Best way to go Neo MVS?

[le geek]

Howdy!

Even though I shouldn't, I'm pondering getting a Neo Geo MVS setup! Other than getting TEH ROMZ, what would be the best setup in terms of price, reliability and fun factor?

1) NEO GEO AES with Phantom-1 Convertor

2) Consolized MVS (made be someone else)

3) Neo Geo Arcade Cab (when one comes up in Atlanta eBay again)


Thanks!
Ben

[Aussie2B]

I'd say # 2 absolutely. You can even make it yourself if you're willing to put in the effort (and do a little soldering). My boyfriend went into it totally clueless, but he managed to make his own supergun. I think he might actually have a FAQ he wrote on how to do it somewhere around here...

[Captain Wrong]

I'm not Aussie2B's boyfriend, but here's my supergun FAQ of sorts. (http://www.digitpress.com/archives/arc00093.htm)

Option #2 is the way to go. You can get a one slot MVS board for cheap, build a cheap 'gun, and you're in business.

[Aussie2B]

Aussies Boyfriend:

Well, Tina asked me if I still had my old FAQ up on consolizing an MVS board, and I just found it.

Consolizing a 2slot (http://www.geocities.com/sandman20xx/mvs.html)

Some things could be done better today. Since I wrote it, tabletop PSUs have become way better and cheaper, so instead of getting an internal PSU, I say go with a compact tabletop one (like the GameCube style) so theres less risk of shock and damage to the system itself.

Captain Wrong posted a link to a supergun, I posted a link to a console, they are different.

A Supergun has the advantage of being able to switch systems. You can simply unplug the MVS board and plug in a CPS2 board or whatever else you wanna play thats JAMMA compatible. The disadvantage, is space. they usually take up alot more space than a consolised unit.

The MVS console has it's advantages in that it's smaller, theres no need to build controller ports (Although I would recommend building your own Neo Geo compatible arcade sticks, which are better than the already GREAT Neo Geo sticks). You can have stereo without needing to mod anything, and it can work smoother because it's built around only one system.

Whichever way you go, if you do it right, you won't be disapointed. There's nothing like being able to play your favorite Neo Geo games in pure arcade format, and if you want the Home version options (like VS mode, practice and all that) you can simply upgrade to Universe Bios, which you can get from CPS2-shock.

If you need to contact me about anything, my email is AndyDash[AT]hotmail[dot]com or on AIM at SNKFreak.

Have fun and good luck!

[omnedon]

A Supergun is a contraption. A very cool, versatile, and cost effective contraption, but still a contraption.

An arcade Cab takes up a huge footprint, but is very very very cool. Again MVS games, therefore cost effective.

A mega modded AES is very cool, with awesome picture and sound, and it fits in with the rest of your consoles. You sit on the couch, or easy chair, or whatever, and let your home theater do the rest. Many good AES games are cheap (SS2). Many many many AES games are NOT cheap (MOTW). A mod job on your AES is not cheap, but if done right, it will have the universe 1.3 bios as well, and be socketed for future upgrades just like most MVS boards. An AES is NOT very cost effective.

Thing is, I collect consoles. Not old computers, not arcade cabs (I wish!!) and not contraptions. The AES is a console, and what a console! Arcade Exact System.

I justify the price of the games with this logic: The AES market is more or less stable. Most games now hold their value, or lose it very slowly. I just pre-ordered this http://www.neostore.com/detail.asp?ProductID=1115 . Odds are good, that if I decide to part with it in a year or so (unlikely) I will be able to sell it for what I paid for it. Possibly more. If I end up selling it for less, It is likely no more than $50 less. Fr a year or more's play, that's a lot better deal than a new PS2 game which is nearly gauranteed to lose 90% of it's value in 18 months.

This justification fails to hold water if there is a fire, flood, or theft from my home. x_x

My opinions only, and I'm Neo newb. But I LOVES my AES. :D

[dmhawkmoon]

Out of those choices, I'd go with #2. The cab takes up too much space for my liking. The Phantom-1 is a bad choice because it only works well with certain system revisions. This is kind of like how some model MVS boards won't run a few of the later games. Those cases with the MVS boards, though, are well documented and if you get a consolized board you'll most likely be able to get it from someone who knows which boards not to use. With the cab, you don't often have a choice, either...

So #2.

[Videogamerdaryll]

IMO..Depends on what type of a Neo Geo Experience you are looking for..

Are you into Arcades..?...Arcade machineS..?..The Arcade feel..

Are you into Consoles?.....

Also..
Do you have room for a Cab..?

[ClubNinja]

Unless you have room and can afford a cab, then I'd definitely suggest the Supergun/Consolized round. I'm one of the many that's done it and have absolutely no complaints. On top of being able to play MVS games, you'll feel proud of your accomplishment in building the thing yourself ;)

[Balloon Fight]

I've been really wanting to get into either MVS or AES, but I'm leaning towards MVS. The only question I have is which is the cheapest route to go on MVS? I'd like to play some arcade goodness, but I don't have a money tree growing outback.

[ClubNinja]

The only question I have is which is the cheapest route to go on MVS?

Supergun.

With a little patience, you can turn up all the key parts for under $40 and a motherboard for under $100, if not around $75. Their construction really takes minimal skill and ten thousand of us here have built them, so you've got plenty of help and insight available to you.

[midgey]

I'm quite interested in this as well, but know very little about Neo-Geo other than Samurai Showdown and crossed swords. What are some other good games? Is there a preferred place to buy the board from? A good place to buy the games? Anything else I should know?

[ClubNinja]

Well, I hate to direct anyone away from DP, but I do recommend neo-geo.com and the forums there for information and reliable sellers. Just watch out for all the drama... those crazy kids.

[leonk]

You can always go the cheaper way..

:D

ok.. I'm just gonna say it... MAME!

[omnedon]

MAME and KAWA-X are great (on my Xbox no less), but my AES totally kicks it's ass. All over. 8-) LOL

[ClubNinja]

You can always go the cheaper way..


ok.. I'm just gonna say it... MAME!




Other than getting TEH ROMZ, what would be the best setup in terms of price, reliability and fun factor?

:roll:

[leonk]

MAME and KAWA-X are great (on my Xbox no less), but my AES totally kicks it's ass. All over. 8-) LOL

I think people are underestimating the quality of MAME (NOTE: If you plan on playing Metal Slug 4, 5, KOF 2002 or newer, or Samurai Showdown 4, 5.. do go with AES/MVS and give SNK back).

Starting with MAME, the right way, is actually more expensive than buying MVS or AES and the games! @_@

The right way is:

- Real arcade cab (build or convert)
- Real arcade monitor (WG D9200 is 450$US!!!)
- Real arcade joysticks and buttons
- ArcadeVGA card
- JPAC
- 2.4Ghz P4 or AMD system

6 months of your time!

Final bill can easily go over 1000$ !!!

so if you want to play just a few Neo games.. MAME is not the solution. If you want to play a lot of games, MAME will (with the above setup) give you better video and picture quality than XBOX, PC and MVS using super gun! (RGB is always nicer than NTSC). and as an added bonus, you won't have to worry about PCBs going bad on you. (Browsing through eBay, one would think that 75% of all Neo Geo MVS boards are defective!)

Plus, Neo Geo is best enjoyed standing or sitting in front of a real cab.. 8-)

Now if I can only find a 4 Slot clean system for 100$ ... :D

[Captain Wrong]

I think people are underestimating the quality of MAME

Have you ever done a side by side compairson? I have.

Whle MAME comes damn close, I think people are over estimating the quality. It's close enough for most people, but it's not 100% and never will be.

[omnedon]

Standing up? LOL Why not make the floor sticky too, and have the scent of marijuana wafting through the room too, for the REAL aecade experience?

LOL

I'm just kidding you. I'd love to have a cab, and a MAME cabe would be schweet. Space is a serious issue for me at this time, and cabs are a pipe dream.

Perhaps you are understimating how good the S-=video looks on a low serialled (early version) AES on a 27" JVC I'Art TV. 8-) I use this stick made by this guy http://www.arcadeadvantage.com/, with an extension cord of course. All of the Arcade plusses, with none of the minuses.

All of that said, a well made MAME cabe would no doubt be the shiznit. I'll settle for being able to MAME everything on my Xbox for now. :)

[le geek]

Well I took the plunge and bought a used consolized 1 slot MVS... :eek 2: :D
It's got S-Video and the unibios...

anyone have some cheap MVS games? LOL

Cheers,
Ben

[midgey]

where'd you get it, and how much did it set you back?

[Flack]

I've got two Neo Geo cabs, a single and a dual slot. One of them is about to donate its guts to my SuperGun project. :)

[D-Lite]

With a little patience, you can turn up all the key parts for under $40 and a motherboard for under $100, if not around $75.

:eek 2: Where can you get all the key parts for under $40? Cheapest I have ever seen the JROK converter (for video) is $60 and that was from a guy clearing out all his consolizing stuff.

Definitely a supergun. I have both a consolized 4-slot (the !Arcade! produced "Shadow4") and a supergun and the benefits of a supergun are significantly better I think. Generally the space issue is not an issue as a smaller supergun/MV-1C or MV-1FZ combo is smaller than any 2-, 4-, or 6-slot console. Also, as someone stated earlier, you have the advantage that your supergun can play many PCB boards out there, which is super cool (just bought Cadash!).

Also, a supergun/MV-1XX combo will be cheaper than any consolized system and will also be easier to make "pretty".

MVS is the way to go for gamers....

[ClubNinja]

Where can you get all the key parts for under $40? Cheapest I have ever seen the JROK converter (for video) is $60 and that was from a guy clearing out all his consolizing stuff.

Well, just to address the video issue here, there are two ways to avoid overpaying for a JROK.

1) Go RGB. As it is, straight RGB is going to be better quality than the best build of converter. With the right monitor handy (admittedly, you have to be fortunate enough to already have one or find one cheap), you can build an RGB cable to it from your supergun for ~$5.

2) Build your own converter. The schematic for RGB->composite is available right in the data sheet for Analog Devices' video processing chip. Get a sample chip for free, then buy a few resistors and some other components for $10 at Radio Shack (or elsewhere). A little soldering and you're all set. Even if you've never soldered before, it's an easy skill to pick up.

Being resourceful and/or learning new skills = saving lots of money.

[D-Lite]

1) Go RGB. As it is, straight RGB is going to be better quality than the best build of converter. With the right monitor handy (admittedly, you have to be fortunate enough to already have one or find one cheap), you can build an RGB cable to it from your supergun for ~$5.
I'd say that the cost of finding and buying an RGB monitor more than offsets the cost of buying an encoder that allows you to use your 32" TV. Not to mention space issues. But yes, RGB is a great option. But S-Video through the JROK is spectacular.


2) Build your own converter. The schematic for RGB->composite is available right in the data sheet for Analog Devices' video processing chip. Get a sample chip for free, then buy a few resistors and some other components for $10 at Radio Shack (or elsewhere). A little soldering and you're all set. Even if you've never soldered before, it's an easy skill to pick up.

Being resourceful and/or learning new skills = saving lots of money.

Have you made your own encoder? It takes a bit more than "a little soldering", that's for sure. I make my own Sony CXA1645 based encoders for my Turbo Grafx mods and it takes me 3-4 just to build the encoder. And that's after having done it 15 or so times now. I do think it's cool to do it yourself and soldering isn't that difficult, but making an encoder is very painful as it almost never works the first time through.

One other point is that those AMD chips you speak of do not work well with other PCBs in some cases. Not that this is an issue if you are dealing solely with MVS.

Basically, I'm saying that if your time (and a good deal of frustration) is worth something to you, then buidling your own encoder may not be the best option for you . BUT, that being said, I think the fun and satisfaction involved in doing a project like this is awesome.

[ClubNinja]

Have you made your own encoder?

Yup.



It takes a bit more than "a little soldering", that's for sure. I make my own Sony CXA1645 based encoders for my Turbo Grafx mods and it takes me 3-4 just to build the encoder. And that's after having done it 15 or so times now. I do think it's cool to do it yourself and soldering isn't that difficult, but making an encoder is very painful as it almost never works the first time through.

I don't know what the TG encoders require so I don't doubt what you're saying, but a simple RGB->Composite is really pretty simple and straightforward.


One other point is that those AMD chips you speak of do not work well with other PCBs in some cases.

AMD? You're refering to the Analog Devices chip I mentioned, right?


I think the fun and satisfaction involved in doing a project like this is awesome.

Agreed, agreed, and agreed! Any mod or larger-scale project (like a supergun) that I have, I've done for myself. Those systems are the ones I appreciate the most, use the most, and generally feel better about due to the time and care I put into them. Nothing beats a successful do-it-yourself project.

[D-Lite]

I don't know what the TG encoders require so I don't doubt what you're saying, but a simple RGB->Composite is really pretty simple and straightforward.
The CXA1645 is a 24-pin chip that I get both S-Video and composite out of. Are you also pulling S-Video out of the AD chip?


AMD? You're refering to the Analog Devices chip I mentioned, right?

Oops, yep, that's what I meant.

[omnedon]

Agreed, agreed, and agreed! Any mod or larger-scale project (like a supergun) that I have, I've done for myself. Those systems are the ones I appreciate the most, use the most, and generally feel better about due to the time and care I put into them. Nothing beats a successful do-it-yourself project.


That helps explain my irrational love of my AES as well. The mod job was the first I'd done on an AES, and having socketed the debug into it, allowed me to later upgrade to the Universe 1.3 BIOS easily. VERY satisfying.

I have a Phantom-1 that works very well with my AES, but if I ever have problems with it, I'll install new slots into it. Since the AES may be a bit trickier for some to try the do it yourslef route, it still does not make more sense than MVS in any logical way. :embarrassed: LOL

[ClubNinja]

Are you also pulling S-Video out of the AD chip?

Yes. It's the AD725. Check out a data sheet at analog.com for more info. They actually have a whole line of 723-725, but 725 is ideal for this.

[le geek]

where'd you get it, and how much did it set you back?

Not to break up the cool tech talk... :D

I got the consolized one slot from a member of the neo-geo forums for just under $400 shipped, with two arcade sticks, Unibios 1.1 and 3 Count Bout.

Cheers,
Ben