Main > Project Announcements
1st MAME project (updated: 03 Feb. 2011 - pictures!)
Panja:
Hi all,
I'm fairly new here. Did some reading at first but finally, after deciding to build a cabinet, I signed up for the forums as well.
My real name is Marcel and I live in The Netherlands.
Soon I will be starting to build a MAME upright cabinet together with my cousin.
There is so much info here, it's great! I did change a few things after reading.
I wanted to buy a X-Arcade stick but changed my mind. I will go with a custom made CP.
After that I thought I wanted 8 buttons per player (2 player cabinet). But after searching the forums I know now that 6 buttons will do just fine for my needs.
But I do need some additional help from you guys. ;D
I'm going to buy an I-Pacē. But what's the best option: PS2 or USB? And why?
What joysticks and buttons to get? Happ? I would like a steady CP. It must be "kids proof". (I don't have kids myself but after almost 29 years I'm still a child. ;) )
Are there any good Arcade shops in Europe, preferably in The Netherlands or Belgium? I do know the common ones like Ultimarc, Paradise Arcade, Groovy Gamewear (any others?) but they are US based.
So shipping will be a little difficult maybe?
Below I will post some starting pics. Made a drawing/plan of the cabinet to be, and also bought an old CRT TV which will be used in the cabinet.
Any comments on the drawing/plan are more than welcome!
TV specs:
Sony KV-21FT1B
1 Scart, RGB. 50 hertz.
It's around 52cm with a flat screen.
Panasonic
Quintrix TX-25PX10F
2 Scart, 1x RGB. 100 hertz
It's around 59cm with a flat screen.
PC for MAME:
Pentium IV 3,2ghz HT
2GB ram
WD Raptor 150gb 10.000rpm harddisk.
Old TV for my cabinet
New TV for my cabinet:
jipp:
good morning from america :) well im not in the uk so i can not offer to much help.
However, i can tell you skip the x-arcade and just wire up your own cp. it will be about the same price for a two player.. and you get quality parts cause you buy them.. also you can lay the buttons out how you want.
now for the ipac2 question.. mine only came with a ps2 cable. and the laptop i was testing it on. i could not get it to work with the ps2 port. so i had to buy a ps2 to usb adapter. in this day and age i think usb is replacing ps2? but i say USB is what i would get. now i do not know if they normally come with both ends or not.. mine only came with a ps2 cable. i had to buy the adapter. so my advice from my own experience. get the usb.
now i went with happ buttons and im happy with them but my project is still in development.. so i can not comment on if these will be what i stick with or not.. once my cab is up and running ill know.
i also have the happ comp sticks.. they seem decent. again, wont know till i get my cab 100% and have many hours of play time.
now i did buy a led stick from paradise arcade. and i personally like how this stick feels over he happs.. i got it originally just to use as a 4 way stick in my control panel.. but i may just replace the happ sticks with two more of the LED jobs down the road.
your drawings look good. and welcome to the forum.. look forward to following your build.
if i can help in any way with the ipac2 let me know.. i know i could of used a one on one chat when i started. laughs.
my only advice is for wire i recommend 22 gauge.. i wired mine all up in 18 gauge wire and to be frank.. it was over kill.
my next control panel i will wire the whole think up in 22 gauge. iv read some people like to use 18 gauge for the ground and then 22 gauge for the positive.. etc.
have a great day, :)
chris.
Franco B:
I'm not sure where you think The Netherlands are but they are definitely not in the UK :)
In regards to wire, you want something that is flexible enough to work with but also thick enough to crimp with.
Since you are in Europe you will probably find metric wire. I personally use 16/0.2 (20AWG) wire.
jipp, there is no need to use larger gauge cable for wiring button grounds. You may be getting confused with Jamma harness power lines/power ground which use a thicker wire. The current passing though the buttons is tiny, you could probably use a single stand of wire and it would work ok.
In regards to other suppliers or arcade bits the others that spring to mind are:
www.arcadeshop.de < Germany
www.arcadegames.se/index_eng.htm < Sweden
www.akihabarashop.jp < Japan.
Akishop are in Japan but they are the best place for Japanese controls etc. They are fairly cheap too. It's cheaper for me to get parts shipped from them to me in the UK rather than buy them locally.
Good luck with your project :cheers:
Panja:
Thanks for the welcome guys!
And many thanks for the help already and the offer to help me out with the ipacē, probably gonna need it. :-)
Indeed you are right Franco. :-D
The Netherlands is small, I know. But we're still a country. Haha!
Gonna check the shops out. Cheers!
Panja:
Just found a 70cm CRT TV...
Will that be to much/big for a cabinet? Or will it be ok?