Posted by Tom61 on February 10, 2002 at 12:54:30:
In Reply to: Laptop to arcade monitor posted by Brett on February 09, 2002 at 21:18:48:
:Obviously you can't really get to the video card, I've got an S-video out and a TV out but I've not seen any examples yet relating to those with an arcade monitor.
To use S-Video or composite (what you called TV out) on an arcade monitor you have to use a NTSC to RGB converter. These are hard to find, and I've only seen them pop up on Ebay once in a while. I have one, but I haven't gotten it working quite right yet. (I need to play around with it, and my cab is not easy to get to right now)
:Are pc monitors and TVs my only options?
It depends on what chipset your laptop uses, and then there are issues with getting the VGA port on a laptop to realise there's something connected to it. You're going to have to run software for whatever chipset you're running to get it to work on an arcade monitor (just like you would if you were going to use a desktop).
Also, You're probably going to be limited to DOS, since the only 4 or 5 chipsets that can currently be used with windows on a standard res arcade monitor.
If you want to bypass all the software troubles, you can buy a converter called a scan converter. This would let you use whatever software you want and not having to worry about killing your arcade monitor. However, the ones easy to find cost over $200 (US currency).
:Also, is it possible to connect up a hacked sidewinder to the controls for the pc and keep the original controls for playing PCBs? Cheers for being patient with the newbie!
Yes, see the PC to Jamma page for a bit of info on this.
If your Laptop has a keyboard in, I'd highly recommend getting a J-Pac from Ultimarc, as it prevents damage to your arcade monitor if you go the software route (sending standard PC signals to an arcade monitor can damage it) and you don't have to hack controls, its all plug and play.