My First Arcade Cabinet!

[ShaggyNerd]

I have finally begun work on my first MAME cabinet! I do not have the wood, joysticks, or pushbuttons yet, but the computer I am typing this new topic with is soon going to be the "brain" of my cabinet. Let's hope that when I do get the other parts, I don't fail. 

[Unstupid]

If you use your computer for the cabinet how will you let us know when you are done?   

[codefenix]

You're doing pretty much what I did.  First I got everything running on the computer the way I wanted, then I started buying the building materials and controls.  Do you know what size/type of monitor you'll be using?  If so, get that soon so you'll know how well your PC works with it, then you can base the cabinet's dimensions around it.

If you use your computer for the cabinet how will you let us know when you are done?   

My cab has a USB WiFi adapter and a keyboard tray.  So I can access forums whenever I want. 

[ragnar]

Learn from my mistake now.

Get a back up hard drive and back up everything.

It is not a fun process having to reinstall emulators, front ends, emulators, etc.

Then there are the game lists, the front end configuration.

And Gig of roms to reinstall.

Granted things are cleaner the second time around, I wish I did not have to redo everything.

Get a USB hard drive now!

[ShaggyNerd]

If you use your computer for the cabinet how will you let us know when you are done?   

I have multiple computers.

[ShaggyNerd]

Learn from my mistake now.

Get a back up hard drive and back up everything.

It is not a fun process having to reinstall emulators, front ends, emulators, etc.

Then there are the game lists, the front end configuration.

And Gig of roms to reinstall.

Granted things are cleaner the second time around, I wish I did not have to redo everything.

Get a USB hard drive now!

I have nothing to back-up. I am using no front-end. All I am doing is selecting the mame.exe and MAME starts up. Yay for not having to type in code!

[ShaggyNerd]

Hello, again! I have finally decided on what my MAME cabinet is going to look like. I am designing it to be a Pac-Man cabinet. I got the plans from Jakobud, and I will modify those plans slightly. Now, I have a problem. I want to download art off of the internet and print it out on some sort of adhesive sticker I have (nice stuff, by the way). However, the owner of the site said that you either need a real Pac-Man machine or permission form Namco-Bandai to make replicas of it. I'm only going to use the artwork for personal use ONLY, and I have no intentions of selling it, because I have better things to do (like get money for joysticks ). Is it still okay for me to download and print it?

[CheffoJeffo]

Hello, again! I have finally decided on what my MAME cabinet is going to look like. I am designing it to be a Pac-Man cabinet. I got the plans from Jakobud, and I will modify those plans slightly. Now, I have a problem. I want to download art off of the internet and print it out on some sort of adhesive sticker I have (nice stuff, by the way). However, the owner of the site said that you either need a real Pac-Man machine or permission form Namco-Bandai to make replicas of it. I'm only going to use the artwork for personal use ONLY, and I have no intentions of selling it, because I have better things to do (like get money for joysticks ). Is it still okay for me to download and print it?

You are going to download a TON of stuff that you have no legal right to use and you are worried about artwork ?

And not using a front-end on a cabinet is just ... well ...

[ShaggyNerd]

Hello, again! I have finally decided on what my MAME cabinet is going to look like. I am designing it to be a Pac-Man cabinet. I got the plans from Jakobud, and I will modify those plans slightly. Now, I have a problem. I want to download art off of the internet and print it out on some sort of adhesive sticker I have (nice stuff, by the way). However, the owner of the site said that you either need a real Pac-Man machine or permission form Namco-Bandai to make replicas of it. I'm only going to use the artwork for personal use ONLY, and I have no intentions of selling it, because I have better things to do (like get money for joysticks ). Is it still okay for me to download and print it?

You are going to download a TON of stuff that you have no legal right to use and you are worried about artwork ?

And not using a front-end on a cabinet is just ... well ...

Well, that's just me, playing on the safe side. But now that I think about it, you make a good point. For the front-end deal, I will go without one FOR NOW. If I change my mind, I will go with MALA, because it seems to be a very popular choice. In fact, I'll try it out now.

[ShaggyNerd]

I have recently installed MALA, and all I have is three words: I love it. I got an awesome theme/layout that will go splendidly with my Pac-Man MAME cabinet. Now, I have a question. How can I get rid of the little screens that show up when I start a game that tells the game's name, manufacterer, tech specs, warnings, etc.?

[Drnick]

find a no nag version of mame

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=64298.0

Unless it's something in Mala you mean, in which case I have no clue as I am a Hyperspin user 

[ShaggyNerd]

I (finally) compiled MAME to get rid of those pesky game-info screens. However, I can't get those little screens that show up and say that, for example, Galaga has problems with video emulation, and others of that type. Can I get rid of those?

[ShaggyNerd]

I'm back! I finally decided on the parts I will get:
2x Sanwa JLW-TM-8 with red ball-tops
4x White Arcade Prime Pushbuttons
3x Red Arcade Prime Pushbuttons
1x Player 1 Imprint Pushbutton
1x Player 2 Imprint Pushbutton
2x those transparent-blue USB gamepads GGG sells
2x 8'x4' MDF board

[Mac Green]

want a good deal on red ball tops check these out http://www.dealextreme.com/p/repair-parts-replacement-4-ways-red-ball-arcade-joystick-with-4-switch-37485   and if you want buttons http:/http://www.dealextreme.com/p/repair-parts-replacement-obsf-button-for-arcade-machine-color-assorted-37486    /www.dealextreme.com/p/repair-parts-replacement-obsf-button-for-arcade-machine-color-assorted-37487     

[bkenobi]

I (finally) compiled MAME to get rid of those pesky game-info screens. However, I can't get those little screens that show up and say that, for example, Galaga has problems with video emulation, and others of that type. Can I get rid of those?

Those go away after you play the game for the first time.  I'm sure there's a way around having those, but I can't remember exactly what it is.  I think it won't pop up if you have a .ini or .cfg for the rom.  I know GameEx has a feature that eliminates those messages (not the left/right message every time you start up, just the one that says what's wrong with the game the first time).

[OverRide]

There are ways to get rid of it. I found it eaiser to go (left right, left right) and play the game then to recompile mame each time without nag's.

[ShaggyNerd]

want a good deal on red ball tops check these out http://www.dealextreme.com/p/repair-parts-replacement-4-ways-red-ball-arcade-joystick-with-4-switch-37485   and if you want buttons http:/http://www.dealextreme.com/p/repair-parts-replacement-obsf-button-for-arcade-machine-color-assorted-37486    /www.dealextreme.com/p/repair-parts-replacement-obsf-button-for-arcade-machine-color-assorted-37487     

Well, as I said, I already made up my mind about what parts to get, but I'll keep these in mind, just in case.
I recently heard about that new OMNI2 from GGG. In your opinion, how is it compared to the Sanwa JLW?

[Nephasth]

From what I understand, the OMNI2s are "JLW type" joysticks, basically JLW imitations. If you don't plan on switching your sticks from 8-way to 4-way and vice versa, I would recommend the JLWs. They're a quality stick and can be had for a reasonable sum. I would also recommend getting a stiffer spring for the JLW (or OMNI2 if you go that route), you can get those from Ultimarc (they're sold as stiffer springs for the U360s, but work great in the JLWs as well), they make the sticks feel much better in my opinion.

[Gray_Area]

Is anyone else getting the 'Tupperware party' feeling here?

[ShaggyNerd]

Is anyone else getting the 'Tupperware party' feeling here?

A what?

Anyway, I have a bit of a problem. My monitor is a 17" Envision LCD monitor, with dimensions of 13 5/16" x 11". However, the main problem is the size of the monitor itself. I will be arranging the monitor vertically, because almost all of my games are vertical. The original Pac-Man cabinet itself is about 24" wide. With a monitor 11" across, there's going to be more bezel than monitor! So I need to know something. What are the dimensions of an original Pac-Man monitor, in case I go PC monitor shopping? Or, is there anything else I can try, besides mounting my monitor horizontally?

[ShaggyNerd]

I want to say a few things. First, for the final time, I am changing which parts I will buy. Instead of Sanwa JLWs, I will buy red Happ Competitions. Some of you will think that I am making a bad move, but I think it's a good one. Considering this is my first project, I want to start of simple. And besides, I can always replace those Happs with Sanwas if I change my mind. Next, I want my LCD monitor to look like an old-fashioned CRT, like the "native-resolution" in this video (NOT MY VIDEO): Again, NOT MY VIDEO! My monitor has a resolution of 1024x768, but I can change that. Also, I have not decided on using it or not, but where can I get orange t-molding?

[Unstupid]

Tmolding.com

[ShaggyNerd]

Tmolding.com

Thanks! I still don't know if I'm going to use t-molding, but that solves that problem. Now, I still want that CRT look on my LCD monitor. In case, you need to know, I already disabled something called the "bilinear filter," which gave me a nicer image. Anything else I can do?

[ShaggyNerd]

Hello, again! I have decided that, for the moment, I will keep my LCD monitor. However, to compensate for size, I thought of a new idea. I was looking at the OMNI2 joysticks at GGG, and I noticed the 4-way to 8-way switching. Then I thought about my monitor. Lightbulb (someone please make a lightbulb smiley!)! I got an idea for a type of harness thing, similar to the square restrictor designed to hold my monitor, with a handle, and have it so that I manually rotate the monitor. My monitor is about 5-8 pounds, so manual is nothing. And, if oriented horizontally, it should be able to fit the bezel just nicely. Adjustments can be made the the bezel, anyway (so glad I did not start construction yet). Just a reminder, if you need to know the size of my monitor, it's a few posts up. By the way, the screws I will use are black, so they can blend in with my black bezel (with artwork). What do you think?

[Donkbaca]

I think most LCD monitors look like garbage when rotated horizontally

[Unstupid]

I think most LCD monitors look like garbage when rotated horizontally

vertically?

[ShaggyNerd]

I think most LCD monitors look like garbage when rotated horizontally

vertically?

Maybe I could have been more descriptive. For vertical games, in MAME, I will rotate the game 90 degrees counterclockwise so that the games will fill up the whole screen. Then, I will rotate the monitor itself so it stands vertically, giving me a larger, properly-oriented image with no black bars on the sides. For horizontal games, since they are already full-screen, I will not rotate them in MAME and I will position the monitor horizontally. If you still don't understand, please let me know.

[Donkbaca]

rotated lcd monitors generally look like garbage.  That is what I meant.

[ShaggyNerd]

rotated lcd monitors generally look like garbage.  That is what I meant.

Define "garbage"

[codefenix]

Have you ever noticed that when you view an LCD monitor from a higher or lower angle, the color contrast doesn't look so right?  Particularly on most LCDs you'll notice that the contrast seems to plummet when viewed from a low angle.

Well, when you rotate the LCD 90 degrees, this will become all the more apparent as you move slightly to the left or right.  It will undoubtedly drive you batty the longer you play it.

[Donkbaca]

^^^^ This

[ShaggyNerd]

Have you ever noticed that when you view an LCD monitor from a higher or lower angle, the color contrast doesn't look so right?  Particularly on most LCDs you'll notice that the contrast seems to plummet when viewed from a low angle.

Well, when you rotate the LCD 90 degrees, this will become all the more apparent as you move slightly to the left or right.  It will undoubtedly drive you batty the longer you play it.

Oooohhhhhh. Now that I think about it, you're right. So, if I were to buy a CRT monitor, CRT TV, or an actual arcade monitor, will this problem occur?

[codefenix]

if I were to buy a CRT monitor, CRT TV, or an actual arcade monitor, will this problem occur?

Nope.  You get constant brightness and contrast on a CRT from any viewing angle.  Try for yourself with a CRT TV you may happen to have.

[Donkbaca]

It won't happen if you get an IPS or PVA monitor either, at least not as bad.

[ShaggyNerd]

if I were to buy a CRT monitor, CRT TV, or an actual arcade monitor, will this problem occur?

Nope.  You get constant brightness and contrast on a CRT from any viewing angle.  Try for yourself with a CRT TV you may happen to have.

These CRT TVs. I have one, it's just that it's too big to fit in a Pac-Man cabinet at 25", and that's the TV I use to play my video games on, so that's a no. How much would a cheap 19" TV cost, since I'm on a tight budget, and exactly, how does one connect a TV to a computer?

[codefenix]

Your question was, "if I were to buy a CRT monitor, CRT TV, or an actual arcade monitor, will this problem occur?"  When I responded, "Try for yourself," I meant just turn it on and try looking at it from a couple different angles to confirm or deny for yourself whether or not the problem occurs.  I wasn't advising that you use your only video game TV in the project.

Cheap 19" CRT TVs ought to sell online for around $75 or less, but I'm just ball parking here (this is another of those "try for yourself" kind of things).  Check local flea markets and garage sales, too.  People everywhere want to give these up for cheap.

If the TV you find has an S-Video input, and if the video card in your PC has an S-Video output, you can connect the two together that way.

[Donkbaca]

Or you could just not rotate the LCD

[ShaggyNerd]

Your question was, "if I were to buy a CRT monitor, CRT TV, or an actual arcade monitor, will this problem occur?"  When I responded, "Try for yourself," I meant just turn it on and try looking at it from a couple different angles to confirm or deny for yourself whether or not the problem occurs.  I wasn't advising that you use your only video game TV in the project.

Cheap 19" CRT TVs ought to sell online for around $75 or less, but I'm just ball parking here (this is another of those "try for yourself" kind of things).  Check local flea markets and garage sales, too.  People everywhere want to give these up for cheap.

If the TV you find has an S-Video input, and if the video card in your PC has an S-Video output, you can connect the two together that way.

Well, I found out two things. One, I tried your CRT angle test. It works. Next, I checked my ancient computer for S-Video. And sure enough, hidden beneath years of dust, was a little round slot labeled, "TV".  Now I know what to look for if I decide to replace my current LCD monitor. And I get that "arcadey" look as an added bonus.

Or you could just not rotate the LCD

Almost all of my games are vertical. It would be too inconvenient to NOT rotate my monitor, thanks to those little black bars on the sides. I know I can add artwork to the sides, but I still get a tiny game screen. But thanks for trying.

[Donkbaca]

You are better off trying to find a CRT monitor than messing with a TV.  With a TV you need to find one that has power return and channel memory, and there really is no way to know if one has it unless you try it out in person.  Generally, this is a feature on newer TV's, good luck

[ShaggyNerd]

You are better off trying to find a CRT monitor than messing with a TV.  With a TV you need to find one that has power return and channel memory, and there really is no way to know if one has it unless you try it out in person.  Generally, this is a feature on newer TV's, good luck

What's "power return" and "channel memory"?

[codefenix]

What's "power return" and "channel memory"?

Googling "tv channel memory" yields this Wikipedia article as the first result: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Channel_memory

See this thread for an explanation on power return.

[ShaggyNerd]

Oh! I knew what power return was, but I didn't know what it was called (I hate it when that happens). But can you explain to me, in simpler terms, what channel memory is, because the article was a little too confusing.

EDIT: Let me get this straight. Is channel memory basically when a TV remembers what channels are available?

[ShaggyNerd]

I feel the urge to buy a CRT PC monitor or TV. However, I need to know something first. What are the dimensions of a 19" screen?

[ShaggyNerd]

I GOT THE PARTS! Though I did not order all of the parts I said I would, I got the parts I wanted. I ordered one joystick, two white buttons, two red buttons, two player-start buttons, and one USB gamepad. Even for parts that are supposed to be okay, to me, they're amazing! And I have decided to use my 17" LCD monitor. It will be vertical, but I'm very, I think the word is, adaptable. Construction begins immediately!

[wizkid32]

Very cool.  Let us know when you make more progress.

[ShaggyNerd]

I have already decided on my control panel layout. Now, I would wire the joystick and buttons to my new gamepad, but I don't have a soldering gun or a hot glue gun (to support the solder). So, I'm waiting for my friend to let me borrow his. I might go wood shopping sometime soon. I might add some pics too soon once I learn how to.

But, for the Pac-Man cabinet plans, I must make some major changes to them. Since I will use my 17" LCD monitor, I will have to shrink it. I will change it from about 24" wide to 18" wide. And as for the sides, I don't like how far they reach back. It seems like such a waste of wood considering my monitor is small and with a narrower cabinet and all that. I will bring that to 2'. As for height, even though I am somewhat tall for my age, I will not change the height. All in all, it's going just awesome.

Don't you just love progress?

[wizkid32]

I have already decided on my control panel layout. Now, I would wire the joystick and buttons to my new gamepad, but I don't have a soldering gun or a hot glue gun (to support the solder). So, I'm waiting for my friend to let me borrow his. I might go wood shopping sometime soon. I might add some pics too soon once I learn how to.

Using a gamepad as your interface?     Why use that?  Probably a better idea to use a dedicated keyboard interface.  Try the Key Wiz.  It only costs $40 w/ shipping and will work WAY better.  It has loads of software perks and is no solder.   

Link:
http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=303&zenid=s2ni5nkad8tt517su5oaghan56

[ShaggyNerd]

I have already decided on my control panel layout. Now, I would wire the joystick and buttons to my new gamepad, but I don't have a soldering gun or a hot glue gun (to support the solder). So, I'm waiting for my friend to let me borrow his. I might go wood shopping sometime soon. I might add some pics too soon once I learn how to.

Using a gamepad as your interface?     Why use that?  Probably a better idea to use a dedicated keyboard interface.  Try the Key Wiz.  It only costs $40 w/ shipping and will work WAY better.  It has loads of software perks and is no solder.   

Link:
http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=303&zenid=s2ni5nkad8tt517su5oaghan56

My original idea was to have a dedicated keyboard interface, until I looked at the price tags. I just don't have that kind of extra money. I still have wood to buy, after all. Plus, I only have one joystick and six buttons total, so I will have WAY too many unused inputs. Also, since it is a KEYBOARD interface, it might mess up my other keyboard. But, with a gamepad, it registers as a gamepad and won't mess up my keyboard. I already ran a test run on my new soon-to-be-modded gamepad, and it works amazingly. To me, being a do-it-yourselfer, it seems like a good place to start. And for $5, why not?

[wizkid32]

I see.  Can't argue with 30 unused buttons! 

[drventure]

About a rotated LCD. There are LCD's that are intended to be rotated (the dell 2405 WFP for instance).

Pretty much any LCD that comes with a base that allows it to rotate should be fine for rotated use (that's the intention anyway).

However, I've noticed A LOT of the newer (cheaper) lcds now have bases that only move up and down (or worse, only tilt slightly). Often, those panels +will+ look like crap if rotated.

Also, mind the direction of rotation. The Dells for instance only rotate clockwise. As far as I can tell, they look good either way, but there may be a reason (more than cost) that the base was designed to only rotate one way.

[ShaggyNerd]

About a rotated LCD. There are LCD's that are intended to be rotated (the dell 2405 WFP for instance).

Pretty much any LCD that comes with a base that allows it to rotate should be fine for rotated use (that's the intention anyway).

However, I've noticed A LOT of the newer (cheaper) lcds now have bases that only move up and down (or worse, only tilt slightly). Often, those panels +will+ look like crap if rotated.

Also, mind the direction of rotation. The Dells for instance only rotate clockwise. As far as I can tell, they look good either way, but there may be a reason (more than cost) that the base was designed to only rotate one way.

I know. I want to get a CRT monitor, but I don't have that much extra money.

BUT... you seem to have forgotten one teensy tiny detail. The screen on a Pac-Man cabinet is at a rather low angle. Since I am tall, I will be looking at it straight down, so I won't have any problems like contrast-discoloration, brightness issues, etc.

[ShaggyNerd]

I finally got a soldering iron and a hot glue gun. Tomorrow, I will test them out to see if they work properly (they look like they do, but you never know). And sometime soon, possibly even this weekend, I will solder the buttons and joysticks to my gamepad.

Does RadioShack have those 0.187" female connectors?

[bkenobi]

Does RadioShack have those 0.187" female connectors?

No.  But, most of the suppliers here have them available.  I simply went on ebay and bought a bunch for cheap with free shipping, though.

[Donkbaca]

check home depot or lowes, or an auto parts store.  They all should have them

[bkenobi]

In my area, they do not carry 0.187" QD connectors.  They do carry them in a small package with 0.25" ones, but for the price it wasn't worth it.  Like I said, these are available for super cheap on ebay even after shipping.  Of course, the cheapest ones are out of Hong Kong, so you will have to either wait or pay a little extra to get them more local.

I just did a quick search and found a couple people selling 50 and 100 packs.  Looks like a 100 pack of red 187 QDC will set you back $8 (to the US) from California.  I think I paid $5 for 100 locally once upon a time, but that was not retail (the place was shutting down).

[wizkid32]

I got mine from GroovyGameGear.com.  It's a decent price, but I already had an order so I did not pay shipping directly.

[bkenobi]

Yup, GGG has them for not much more than ebay.  The only difference is the shipping really.  The ones RandyT sells are actually better because they are shielded, so if you are debating which way to go, you should keep that in mind.

[ShaggyNerd]

Hey. I am using the plans for the Pac-Man cabinet from Jakobud. I heard that Jakobud is not always accurate to the actual measurements. Plus, there isn't much detail as to the inside of the cabinet. Are there any plans that are accurate, AND have details about the inside too?

[ShaggyNerd]

Hi, guys. Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Santa gave me a fever for Christmas, among other things. Anyway, I am still going to make the MAME cabinet. I have all of the designs and now I'm waiting for a friend of mine to help me make it (he got sick, too). I got some extra money over the holidays, and I am VERY tempted to go to my local thrift shop and buy a 19" CRT PC Monitor/TV. On the subject, what other kinds of specs should I look for? By specs, I mean resolution, input/output, refresh rate, etc.

I hope you enjoyed the Holidays!

[wizkid32]

Preferably S-video, if you're looking for a television.  You should also think about your monitor connection, and how it will work with your setup.

[ghettodish]

Here is a cab I build with a ghetto-rotating lcd panel. I don't have any viewing issues with it. It looks the same horizontal or vertical.

[ShaggyNerd]

Here is a cab I build with a ghetto-rotating lcd panel. I don't have any viewing issues with it. It looks the same horizontal or vertical.

I like this idea, but if I get a CRT Monitor/TV, would such a system be practical? Either way, exactly, how do you actually rotate the thing?

[ghettodish]

Here is a cab I build with a ghetto-rotating lcd panel. I don't have any viewing issues with it. It looks the same horizontal or vertical.

I like this idea, but if I get a CRT Monitor/TV, would such a system be practical? Either way, exactly, how do you actually rotate the thing?

The panel that the lcd is mounted to has two handles on it (above and below the screen in the pic). It simply pulls out for rotating
I wouldn't want to do that to a mounted CRT monitor. I tested a CRT for rotating, but found out that it would have to degaussed every time it changed orientation.

[ShaggyNerd]

I'M BACK!

I have much to tell you. Over the past several weeks, I went to my friend's house almost every Monday to work on the cabinet. I stuck with the basic Pac-Man cabinet plans, and will probably decorate it accordingly. It is almost complete! Pictures coming soon...