Travelogues, Videogames
and Heavy-Metal...

Metal

Happy Birthday, Jim Marshall

The Father
of Loud turned 87 today! Without a doubt, the history of hardrock and heavy metal would have been completely different without the man who had founded Marshall Amplification in 1962. For the last 48 years, the amazing sound of vacuum tubes in various stages of overdrive has consistently inspired legions of guitarists and fans around the world. Distorted, yet crunchy and mellow enough with defined overtones - words are never going to do justice to the unique sound of tube amps; you have to experience it yourself!

In fact, I will never forget listening to my first heavy metal album in 1982: Out of curiosity, I had picked up a set of headphones in a record store and listened into Iron Maiden's The Number of the Beast album. The sound of background guitars hammering like freight trains together with the screaming overtones from the guitar solos became an instant revelation. I was immediately hooked and bought the (vinyl-)album on the spot. In retrospective, it was that sound which inspired me to play the guitar and to get myself a tube amp (much later) as well. Thank you Jim Marshall!

So may the loud days never be over - looking forward to the next 87 years!

Permalink 29.07.2010

Editorial Lifestyle Twitter

Hooray, we are using Twitter!

Follow Us After numerous tests with various twitter widgets, we have finally discovered a nice solution for our layout. From now on you will find Bobby's most recent tweets in the rightmost column of our wepage. Everyone who already owns a twitter account is invited to follow our (in)famous bear, of course.
If you are lucky, you may even receive exclusive links to pictures, sneak previews of upcoming projects and notifications about our second-hand arcade game items for sale. If that's not enough, you can always send us messages as well. While we are going to write most of our tweets in English, you may choose to write us either in German, English or Japanese (日本語).

Bring it on!

Permalink 26.02.2010

Metal HIM

Best of YouTube™ -
HIM - Heartkiller

Love Metal is a fitting term for the musical style of the Finnish band HIM. The recent song Heartkiller from their upcoming album Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice is certainly no exception: That's nicely produced hard rock with poetic lyrics and catchy hooklines. Here is the official music video for Heartkiller (Flash-Player required).

HIM is by no means a one-hit-wonder - the band has been active for almost 14 years with a total of 11 longplay releases so far. Stay runed for a review of their upcoming album in February!

More information about the band, tour dates et al can be found on HIM's official homepage.

Permalink 23.01.2010

Playstation

Frustrating Holidays:
Our PlayStation™ 3 Slim and the
Clunk, Clunk Sound of Blu-ray Death

We Believed
in Better There are certain things we can live without during our holidays. This includes hardware defects of all kinds. On December 30^th which is after only 11 weeks of service, the blu-ray player inside our PlayStation™ 3 Slim ceased to function (permanently). The end could not have been more dramatic: We were just enjoying the final minutes of the Hongkong epic movie Red Cliff on blu-ray disc, when the picture froze up all of a sudden right before the ending credits. Any further attempt to play a game- or movie blu-ray disc on the video game console was futile. Instead, the PlayStation™ 3 Slim commented every inserted blu-ray disc with a Clunk, Clunk sound. Surprisingly, DVDs and CDs were still being played back without problems.

«Entertainment
your way»? Unfortunately, we cannot confirm that marketing slogan. We have hardly used our PS3™ which we had bought shortly after the launch in September. In summary, we were able to play about ten games and five (!) blu-ray movies during that time.
Many thanks, Sony Computer Entertainment!

If you use your favorite internet search engine, you may find similar stories (English or German) here, here, or here.

Any similar experiences? Leave your comments in our community forum!

Permalink Comments 30.12.2009

Arcade

Luna City Arcade

Retro One contender of the world's most impressive private collections of classic arcade games would certainly be Peter Hirschberg's Luna City in Virgina, USA. While the collection does consist of many refurbished pinball and video game cabinets from the 70s and 80s, the surrounding "gameroom" is probably even more impressive. It has been designed as an 80s video game arcade with impressive details, like accessories and fitting floor carpet. Have a look at the feature report from TheDigitalLifestyle.tv.

Luna City is a private collection, so you cannot simply go there and visit. However, there are occasional events where visitors and/or the general public is also welcome.
More background infos can be found on Peter Hirschberg's homepage.

Permalink 30.12.2009

Arcade

Just Another Arcade Electronics Project:
Our RGB to NTSC Video Encoder

Vision All fans of genuine classic arcade games usually need either an arcade cabinet or an interfacing solution to their exiting tv/display at home. When it comes to non-arcade cabinet solutions, the 15 kHz RGB video signal from JAMMA standard arcade hardware needs to be displayed somehow. In Europe however, most tv sets feature RGB SCART inputs which will usually accept that 15 kHz RGB signal. Arcade classic fans outside of Europe either have to purchase an expensive multisync display or look for video signal conversion solutions. After numerous requests, we have been developing a small encoder circuit which is capable of converting the RGB video output into an NTSC video signal, thus allowing the user to connect a display/tv set via s-video cable.

The small encoder module is also well suited for "consolized" arcade hardware projects; e.g. when arcade hardware has to be adapted for home use.

Moreover, the new RGB to NTSC encoder can be combined with our Supergun/MAK interface (not included) - just plug into the RGB video output, attach the power supply and there you go!

Specifications:

Input:

RGB video (analogue, 15kHz, 60Hz interlaced) with composite sync or seperate H/V sync via HD D-sub15 plug

Output:

NTSC video (3,58 MHz) via S-video and composite sockets

Sync Select:

CSync or H/V sync input user switchable

Power Supply Range:

+5 Volts (min. +4,75; max. 5,25 Volts)

Power Select:

via Molex type or HD D-sub (pin 9) user switchable

Notice: If you would like to use the RGB to NTSC encoder as a "stand alone" module without our Supergun/MAK interface, then please make sure that the RGB input signal (red, green and blue colors) is adjustable. If you would like to solder your input (or output) lines directly to the board, we can always omit the connector(s), just let us know.

Availability If you would like to have an NTSC encoder for your own arcade projects then we can offer the remaining boards 69,- Euro each incl. VAT. (ask for packaging and shipping costs, please).

This is not a do-it-yourself kit. All boards come fully assembled with all components. We also assure full ROHS conformity of our RGB to NTSC encoder boards. This is a private sale, so no refunds or warranty but no reason to worry: All boards are carefully tested and in working condition. We will also provide four pcb legs and one power supply cable (approx. 50 cm) with each board while supplies last.

If you are interested, please drop us an email:
ofni.regit-repap@ybbob

All references to the JAMMA standard refer to the JAMMA «First Edition».

Errors and omissions excepted. All descriptions and specifications are subject to change without notice.

More infos about this project and detailed specifications can be found in our Arcade Workshop.

Permalink Comments 27.09.2009

Lifestyle

Finally X-mas!

Merry Christmas to all of our readers and fans wherever you are. We are going to spend a couple of well-deserved holidays until we are back again in January.

Permalink December 25^th, 2008

Arcade

Arcade Table Workshop -
Design objects for the occasional gamer

History These are unique and individually hand-crafted items - not a factory-made series! We only create a very, very limited number of items per year - if we are motivated at all. Usually, our friends and aquaintances grab our creations rather quickly. Occasionally, we may present an object here as «for sale/accepting offers» which means, we are open to serious offers.

The picture above is a nice display of one of our recent tables in action. The wide-angle industry-TFT is equally impressive as the LED-illuminated arcade buttons don't you think?

Specs Do not be deceived by its retro style appearance - this baby is made of real wood and contains only brand new high-quality components. Here are some common specifications:

1. Display: 19 inch, 15-31kHz RGB Multisync TFT (low, mid, high-resolution)
2. Variable screen orientation (for horizontal or vertical gaming)
3. Internal JAMMA interface for arcade PCBs
4. Internal mounting space for arcade gameboards max. (WxLxH) 300mm x 350mm x 120mm
5. Controlpanel for one player (includes connector jack for 2nd controller, Neo Geo standard)
6. Joystick: Sanwa JLF-TP-8Y with bat top or bubble ball
7. Buttons: Sanwa OBSAK-C30UM (LED-illuminated), 4x action, 1x start; one additional standard button for Coin-In
8. Sound: Canton RS 130 CX, 2-way speaker
9. Two internal fan-less power supplies (100 to 240 VAC) for TFT and gameboard
10. Mains switch, mains fuse, 3m detachable power chord
11. Body: a mixture of lumber and plywood (maple, birch, oak)
12. Glass: 5mm safety glass
13. Various finishes: red / black / mahogany, you name it!
14. Weight: approx. 20-25kg
15. Dimensions (HxWxD): 425mm x 702mm x 745mm

Treasured In order to avoid any confusion - our Arcade Table are not based on PC hardware or videogame consoles. Instead, the user can install JAMMA-compatible arcade game hardware boards (printed circuit boards, PCBs) into the table. The same hardware which is usually installed in video game arcades around the world.

Thanks to the internal JAMMA interface of our Arcade Coffee Table, you can plug in most JAMMA-compatible arcade PCBs which have been made during the last 20 years. The only restrictions may be the control type and/or the size of the PCB. The maximum PCB dimensions are approximately (WxLxH) 300mm x 350mm x 120mm.
The screen orientation can be easily changed from horizontal to vertical. This design is especially great for vertical shooting games!

Last but not least, the girlfriend-compatible form-factor: If your girlfriend or spouse does not allow a true arcade cabinet in your house, then this may be the solution for you...

...or just upgrade your maid-cafe or ante room.

Check out our new Arcade Table Workshop area for more specs, infos and pictures!

Permalink July 12^th, 2008

Lifestyle Arcade

As Featured On Bornrich.org

Ideals What an unexpected surprise! The well-established online lifestyle weblog Bornrich.org has chosen our legendary Arcade Coffee Tables for their Top 12 luxurious arcade game tables feature! Check out the feature at Bornrich.org for yourself. Some of those gaming tables really have quite unique designs so to say. Which one is your personal favorite of the Top 12 luxurious arcade gaming tables?

Permalink November 30^th, 2008

Editorial

Happy-Hour Weekend:
Our Guestbook is Finally Online!

At last, our newly-designed guestbook is finally online. Check out the revolutionary user interface in three different languages! Depending on the link on our navigation bar, the user interface and instructions will either be in English, German or Japanese!

Thanks to our multi-cultural approach, visitors can always enjoy all guestbook entries in all available languages. Well, this does not necessarily mean that everyone will understand what's being written there, but it is a beginning...
So hurry up already and leave a comment on our guestbook pages in English.

Have fun!

Permalink April 14^th, 2007

Arcade

Arcade Cocktail Table Project in English!!

To be honest, we did not expect much feedback when we submitted our arcade cocktail table project to the www.byoac.com (Build Your Own Arcade Controls) website.
Meanwhile we have about one hundred pageviews every day for this project alone. We thought it would help quite a bit if we could provide the project description in English. So we pulled an all-nighter and here you go! At least it is better than those babelfish translations...!

Permalink January 30^th, 2007

Editorial

Wii™ are Compatible!!

It gave us quite a headache at first but now our exclusive css-stylesheet for all Nintendo Wii™ users is finished at last!

No kiddin' folks! Check this out and surf our pages with your Wii's Opera Browser! Of course, we managed to implement automatic device detection for all of our pages. Once you surf our pages with the Wii-browser, you will be greeted with a Wiimote™ symbol in our headline and benefit from a unique layout which compliments the medium resolution of Nintendo's next gen console nicely. All folks who are still waiting in line to buy a Wii™ can check out our alternative layout manually by selecting the Wii™ Style from our selectbox at the top of our links on the right. Happy surfin'!!!

Permalink January 17^th, 2007

Metal

The Heavy-Metal Revolution!
Useless Computer-Generated Lyrics
For Your Heavy-Metal Band!

Permalink July 21^st,2006

China

Happy Hour Weekend -
WebCam Snapshots For All!

Does anyone remember the little webcam dog?
His name is Quan Zi btw. (犬子 «little dog» in chinese). Well, Bobby met him during his trip to China and after some meddling with our USB ports, Quan Zi is meanwhile fully operational. He will provide occasional snapshots of Bobby and his friends, of course.
The webcam snapshot is at your disposal by using the navigation on the left!

Have fun!

PermalinkFebruary 24^th, 2006

Editorial

Welcome!

Hi, my name is Bobby the Bear.
Please have fun while browsing our weblog.
If you are nice and friendly, then I may even answer your emails to «ofni.regit-repap@ybbob»!

Permalink 24.06.2005