ArcadeVGA ?

[rxd]

What exactly is the advantage of using an ArcadeVGA card on a MAME cabinet? My MAME Cabinet has a Wells Gardner D9200 monitor and I hear that the ArcadeVGA card is "perfect" for it. Why is that? All the games look fine to me using the el cheapo video card that is integrated on the motherboard of the computer. Don't get me wrong, if buying this card will make the machine function better I'll do it, but their web site is kind of vague as to what the advantages are going to be. For example they show Ms. PacMan with and without their ArcadeVGA board. Well my system already looks perfect to me, nothing like their "before" picture. In fact the only real issue I have is that the MAME team tied the sound to the video refresh speed so games that used monitors with refresh speed greater that 60hz tend to stutter. But I don't see this board addressing that issue either. Like I said, if buying this board is going to improve the system I'll get it, but what kind of improvements can I realistically expect?

 

Thanks

[NightSprinter]

The main reason you would want an ArcadeVGA is the fact that the GPU and drivers are customized to support the special resolutions of arcade monitors (like your Wells-Gardner D9200). This way, you can play games and have them look like they're supposed to without needing to use special effects.

 

Furthermore, the card also supports the special frequencies that the real arcade machines used. Many of those frequences cannot be produced by a modern VGA-or-better-class monitor. This is equally important, as many games use 15kHz frequencies, or some use very odd frequencies (like some of Midway's later arcade games like the MK series).

 

Just remember, the ArcadeVGA card is meant STRICTLY for emulation purposes. Its 3D engine really can't handle modern games.