Cinematronics Sundance Free Play with Modifications
for Bi-Level & 64-Level Monitors
February 18, 2018
Cinematronics Sundance was originally programed for use with a 16 intensity level vector display using a 23" black & white tube that was oriented vertically in the game's cabinet. These displays were unreliable when they were new in late 1970s and are exceedingly rare now.
To allow Sundance to run on a wider range of hardware, the game ROMs have been modified to allow either bi-level or 64-level vector monitors to be used.
Additionally, Sundance can now also be installed into CCPU boards like Armor Attack or Solar Quest using two 2732 EPROMs.
Finally, a dip switch selectable free play option has been added with on-screen "FREE PLAY" text displayed when active.
Click here for more information.
The video below shows Sundance running in an Armor Attack cabinet:
Cinematronics RAM Test PCB Updated
February 18, 2018
Thanks to some helpful advice from a reader, the instructions to build a Cinematronics RAM Test PCB have been updated. This optional PCB is for use with the J4 output version of the Cinematronics RAM test.
The PCB now includes an Octal 3-STATE Buffer to drive the LEDs.
Please note that the power for the board should be taken from the game's harness and not from the J4 connector itself (there is no +5v source at J4). I'm using a pass-through Molex connector with extra +5v and ground wires attached that connects to the game's harness.
Click here for more information.
Cinematronics CPU Board Repair Log
January 16, 2018
I recently set up a Cinematronics Exorciser PCB from Biltronix. After getting used to the system I was able to repair my non-working Cinematronics CPU boards. I've added a repair log detailing the process.
Click here for more information.
Cinematronics Rip Off Audio Test
January 15, 2018
I'm investigating an audio problem in my Rip Off game where the sound is low at all volume settings. I pulled the audio board, hooked it up to my tester and the board tested OK. I recorded the results of the test and have uploaded it to YouTube.
Cinematronics RAM Test Now Available!
January 2, 2018
The Cinematronics RAM Test runs continual tests on the three RAM chips on a Cinematronics or Vectorbeam CPU board and will operate regardless of any bad RAM on the board.
There are two different versions of the RAM test. One version outputs the test results to the vector monitor. The other outputs the test results to the connector J4, which normally connects the CCPU board to the game's audio board.
Click here for more information.
Cinematronics:
Replacing Masked ROMs, Use of JEH & JMI and Power Supply Repair
December 15, 2017
I've added a couple of new pages and added significant new information to an older page. First is a new article on replacing 8332 masked ROMs and includes tested ROM images needed for this repair. Next is a page detailing use of the JEH and JMI instructions in Cinematronics and Vectorbeam games. Finally is a major update to the Cinematronics power supply page.
You can find links to each of these pages under Cinematronics & Vectorbeam Information to the left.
Cinematronics Reset Indicator PCB Now Available!
December 6, 2017
The Cinematronics Reset Indicator PCB adds the reset LED functionality to older Cinematronics and Vectorbeam CPUs. It receives power and signals from the CCPU via four connections to the 74LS107 at C8.
For a temporary installation, connections to the CCPU can be made via a 14-pin test clip (such as a Pomona 5114) or a set of four miniature clip test leads. A permanent installation is possible by soldering four wires to the chip's pins on the back of the board. This permanent installation is still easily reversible.
Click here for more information.
Modified Space Invaders Test ROM Updated to v1.2
October 15, 2017
Frederic Rodo has updated the Space Invaders Test Rom to v1.2. This update includes the following changes:
- Modify the RAM test to display all RAMs in error at one time.
- Correct a display bug on INPORT test
- Simplify the shifter matrix
- Add new manual
The binaries and source for this update can be found here.
In Development: Reproduction Star Castle Audio PCB &
Space War(s) / Barrier Audio PCB
September 19, 2017
The layouts for these two reproduction audio PCBs are nearing completion.
For additional information and images see the links to the left under "Currently in Development".
Modified Space Invaders Test ROM Updated
September 17, 2017
Fabrice Girardot has updated the Space Invaders Test ROM with the following changes:
- Fixed a small cosmetic bug on bad ram display
- Refactored makefile
- Added binaries in zip file for easy compiling on Linux
- Added .png file for bad RAM identification
Thank you Fabrice!
The binaries and source for this update can be found here.
In Development: Cinematronics Reset Indicator PCB &
Cinematronics EPROM PCB
September 14, 2017
I'm doing final testing on two new PCBs. The first is a Cinematronics Reset Indicator PCB which adds the reset LED feature to older Cinematronics and Vectorbeam CPUs.
The second is an EPROM PCB that allows the use of a number of different EPROM sizes with Cinematronics and Vectorbeam CPUs
For additional information see the links to the left under "Currently in Development".
Cinematronics Sundance Reproduction Audio PCB v1.0
Now Available!
June 14, 2017
The Cinematronics Sundance Reproduction Audio PCB is a drop-in replacement for the original Sundance Audio PCB with most traces and components in the same locations as in the original board. The reproduction includes many upgrades from the original PCBs.
Click here for more information.
Below are two videos that show testing of a reproduction Cinematronics Sundance Audio PCB:
The first shows tests of the board using a breadboarded Cinematronics sound PCB tester.
The second shows the audio board being controlled by the Cinematronics CPU running modified code to drive a bi-level monitor (installed in a Armor Attack cabinet). Game control was via a breadboarded control panel.
Vectorbeam Warrior Reproduction Audio PCB v1.1 Now Available!
June 14, 2017
The Vectorbeam Warrior Reproduction Audio PCB is a drop-in replacement for the original Warrior Audio PCB with most traces and components in the same locations as in the original board. The reproduction includes many upgrades from the original PCBs.
Click here for more information.
Below are two videos showing testing of a reproduction Vectorbeam Warrior Sound PCB:
The first shows tests of the board using a breadboarded Cinematronics sound PCB tester.
The second is the board being driven by the Cinematronics CPU running the Warrior code (installed in a Armor Attack cabinet). I was using the Armor Attack control panel, which made control difficult, but was able to generate all the sounds the PCB can produce.
Atari Le Mans Addenda modification info added
April 18, 2017
Tim Giddens wrote me with information which cleared up some confusion about the Atari Le Mans addenda modification.
I've added it to the bottom of the Le Mans Repair Log page.
Cinematronics Star Castle Free Play Now Available!
September 1, 2016
Star Castle Free Play is now available for both the older easy version and the newer hard version of the game. It features a free play mode that can be toggled on or off via the test pattern dip switch. When in free play mode, CREDITS are replaced with FREE PLAY text on-screen.
Click here for more information on features and to purchase new EPROMs with the modified game code. The video below shows the free play attract mode cycling a few times before a game is started:
Vectorbeam Warrior Program Code Notes
May 19, 2015
I've added a page summarizing my thoughts about Vectorbeam Warrior's code after spending some time documenting it. You can find it here.
Cinematronics Test ROM Preview on YouTube
March 31, 2015
I've posted a short video showing a Solar Quest sound board being tested in my Armor Attack cabinet using the Cinematronics Test ROM.
See it in action below:
Vectorbeam Warrior Four Joystick Mod Released
August 29, 2014
While a cool looking game, Warrior's two joystick game play was known to be lacking. From reading the entry on Vectorbeam Warrior on Wikipedia, I was aware that Tim Skelly originally intended the game to have four joysticks. I thought that modifying it to work as the programmer originally intended and making it more fun might be an interesting project.
It's now done and can be found here: Warrior Four Joystick Game Modification
I've also created a page listing the status of some of my other Cinematronics programming projects. It can be found here: Cinematronics Game Mods & Projects