Neo Print: Difference between revisions

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The Neo Print was one of SNK's attempts to pull the last dollars from the NeoGeo brand. It was a small purikura (photo booth) which ran on a MVS-inspired board, and had a camera and printer interface. <strike>Players</strike> users could add various frames to their picture with more-or-less common themes, SNK characters, before printing to sticky photo paper.
The Neo Print was one of SNK's attempts to pull the last dollars from the NeoGeo brand. It was a small purikura (photo booth) from 1996 which ran on a MVS-inspired board, with a camera and printer interface. <strike>Players</strike> users could add various frames to their picture with more-or-less common themes, SNK characters, before printing them to sticky photo paper.


PCB picture:
PCB picture:
http://mvs.gotwalls.com/images/e/e1/Pstm-p1_set1_top_nocover.jpg
http://mvs.gotwalls.com/images/e/e1/Pstm-p1_set1_top_nocover.jpg


[[File:Neoprtsize.jpg|thumb|Ridiculously small, useless photo stickers (like all photo stickers).]]
[[File:Neoprtsize.jpg|thumb|Ridiculously small photo stickers (also called stamps).]]


It was apparently exported to the US for some time ([[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxRtYq7qRu4 video ad on Youtube]]).
It was apparently exported to the US for some time ([[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxRtYq7qRu4 video ad on Youtube]]).
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'''!!! Preliminary info !!!'''
'''!!! Preliminary info !!!'''
Note: Maybe keep all infos regarding the Neo Print in this page ? As it doesn't have that much to do with real NeoGeo systems.


==Cartridges==
==Cartridges==


* The cartridges have the exact same mechanical format as MVS cartridges.
* The cartridges have the exact same mechanical format as MVS cartridges.
* The PROG boards have an identical pinout, some in fact are simple MVS [[PROGBK1]] boards.
* The [[PROG board]]s have an identical pinout, some in fact are simple MVS [[PROGBK1]] boards.
* The CHA boards are custom made for the Neo Print and have a different pinout, they have no fix ROM and pre-muxed [[C ROM]]s.
* The [[CHA board]]s are custom made for the Neo Print and have a different pinout, they have no [[fix layer|fix]] and special graphics ROMs.
* Electrical safety compatibility with MVS carts ? Apparently they just freeze on a black screen without damage.
* Electrical safety compatibility with MVS carts ? Apparently they just freeze on a black screen without damage.


Blue-labelled cartridges can run alone.
Blue-labelled cartridges can run alone.


Pink-labelled cartridges are made to only run with a blue one on 2-slot Neo Print boards (they do exist !). Those cartridges only have graphics ROMs as an extension.
Pink-labelled cartridges are extensions that can only run with a blue one on 2-slots Neo Print boards (they do exist !). Those cartridges only contain graphics ROMs.


=Board=
=Board=


PSTM-P1.
Called PSTM-P1. Not JAMMA compatible.


* Power: 5V only. Current rating ?
* Power: 5V (and 12V for lights ?). Current rating ?
* Backup RAM, or at least an RTC.
* [[Backup RAM]] and [[RTC]].
* Z80 has its own 8MHz oscillator ?
* Z80 has its own 8MHz oscillator ?
* 68K runs at 12MHz.
* 68K runs at 12MHz.
* 5x 16V8 PALs for glue logic.
* Five 16V8 PALs for glue logic.
* [[NEO-SDR-T]] chip for ext I/O and dipswitches.
* [[NEO-SDR-T]] chip for I/O latching and dipswitches.
* The board doesn't seem to have an embedded [[system ROM]], the cartridge's program does everything.
* The board doesn't have an embedded [[system ROM]], the cartridge's program does everything.
 
Connections:
 
*VCN1: Ground, ground, 5V, 5V.
*RGB OUT: For monitor ?
*S-VOUT: For monitor ? Capture ?
*CCD S-VIN: Camera input
*EX-SVIN: ?
*PRT-SVIN: Printer input (why ?)


It appears that there is only one type of motherboard, only the vertical daughter board with the cartridge slots changes between 1-slot and 2-slot Neo Print systems.
It appears that there is only one type of motherboard, only the vertical daughter board with the cartridge slots changes between 1-slot and 2-slots Neo Print systems.


==Video==
==Video==
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[[File:Neoprintacq.jpg|320px|thumb|Neo Print video A-to-D section.]]
[[File:Neoprintacq.jpg|320px|thumb|Neo Print video A-to-D section.]]


* The sprite rendering logic is probably quite different from the regular NeoGeo systems.  
* The video rendering logic is very different from the regular NeoGeo systems.  
* There is no fix layer, and sprite graphics are loaded from a 16-bit bus.
* There is no fix layer, graphics are loaded from a 16-bit bus.
* The video timing seems to be "genlocked" to the NTSC camera's video signal, [[PSTG-SNK]] is used as the only custom graphics chip.
* The video timing seems to be "genlocked" to the camera's video signal, [[PSTG-SNK]] is used as the only custom graphics chip.
* It seems that the camera's video is not simply overlaid with generated graphics but converted digitally and processed as tiles.
* The camera's video is not simply overlaid with generated graphics but converted digitally and processed as tiles.
* All video I/O is done in S-video (chroma/luma).
* All video I/O is done in S-video (chroma/luma).
* VRAM is made of 4*128kB 8-bit SRAM, probably as 2*256k words.
* VRAM is made of 4*128kB 8-bit SRAM, probably as 2*256k words.
* A NEC µPC6620 triple 8(?) bit video DAC feeds a common Fujitsu MB3516 RGB encoder chip for output.
* A NEC µPC662 triple 8(?) bit video DAC feeds a common Fujitsu MB3516 RGB encoder chip for output.
* 6x NEC µPD42280 dual-port video RAMs (2 fields for each color component) filled by 3 NEC µPC659 video DACs.
* 6x NEC µPD42280 dual-port video RAMs (2 fields for each color component) filled by 3 NEC µPC659 video DACs.
* NEC µPC1862 video sync maestro (NTSC).
* NEC µPC1862 video sync maestro (NTSC).
* 2 Sony chips for mux/demux or color burst generation for monitor and printer ?
* 2 Sony CXA1585 chips for s-video to RGB conversion.
* 2 Mitsubishi M52065 triple 2-to-1 high speed analog switches.
* 2 Mitsubishi M52065 triple 2-to-1 high speed analog switches.
To do: Video path diagram.


==Audio==
==Audio==


Sound comes from the same YM2610-YM3016 pair, driven by Z80 and fed by regular [[V ROM]]s (both PCMA and PCMB are used ?).
Sound comes from the same [[YM2610]]-[[YM3016]] pair, driven by Z80 and fed by regular [[V ROM]]s (ADPCM-B is not used, as in [[CD systems]]).


=Printer=
=Printer=


The stock printer in the Neo Print cab was a Mitsubishi CP-710E (analog video sublimation printer). The Neo Print "emulates" the original printer remote control via the PRT1 and PRT2 ports (mini DIN 8, stereo jack).
The stock printer in the Neo Print cab was a Mitsubishi CP-710E "analog video sublimation printer". The Neo Print board "emulates" the printer's remote control via the PRT1 and PRT2 ports (mini DIN 8 and stereo jack).


It actually does a "screengrab" from the S-video signal in its internal memory before printing. Apparently, the printer itself does the picture arrangement (1x2, 2x2, or 4x4) and rotation processing to fit on paper, not the Neo Print itself.
The printer actually does a "screengrab" from the S-video signal in its internal memory before printing. Apparently, the printer itself does the picture arrangement (1x2, 2x2, or 4x4) and rotation processing to fit on paper, not the Neo Print board itself.


As the photo paper was pre-cut, the Neo Print could only make 4x4 sheets. Software modification should be easy to print a full-frame picture.
As the photo paper was pre-cut, the Neo Print could only make 4x4 sheets. Software modification should be easy to print a full-frame picture.
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=Camera=
=Camera=


Looks like a standard color CCTV module with C-mount lens.
Looks like a standard color NTSC CCTV module with C-mount lens.


[[File:npcam.jpg]]
[[File:npcam.jpg]]
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* SNK obviously tried to hop on the 90's sticker craze, but as in the usual SNK tradition, it was too late.
* SNK obviously tried to hop on the 90's sticker craze, but as in the usual SNK tradition, it was too late.
* The frames were pretty bland, and the characters weren't that popular (Sega had a similar purikura system with a Pokemon license.)
* The frames were pretty bland, and the characters weren't that popular (Sega had a similar purikura with a Pokemon license.)
* Stickers are VERY small. Third time I'm writing it.
* It hasn't much to do with the NeoGeo, in the end. Proof: it's for girls.
* It hasn't much to do with the NeoGeo in the end. Proof: it's for girls.
* As any photo booth, it has to be reloaded with paper and ink rolls. Cab operators want money and no servicing. Refilling it every 200 vends had to be annoying.
* As any photo booth, it has to be reloaded with paper and ink rolls. Cab operators want money and no servicing. Refilling the thing every 200 vends had to be annoying.


[[Category:Cartridge systems]]
[[Category:Cartridge systems]]

Revision as of 04:38, 31 December 2015

The Neo Print was one of SNK's attempts to pull the last dollars from the NeoGeo brand. It was a small purikura (photo booth) from 1996 which ran on a MVS-inspired board, with a camera and printer interface. Players users could add various frames to their picture with more-or-less common themes, SNK characters, before printing them to sticky photo paper.

PCB picture: http://mvs.gotwalls.com/images/e/e1/Pstm-p1_set1_top_nocover.jpg

Ridiculously small photo stickers (also called stamps).

It was apparently exported to the US for some time ([video ad on Youtube]).

A variety of cartridges were produced with different themes and for US/JP localization.

!!! Preliminary info !!!

Note: Maybe keep all infos regarding the Neo Print in this page ? As it doesn't have that much to do with real NeoGeo systems.

Cartridges

  • The cartridges have the exact same mechanical format as MVS cartridges.
  • The PROG boards have an identical pinout, some in fact are simple MVS PROGBK1 boards.
  • The CHA boards are custom made for the Neo Print and have a different pinout, they have no fix and special graphics ROMs.
  • Electrical safety compatibility with MVS carts ? Apparently they just freeze on a black screen without damage.

Blue-labelled cartridges can run alone.

Pink-labelled cartridges are extensions that can only run with a blue one on 2-slots Neo Print boards (they do exist !). Those cartridges only contain graphics ROMs.

Board

Called PSTM-P1. Not JAMMA compatible.

  • Power: 5V (and 12V for lights ?). Current rating ?
  • Backup RAM and RTC.
  • Z80 has its own 8MHz oscillator ?
  • 68K runs at 12MHz.
  • Five 16V8 PALs for glue logic.
  • NEO-SDR-T chip for I/O latching and dipswitches.
  • The board doesn't have an embedded system ROM, the cartridge's program does everything.

Connections:

  • VCN1: Ground, ground, 5V, 5V.
  • RGB OUT: For monitor ?
  • S-VOUT: For monitor ? Capture ?
  • CCD S-VIN: Camera input
  • EX-SVIN: ?
  • PRT-SVIN: Printer input (why ?)

It appears that there is only one type of motherboard, only the vertical daughter board with the cartridge slots changes between 1-slot and 2-slots Neo Print systems.

Video

Neo Print video A-to-D section.
  • The video rendering logic is very different from the regular NeoGeo systems.
  • There is no fix layer, graphics are loaded from a 16-bit bus.
  • The video timing seems to be "genlocked" to the camera's video signal, PSTG-SNK is used as the only custom graphics chip.
  • The camera's video is not simply overlaid with generated graphics but converted digitally and processed as tiles.
  • All video I/O is done in S-video (chroma/luma).
  • VRAM is made of 4*128kB 8-bit SRAM, probably as 2*256k words.
  • A NEC µPC662 triple 8(?) bit video DAC feeds a common Fujitsu MB3516 RGB encoder chip for output.
  • 6x NEC µPD42280 dual-port video RAMs (2 fields for each color component) filled by 3 NEC µPC659 video DACs.
  • NEC µPC1862 video sync maestro (NTSC).
  • 2 Sony CXA1585 chips for s-video to RGB conversion.
  • 2 Mitsubishi M52065 triple 2-to-1 high speed analog switches.

To do: Video path diagram.

Audio

Sound comes from the same YM2610-YM3016 pair, driven by Z80 and fed by regular V ROMs (ADPCM-B is not used, as in CD systems).

Printer

The stock printer in the Neo Print cab was a Mitsubishi CP-710E "analog video sublimation printer". The Neo Print board "emulates" the printer's remote control via the PRT1 and PRT2 ports (mini DIN 8 and stereo jack).

The printer actually does a "screengrab" from the S-video signal in its internal memory before printing. Apparently, the printer itself does the picture arrangement (1x2, 2x2, or 4x4) and rotation processing to fit on paper, not the Neo Print board itself.

As the photo paper was pre-cut, the Neo Print could only make 4x4 sheets. Software modification should be easy to print a full-frame picture.

Camera

Looks like a standard color NTSC CCTV module with C-mount lens.

(From a picture by Psykick from Neo-arcadia.com)

Probably any S-video capable NTSC camera works.

Why it sucked

  • SNK obviously tried to hop on the 90's sticker craze, but as in the usual SNK tradition, it was too late.
  • The frames were pretty bland, and the characters weren't that popular (Sega had a similar purikura with a Pokemon license.)
  • It hasn't much to do with the NeoGeo, in the end. Proof: it's for girls.
  • As any photo booth, it has to be reloaded with paper and ink rolls. Cab operators want money and no servicing. Refilling it every 200 vends had to be annoying.