and could handle slight timing differences better.

 

[ChadTower]

save a bunch of money.

Did you find a PC/ZVG solution that costs substantially less?


FWIW, I don't care what color the mask turns out to be.

 

[Ghostnuke]

crap

Get out .

 

[Tornadoboy]

Awesome! Glad to see someone reviving a classic like this!

 

[TERMINATOR]

Yes awesome is right! I'd be in on this if I could be right now but unfortunately I just can't.

Now all we need is someone to build the cabs,CP's and complete wire harness for an entirely new setup. Maybe someone could just build the whole thing fresh from top to bottom complete and ready to play? For a REASONABLE price! NOT Mame but original designs.

I'd like to see this happen with more of the hard to "BUY" games that require an arm a leg and a fortune to buy. Some of these games just don't hold up anymore due to age. having the original is great but it's time they started getting newer remanufacterd boards to keep them around with fewer problems for another 30 years.

I'm sure anyone trying to sell one of these hard to buy games for a small fortune will clearly disagree with me. They wouldn't get the big bucks anymore if updated manufactured games were available for less. As long as it was kept true to the original, just newly built with new components for durability and extended lives.

 

[bungy]

Now all we need is someone to build the cabs,CP's and complete wire harness for an entirely new setup.

Maybe my sarcasm detector is broken?

Cabs are done
CPs are done
CPOs are done
Marquees are done
Sideart/kickplate coming
Harness coming

All you'll need is a monitor, power brick, ARII, trackball/buttons, and coin door

It will still cost an arm and a leg in time & money for a full repro cabinet.

 

[ChadTower]

Yeah, I am definitely looking more towards a Quantum conversion kit than a full cab.

 

[Level42]

Very impressive !!!

However, (not criticizing !!, just wondering) wouldn't it have been easier to put (most of)it in an FPGA ? much like Jrok's Williams board..?

Anyway, I'm very impressed with your dedication at this !!! Excellent job.

 

[Tronic]

just wondering) wouldn't it have been easier to put (most of)it in an FPGA ? much like Jrok's Williams board..?

That works if you have the correct logic, but as I mentioned earlier in my other post, I found lots of errors in the original Atari schematic that didn't even match up with the original PCB board.

Even if there are to be advancements in the future for Quantum you need the correct logic netlist. This was one way I could get that, yes it was hard, but in the end I think it helps keep the originals and those who like to keep theirs as stock as possible up and running.

 

[Level42]

Ah OK, I hope you documented all the errors

 

[mjenison]

That works if you have the correct logic, but as I mentioned earlier in my other post, I found lots of errors in the original Atari schematic that didn't even match up with the original PCB board.

Even if there are to be advancements in the future for Quantum you need the correct logic netlist. This was one way I could get that, yes it was hard, but in the end I think it helps keep the originals and those who like to keep theirs as stock as possible up and running.

And while I think we'll eventually see a "re-designed" version of the Quantum board, what Tronic here has done is pretty amazing stuff from a purist perspective. Dedication to a project like this was likely more a labor of love than worrying about making the easiest/cheapest production of a Quantum set. He went for a true reproduction and I think a certain subset of collectors will be more interested in having Tronic's version than a re-designed version.

 

[chris25810]

Maybe my sarcasm detector is broken?

Cabs are done
CPs are done
CPOs are done
Marquees are done
Sideart/kickplate coming
Harness coming

All you'll need is a monitor, power brick, ARII, trackball/buttons, and coin door

It will still cost an arm and a leg in time & money for a full repro cabinet.

Just in case anyone has hopes of building a replica quantum at bargain price, i'm here to squash those thoughts immediately. To build this game as close to the original as possible, you will be spending $1800+ for a new cabinet, artwork, amplifone and all the other parts needed. I paid $500 for a working board alone (which was a bargain) just to get this project started and my wallet has been wide open ever since with no end to the bleeding in sight. If you just want a working game in a generic cabinet, you're still gonna spend a grand if you're starting from scratch.

 

[ballytablewiz]

Very impressive !!!

However, (not criticizing !!, just wondering) wouldn't it have been easier to put (most of)it in an FPGA ? much like Jrok's Williams board..?...

And while I think we'll eventually see a "re-designed" version of the Quantum board...

A redesign has already been announced by VectorLabs, and given the price point they/he suggests, I'm assuming a FPGA is involved. Considering the cost of the materials involved, as directly evidenced by Tronic, and then the PCBs themselves and assembly/testing, I'm assuming some logic replacements have been made/planned.

...Tronic... went for a true reproduction and I think a certain subset of collectors will be more interested in having Tronic's version than a re-designed version.

*I* am of that certain subset and therefore I'm following the rabbit down the hole on this one

But before I jump in headfirst, I'd like to check out some tested gameplay video and such. Obviously I assumed that of course it works as intended and as original, but PeRF's concerns about the AVG's are valid and I just want to make sure all the angles have been covered. It appears Tronic is on top of the situation, but hey, let's humor everything here.

Looks like I should be able to put my ante in the pot in a few days, I'm all in and excited as hell for this.

P.S. : I prefer green