mamecade with console connections

[dynasty_trs]

Hello All.  I have been lingering on these sites for just over a month and am super stoked on a lot of these projects going on.

About a month ago, I started a project with getting a MAME machine going w/ iPAC (56 connections).  I posted some pictures as well below.

After some time and consideration, I really want to enjoy the new fighters coming out for the PS3 (not a fanboy).  I recently bought the 10$ connection to use w/ my PS arcade stick from gamester.  Everything was plug and play... just had to set buttons for operational tasks in MAME.

I am sure most of you know where this is going...

This made me think more about how I want to go about this.  I decided to spend $21 (all $ is American here on out) for the four PS1/2 controllers to a single USB and $5 per PSX (no analogs) from the local flee market.  Something else I am a much longer fan of is Dreamcast EMU.  For another $50 or so, I can get connectors so the PSX controller ends go right into an adapter to connect to dreamcast.  This will make my all HAPP CP work with MAME, PS2, PS3 and Dreamcast w/ EMU for $90 vs $80 to get the iPAC for just MAME.  I may decide to tank the Dreamcast, though I am in love with nesterdc but will save my initial design to $41 dollars.  Otherwise, I can just get 4 DC controllers (not sure of the price) and dual wire them and just have a switch for the ground between the two.  

Another consideration is to ONLY do consoles and not the MAME on the PC...  Reason is that the DC can run MAME though I could see many limitations with game sizes and swapping CD's...  Also, have NEVER used MAME on the DC.


For the CP, I was considering having it "resemble" the buttons on the PSX gamepad.  They are going to be the black HAPP competition convex buttons.  I was going to get the sticky vinyl decals to have the pictures on the buttons for each symbol.

I still need to order the CP parts and come up with a design.  I am thinking 2 - 4 players.  Don't really have any friends so 2 players will most likely be perfect for my wife and I and if family comes over.  Definitely want a CHEAP trackball and spinner, eventually...

I feel like if I use the PSX controllers, I am a "poser" (sorry, comes from my skateboarding days )

Oh and I love McDonalds LOL j/k... I love that character.

The other funny part to my build is that, all the tools i have to use is a circular saw, a sawzal, a hand jig saw thing, a drill, a sander and a hammer    Not much of a wood worker though things come out pretty decent.  I still need to consider how I want to do the top section regarding speaker placement, marquee, etc...  Also, i have a 27" TV going in w/ composite and svideo.  At this point, I want to finish everything up though care much more about getting the function and then worry about the artwork.

PLEASE, any feedback and criticism is greatly appreciated...  Now that I have joined, my wife will feel releaved that I will work with the master minds on this forum vs asking her opinion on things that go over her head.

TIA for everyones time reading this.  

[dynasty_trs]

Connections for using PSX controller as the CP:
http://wrongcrowd.com/arcade/joystickp2.shtml
http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_matt%28v%29.html
http://www.arcadefever.net/MYPROJECT/PSX/PSX.html

Super Joybox 5 Pro Playstation 2 to USB - PS2 PS1 - PC
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001DU25UO/kathykate-20
http://www.4triangles.com/catalog/super-joybox-pro-playstation-to-usb-ps2-ps1-pc-p-121.html

 - I need to confirm that these will work with the PS3. 

Right now, I have single ports and everything works across all playstations and pc/mame flawlessly with a 1:1 connector. 
http://www.amazon.com/PS2-Controller-Converter-Adapter-Playstation-2/dp/B000NPSAJU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1272342960&sr=8-1

Here are the converts from PSX to Dreamcast.
http://www.4triangles.com/catalog/total-control-plus-ps2-controller-to-dreamcast-adapter-p-96.html
http://www.estarland.com/index.asp?page=SegaDreamcast&cat=AC&product=14461&q=

[dynasty_trs]

So, I ordered the PSX to USB connectors for CP connectivity to either a PC, PS, PS2 or PS3.  They are the 1:1 (one psx to one usb).  These are plug and play while the other one with the 4 psx to 1 usb needed calibration on a PC.  Not the end of the world just remember how "fun" that used to be with my Gravis.
http://www.amazon.com/PS2-Controller-Converter-Adapter-Playstation-2/dp/B000NPSAJU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1272342960&sr=8-1

I also took a stop at the flee market and picked up 4 PSX controllers for $10.  See picture below.  I already confirmed that they are functional and work flawlessly with the above adapter on my PS3 with SF4. 

I bought the adapters and controllers for 4 but don't really have any friends where I live so am going to build out a 2 person CP.

I decided to can the dreamcast integration at this time.  Mostly using it for NES which are not arcade games.  After second thought, did not make any sense. 

Still need to consider the trackball and definitely need to integrate light guns for HOD and Time Crisis for sure.

I decided to go with all black buttons on the CP and considering going as far as to denote them with the appropriate PSX controller symbols.  I still need to order the push buttons but going to go with 8 black HAPP convex per player to map to the buttons on the PSX control pad and 2 more for start and select AND a competition controller per person.


Does anyone know if using the cat5e wiring from the psx circuit board to the pushbuttons be an okay gauge?

[dynasty_trs]

So found a link from a pretty decent site  
http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_wiring.shtml#wiring_gauge

Cat5e wiring is 24 gauge.  Therefore, I THINK, for the pushbutton leads, this should be good.  I have 16/18 gauge I can use for the ground per the link.

Any recommendations with using Cat5e for this?

[dynasty_trs]

Pretty boring thread with no "bling" yet... moving along slowly.

I got my connectors for PSX to USB and took apart my two controllers.  Pics below.

Have not had any comments about the cat5 cabling so I will move forward with some of the data I found and use the Cat5e cabling (24 gauge) to the leads and an 18 gauge for the ground and daisy chain over the push buttons.

[XCVG]

Cat5 or Cat5e will work fine, just be aware that it is solid and breaks easily. But it's plenty thick unless you plan on switching motors or lights with your buttons.

Anyway, interesting project!