VectorMAME (ZVG) on Windows -- It's Alive!

SteveJ

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Hey everyone --

Just reached a milestone on a software project I've been working on -- I now have VectorMAME running on the latest Windows MAME build (.137)

I've just tested it with Aztarac and RipOff, and it looks good. Obviously, games have full (MAME) sound and access to the USB ports.

Right now I have an windows executable that will drive the ZVG and PC display. Basically, you can play games on it. Important things left to do are:

o Build a windows version of ZVG Tweak
o Write a new Menu System (shilmover is looking into this?)
o Optional: package the SDK as a DLL

Also, wanted to thank Zonn of Zektor for helping me out with some of the code. Since the code is copyrighted by him, I'll see what he wants to do about distributing it to interested folks with a ZVG.

I'll use this thread to post updates as they occur.
 
Hey everyone --

Just reached a milestone on a software project I've been working on -- I now have VectorMAME running on the latest Windows MAME build (.137)

I've just tested it with Aztarac and RipOff, and it looks good. Obviously, games have full (MAME) sound and access to the USB ports.

Right now I have an windows executable that will drive the ZVG and PC display. Basically, you can play games on it. Important things left to do are:

o Build a windows version of ZVG Tweak
o Write a new Menu System (shilmover is looking into this?)
o Optional: package the SDK as a DLL

Also, wanted to thank Zonn of Zektor for helping me out with some of the code. Since the code is copyrighted by him, I'll see what he wants to do about distributing it to interested folks with a ZVG.

I'll use this thread to post updates as they occur.

At one time I thought I heard, Aaron Giles had this on his list to do's. It may be worth talking with him to see what you may need to do or not do to get your changes into the main build.

Video looks good. I think that is one of the first videos I've seen with an LCD and Vector Monitor side by side which shows some of the differences between the displays.
 
Hey everyone --

Just reached a milestone on a software project I've been working on -- I now have VectorMAME running on the latest Windows MAME build (.137)

I've just tested it with Aztarac and RipOff, and it looks good. Obviously, games have full (MAME) sound and access to the USB ports.

Right now I have an windows executable that will drive the ZVG and PC display. Basically, you can play games on it. Important things left to do are:

o Build a windows version of ZVG Tweak
o Write a new Menu System (shilmover is looking into this?)
o Optional: package the SDK as a DLL

Also, wanted to thank Zonn of Zektor for helping me out with some of the code. Since the code is copyrighted by him, I'll see what he wants to do about distributing it to interested folks with a ZVG.

I'll use this thread to post updates as they occur.

Great job!

Having this running on windows will enable to to build a menu much, much quicker... :D
 
Hey everyone --

Just reached a milestone on a software project I've been working on -- I now have VectorMAME running on the latest Windows MAME build (.137)

I've just tested it with Aztarac and RipOff, and it looks good. Obviously, games have full (MAME) sound and access to the USB ports.

Right now I have an windows executable that will drive the ZVG and PC display. Basically, you can play games on it. Important things left to do are:

o Build a windows version of ZVG Tweak
o Write a new Menu System (shilmover is looking into this?)
o Optional: package the SDK as a DLL

Also, wanted to thank Zonn of Zektor for helping me out with some of the code. Since the code is copyrighted by him, I'll see what he wants to do about distributing it to interested folks with a ZVG.

I'll use this thread to post updates as they occur.

Wow, great work! I've been waiting for this for a long time. I'll finally be able to get all of the analog-controlled games to work correctly and use a faster computer (assuming Zonn will let us use your solution, of course).
 
At one time I thought I heard, Aaron Giles had this on his list to do's. It may be worth talking with him to see what you may need to do or not do to get your changes into the main build.

Good idea. I'm sending Aaron an email today - It would be great to have it in the main build again.

Video looks good. I think that is one of the first videos I've seen with an LCD and Vector Monitor side by side which shows some of the differences between the displays.

Thanks -- sorry about the shaky-cam. As you know, there's really no comparison between a real vector monitor and an LCD ... it's like the difference between eating a steak and eating a picture of a steak :D
 
That is totally awesome. I will be digging my ZVG out of its hidding place and getting busy on getting stuff together. Keep us up to date please on theprogress.
 
Update

Thanks for all the words of support! You guys rock.

I'm continuing to test the software, and have at least 1 major bug to fix before I feel comfortable sending the software out for beta testing.

I'm also pursuing getting ZVG support back in the main MAME build... wish me luck :)
 
Holy moly!!!!

So this will work on my ZVG from Zonn, no updates needed? Great, now I need to dig out that old PC with parallel ports and maybe finally get started on that Vecotor MAME!
 
Just a clarification:

There was never anything wrong with the ZVG hardware. The ZVG SDK was written for DOS, and used some direct hardware calls (8254 timer and parallel port) that had to be ported to windows. Those things have been addressed now, and I have a passable windows version of the SDK.

The remaining issue (and the one we all care about) is ZVG support in MAME. Now the .106 DOS version is very different from the .137 Windows, and getting the kinks out will take a little time. Obviously, I want full support for all the vector games, running at 100%, looking perfect, etc.

The video shows RipOff and Aztarac, which look pretty good. I just tested some more games last night that don't look so good :( I think I know what the problem is though.

I should also mention Zonn Moore (the original author) wrote some amazing code that I just had to tweak a little. He also rewrote some files in support of this project.

My goal is to have a Beta version for distribution within a month, and version 1.0 released this fall.
 
Yes, great work SteveJ and a special thanks again to Zonn for developing the ZVG board to begin with and helping support you in your efforts to get this working in Windows.
 
Good Job! I think that this is wonderfull but it's really sad that they stopped making this card so the rest of us can benefit from all your hard work. Maybe if people continue to "work" on the ZVG and keep bugging the makers, they will make another batch (with USB support!).
I bet that some roms that worked in 0.106 don't work in 0.137. ;)
 
Beta Release Date Next week

I've cleaned up some bugs and am just about ready to release the software as Beta. I will PM the folks who have already contacted me about participating when it is available.

Since the rendering looks correct on the subset of games I've tested (tempest, major havoc, aztarac, ripoff, and star castle), I'd really like to know how it runs on other people's systems, and whether I have all the vector drivers included in the build. (I have a 6 year old rig).

I will post a URL to download the software no later than 6/11, hopefully sooner.

Thanks!
 
I've cleaned up some bugs and am just about ready to release the software as Beta. I will PM the folks who have already contacted me about participating when it is available.

Since the rendering looks correct on the subset of games I've tested (tempest, major havoc, aztarac, ripoff, and star castle), I'd really like to know how it runs on other people's systems, and whether I have all the vector drivers included in the build. (I have a 6 year old rig).

I will post a URL to download the software no later than 6/11, hopefully sooner.

Thanks!

Great work Steve!
 
I've cleaned up some bugs and am just about ready to release the software as Beta. I will PM the folks who have already contacted me about participating when it is available.

Since the rendering looks correct on the subset of games I've tested (tempest, major havoc, aztarac, ripoff, and star castle), I'd really like to know how it runs on other people's systems, and whether I have all the vector drivers included in the build. (I have a 6 year old rig).

I will post a URL to download the software no later than 6/11, hopefully sooner.

Thanks!

Steve,
it would be cool to see how the games didn't look right as mentioned a couple posts earlier, and have a laymans description (if possible) of why and what was done to fix it.. in a blog or something..
 
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