What else do I need except a PCB to enjoy a shmup ???

[keropi]

Hiya!!!

I am beginning to like the idea to actually own some PCB's my self and I have spotted a nice TAITO G-NET mobo , that I think is nice for a starting point, since it is a multi-game mobo with not so much expensive games
But what else do I need? For now I would like to connect the board to my LCD/TV that has all possible inputs, so I would need a video transcoder and a joystick? Is there a good online store to actually estimate how much I need to spent?
Thanks!

[EPS21]

If you don't want to warrant the full on expense of a good cab, superguns are a good way to go. I don't know too much about em but lots of others here do.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

The prices of the Taito G-Card games have come down in price (with the exception of the rare G-Card of Ray Crisis) compared to how it was back about four to five years ago. ^_~

In addition to your favorite PCB or motherboard-based PCB (and the usual cartridge or CD-ROM/DVD-ROM based software + special USB or memory card dongle "key"), a supergun with a minium of Component Video output and S-Video outputs (there is a JROK RGB encoder with the obligatory Component, S-Video, and composite video outputs) and a single non-powered speaker rated up to 100w at 8 ohms as most PCBs only output in mono only. There are some arcade motherboards that can output in stereo like: Taito G-Net, Sega ST-V, Neo-Geo MVS, Sega Naomi 1 & 2, Atomiswave, Seibu Kaihatsu SP1, Taito F3, Taito FX-1 and a few others as well. ^_~

Of course, the Taito G-Net can output in glorious stereo but you got to have a custom-made stereo harness adapter made so that it can interface with the 4-pinout on the G-Net motherboard itself. Actually, the G-Net mobo can accept a pair of bookshelf speakers rated up to 100w @ 8 ohms without breaking a sweat (meaning that the MOSFET heatsink doesn't get warm at all) if you do go with this serious speaker setup. Most arcade PCB hobbyists will say that a pair of 100w speakers is simply overkill and will recommend a 30w pair of non-powered speakers instead as not to place too much demands on the sound processor and amp of the respective arcade PCB that you intend to play.

I'd recommend putting up a wanted to buy ad in the Trading Section of Shmups.org for a Matt Ross made Supergun as they are very well made. I've got a Matt Ross made supergun myself. Fellow shmupper Fire Bug makes custom superguns as well. ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[neorichieb1971]

Talk to fire-bug on this site.

He has a supergun thread in the hardware section. Its a one box solution that does what you need. PCE FX thread is helpful if you want to build one yourself of course


I think what your failing to realize is that the PCB needs power to operate, it needs a harness to connect to, and it also needs to receive input commands from joysticks and buttons. Your looking at $100+ for a supergun (I don't know what fire-bug charges).

It helps if you have some kind of joystick/controller already. Fire-bug can make a supergun that takes a whole host of different controllers, but you have to select just one to use. IE you can't plug a SNES pad into the supergun if the supergun is wired for Playstation perhipherals. But you can use any playstation peripheral with it.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Most superguns are setup for use with MVS/AES controller inputs for ease of use but any game controller that you're most comfortable using whether it be a gamepad or a console or custom arcade stick (with authentic Japanese arcade parts such as Sanwa or Seimitsu or if you're not into that, then Happ Competition or Suzo arcade parts will do the trick quite nicely), it's all good. ^_~

Some folks make custom superguns with PC power supply units (PSU) or with the tried and true old standby of using an arcade PSU. Some supergun makers swear that by using a PC PSU with a supergun setup, that it is pretty stable.

Or if you want a professional Japanese supergun, a Sigma one is the best supergun that your hard-earned money can buy. Here's what a Sigma Raijin supergun looks like: http://www.dino-games.com/index.php/arc ... p_293.html

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Necronopticous]

My advice is to save up for a cab. If you're going to get into the pcb hobby you might as well go all the way. If you're looking for cheap, keep your eyes peeled for an Astro City.

[keropi]

thanks for the info!

ofcourse I understand I need a psu for the pcb to operate I don't see how it is different from a pc mobo LOL
so those "superguns" are actually JAMMA adaptors that give the home user controls, video-out and psu... but 579$ is too much I think, are there any other alternatives? and the pic on the site is a joke, where the mobo connects? how much space do I need?
I will look at the suggested threads now

ps. isn't there another shop that sells those things? maybe with more variety too?

[neorichieb1971]

Superguns are weird because the retail sites that have them are of the lowest quality.

This is a basic supergun layout example -



With parts and using your time, thats -$100 I think.

The encoder by JROK is the most expensive component.

[keropi]

and what if I ditch the JROK encoder completely and use one of those eBay rgb/ega->vga/component adapters?
vhs/svhs are too crappy for my taste

[PC Engine Fan X!]

The best option would be is to have a special RGB cable made so you can take advantage of the true 15kHz low res and plug it into a CRT-based RGB monitor. Scan lines will be there for completeness. Those small portable Amiga 1080 or 1084 RGB monitors are cool for use with superguns since they have the ability to accept 15kHz directly. ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[keropi]

hmmmm
I know of amiga hardware, in fact I know TOO MUCH me thinks... although those monitors are 15khz , they are not really an option , I doubt there will be fun using a ~13-14" monitor... I have ditched my amiga monitors since many years and used specific amiga scandoublers so I can use normal vga monitors... the 1084/1085 line of monitors just hurt my eyes
for now I just want to use my lcd/tv as I do not want to invest too much at this point...

[Elixir]

My advice is to save up for a cab. If you're going to get into the pcb hobby you might as well go all the way. If you're looking for cheap, keep your eyes peeled for an Astro City.

Not everyone has the space for these, or wish to swallow the shipping cost. I know I don't.

[Ex-Cyber]

Not everyone has the space for these, or wish to swallow the shipping cost. I know I don't.

Yeah, shipping costs have been the single most discouraging thing when I think about getting a cab (even if I probably couldn't justify the expense anyway). The cost of just packing/shipping a cab halfway across North America could pay for a supergun. That's assuming the seller even wants to deal with shipping it.

[HenshinStorm2001]

Alcohol and cabs tated for shumps are the best days ever!!

[iatneH]

I have spotted a nice TAITO G-NET mobo , that I think is nice for a starting point, since it is a multi-game mobo with not so much expensive games

Since your thread topic is about enjoying shooters, I would say a big part of that lies in choosing games you truly want to play (and will play for a long time) rather than what is cheap and easily available.

I'm not saying that there aren't cheap games that are good fun though (I'd like to give a plug for OutZone), just keep in mind that costs add up and you want to get the most fun for your money. But if you really like the handful of shooters available on G-Net, then by all means go for it.