Opinions before I build.

[jmohr1]

Hey there, just wondering what you all think.

For scale the entire unit is 70" tall, 14" deep, and 16 3/4" wide. CP is 30x10" and the screen is a 26" widescreen. Corners will be rounded slightly (I didn't feel it was worth the effort in sketch-up to show this), and the line across the CP doesn't exist, but for some reason shows up in screenshots.

I need to measure my eye level standing height and will need to likely raise the monitor a bit, and have plans to build some kind of ledge for the screen to rest on so it isn't merely hanging from 3/4" MDF. also, I may rout out bigger holes for the speakers and cover with speaker cloth just to take up a bit more space on the slanted portion (speaker radius is 1 1/2"). Also I need to test stability and may need to build a base of sorts.

Shelving on the back will be sub on bottom, pc (netbook) on top and ps3 on 2nd shelf down. Other shelf is for possible expansion at some point.

Any thoughts/opinions/recommendations?

[TopJimmyCooks]

I like the functionality of it.  Small size overall but taking advantage of a big display.  You'll need weight for stability at the bottom I think with the CP cantilevered out fairly far and the display weight carried high.  Or just make the base deeper. 

[DNA Dan]

14" deep is very shallow for a TV that size. Also you might want to try this looking at a wall. I find that a completely vertical screen is difficult to play on that close unless it's completely at eye level. Surely some of your players will not have the same height, so even if you dialed it in to your height, for them it might mean looking up or down.

If you're going this minimalistic, I would almost opt for a pedestal controller setup on wheels. Sort of like a kitchen cart. This way you can just roll it into the room and park it. Then roll it out and enjoy a movie.

[Donkbaca]

For a 26 inch screen, that is way too close

[jmohr1]

...that is way too close

I should've mentioned that the 14" is only the base footprint. You will have the CP's extra ~10" on top of that. Minus the depth of the back-plate and TV, you'll be standing probably 23-24" from the screen I've had it set up on a table maybe 18" away and didn't see a problem with it (Besides, compare it to a vewlix 32" 720p screen at a similar distance).

...You'll need weight for stability at the bottom...

I do need a base of some sorts I'm sure, and am thinking a 3x3" block all the way around should be fine (and serve as something of a kick-plate).

Surely some of your players will not have the same height, so even if you dialed it in to your height, for them it might mean looking up or down.

I'm 5'10" and pretty much everyone I know would be within 5" of that. I just base the overall concept off the PS3 MLB kiosks at the ballpark that are roughly eye level (just a couple inches lower) for me and everyone seems OK with them from kids to adults.

[jmohr1]

...you might want to try this looking at a wall... I would almost opt for a pedestal controller setup...

Funny you should mention; I have a 47" LCD and I've been know to use a fight stick on a rock band keyboard stand with both MAME and my PS3 already 8^]

[RandyT]

I really like the design for a flat screen cabinet.  You needn't be worried about a 26" widescreen being mounted to 3/4" MDF like this.  It will hang fine and be plenty sturdy, so long as you aren't stingy with the fasteners, and use a couple on every panel it overlaps.  There is also nothing wrong with the distance.  Regular game setups put the screen literally right in front of the panel.  My 27" RGB CRT is situated like this, and It feels fine to me.  The fact that you are using a 26" widescreen, which is smaller than a 4:3 monitor of the same size, and it has some distance to it, all works in your favor.  As for height, I think lower than the eye level of the shortest individual likely to use it, will be much better than higher.  It's much more comfortable to hang your head than hold it tilted back.  It will also make it less "tippy".

But I do agree with the comments about base size.  For something this tall, the base may be a little small without a pedestal of some nature.  As someone already mentioned, a lot of weight in the base will work as well.  If you want to get fancy, you can make feet extend off the side edges of all of the panels, toward the bottom, and slot them so they interlock.

[shateredsoul]

looks like a dresser with a lcd attached. I've seen someone with a setup where they just mounted the LCD on the wall and had a base for the CP. It looked pretty nice and it was easier to move (as long as you can find some spare wall space).

[Donkbaca]

I think you need to enclose the back, otherwise it looks like some kind of weird bookshelf.  You also need to figure out a way to access your game console without having to turn the whole thing around. 

Has promise, though, you might just want to wall mount the tv and build a pedestal

[RandyT]

I think you need to enclose the back, otherwise it looks like some kind of weird bookshelf.  You also need to figure out a way to access your game console without having to turn the whole thing around.  

I don't think that in normal operation anyone will be seeing the back of the unit, so allowing more airflow for the components to breathe is actually good, especially if they are in there tight.  But I agree that a hidden door in the front would be a needed addition for access to consoles.  It'll get old pulling it away from the wall every time you want to change a game.  But if the front is made into a door, there will need to be a wide cross piece across the back somewhere to prevent racking.

[jmohr1]

The unit is going in a corner and will have plenty of room to just reach behind to swap games on the ps3 (I'll have the disc-slot facing back), but really will likely only be used for whatever the "game of the moment" is anyways, so I'm not too concerned. I did consider a simple swinging door for the back, but figured the extra fan-less airflow and the fact that a door would only make it harder to remove or set-up the ps3 ruled it out (sometimes I might want to play a non cab-friendly game on the big screen, and unless I buy another ps3, this one will be serving double duty.)

And for those who keep suggesting a stand alone CP and a wall mount; As I said, I've already played like this with the 47" (and nothing's preventing me from continuing to do that), but I want a dedicated unit to join in the fun... The point IS the project, and the experience, and the resulting conversation piece. I figured most people on this site would understand at least that regardless of what you think of the overall design.

[Donkbaca]

A lot of people on here are wary of consoles in cabs.  I think it makes sense, since there are a lot of newer games (mostly fighting) that are cab friendly.  I have a console in my cab, but its dedicated to my cab.  What sets me back is that you plan on swapping the PS3 in and out of the cab.  If it were me, I would just build a pedestal with a mame PC in it and connect the controls up to my PS3 when I wanted to play PS3 instead of swapping out the PS3 all the time.  It would basically be a modern interpretation of a showcase cab.  The way it is, it sort of looks like a bookshelf with a TV stuck to it.  To be honest, I am not a big fan of the design.  But its your deal, if you like the way it looks, then by all means.

[shateredsoul]

The unit is going in a corner and will have plenty of room to just reach behind to swap games on the ps3 (I'll have the disc-slot facing back), but really will likely only be used for whatever the "game of the moment" is anyways, so I'm not too concerned. I did consider a simple swinging door for the back, but figured the extra fan-less airflow and the fact that a door would only make it harder to remove or set-up the ps3 ruled it out (sometimes I might want to play a non cab-friendly game on the big screen, and unless I buy another ps3, this one will be serving double duty.)

And for those who keep suggesting a stand alone CP and a wall mount; As I said, I've already played like this with the 47" (and nothing's preventing me from continuing to do that), but I want a dedicated unit to join in the fun... The point IS the project, and the experience, and the resulting conversation piece. I figured most people on this site would understand at least that regardless of what you think of the overall design.

I wonder, is there such a thing as a hdmi splitter? So you can connect the ps3 to your cab lcd and the big screen? This way you wouldn't have to move your ps3 around, just turn off the TV you're not using.

[Donkbaca]

I know there are switches you can buy that are sort of like HDMI hubs.  But then the Cab would have to be right next to the big TV....

[jmohr1]

...build a pedestal with a mame PC in it and connect the controls up to my PS3 when I wanted to play... it sort of looks like a bookshelf with a TV stuck to it...

I think you're missing the whole point. I basically already have this setup. And nothing is stopping me from swapping the pc (it's just a netbook) over to the big TV still. This cab is in addition (and as an alternative) to what I'm already using. It's like telling someone not to build a cocktail cab because they already have an upright. Sure you can already play the games, but it's just different... As for the design, any arcade cab is basically a bookshelf with a TV in it. It's the lights and sound that make it something else.

I wonder, is there such a thing as a hdmi splitter? So you can connect the ps3 to your cab lcd and the big screen? This way you wouldn't have to move your ps3 around, just turn off the TV you're not using.

My controls are usb, so In addition to hdmi, I would also need to extend those. And really, it's like 45 seconds to unplug from one spot and move it over. The cab is primarily a MAME cab, but of course who wouldn't want to play SSFIV or MvC3 as well...

...But then the Cab would have to be right next to the big TV....

It actually will be (about 4-5 ft) but with a doorway between them

[HanoiBoi]

The unit is going in a corner and will have plenty of room to just reach behind to swap games on the ps3 (I'll have the disc-slot facing back), but really will likely only be used for whatever the "game of the moment" is anyways, so I'm not too concerned. I did consider a simple swinging door for the back, but figured the extra fan-less airflow and the fact that a door would only make it harder to remove or set-up the ps3 ruled it out (sometimes I might want to play a non cab-friendly game on the big screen, and unless I buy another ps3, this one will be serving double duty.)

And for those who keep suggesting a stand alone CP and a wall mount; As I said, I've already played like this with the 47" (and nothing's preventing me from continuing to do that), but I want a dedicated unit to join in the fun... The point IS the project, and the experience, and the resulting conversation piece. I figured most people on this site would understand at least that regardless of what you think of the overall design.

I wonder, is there such a thing as a hdmi splitter? So you can connect the ps3 to your cab lcd and the big screen? This way you wouldn't have to move your ps3 around, just turn off the TV you're not using.

Absolutely there is.  Check out monoprice.com

http://www.monoprice.com/products/search.asp?keyword=hdmi+splitter&x=0&y=0

I use one of these in my basement.  So with just one HD cable box (going though my receiver) I can send the same HD signal to other HDTVs without the need for additional HD cable boxes.

 

[eds1275]

I'm using a 26" screen and the base of my machine is 30 x 22. It's hella stable.

At the very least I suggest you add some sort of big forward facing foot. Even if you're careful with it, imagine it coming down on a child or something.

[Donkbaca]

My cab is 16 by 24 at the base.  ITs plenty stable.  Just build it out of 3/4 inch material and if you realy want, a 2x4 fram base.  It will be plenty heavy so as not to tip over. 

[DNA Dan]

I agree with Donk. When I first started my cab out of 5/8 I thought to myself, gee this stuff is super thin. After laminating some of it and getting the arcade shape put together, the damn thing is so heavy. My cab empty right now is sitting at about 100lbs.

If you have kids, I would anchor it if it's over their eye level, no matter what the weight feels like. Kids have a tendency to find ways to climb things and in this case it's ALWAYS better to be safe than sorry. I know someone who had this happen to their kid back in the CRT days.