Scanline generators : what are they used for ?

There is a lot you can do with your bartop, besides customizing it !

If you want to give the LCD screen that is usually put inside a much better rendition for these vintage games we all love so much to play, you can add a scanline generator in your set-up !

Now, what is it ?

It is a device that enables you to generate scanlines on your LCD screen, because natively, it does not. Scanlines are the lines you could see on older-generation LCD TVs and PC monitors. They were a bit hard on the eyes, but they gave the odd Pac-Man or Galaga their true graphical authenticity, because that is the way you could play them in arcades, too.

Examples and explanations here : http://scanlines.hazard-city.de/
or on this site (for a DIY project) : http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/console/other/vga-scanlines.htm

You can check them out and compare their features on these different sites :
First this one, from arcadeforge.de (nicely built but expensive) : http:// www.arcadeforge.de/product_info.php?products_id=12&XTCsi d=ct8nrmtj1avq19emi1bjeekdv7

Then the T-SLG (for Toodles, a guy developing his own custom devices) : http://godlikecontrols.com/
Problem is, they have been out of stock for the T-SLG for a long time now. I bought mine off from a pal.


But if you are more interested, you can of course visit our forum, the first forum ever devoted to bartops only :

BARTOPMANIA

Now, I hope you will understand a little more what scanlines are and how much life and gusto they can add to your bartop gameplay!

What is a bartop ?

WHAT IS A BARTOP ?

No connection to either a bar where you can drink alcohol or the place you put your glass and bottle on, waiting for the bartender to listen to your drunken words...
No, a bartop is short for a bartop arcade machine.
It is a smaller machine which looks like full-sized cabinet (you know, the ones that used to be seen in arcades, at the time.
Maybe you are old enough to have known them in their full glory, and have spent all your pocket money in cabinets like Pac-Man, or Galaga, or even Tron.
Maybe not.

The photo above the article can give you a pretty good idea of what a bartop is. It is a fun little machine, with which you will have a good time...

But there is one major drawback to these machines. If you want one and cannot spend a lot of money to some professional builders out there (there are some, but not many) you will have to build it...

Yourself.
Wooooooooot ?

Yes, that's the beauty (or the nightmare) of it. A bartop is as personal as a custom bike or car, in the way that you are the builder of it.

Now there are many things like arcade parts, techniques, machines that you have to buy, learn about and know how to use if ever you're interested in building your own joy machines.

Of course there are traditional arcade building sites out there that you can join. But there are not focussed properly on bartop-building. The only forum which is dedicated to building your own machine is :

BARTOPMANIA

On these boards you will meet enthusiasts like you and share your lobe for bartop building. You will learn the secrets of the trade and become an accomplish builder yourself. You will help and encourage others to start an engrossing and thrilling quest to build the best bartop ever. Finally you will share the building process and show your finished machine to others and the world !

Join us there !