This is a great project and I have been following it for awhile. As it gets ready for production, I do ask perhaps for a quick synopsis of the main features of the Mega JVS to fully understand what it provides for those of us that use JVS cabinets and hardware (Sega Naomi, Triforce, Chihiro, Lindbergh, etc.) I currently have a Type III JVS I/O that I use as well as spare Type I and II boards - what are the key features that the Mega JVS adds that improves on the current I/O boards and perhaps some examples of how the features can be used? I think it was confused with the mini I/O USB project as well that looks to use USB guns/steering wheels with JVS and just want to make sure I understand everything this can do and how it would replace the current I/O boards in terms of flexibility and function. I think there are perhaps uses of this product that I am not fully understanding at this point that would really sell it as a "must-have" item. Thanks.
For the record, I didn't design it as a "must-have" item and I doubt I would ever go so far as to try to push anyone into purchasing it. I designed it because I had a need that no one else was meeting. If anyone else has the same need and wants this solution, then great. If no one else wants it, that's fine, too. I got what I wanted out of it.
My need was to be able to play all driving games with my OR2SP cab's controls without rewiring. From one game to another many controls don't map up, so require wire remapping or some other manual hardware based solution that potentially requires a change with each game you boot.
What I designed with the MEGA JVS is a replacement for the Sega Type 1 I/O that takes the same connectors, so can work as a drop-in replacement in a cabinet that originally had a Type 1. The MEGA JVS has profiles that manage the virtual remapping of inputs so that the physical inputs in a cabinet will be interpreted as different inputs in a given game.
As an example: If I boot up Crazy Taxi High Roller in my OR2SP cab with the stock I/O, the shifter is basically useless and doesn't map up to anything worthwhile. One of the buttons (I think View Change) will put the car into reverse and then you're stuck because no inputs will work to put the car back in drive. On top of that there's a JUMP button in the game that isn't mapped to anything so I wouldn't be able to jump. With the MEGA JVS I can program in a profile for Crazy Taxi High Roller that makes it so that the shifter now works as drive and reverse and the view change button works as the JUMP button. Now I can boot up the game, switch to the CTHR profile on the I/O, and play the game with access all controls in a way that fits the available controls in my cab. The MEGA JVS has a PROFILE button that can be remotely mounted. For now I have it hanging out of my coin door, so when I boot a game, I use that button to change to the appropriate profile for the game and away I go.
So I met my need, but some other benefits came about as a result that include, but are not limited to:
1 - MEGA JVS can replace virtually any other JVS I/O. There is no need to have a Type 2 and Type 3 on hand because the MEGA JVS can present itself as either of these I/Os and games that require a specific I/O are satisfied and work with the MEGA JVS. The same goes for the NAMCO I/O. It makes use of some digital inputs that would be equivalent to player 1 button 10 that are not accessible on Sega Type 1 or 3 (maybe on 2?).
2 - If you make use of the S-JIHP from
@Mitsurugi-w for adapting controls such as a gamepad or steering wheel to a Sega I/O, then it would still work with a MEGA JVS because it will accept the inputs from the S-JIHP. (*This hasn't been tested yet, but no reason I can think of for why it wouldn't work.)
3 - MEGA JVS will likely be cheaper than any official I/O available on the secondary market.
4 - It wouldn't be limited to driving games. All analog inputs and digital inputs and outputs found on a Type 1 are mapped up and functional, so any cabinet that's compatible with or can be adapted to Type 1 can potentially take advantage of the MEGA JVS profile features. (This has not been tested yet). Shooting games should also be compatible, but not yet tested.
I don't want to misrepresent
@invzim and his
Mini USB JVS I/O project, so I invite him to confirm or deny my take:
He's a more experienced PCB designer and has an overall better idea of what he's doing than I do. His project is designed as a complete I/O replacement, with mapping profiles, that allows for the use of gamepads and other USB controllers (potentially steering wheels, USB guns, etc) on JVS games without the need to hack the controls for wiring into an I/O. His board could potentially be infinitely expanded via software to support any commonly available USB controllers. His board can present itself as any JVS I/O and satisfy the requirements for games that require specific I/O features. So if you wanted to boot up a game and play on an Xbox 360 controller, that would likely be an option. If he were to expand functionality so that it accepted cabinet inputs, I think his project would be an entirely superior offering to mine.
As it is I see a distinction between our projects in that MEGA JVS is meant as an in cabinet I/O replacement (though really only for Type 1 I/O cabinets unless you adapt wiring), and the
Mini USB JVS I/O is more useful outside of a cabinet. But your thinking shouldn't be limited to that because there's no reason I couldn't buy the Mini USB JVS I/O and sit in my driving cab and play a fighting game with a controller.
