New ZVG Menu released

[chadsarcade]

A UKVAC exclusive, first posted here

One for you ZVG owners...

Today a new download sneaked it's way onto the Zektor site in the form of a new Vector Mame Menu.

As you may be aware, the source code to Ian Boffin's original menu was sadly lost in a hard drive crash, making updates to the original release impossible.

This menu picks up where Ian's left off, and allows for the much requested feature of customisable menus. Finally you can add those extra games added in the last versions of DOS mame, and remove the ones which don't suit your control panel layout!

Docs and setup instructions are included in the zip, which you can grab from here:

http://zektor.com/zvg/downloads.htm

Cheers,

Chad

 

[trm]

Excellent! I've think I've pushed my VACing luck in picking up the cabs & games I want at good prices so I doubt I'll ever get hold of a ZVG unless they start making them again, but thank you for the effort you've put into this and hopefully I'll be able to take advantage of it one day.

cheers

 

[Macro]

Cheers, will give it a try.

(unless Tim wants to offer me loads of money for mine

)

 

[chadsarcade]

I've got rotation working now for anyone with a Tempest or other vertical vector. Plus you can now redefine the control keys to suit your layout. Just a few more tweaks to do and I'll post an update to the exe.

 

[guddler]

Cool - nice one. I'm in the same boat as Tim unfortunately. Having not been on the Vector list for years and years, ZVGs completely passed me by. Shame as I'd love to play Tac Scan on my Tempest cab.

Any chance of someone making another one? Not really going to tread on anyone's toes or harm anyone if they're no longer being made is it? They even supply the schematics. Just needs the code for the atmel.

 

[DanP]

Just a quick bump for this, the new menu is really great, it definatley improves upon the work done by Ian which was lost years ago, the best enhancement being that you can now exclude games you don't want from the menu. Now we have a new menu with source hopefully we'll be good to go once the Linux port of ZVG enabled MAME is ready to go (it's work in progress). This should open up a lot more options for people in terms of hardware they can use, the DOS requirement really limits you hardware wise when using the ZVG. It's actually quite difficult to find a DOS capable PC that has enough grunt to play all the vector games at 100% speed.

Regarding new ZVG's, I do wonder if anyone has actually asked Zonn? He might be willing to share his files if he truly doesn't want to make anymore. I think he's stuck on the whole minimum order for PCB's thing where he just doesn't believe he could sell the required number. That said I assume anyone else making them would hit the same wall. It's a shame cos it's a fantastic bit of kit

Dan

 

[Equites]

I've been offered a ZVG for £220, is this a reasonable price? Then I would have to source a WG 6100 vector monitor to go with it!

 

[DanP]

I'd say that's not an outrageous price given how unavailable they are now, I'd buy it if were offered to me Sourcing a working 6100 might be a bit tricky though...

Dan

 

[Ravage]

Sourcing a working 6100 might be a bit tricky though...
Dan

I could perhaps help there

 

[Equites]

Sourcing a working 6100 might be a bit tricky though...
Dan

I could perhaps help there

Cool! Rav you rock!

 

[chadsarcade]

Just for UKVAC, particularly those with a ZVG setup on a Tempest (or other vertical vector cab - talk about a niche audience!) here's v1.1

This one supports screen rotation, and adds redefinable controls.

http://www.chadgray.btinternet.co.uk/vmmenu/

Warning - may have bugs! This version hasn't been submitted to Zonn for posting on the Zektor site yet

Cheers,

Chad

ETA: I'll ask Zonn nicely about ZVGs when I give him the next version to post if you like? There seems to be more interest again, and a Linux version would add to this.
chadsarcade2011-02-28 21:21:17