Connect a PC to a
JAMMA cabinet in seconds!
Now with on-board video amplifier!

The J-PAC (JAMMA
interface for Pc to Arcade Controls) is a board which allows plug-in connection
of a JAMMA arcade cabinet to a VGA card and keyboard port or USB port on a PC
motherboard. It incorporates all the functions of the I-PAC, for example:
- Fully programmable key code set. Stored even after power off.
- Dual interface USB or Keyboard.
- Supports I-PAC optional pre-assembled LED harness with 3 panel
mounting LEDs which emulate the keyboard Lights.
- Lead plugs into keyboard socket on PC or USB port.
- Self-Test LED gives an instant check of all your wiring. Can indicate
which, if any, input has a problem.
- No separate power needed.
- Does not use a matrix - no ghost keys. All inputs are
completely separate and generate their own interrupt - this is the fastest
possible method.
- Does not use a scanning method which causes a variable delay.
- 2 Jumper-selectable modes. Either uses standard MAME keys or
you can program your own character set.
- Shift functions. Holding "Start1" and pressing other buttons
sends a range of codes for MAME functions such as "escape", "Coin 1", "tab",
"enter". This means no extra buttons are needed on the cabinet. In programmable
mode any input can be the shift key and all keys can be programmed with a
shifted code.
- Connector for ordinary keyboard which can be used together
with the controls if required.
- No special drivers needed. USB drivers are generic Windows. On
many motherboards USB will work in DOS.
- All control inputs which are part of a normal JAMMA standard are
routed to an on-board JAMMA edge connector.
- Connector for VGA input from PC VGA card. Routes through to JAMMA
edge connector for connection to the cabinet arcade monitor.
- On-board video amplifier boosts signal to standard arcade monitor
levels. Uses high-bandwidth video amplifier chip.
- Custom microcontroller only allows sync signals to be sent to the
monitor if they are in the correct range that the monitor is designed for.
Avoids driving the monitor with a too-high horizontal sync rate which can
damage some arcade monitors.
- Sync circuitry also converts separate horizontal and vertical syncs
into composite sync. Can handle both positive and negative vertical sync.
- If required, can divide a 31Khz VGA signal in half so that it will
display a stable picture on a 15Khz arcade monitor. Useful for checking boot-up
progress and configuration (not for application use). Automatically stops
dividing the signal when it detects a correct 15Khz rate is being send by the
PC.
- JAMMA cabinet speaker routed to screw connectors for wiring to
powered sound card or hacked PC speakers.
Click for Hi-res pic.
Important Legal Note.
For legal
reasons we must state here that the J-PAC is not designed to be used in
revenue-earning applications where a credit mechanism is used. The J-PAC
contains no specific interface functionality for any credit device. Although it
has inputs which connect to the JAMMA coin signals, these are designed such
that activating a switch connected to them causes the MAME "coin" keycodes (5
or 6) to be sent. These are designed to be used with panel pushbuttons not coin
doors or note acceptors.