Weekend project: Gigantor RPTV Showcase

[MikeDeuce]

Project summary: Budget build weekend project using a giant, old, destined-to-be-donated rear-projection TV.
Timeline to playable prototype: 2 days

Step 1: Make the set eye-level


Step 2: (not pictured, create sawdust!)

Step 3: No time for clamps, glue and brad the smurf out of the cabinet (ode to Norm)


Step 4: Assemble and throw more 1-1/4" 18ga brads at it (just "until the glue sets"™).


Step 5: Create a quick control panel and template, then create much more sawdust while routing


Step 6: Admire underside of freshly-routed control panel


Step 7: Add sanwa sticks and seimitsu buttons (my first time playing with these, takes some getting used to but not bad!)


Step 8: Add quick and dirty (but temporary) low-budget underside lighting (fluorescent) and spend the rest of the weekend configuring hyperspin and game lists

[Rick]

That is one sexy looking project, man.  I'm a Member of Freecycle.org, and in the past six months, about 10 of these rear-projection TV's have been given away in my local area.  I'm tempted to build something like this myself, but when I asked my Wife, I got a big, fat 'no'.  (Not unexpected, really, since we don't have a basement, and the kids' toyroom will really only support a regular-sized cab.)  Still, that's one hell of a beast, that is.  I love it.  Can't wait to see more pics.

[MikeDeuce]

Thank you sir! It's the noblest use of an aging RPTV I could think of , but you are correct in calling it a beast. Though it glides like nothing on those 4" casters, it's ginormous... Same with the control panel, too (44" width). I think I went a bit excessive.

The biggest downside to such a massive standard def set is with configuration. Outside of Hyperspin and MAME, it's impossible to read text on it. I've ended up just using remote desktop or dragging out a monitor for that task.

Up next is to decide how to finish it (Stain/varnish/laminate?), and to see if the control layout is what I want to stick with.

[emphatic]

 

Games look good on that screen? What resolution are you running?

[Rick]

Though it glides like nothing on those 4" casters, it's ginormous... Same with the control panel, too (44" width). I think I went a bit excessive.

I LOVE the control panel.  I'm sure you could have gone with a complete 4-man setup, but even so, it looks like you'll have a lot of space for swinging elbows when playing!

Up next is to decide how to finish it (Stain/varnish/laminate?), and to see if the control layout is what I want to stick with.

I'd personally go with laminate, but then, it all goes with where you're planning on putting it.  If it's going to be a showpiece as much as it is a gaming system, a nice stain/varathane mix would set it off amazingly.  If it were me (and I'm nuts) I'd love to see it painted a shade of grabber green to make it stand out even more...



Not everybody's style, mind you.   

Damn, I can't stop looking at it.

[javeryh]

That template is badass.  How did you make the template for recessing the buttons?  Did you just use a 1-1/4" forstner bit and drill out the 8 holes?  Looks great and you are FAST.   

[MikeDeuce]

Games look good on that screen? What resolution are you running?

Yep! They aren't sharp but they're all pretty darn playable (unless they're vector games, which look awful). I have the card set to output at 640x480.

I LOVE the control panel.  I'm sure you could have gone with a complete 4-man setup, but even so, it looks like you'll have a lot of space for swinging elbows when playing! <snip> If it were me (and I'm nuts) I'd love to see it painted a shade of grabber green to make it stand out even more...

That was the original intention, 4 players, but I didn't have enough controls for Saturday, when we were hosting a friend's 30th birthday party... You're totally right about the elbow room, it's insane, even... super roomy for 2 players.

A loud paint scheme wouldn't be out of question, since it'll be staying in its place of birth -- the garage

That template is badass.  How did you make the template for recessing the buttons?  Did you just use a 1-1/4" forstner bit and drill out the 8 holes?  Looks great and you are FAST.   

Thank ya sir, hopefully it'll come in handy in the future as well.

I didn't have any bits that were of an appropriate size, but my CMT router table top came with a couple aluminum rings for the router plate and one of them was perfect, so I carpet-taped it to some 1/4" mdf and created a template for the template

Once I had all the holes routed out I chiseled out the sharp bits left from where the holes met and sanded them smooth with some 100 grit. It went pretty quickly and it's kind of cool looking in that brass-knuckle sorta way.

[MikeDeuce]

I decided to play with some more unloved hardware from the closet -- in the shape of a low-budget InFocus IN72 WVGA projector (running 854x480 native res). Luckily, I also have a 76" 16:9 pull-down screen I shoved in the attic when we moved:



Got a little dramatic with the shop lights (and some aluminum foil) there.

Anyway, the projector is significantly clearer and brighter than the RPTV so I think I've got a winner with that for the video portion. Now it's time to think about a more permanent showcase controller cabinet...

I smell a new thread coming  

edit: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=105154.0 

[megrog2]

  Nice pedestal, make me one!!!!