HGA FAQs

1. Does the HGA replace the Super Nova?

The HGA is our replacement for the Super Nova and Super Gun consoles. The HGA incorporates the characteristics that made its predecessors great and adds features that we (as game players) really wanted to see in a home game arcade console. We wanted : 1)easier compatibility with 4 button games 2) more accessible controls for color and voltage 3) a standardized way to deal with the feature connector (buttons 4,5,and 6) since not everyone wants their system to play Street Fighter. The first version of HGA has incorporated these improvements; but our vision for the HGA is one of constant improvement. We will continue to incorporate new ideas and options into the HGA. Future options will include rotary joysticks or track balls,At present we are selling following three versions of HGA: 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3DX

For more details click HGA and if you have any questions call our Sales office

2. How is the HGA different than other common home game systems (like Nintendo 64)?

The HGA is easy to use, but unlike other home systems, uses circuit boards, not cartridges. These circuit boards are subject to damage through mishandling, static discharge, exposure to elements or other forces. Because of this, the system is designed with the hobbyist in mind. Some knowledge of the care and handling of Arcade Game circuit boards is necessary to use the system. If you are interested, just about everything that you need to know to get started in this great hobby is available through the collectors news group: rec.games.video.arcade.collecting. There is also a great wealth of information on the world wide web. There is nothing scary or difficult in using the HGA, you just would not want to turn your average 6 year old loose on it, give (him/her) the Nintendo.

Nintendo is a registered trade mark of Nintendo USA and is not affiliated with Great Western (as if we had to tell you that!)

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3. What is jamma and jamma plus ? Does HGA supports jamma?

Jamma stands for japanese Arcade Machine Manufacturers Association,A setof standards developed for board pinouts.This was designed to make board changes Just take out the old game board and plug into new .Unfortunately the games have evolved and the jamma standard is no longer up to the jobs as it cannot handle handle more than four buttons or two players.Newer game require extra player control uses molex type connectors placed on top of the board.Also replacing a board from the different manufacturer meant readjusting the picture on the monitor as it would be centered in the same position.

For jamma plus not all game use buttons 4,5,and 6 or require the feature connector. Button 4 is also connected through the Jamma harness.For Neo Geo and 4 button games. We make modifications as per request. No modification is required in 1.2 and 1.3 Dx versions.

Yes the HGA System is compatible to jamma and jamma plus.

4. Are all Jamma games supported with out the need for any special harness or equipment ?

No. Jamma is a standard for the wiring harness, but some games use track balls or other special equipment for player input. Not all games will be supported (but most are).

5. Will the HGA work with non-Jamma style games?

Yes, many of the non-jamma games will work just fine with the HGA with the use of the proper adapter. An adapter is used to adapt the jamma harness wiring to the non-standard wiring. Each connector style may require a separate adapter.

We make these special adapters on request, For pricing and delivery time contact our sales department

6. Can I play Street Fighter 2 on my HGA?

Not only you can play st fighter series but most of the other games which requires 4,5 and 6 buttons like Killer Instinct Series, Mortal combat series, CPS2,CPS3 and many others.

The feature connector is wired for the additional buttons 4,5, and 6.Just request the feature connector for the game you want. The price of each feature connector ranges from $35 to $55.

7. What about games like Mortal Kombat or NBA Jam?

Feature connector adapters are available for both Mortal Kombat and NBA Jam (Williams style)

8. IS the HGA available outside the USA?

The HGA is compatible with NTSC television. PAL models are also available. We hope to accommodate most types of TV signal. Not all are available yet, but we will do our best to fulfill any request. We designed the HGA with the goal of international compatibility.

9. What types of video output does the HGA support? I ask because my TV only accepts RCA and RF inputs?

The HGA supports regular video (rca type plug) and S-video. It will work for your TV.

10. Does the HGA come with two joysticks ?

Yes it comes with two separate individual controllers for Player 1 and player 2.

11.How does the sound work with the HGA? Does it come out from the TV speakers? Is there any danger of TV getting damaged due the signal coming from the game board.

Yes Sound will come out of from your using RCA connectors Insert RCA jacks from HGA system to the input of TV or through your home stereo, etc. There is no danger of TV getting damaged due to signal coming from the game board

12. Does the HGA support stuff like Capcom's Q-sound?

You can use the RCA connector on Capcom's board to run directly to your stereo if you like. Our unit does support the standard stereo/mono audio from the Jamma connector.

13. Does the HGA work with CPS2 (that is, six-button games) and Neo Geo mother boards?

Neo Geo is a simple plug in. CPS and other boards that use more than 4 buttons per joystick will require the use of the male Feature connector (FCA)and female feature connector(FCB).

The male feature connector (FCA) comes free with HGA and the female feature FC (B) is attached with the game board and can be ordered separately

14. Is there any way that you could add a fourth button to the top row of three buttons on the joysticks in order to make it like a NeoGeo control setup (while still keeping the remaining six buttons)?

Right now the #4 button for Neo is incorporated into the #6 button (lower row, right side) so it is really close to the feel of the Neo Geo since their standard panel has some drop on the #4 button. If you did not like the feel of that setup it would be possible to add another button on the top row. We had some avid Neo players help us with this panel lay out. So far Neo players seem to like it just as it is. When you use the system to play a six button game it will ignore the input from the #4 button on the Jamma harness and see it only as the #6 button

If you are not happy with the layout you can order a custom made HGA system with the changes you require, Please contact our sales department for ordering and pricing.

15. Will my board fit into the HGA?

The HGA unit is not used to encase or hold your boards. While getting the HGA to work isn't complicated at all, you do have to remember that you have to use certain care when handling arcade boards (or pc boards of any kind for that matter)

Since the boards vary greatly in size and dimensions there has not been a one size fits all solution to protect them. The boards are hardy and made to survive in a commercial environment. Still care should be taken to keep them clean and dry and away from static charges. They are not so static sensitive that you can not handle them (in 20 years of the game business, I have never lost a board because of a static discharge) still you do not want to drag them across the carpet or stack clothes on them fresh from the dryer. Common sense is the best tool to protect your games.

Dust and people bumping into the unit/board should be no problem, but I suggest you exercise as much care as possible. Beverages as with any electrical product can be dangerous not only to your electronics but to you. The HGA is more sophisticated to operate than a Nintendo 64, and does require more care. It is aimed really at the game collector and hobbyist, not so much for the general public.

We have finalized few designs for small wooden Racks that would be lighter in weight for storing game boards and soon can be ordered, At present these Racks would accommodate 3 or 4 game boards of medium size, Custom made or Special sizes can be ordered on request. Please contact our sales department for details and prices.

16. How are the controllers connected to the system?

By a cable using a RS-232 style plug. Like the printer port on you computer.

17. Can you hook it up to your TV through SAV cables? (the red, yellow, and white cables)

If you mean S-Video, Yes. The HGA uses standard connectors (RCA style) for the video and audio -or- S-video using a standard S-video connector.

Only RCA style cable is included in versions 1.1 which comes free with the HGA and S video cable can be purchased separately.

For Version 1.2 and 1.3 Dx RCA and S video cables are supplied free.
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18. What type of warranty does it have?

7 day unconditional trial If you try it and don't like it, send it back for a 75 percent refund of the purchase price less shipping and handling. No refund will be accepted after the trial period of 7days.the trial period starts from the day HGA is received.

Please note No refunds are offered or given for feature connectors, special adapters or any other connectors as they required special handling and are specially built on request.
We offer 180 days warranty for functionality and material defects which includes parts and labor, if there is any defect after expiration of the warranty period we will do our best to find a solution that is agreeable to you.

19. Have any problems been reported?

We do have a problem matching up with some Sony TVs. The solution has been to make an adjustment in the service mode to the TV. Some customers reported sticky buttons on the first few units ( we changed their buttons and now use a different type). We have also had a one or two problems with broken wires or bad solder joints (these have mostly been associated with rough treatment in shipping).

Here's some information for those of you with Sony TVs (quote from our Service Technician):

There are two pages that deal with this problem. The first one is: http://members.accessus.net/~090/awh/sonyadj.html

This will tell you how to put the TV in service mode and navigate once you are in there. It should be stressed that putting a TV into its service mode is done at the owner's own risk. Someone unfamiliar navigating the service mode could do severe damage to their TV.

The second site actually tells you the mode that needs to be changed to allow the TV to properly display the games that are having trouble. This site is: http://www.members.accessus.net/~090/awh/how2adj.html

This may be too much information for most users. The section that deals directly with the Sony problem is section 3.3 which has a paragraph or so on the VSM0 setting of the Sony TV. This is where we believe the problem with some game boards exist. Changing it from a 0 to a 1 should solve the problem and not effect general TV viewing.

20.If repairs are needed for some reason, how expensive are they?

Most repairs are fairly simple and can be done in 1 hour or two hour shop time ($45 to 75 $ only) plus the cost of shipping if any. We are also glad to offer advice for simple repairs by email or phone.For Complaints and Questions please see questions no 33 below.

2.Is this a new unit?

Yes, the HGA is new.

22.How much is shipping usually?

Our shipping and handling charges are based on testing twice for long hours we make sure that system /game board works fine before they are shipped ,normally the HGA is kept running from 12 to 18 hours continuously .

Shipping and handling in the US will be $45 to $65 and takes 4-8 days for delivery.

For International customers Please Contact our sales department for shipping Quotes.

23. What forms of payment to you accept?

We accept cashier checks, Visa, Master card, Discover, wire transfer, Pay pal,Western Union and money orders.

24. Is it possible to hook up the HGA's video output to my computer monitor? I have installed an ATI-TV tuner expansion card which allows me to watch television, view VHS movies, etc. Is this possible with the HGA?

The HGA can work through the video input of your Video card or TV tuner card if it is so equipped. The video input is a great way to capture screen shots on your computer.

25. On your web site you mention that the customer has a choice of buying a "feature connector." What is this, and are there different ones available?

Jamma (the standard connector for most modern video game boards) as a standard supports 2 joysticks with 4 buttons each. Many games (i.e. Street Fighter 2) have more than 4 buttons. The additional two buttons are added through the use of a feature connector. Unfortunately there so far has not been standardization of this connector.Mortal Kombat 3 requires a different connector than say a Capcom CPS game. We can supply a female feature connector( FCB)for your favorite game ranging from $35 to $55 each.

26.How can we improve the picture quality and colors in the system?

Three separate color controls(pots) RED,Green and Blue and are provided in the main control box,Colors can be increased or decreased easily by varying these pots to left or right best results are achieved .

Most of the older/classic /or some new games show week colors on the screen and they need to be adjusted in order to get clear picture.

27.Is there any way to control rolling of the picture?

Some of the games require few adjustments and that can be done easily with the help of the small Pot/knob provided inside main control box which helps to eliminate flickering, rolling and moving to side ways .This pot is located above the three color pots inside the main control box.

28.Is it true that some of the games old/classic/used /new games require some adjustment in voltage than recommended +5 volts?What about HGA ?

Yes it is true that many games need adjustments in voltage,Either they need more voltage or some times less voltage than recommended +5 Volts.The HGA is equipped with a adjustable heavy duty power supply with a small knob/pot located on the front section of power supply and the voltage can be increased or decreased easily by varying the pot/knob to a desired level .

In Most of other Home Arcede systems there is fix power supply and Voltages cannot be increased or decreased or adjusted manually how ever in our system the voltages can be adjusted easily.

29.Is HGA equipped with heavy duty power supply,what are the specifications?

Yes HGA is equipped with heavy duty Power full Dc switching supply:with the following specification:

+5 volts (15 A) 12 V 2.5 A and -5 Volts (1.0 A)

In our Deluxe version 1.3 the customer has an option of Digital Display Power supply.There is is a small screen which shows the display voltage,the Display helps the player to see himself what voltage he is applying.

30.How are the controllers,HGA system and TV are connected with each other .

The Controllers and the System are linked through Jamma cable, the ends of the jamma connector are connected to controllers and Main Control box through RS232 computer connectors /jacks ,All the wires are well protected inside a special cable.

The system can be connected to TV through RCA jacks or S Video cable . Like a regular home system very simpe plug in .Please see the manual for more information.

31.What happens if the system remains on for long hours is there any danger of getting system damage or over heat problem?

There is small micro exhaust fan provided inside the Main Control box ,Fan keeps the console cool even it is played more than 24 hours,It does not allow the system to overheat and maintains the required temperature.

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32.Do you provide any written information or any Manual with the HGA ?

Yes Manual is supplied with the HGA system.

33 Any after sales and service is avialable to the customers ?

For Complaints and Questions, Technical support is available from Monday to Friday11a.m to 11 p.m. and a few hours on weekends or holidays.We can be reached at the following numbers:

Tell: 631-424-7919

Fax: 631-424-1939

Email: support@gwtrading.com

If there is no response on weekends/holidays, please leave a brief message and our technical representatives will definitely call you as soon as possible.

34.I thought my package was supposed to arrive here on xx day... help!

Over the Christmas season the Post Office took an exceptionally long time to deliver some of our customers packages. Please understand that we do our best to prepare shipments, but once it reaches the carrier, it is out of GW's hands. Please feel free to select the carrier yourself, and we'll do our best to accommodate you, otherwise we'll select a carrier based on our experience keeping cost and reliability in mind.

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