My completely homemade arcade machine

[arximidis]

For the trojan thing I did the update (to 1.1) at now everything looks ok forHyperHQ

but not for hyperspin... AVG finds a trojan there

What the...
probably a false alarm

[bkenobi]

I think launch before/after is pretty common for good front ends.  I use GameEx and it actually has 3 options.

1. Launch before - launch the command before the game/app is loaded and wait for it to finish
2) Launch also - launch the command at the same time and continue loading the game/app
3- Launch after - launch after the game/app terminates

Between the three options, you should find a way to do anything you want.

Oh and as for AHK...since GameEx (and presumably all FE's) only launch a single command, you will need to use a script of some kind (AHK, AI, batch, etc) to perform multiple tasks.  Batch obviously doesn't require anything to be installed.  AHK and AI require the interpreter on the system UNLESS you want to build the script elsewhere and compile to an executable.  If you do that, you don't need either installed on the cabinet.

[arximidis]

Merry Christmas

Few things I have done since last time
I bought the back door wood (mdf) and placed it to the cabinet with hinges (total 3).
I also placed the handle. In the future I will put a lock too

The hinges are not like the ones we use for our furniture (e.g. the cabinets in the kitchen)
When you open the door, the hinge is moving it in such a way in order to avoid hitting the sides (The hinges are forming an angle)

In order to have a perfect fit, you must measure the inner dimensions accurately and cut the wood about 3mm smaller for each dimension





And a video... Perfect fit!

[DaOld Man]

Good job!
I would definitely put a lock or a couple of screws on that door, you wouldnt want anyone getting in easy with the TV yoke exposed like that. (Serious shock hazard).

[arximidis]

Good job!
I would definitely put a lock or a couple of screws on that door, you wouldnt want anyone getting in easy with the TV yoke exposed like that. (Serious shock hazard).

I am planning to do so 


Today I fixed the small door in front of the cabinet. This door is used to access the coin bucket
The hinges are the same like the ones for the back door.













And a video...

[wizkid32]

Very impressive.  I almost went all homemade, but my lack of skills deterred me.  I ended up customizing a lot of stuff, though.

[Green Giant]

I agree. I don't like it either. But I already bought the buttons

Just call it a Neo Geo inspired button configuration!   

Screw that, switch those colors around.

I see 2 red, 2 blue, 2 white, 2 green, 2 yellow, and 2 black.

You can have the American controls and the African controls.

[arximidis]

Very impressive.  I almost went all homemade, but my lack of skills deterred me.  I ended up customizing a lot of stuff, though.

I don't have them either. Ok, I know electronics and programming, but it's the first time I am building something like this (never worked with wood before)
The good thing is that you learn a lot, if you ever deside to start a project like that. And I did learn a lot of stuff

Screw that, switch those colors around.

I see 2 red, 2 blue, 2 white, 2 green, 2 yellow, and 2 black.

You can have the American controls and the African controls.

switch them how?. You mean the white with the red one etc?
Maybe it will look better


This is a picture of the machine as it looks right know (it's little dusty)





And a video...

[Green Giant]

Screw that, switch those colors around.

I see 2 red, 2 blue, 2 white, 2 green, 2 yellow, and 2 black.

You can have the American controls and the African controls.

switch them how?. You mean the white with the red one etc?
Maybe it will look better

I mean one player has 2 of each color.  First row and second row would be the same colors making a red/white/blue and green/black/yellow controls.


Now you would go from a rainbow CP to a war of the nations CP.

[arximidis]

I mean one player has 2 of each color.  First row and second row would be the same colors making a red/white/blue and green/black/yellow controls.


Now you would go from a rainbow CP to a war of the nations CP.

Indeed... Maybe it will look better!
Thanks for the idea

[wizkid32]

Looking good.  Out of curiosity, what made you decide to make a cabaret style cab.?

[arximidis]

Looking good.  Out of curiosity, what made you decide to make a cabaret style cab.?

Thanks!
This style of cabinet was very common here in Greece. They were desined in my country and I really liked them (and still do).
So I built it as close as possible to the original cab.
They have some benefits. For example you can put it inside your house and it's easy to move

[arximidis]

Some people are asking me why didn't I use I-PAC
Well, from the start there were some "special" things I wanted to do, that I-PAC couldn't provide. I had to build a separate controller for all the other "stuff". My thinking was, why to use two different controllers for the machine and not just one?
By using one controller I could also save a lot of money. If you consider that I spend about 130 euros (165 dollars) for all the components (excluding only the front glass that I haven't bought yet) and I-pac costs (on ebay) about 39 dollars without shipping (for my country total cost is about 75 dollars), then its a lot of money (more than one third of total price)

What are the "special" things I am talking about?
Well, here are some of them

This was what I wanted for the power up procedure:
a) When the machine is in standby mode, the television and speakers must be completely turned off (lower power consuption). Only the PC will be in standby mode (PSU and mobo)
b) The machine will start with only one button (the ignition key)

By turning the ignition key the controller powers up the PC (like when you press the power button of the PC)
Then, a relay closes and powers up the speakers and the television, by upplying the 230 Volts (or 110V) to the power cords (of course the power switches are always on)
Some televisions start when you plug them, but others go in standby mode (like mine). In this case you must press the channel up/down button in the TV's front panel. Well, this is what my controller does and succesfully powers up the TV (and all the other components)


For the coin acceptor
I am using a coin acceptor like this one (KAI 638):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CH-Electronic-CPU-Coin-Selector-coin-Acceptor-sorter-/250795594138?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a6495119a

It works with 12Volt power supply, but you can switch the output to open collector state.
This is very important for me, because I can directly connect the output of the coin acceptor to the game controller, with only one pullup resistor
The same thing you must do, if you want to connect it with i-pac.
I don't think its possible to directly connect it (you will also need the pullup resistor), because I think i-pac works with a 5volt power supply (driven from the usb or the ps/2 port).But this is not the important thing.

Imagine you start the machine and windows have not yet started (so mame is not loaded yet). If your coin acceptor is directly powered from your PC's PSU then it will be functional even before MAME is loaded. If you accidentally insert a coin then you will "loose" it, because it will not give you a credit (MAME has not load yet)
The same thing will happen when you are in the frontEnd and you are selecting games. By inserting a valid coin, you will have no credits and you will "loose" the coin

In my case, the controller is powering up the coin acceptor only if a game is loaded. In every other state, power is off and when you insert a coin you will get it back, by pulling down the special handle of the coin acceptor

[arximidis]

Update...

Changed the old 20 inch monitor with a larger one (25 - 26 inch. Not measured it yet)











Edit: Its a 24inch CRT monitor and not 25-26inch (I measured it today). I am used only with the metric system. Sorry

[paigeoliver]

Please for the love of games, stop saying "CONTROLLER".

The thing that you wire everything into is called an encoder or an interface.

The things on your control panel are called joysticks.

A controller is the thing that you plug into your nintendo.

[drventure]

Please for the love of games, stop saying "CONTROLLER".

I dunno, his grasp of English is way better than my Greek, even if he misuses "controller" a few times 

Nice job on the cabinet, BTW

[dextercf]

A controller is the thing that you plug into your nintendo.

Joypad

[javeryh]

I love the original design you've got there.  Is it comfortable to play?

[arximidis]

Please for the love of games, stop saying "CONTROLLER".

The thing that you wire everything into is called an encoder or an interface.

The things on your control panel are called joysticks.

A controller is the thing that you plug into your nintendo.

When I say "controller" I am not refering to the control panel (the joysticks etc) but to the circuit board where all things are connected and controlled (TV, PC, Joysticks, sensors etc)
The main reason I call it that way, is because it's based on a microcontroller (and to be more specific an AVR). Now, microcontroller -> controller

Interface is the way things are connected and communicating, but not how things are controlled
A communication can be achived with one or more protocols
(For example I use PS/2 protocol and RS232 for the communication between the microcontroller and the computer)

I use an AVR of the tiny series, even if I have a lot of the mega series (like the AVR arduino uses)
I prefer to use the "mega AVRs" to other (more robotic) projects
The program is written in C (gcc compiler for AVR)

I haven't write details for the controller (the circuit board ) yet, because I was focusing on finishing the cab. I have lot of things to write and schematics to post It's not over yet!

P.S. I know my English are bad!

...
Nice job on the cabinet, BTW

Thanks!

I love the original design you've got there.  Is it comfortable to play?

That depends on your size
Keep in mind that it's a mini cab (about 115 cm height)

[paigeoliver]

I do indeed understand why you are using the word "controller", but the community decided on the words encoder and interface to describe that item about 10-12 years ago and every one you can buy has a control chip of some sort on it.

So basically controller is the wrong english term for what you are talking about in the hobby you are discussing, and thus many people may have some level of confusion as to what you are talking about. Particularly those who don't read your entire thread.

I do enjoy your cabinet design. I used to have a similar one, a metal "Candy" cabinet. It was very comfortable to play on.

[arximidis]

Still, I don't thing we are talking about the same thing
When you use the words encoder or interface, you are refering to what exactly? Something like I-PAC?

If this is the case, then we are not refering to the same item. I use a custom board, capable of doing more than what I-PAC does (and I don't mean that it's better than I-PAC, but it's more suitable for my case)

For example... There is no way to power my television on with I-PAC alone. TV is completely off (disconnected), even in standby mode. I-PAC can only handle the buttons and joysticks. There is no way to handle my electronic coin acceptor (the way I want to be handled). There is no way to use the "ignition key" (again in the way I want to use it)

Thank you for your nice words. I put a lot of effort on building this cab and I had never build something using wood before. I don't even have all the necessary tools.

[paigeoliver]

The fact that your board does more than an I-Pac doesn't change what it is called.

Here, Happ Controls sells something along the lines of what you are designing. They also call it an interface. But they probably don't know what they are talking about either.

http://na.suzohapp.com/joysticks/950800xx.htm

Still, I don't thing we are talking about the same thing
When you use the words encoder or interface, you are refering to what exactly? Something like I-PAC?

If this is the case, then we are not refering to the same item. I use a custom board, capable of doing more than what I-PAC does (and I don't mean that it's better than I-PAC, but it's more suitable for my case)

For example... There is no way to power my television on with I-PAC alone. TV is completely off (disconnected), even in standby mode. I-PAC can only handle the buttons and joysticks. There is no way to handle my electronic coin acceptor (the way I want to be handled). There is no way to use the "ignition key" (again in the way I want to use it)

Thank you for your nice words. I put a lot of effort on building this cab and I had never build something using wood before. I don't even have all the necessary tools.

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

Is it time to throw an arduino into the project yet? (:



edit: typo

[arximidis]

The fact that your board does more than an I-Pac doesn't change what it is called.

Here, Happ Controls sells something along the lines of what you are designing. They also call it an interface. But they probably don't know what they are talking about either.

http://na.suzohapp.com/joysticks/950800xx.htm

Again I don't think it's the same thing. The item in the link you provided (UGCI) is indeed an interface. What it does, is interfacing (connecting) all the controls (joysticks, buttons, trackballs etc) to the computer.
My board is doing the same thing, but not so good like UGCI (it supports only buttons and a special type of joysticks). If you need the best interface, then it's not suitable for you. Use I-PAC or UGCI instead

The difference in my case, is that the circuit board is not only an interface. It can provide some type of automations to the machine
For example
Imagine that you have the machine in standby mode. For monitor, I am using a television. All TVs have remote controls.
I want to power on the machine, by pressing a special button on the remote. Normally this will power on only the television. Things are even worse, because in standby mode, TV is completely switched off
Power on is not like pressing a button on the control panel (which is just saying to the copmputer: "buttonA is pressed or released"). When I am powering the machine on I must do specific actions. I must seperately switch on the TV and the computer (and I can't use a double switch. PC expects a pulse signal).

I can explain it better only in my language... Interface is an interconnection. It interpretes the signals so the computer can understand them.
In the other hand, when you want automations, you need controllers.

However, I don't now if I am writting it right in English.
There is a significant difference between an interface and a controller. That was why I used the word controller, as it was more suitable for the case
A controller is monitoring (e.g. monitoring the status of the machine) and reading input data from one or more sensors. Depending on the input data is "thinking" and then it's responding (reacting)

Is it time to through an arduino into the project yet? (:

I am not going to use an arduino for this machine (however someone could).
The program is almost ready and written with gcc for an ATtiny2313 (I don't need more power for a machine like that. At least for now )

[paigeoliver]

 

I totally caught the very first time that your board has some great power related features that are well outside the scope of what interface boards normally do, and congratulations for coming up with a new design.


 
But I absolutely promise you that in english, in the arcade realm, the word controller isn't used like that by itself, regardless of what it does. Probably because it inherently creates confusion as the controller in relation to games in english primarily means gamepad, joystick, trackball, etc. The community itself rarely uses the word at all. However arcade service literature will often use it, but normally to refer to the primary game control (usually when it isn't a joystick).

I suggest just giving the board you are designing a name, such as "Master Control Board" or something.

Although, you know you could have solved most of the problems you are solving with your Master Control Board by using a monitor rather than a television set and the rest of them with a bit of wiring.

[arximidis]

...your board has some great power related features....

Never said that. On the contrary some people have asked what do they need in order to build a homemade arcade machine and I replied... you need that, that... and I-PAC! (because it's the best for the job)

...that are well outside the scope of what interface boards normally do...

How can I initialize the coin acceptor with I-PAC (or any other interface) only when a game is loaded?. When I am in the frontend, I want the coin acceptor to be disabled... and not further accept any coins (don't ask why. I simply want this)


As I said before this thread is about an implementetion. I never suggested or implied that this machine is better than every other machine presented in this forum (or all over the internet)
Also I am not trying to come up with a new design... I am only saying.. Hey guys I am building a machine this way

I sell nothing!

My primary goal was to save some money. The television (24 inch SONY trinitron) was for FREE!
Total cost of the circuit board was... zero, because I already had the neccessary components. But even I didn't had them, they cost about 10 euros or even less (if you use internet). I-PAC costs about 70 euros with shipping


When you trying to build something, there are more than one ways to do it. I followed this way and that is what I present here

[404]

Arguing over "proper terminology"? Seriously, who cares.

You did a great job arximidis! Hope you get tons of enjoyment from this excellent creation.

[arximidis]

Arguing over "proper terminology"? Seriously, who cares.

You did a great job arximidis! Hope you get tons of enjoyment from this excellent creation.

Thanks!

[codefenix]

Arguing over "proper terminology"? Seriously, who cares.

I disagree.  Words have meanings.  Misusing words causes confusion.  All of paigeoliver's points are valid, the discussion derailing notwithstanding. 

Arximidis's device is perhaps best labeled as an "interface", even though it has functions which take it beyond what most interfaces do.  It sits between the controls and the hardware, and allows the hardware to be operated by the controls.  If that's not an interface, I don't know what is.

Nice job on all you've done so far, arximidis!  Keep up the good work.

[arximidis]

I disagree.  Words have meanings.  Misusing words causes confusion.  All of paigeoliver's points are valid, the discussion derailing notwithstanding.  

Arximidis's device is perhaps best labeled as an "interface", even though it has functions which take it beyond what most interfaces do.  It sits between the controls and the hardware, and allows the hardware to be operated by the controls.  If that's not an interface, I don't know what is.

Nice job on all you've done so far, arximidis!  Keep up the good work.

I disagree too. Interface in the long term is the way you interact with the machine and not the way you control it (or how you control the internal parts)
Gamers (or users) use the word controllers for the input devices (joysticks, joypads, trackballs etc). I am an electrical engineer and I use the word controller for a device that controls (monitors etc) all the internal parts of a machine

PS. Thanks for the good words

[paigeoliver]

Ok, I am done. He can use all the confusing words he wants. His status as someone who speaks english as a second language and has a half built machine with an old tv set in it obviously means he knows much more about english arcade game terminology than native speakers who have been involved with the subject for years.

[Nephasth]

Ok, I am done.

Don't forget to wipe.

[arximidis]

Ok, I am done. He can use all the confusing words he wants. His status as someone who speaks english as a second language and has a half built machine with an old tv set in it obviously means he knows much more about english arcade game terminology than native speakers who have been involved with the subject for years.

LOL

The main problem here is that in English you use the same word for different things. There is no such a problem in my language, as we use different words

Here are the results from wiki:

Computing and electronics
Controller (computing), a chip or extension card that interfaces with a peripheral device
Game controller, an input device used for playing video games

Other devices
Controller (control theory), in control theory
PID controller, a device used in control systems
Controller (irrigation), a device to automate irrigation systems


edit: The device (or extension card) you call interface is also called... controller!
So I am asking again... where did I misused the word controller?

[paigeoliver]

Ok, I will wipe!

Yes, the problem does stem from the fact that we have words in english that mean many different things, but those meanings are not always weighted evenly.

In terms of a dictionary definition than yes you could use the word controller. However in doing so you are selecting a word that has a very different default meaning when it comes to the subject at hand. In the vast majority of minds the word controller in the subject of any sort of gaming will apply to the game controls themselves. That isn't the sort of thing that can be immediately apparent, particularly when covering a new subject outside of your native language.

So when you say controller in the terms of this hobby people immediately think of the more common usage and may not indeed ever be able to determine what you are talking about (depending on the length of the conversation). In fact many probably won't even be aware of the definition that you are meaning to get across.

Thus when you say, "I am designing my own controller". Everyone hears, "I am designing my own control panel".

When you say, "I am designing my own interface", they will immediately know what you are talking about. This is what I am trying to explain.

[CheffoJeffo]

Even I am not as pedantic as the two of you.

Cool project. Cool interoller board.

[arximidis]

...In the vast majority of minds the word controller in the subject of any sort of gaming will apply to the game controls themselves. That isn't the sort of thing that can be immediately apparent, particularly when covering a new subject outside of your native language.
So when you say controller in the terms of this hobby people immediately think of the more common usage and may not indeed ever be able to determine what you are talking about...

I understand what you are trynig to say

Thus when you say, "I am designing my own controller". Everyone hears, "I am designing my own control panel".

Yes, but if I use the same sentence in a forum for robotic (automation) hobbyist people, they will not hear "I am designing my own control panel", but exaclty what I am talking about.

However the "gap" in those sentences is enormous.
I am not used on using words that depend on which people are listening (especially when they know the definition of the word). In my language when I say a word (and people know that word) they will understand and they will not be confused (no matter their hobby)

I can not give you an example because you will not understand. But in Greek there is a specific word for the device you call controller (meaning the device you use to control - operate the machine with your hands). On the other hand a controller (the way I mean it) is another thing. And everybody will understand...

Even I am not as pedantic as the two of you.

Cool project. Cool interoller board.

 


edit: The word controller cames from the word control. So, the one (or something) that controls or doing the controlling stuff is called a controller. Am I right?
The same way you call the device that helps you control a machine with your hands. But for me a more appropriate word would be the "operating device". You operate the machine and not control it (in long terms, you control it with the operation -> meaning with your operating commands - instructions)

[SavannahLion]

I side with arximidis. It's an AVR based board. Hence controller. Anyone who started at the beginning of this thread would have grasped the meaning immediately..... Or maybe my project also uses an AVR for almost the same reasons and I just understands where he's coming from. Point is, controller has been defined in context and there is ZERO reason to attack him on it.

Controller vs Interface is petty. Try dealing with a discussion where the microcontroller is referred to as a stone. It's controller, leave it at that.

Cool project, do you have a circuit schematic? I'm curious as to how you managed your IO.

[bkenobi]

If it's based on the same chip as the Arduino (ATmega328), then it has 14 digital and 6 analog inputs.  At that point, if he has 2 analog joysticks and 12 buttons, he has 2 digital and 2 analog inputs left for other things.  I can't remember if these are analog sticks though.

[SavannahLion]

I think he mentioned it was an ATtiny 2313? I don't want to dig back through the posts. The 2313 only has 18 IO. Not sure how many, if any, is analog. He multiplexed his buttons to gain 25 though, leaving him 8 IO for other stuff.

The datasheet summary mentions an analog comparator but it isn't clear how many pins are used as analog.

[arximidis]

I side with arximidis. It's an AVR based board. Hence controller. Anyone who started at the beginning of this thread would have grasped the meaning immediately..... Or maybe my project also uses an AVR for almost the same reasons and I just understands where he's coming from. Point is, controller has been defined in context and there is ZERO reason to attack him on it.

Controller vs Interface is petty. Try dealing with a discussion where the microcontroller is referred to as a stone. It's controller, leave it at that.

Cool project, do you have a circuit schematic? I'm curious as to how you managed your IO.

At last, one person who understands exactly what I mean (especially if you are using an AVR chip for your project). The main question now is, if English are your native language
Because if indeed are your native language and you understand me in the first place, then I didn't misused any word!

Now. for the things you are asking...
Yes, I have the schematic (and I will upload it). I am also designing the pcb layout (and I will upload it too). The reason I haven't upload them until now, is because I changed them along the way

I had the first working design and when I was ready to upload it... I tested it, with the new version of MAME... and found out it wasn't working!!
I tried to explain the reason in previous posts. I can explain it again if you like

That was way I changed the whole circuit design (created a new one)

Until now I am using a tiny AVR microcontroller (ATtiny2313), because I don't need more I/O ports or cpu power (I use only digital inputs. Even the joysticks are digital). However I have wrote a program (for the PC) that communicates with the AVR and together can extend the possibilities (e.g. I can move the mouse pointer with the joysticks. A trackball is then not needed). There is also some type of voice control...

In the new circuit I use shift registers for loading the status of the buttons to the proccessor. Total number of registers is 3, hence 3*8 = 24 buttons. There is also a delay code to avoid debouncing effects
Because of the registers I use only 3 I/O ports of the microcontroller

If it's based on the same chip as the Arduino (ATmega328), then it has 14 digital and 6 analog inputs.  At that point, if he has 2 analog joysticks and 12 buttons, he has 2 digital and 2 analog inputs left for other things.  I can't remember if these are analog sticks though.

Until now I don't use an arduino, even if this would be a better idea. I save it, for other more robotic projects . However if things turn ugly, maybe I will use it



PS: Excuse me if things are going slow, but I work on this project only in my spare time