C h a p t e r 1 Overview of the ZVG A quick overview of the ZVG • A Short Description of the ZVG. • ZVG Specifications. • An Overview of Jumper Setting and Controls. 7/7/06 Rev 0.
Chapter 1: Overview of the ZVG A. What is the ZVG? The ZVG (which stands for Zektor Vector Generator) is a vector generator which attaches to a PC through a ECP compatible parallel port, and allows a PC to control a vector monitor. It is capable of running a wide variety of different X/Y (Vector) monitors, and allows this by incorporating a number of jumper settings, and user selectable parameters. Vector information is sent to the ZVG through an IEEE 1284 compatible ECP port.
Chapter 1: Overview of the ZVG B. Specifications X and Y Output Voltages Jumper selectable to between 6v full scale and 12v full scale. On board adjustments for individual control of X and Y sizing, along with individual centering of the X and Y axes. A software adjustable scale setting is available using ZVGTWEAK.EXE. Z Axis Output Voltage Factory settings: 1v minimum intensity, 4v maximum intensity. 0v used for blanking. Minimum and Maximum values are user adjustable using ZVGTWEAK.
Chapter 1: Overview of the ZVG C. Jumpers and Indicators The following is a descriptions of the jumpers and adjustments available on the ZVG board. Note: For simple operation it is not important to understand what each jumper does. The following sections will describe how to set them up for the most commonly available vector monitors. Jumper Settings • (J3) Vector Table Selection. Select which firmware timing table to use. • (J4) Vector Draw Speed. Select vector drawing speed.
Chapter 1: Overview of the ZVG Jumper and Adjustment Locations Y-LIN X-LIN J2 Y-SP2 Y-SP1 X-SP1 X-SP2 J4 Y-LEN R42 J8 R54 ZEKTOR TM J3 Y-SP2 Y-SP1 X-SP1 X-SP2 J4 X-SIZE J9 www.zektor.
Chapter 1: Overview of the ZVG 1–6
Chapter 2: Getting Started C h a p t e r 2 Getting Started ZVG Operations • • • • Connecting the ZVG to the PC, Monitor. Powering up the ZVG and using ZVGTWEAK.EXE. Powering down the ZVG and Monitor. Emulators.
Chapter 2: Getting Started A. Connecting the ZVG to the PC The ZVG communicates vector information through a IEEE 1284 compatible parallel port, using the ECP mode. The current state of the software does not use DMA or IRQs, but future software will. The current software does not “autofind” the parallel port, though future versions will. Step 1: Setting up the PC The PC’s parallel port must be set to the ECP mode, and it’s address noted. They ways of doing this varies from computer to computer.
Chapter 2: Getting Started to the monitor of choice. In some cases the cable is simply connected to J9 of the ZVG, and the appropriate connector on the vector monitor. In some cases an additional connection to the monitor’s power supply is needed. See “Chapter 2 - Monitor Setup” and refer to the section dealing with your chosen monitor for more details on connecting the ZVG to your vector monitor. Step 4: Connecting Power to the ZVG To supply power to the ZVG each board is shipped with a wall transformer.
Chapter 2: Getting Started B. Powering Up the ZVG Step 1: Verifying ZVG Operations Start with the monitor and the ZVG powered down, and the parallel port cable disconnected from the ZVG. To verify the ZVG is operating properly we will run the program ZVGTWEAK. requires that the ZVG is run in the IEEE compatibility mode. This requires J3 jumper 1284 be installed. ZVGTWEAK Note: Whenever J3-1284 is changed, power to the ZVG must be cycled.
Chapter 2: Getting Started Dx[,t] The 'Dx' parameter indicates the DMA level, the optional ',t' extension indicates the type of DMA to use, and is only needed in the off chance the default settings do not work. The 'x' DMA value is a number between 0 and 3 and indicates the DMA level of the ECP port connected to the PC. The ',t' value is optional and is a number between 0 and 2. 0= 1= 2= No DMA, this will cause the ZVG to run slower. Use as a last resort. Normal DMA mode. This is the default if not given.
Chapter 2: Getting Started Some examples of ZVGPORT settings: Given: ECP Address = 378, DMA = 3, Interrupt = 7, WG Monitor: set ZVGPORT=P378 D3 I7 M4 This indicates the ECP is connected to address 378, and uses DMA channel 3, and IRQ 7, and is connected to a color Monitor that incorporates a spotkiller.
Chapter 2: Getting Started ZVGTWEAK will start by reading and displaying the version information of the ZVG. It will then begin displaying a Zektor logo on the vector monitor. Since the monitor is not powered on, the only indication of anything being displayed is the status light D4. This light should be lit, and may be a bit dimmer than the power indicator D3. The status light D4 blinks each time a vector is being drawn, and so appears to be dimmer than D3 which is always on.
Chapter 2: Getting Started C. Powering down the ZVG and Vector Monitor For reasons of monitor safety it is important that the monitor be either turned off simultaneously with the ZVG, or that the ZVG be turned off first, or at least brought to a state where vectors are not being generated, before turning off the vector monitor. For color monitors this is the safest way of powering down.
Chapter 2: Getting Started sity spot will be generated in the center of the screen and will remain there, unmoving, until all HV power is dissipated from the CRT, which can lead to phosphor burn. Here is a quote directly from the G05-801 Service Manual describing this condition: “On power down, the transistor Q502 shorting the Z signal, draws its operating power from a decaying +25v line and consequently after a short time loses its ability to short out the Z signal.
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Chapter 3: Monitor Setup C h a p t e r 3 Monitor Setup Jumper Settings and Wiring • • • • • • • J9 Pinout Defined. Wells Gardner 6101 19” and Amplifone 13” Color X/Y Monitors. Amplifone 19” and 25” Color X/Y Monitors. Electrohome G05 and Wells Gardner WG2000 B&W X/Y Monitors. Electrohome G08 (Used by Sega X/Y games) Color X/Y Monitors. Jumper Settings for using a Vectrex as an X/Y Monitor. Jumper Settings for using an Oscilloscope as an X/Y Monitor.
Chapter 3: Monitor Setup A. J9 Pinout Defined Location of J9 Y-LIN X-LIN J2 Y-SP2 Y-SP1 X-SP1 X-SP2 J4 Y-LEN R42 J8 R54 ZEKTOR TM X-SIZE X-CENTER J3 J1 J9 www.zektor.
Chapter 3: Monitor Setup B.
Chapter 3: Monitor Setup C.
Chapter 3: Monitor Setup D.
Chapter 3: Monitor Setup E.
Chapter 3: Monitor Setup F.
Chapter 3: Monitor Setup Note: After using zvgtweak.exe you will have to re-adjust the Vectrex brightness control to run MAME. MAME and ZVGTWEAK.EXE use different defaults for their vector intensities. ZVG specifications when using these Jumper Settings • Speed: 15us / inch. • X-voltage: TBD. • Y-voltage: TBD. • Pincushion correction: Disabled. • Linearity correction: Disabled.
Chapter 3: Monitor Setup G.
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