While having coffee the other day, jotting down notes as I usually do, I got into thinking about all the unresolved issues surrounding the JVS-PAC 2.  I started writing down these issues, and upon looking at what I had written I came to the realization that these are not show-stopping road-blocks at all but more in the ‘fancy features’ category.  I’ve been getting a few requests for JVS-PAC’s in the last few months, and none of them were for specific JVS-PAC 2 features – most people simply want something that ‘just works’ like the old JVS-PAC.  Clearly, there is only one logical thing to do – which is to get the JVS-PAC 2 into production as quickly as possible, and that is exactly what I’m doing. 

At first it will likely have just the MAME features of the original, which should get the job done for most people :).  Firmware update is really fast easy though, and I still want to make it easy to use with steam titles – but this intention will not stand in the way of people just wanting to play Mame in their JVS cabinets.

The assembly houses operate with a 5-6 week lead time, and with Chinese new year holiday coming up I don’t have a specific date, but if I suspect within a couple of months.

There will be no pre-orders or preferred order processing, but unless I have totally misjudged the demand there should be enough units for everyone.

 

Happy holidays everyone!  2018 has been interesting, moving to a new web site and getting the Jammafier and tri-sync helper out.  2019 should see the completion and availability of the JVS-PAC2, and hopefully the scaler.

Jammafier

I got parts for 10 units just before the holidays kicked in and should have them ready for shipping early 2019.  Apart from implementing a screen-saver to conserve the life of the OLED, I think this project is mostly done and I’m very happy about the reception and support it has gotten.  The initial inrush of orders has calmed down a bit, but I plan on having this available on a continuous basis – real-life obligations permitting.  I’ve enabled stock counting in the store, which either shows stock available or units not already sold in an imminent production run.

One big issue with the Jammafier is the time it takes to assemble it, it has a lot of parts that require manual soldering.  I got another 40 Jamma edge connectors, the hardest part to source, and when those are gone I’m done with manual assembly.  If there is still demand, I will look into having it assembled in China.

Retro Scaler A1

I got both the PCB’s and parts for a new revision just before the holidays, and have spent a few nights playing wit it.  Acouple of my arcade PCB’s are very noisy so in the revision I wanted to try a selectable low-pass-filter (LPF) to see if it would make a big difference – it didn’t.  It’s an improvement, but not sure if it’s worth the added cost.  Firmware is pretty much the same between rev 1.4 and rev 1.3, so I don’t have to make a decision right now.  The 240p test suite https://junkerhq.net/xrgb/index.php?title=240p_test_suite has proven quite useful in exposing some oddities with the ADC I’m using.  All tests look really good, only thing I haven’t figured out yet is PAL interlace (625i).

My goal when I set out to make this was to make something as good as or better than the XRGB2 for arcade games, and I’m happy to say that this thing is way better when it comes to image quality.  I hope to have it ‘out’ in 2019, which is about time – I’ve been messing with this thing for years.  Apart from a firmware development, the big hurdle is manufacturing cost. I hope revenue from the Jammafier and JVS-PAC2 will contribute to making this a reality.

JVS-PAC2

Sorry for the delay on this one, I do appreciate getting requests for it though.  I will not do manual batches  apart from an initial proto-type testing batch, but rather go straight to having them manufactured in China like the red original JVS-PAC’s.  So when it’s finally available, it should be available 🙂  At least that’s the plan.  It’s based on the code and hardware of the Jammafier, so it should not take too long. Stay tuned..

 

Just a short update on things cooking in the lab.  A new batch of Jammafiers is in the works, almost ready to go out – except the audio connectors are still missing, but supposedly in transit.  There are a few units in this batch that are not spoken for, so if you are in need of one – pre-order yours today 🙂

The second batch of Jammafiers were sent out today, I hope you will like them.

Unfortunately, I don’t have a hidden stash of Jammafiers, or JVS-PAC2’s for that matter.  When more units will be for sale is TBD at the moment, but do check back for updates.

 

First batch of the Jammafiers went out last month, and while there was a slight issue (later resolved) with the IO boards found in Vewlix cabinets, I think it was a success.  

I’m making another small batch and as of right now, there are 4 units not spoken for.  If you want one, you can pre-order in the store section.  They should be ready to ship in about 2 weeks.

The store section is not really completed, shipping and payment plug-ins are not working so it’s all rather static for now.  The way it works is you put in your order, and once I’m ready to ship – I’ll send you a PayPal invoice.

Shipping methods are FedEx and non-tracked air-mail.  

 

 

This is a new prototype of the next JVS-PAC.  Apart from the processor which is really fast, it has a  surprisingly readable tiny screen and two buttons. Micro-SD for firmware updates, so no need for special Windows drivers.  I’m still ‘bringing it up’ – but at least the screen works 🙂  I’ll post a note when the hardware is properly verified and I have some idea on availability schedule.

Making an upscaler is not for the easily discouraged, that’s for sure.  This is rev 1.3, the 4th revision of the upscaler.

Most notably for users is that input and output is clearly labeled on the PCB, as I found myself plugging input video to the output connector and vice versa.If it’s confusing to me that actually makes the thing, I’m sure it would be confusing for others too.

Most of the changes has to do with making it feasible to have it manufactured – I’ve changed the size of some components, improved the power delivery part and managed to re-arrange things so all components fit on the top side of the PCB, which should bring production cost down a bit.  It’s still in development, but hopefully (famous last words) – the hardware part is pretty much done.