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Just found out about IGS PGM, lots of questions

PGM is 4 buttons. CBOX funtionality could* support more.

CSync, is the Horizontal + Vertical Sync signals combined into Composite Sync (CSync). In arcade hardware, this is running at internal voltage levels (2-5v, depending). Consumer hardware, your TV, expects a low voltage Sync signal (0.7-1v). Historically, or in just poorly designed hardware, this Sync wasn't properly attenuated, and feeding 5v into your TV may not kill anything, but you may still have display issues. My point here was that shortcuts can be taken and you have no way of knowing without investigating every part of someone elses build.

For trusted sources, i just mean a product that has had at least some reviews made, here or else where, or going the supergun route from trusted sources, such as @RGB HAS, or the @Frank_fjs Minigun, or Axun Workshop offerings.

MD2 video cables are something of a standard given their prevalence, but they aren't always built correctly either. Get some decent cables for that.

Personally, I build my own consolized units for fun. I enjoy the process, and yes, they look great when they turn out the way i want them to. So understand my background when I say, a supergun is a better alternative :whistling:. If its aesthetics, the check out these acrylic kits by @Lions3 www.Lions3.com
 
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Someone mentioned the PGM board versions / revisions. Where/how can I check what version a board is? Is it a serial number or similar? Printed where?

nam9 said:
Personally, I build my own consolized units for fun. I enjoy the process, and yes, they look great when they turn out the way i want them to. So understand my background when I say, a supergun is a better alternative :whistling:. If its aesthetics, the check out these acrylic kits by @Lions3 www.Lions3.com
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Thank you for yor answers.
Those acrylic kits do look amazing!
 
Check out Tim’s site igspgm.com
Here are some motherboards
Top left there is a code IGS PCB-01XX-<Rev>-CP. Of course you can’t see without removing the shroud, so… ask.

The reason the revision is important is that early revisions have single wipe cartridge connectors, replaced by dual wipe later (this just gives better connections with the cart connectors), while the rev 14 include a button cell battery instead of axial (soldered) type that has a nasty habit of leaking and killing the main board.

Probably some other benefits I am unaware of too, besides higher rev = newer…
 
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Apparently the board revision is v14, according to the photos the seller sent me.

However, sadly, none of these sellers exactly fill me with confidence. Even the photos on their pages don't match each other some times, then when you request more photos of the actual item, it seems that's what they send you, but then you notice other little inconsistencies. Not exactly reassuring.

Oh well.

Let's see if @sheep_nova can find a good, reliable alternative. I'm still just taking a look, though, after all.

Thanks everyone :)
 
Which seller are you looking at? These sort of things get made in batches, photographed and sold. Read the descriptions, select appropriate options and you should get something close. They aren’t going to wait around with actual item photos etc. Just how it is.
 
nam9 said:
Which seller are you looking at? These sort of things get made in batches, photographed and sold. Read the descriptions, select appropriate options and you should get something close. They aren’t going to wait around with actual item photos etc. Just how it is.
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Ha, very true.

One of the 2 sellers I linked in a previous post.

(There are not many on AE selling consolized PGM anyway)
 
I've only seen "CBOX" on Aliexpress. I thought it was just another word for CMVS, but it might refer to the jamma extended functionality.
 
I got the ali version (1. Pic).
(Have also a normal Pgm here)
CAse is great (if you like it), plastik is thick not wobbly... theres a extra produces c-box.
Today, i cannot recommended it...
Because:
I have a problem with it (today it is not running), but im in comunication with the seller...
Video out is a md2 version .
So i bought some md2 to scart cable. Didnt work.
They said the scart version have often problems... i had no sync on my ossc...
Funny, that when i uses this cable on my regular cbox and the original pgm (my old) works fine.
They said i shoulf buy a md2 to bnc/chinch cable... so its ordered and waiting for the delivery... than i can say something more if its broken or it was the cable...
I testet yesterday to get the pgm board out of it to check if the ocb is ok (uskng my cbox) but i stopped, not easy to dissamble...

But:
The PCB is perfekt. Perfect clean, battery change against batterie holder, no leakage places like brand new.

I hope i get the cable bext week...
 
Snowflake said:
I got the ali version (1. Pic).
(Have also a normal Pgm here)
CAse is great (if you like it), plastik is thick not wobbly... theres a extra produces c-box.
Today, i cannot recommended it...
Because:
I have a problem with it (today it is not running), but im in comunication with the seller...
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VERY interested in your impressions, thank you for sharing.
So which one is “1. pic”? Are you talking about the first photo that I posted?

Pity about the cable.
 
Yes its the first photo...
I hope the new cable will work...
I hope...

I Have nice mail comunication... but i think if its broken rhey will say it the fault of my configuration...
Then the only way to get back my money is over ali... and there you only get back the pruce of the pgm , not postal seevice fees, taxes etc... that will cost me over 60€ down the drain...
wish me luck!

I will make some photos when I'm home.
 
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@Snowflake are you able to open the scart cable up and see what components are inside the scart housing? MD2 cables are not passive, as in they should contain some additional capacitors/resistors. Some cheap cables omit these components. They may also be wired for composite video rather than composite sync…

If you have issues with the OSSC, it is probably a sync issue.
 
Well… it has things in the end for sure.

There are probably some OSSC settings to test out as the PGM has sync issues at the best of times..

Google overview
 
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Snowflake said:
I hope i get the cable bext week...
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What cable did you order? Where?

nam9 said:
Well… it has things in the end for sure.

There are probably some OSSC settings to test out as the PGM has have sync issues at the best of times..

Google overview
Click to expand...

I read that "Google overview" and checked Retro Gaming Cables but of course I'm a total ignorant so I have no idea what I should be looking for. I assume, if these consolized PGMs feature a MD2 connector, this should work? https://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk...e-2-sega-genesis-2-rgb-av-scart-cable-tv-lead

Then again, I don't even know if these consolizations are actually providing stereo or which pins should go where...
 
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The google overview was a rundown of adjustments to make the PGM play nicely with an OSSC upscaler.

RetroGamingCables have been my go-to for properly constructed scart cables.
Of course you need to trust that the MD2 video output is to standard, but you can at least rule out badly constructed cables.
 
I think you're better off buying a PGM motherboard instead of those questionable consolizations. The PGM comes with a nice sturdy red case that's pretty much "consolized". This also leaves you in charge of what supergun / cables to use which means you can ensure top-tier fidelity.

My recent experiences with buying PGM mobos on AE:

1. Seller: Self Love Store / Sent me a badly corroded rev8 motherboard with visible damage that took up one quarter of the PCB. Sent it back and refunded through AE. Seller tried to feed me bs to accept the condition of the mobo ("did you test the PCB?").

2. Seller: DoubleDragonEx / Sent me a rev14 motherboard that looked brand new. Both the board and the plastic case were immaculate, looking as if they were recently removed from the original packing material and never used. There was not a single scratch on the red case and it still had the foil sticker. All of that for 90$ shipped.

My impression is that that there's tons of PGM motherboards out there, and you can get your hands on a good one without a lot of effort.

YMMV of course but maybe this will prove helpful.
 
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atomontage said:
I think you're better off buying a PGM motherboard instead of those questionable consolizations. The PGM comes with a nice sturdy red case that's pretty much "consolized". This also leaves you in charge of what supergun / cables to use which means you can ensure top-tier fidelity.
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I’ll second this. When I started out, I found the whole supergun + PSU voltage pot thing really daunting, and the best superguns aren’t always in stock. But in time, I found reasons to switch away from consolizations:
  1. A lot of consolizations are done badly. I bought a consolized CPS2, but the seller did an awful job soldering and the P2 kick harness wiring was totally wrong
  2. Consolizations often have the cheapest PSUs possible, which risks poor reliability and even damage to your hardware
  3. You can reuse the supergun and PSU across multiple arcade PCBs
  4. Good superguns like HAS have features like rapid fire and button remapping
 
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9999 Damage said:
It’s a jungle out there! I think a lot of these stories have a stack of motherboards and just ship without testing.

Vintage Japanese Arcade Accessories Store shipped me a PGM mobo with corroded traces. There was a broken bodge wire for P2 B4, so that button didn’t work at all until I repaired it. Ali thought my video evidence (mobo, input, test screen) wasn’t sufficient for a full refund, and an overseas return for such a cheap item wasn’t feasible, so I got a 50% refund.

Still, buying a PGM mobo and a backup off Ali might be cheaper than buying them off Ebay.
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In my case, I let both sellers know ahead of time when I placed the order that they should check for battery damage / corrosion. I didn't even need to provide a video when I opened the case with AE, just a few photos (which you can see in my one-star review here) and "not as advertised" reason got me immediate resolution (full refund and shipping the item back at their expense).
 
hombreimaginario said:
What cable did you order? Where?



I read that "Google overview" and checked Retro Gaming Cables but of course I'm a total ignorant so I have no idea what I should be looking for. I assume, if these consolized PGMs feature a MD2 connector, this should work? https://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk...e-2-sega-genesis-2-rgb-av-scart-cable-tv-lead

Then again, I don't even know if these consolizations are actually providing stereo or which pins should go where...
Click to expand...
Now i ordered a md2 to component/chinch cable... also from an ali shop. I hop3 now it will work.. before buying a expensive one from a non chinese producer
 
nam9 said:
The google overview was a rundown of adjustments to make the PGM play nicely with an OSSC upscaler.

RetroGamingCables have been my go-to for properly constructed scart cables.
Of course you need to trust that the MD2 video output is to standard, but you can at least rule out badly constructed cables.
Click to expand...
I understand.
I would only connect these to my goold old CRT with RGB/scart, hence my question. I mean, would one of those MD2 cables work as it is?

atomontage said:
1. Seller: Self Love Store / Sent me a badly corroded rev8 motherboard with visible damage that took up one quarter of the PCB. Sent it back and refunded through AE. Seller tried to feed me bs to accept the condition of the mobo ("did you test the PCB?").

2. Seller: DoubleDragonEx / Sent me a rev14 motherboard that looked brand new. Both the board and the plastic case were immaculate, looking as if they were recently removed from the original packing material and never used. There was not a single scratch on the red case and it still had the foil sticker. All of that for 90$ shipped.
Click to expand...
DDEX was the most expensive of the 3 options I have been looking. "Self Love" sounds, uh... wrong :P
 
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