If hobbyists with arcade machines in their collections were to completely empathize with what you are trying to achieve, we would do it like this:
The reason we would recommend a tri-sync monitor is because the System 256 runs in what is callled High Resolution. This is nothing more than 640x480 VGA video. But this is the pinnacle of arcade CRT display and is quite a site to behold. If you want the authentic System 256 experience, you will need a tri-sync monitor. This will be your biggest expense.The JAMMA switcher will then allow you to connect the PC through the J-PAC to the switcher. You can also connect the System 256 with a JVS-to-JAMMA connector to the switcher. Then away you go.
You are looking at the following investment if you are to choose the path that would tilt more towards an authentic arcade experience:
Is it truly difficult to configure a CRT to work with MAME and 256?
For someone that has never done this before, the answer is it is likely an 8 on a scale of 1-10.
- Ditch the RPi3 for a PC
- Go with a CRT based cab, preferably a tri-sync monitor
- JAMMA switcher so you can dual boot
The reason we would recommend a tri-sync monitor is because the System 256 runs in what is callled High Resolution. This is nothing more than 640x480 VGA video. But this is the pinnacle of arcade CRT display and is quite a site to behold. If you want the authentic System 256 experience, you will need a tri-sync monitor. This will be your biggest expense.The JAMMA switcher will then allow you to connect the PC through the J-PAC to the switcher. You can also connect the System 256 with a JVS-to-JAMMA connector to the switcher. Then away you go.
You are looking at the following investment if you are to choose the path that would tilt more towards an authentic arcade experience:
- The tri-sync cabinet shall be your biggest expense. Likely, this will be higher than $500 alone. Also, you would likely be gutting a dedicated arcade game to achieve this (trust me, you don't want to even mention you are doing this). System 256 will set you back $150. A MAME PC will cost you around $100
- You are looking at a huge investment of time in searching for a tri-sync arcade cabinet in your area. These things don't come around often, even in California where I am from. You are also looking at a huge investment in time to figure out how to setup a MAME PC. How to get it to interface to a 15khz monitor. Then all your physical effort will likely be huge to set this up.
Is it truly difficult to configure a CRT to work with MAME and 256?
For someone that has never done this before, the answer is it is likely an 8 on a scale of 1-10.