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"?