What should i do for controls?

[MBaran]

I am going to be purchasing a gutted cabinet for around 50 dollars, and this was the control setup i had planned out. I was wondering if i need the 4 player unit, or anything additional if i were to add a hi lo shifter, steering wheel, or a pedal. This is what i chose for the 2 player setup. Please comment on what i may need. Also please tell me what screen would look the best. I have been leaning towards  the d9200. Thanks. Basically i am worried about not having enough control, and wanting to go overkill. Also, with a 2p setup will i be able to play robotron with the 2nd player stick, or should i add a second stick, to the 1p side for robotron. Thanks

Arcade Cabinet      $50-100
ArcadeVGA      $89.00
VGA Breakout Cable   $6.00
I-Pac2   (USB)      $43.00
Opti-PAC (USB)      $44.00
LED Harness      $15.00
T-Stik (2)      $38.00
Pushbuttons (16)   $30.40
Start 1 and Start 2   $5.80
Trackball       $26.00
Trackball Mnt Plate   $14.00
Wiring Kit      $17.00
      Total   $378.20-$428.20

[paigeoliver]

I am going to be purchasing a gutted cabinet for around 50 dollars, and this was the control setup i had planned out. I was wondering if i need the 4 player unit, or anything additional if i were to add a hi lo shifter, steering wheel, or a pedal. This is what i chose for the 2 player setup. Please comment on what i may need. Also please tell me what screen would look the best. I have been leaning towards  the d9200. Thanks. Basically i am worried about not having enough control, and wanting to go overkill. Also, with a 2p setup will i be able to play robotron with the 2nd player stick, or should i add a second stick, to the 1p side for robotron. Thanks

Arcade Cabinet

[MBaran]

Thanks for reply... whats a good 19-25inch screen to use then? Also, need input on controller situation !!!

Thanks

Matt

[paigeoliver]

Thanks for reply... whats a good 19-25inch screen to use then? Also, need input on controller situation !!!

Thanks

Matt

There is no input to give on the controls until you can post a picture, or tell us what kind of cabinet you bought. But yes, you can play Robotron with the player 2 stick.

If you want a real arcade monitor and an ArcadeVGA then it is best to just buy a cabinet that already has a working monitor in it and use that. Otherwise just go for a 21" PC monitor (which is what I always use).

[IceCold]

If you want a real arcade monitor and an ArcadeVGA then it is best to just buy a cabinet that already has a working monitor in it and use that. Otherwise just go for a 21" PC monitor (which is what I always use).

I agree with Paigeoliver.  A 21" PC monitor works great and can be had for pretty cheap.  I got mine used off of eBay for only like $120 shipped.

[Xiaou2]

 20" flat faced (not lcd or plasma) TV's with svideo have came down a lot in price.  YOu may want to try one of these instead of a pc monitor.. as the picture will look more authentic.

[AndyWarne]

Can't agree here. A TV connected via S-Video will not come close to being arcade-authentic. A PC monitor won't either but at least it will be a "nice" picture not an interlaced one in games.
Furthermore there is no point in getting a D9200 unless you make some provision for running it in arcade monitor modes for games which originally ran at 15Khz, basically meaning Advanced MAME or an ArcadeVGA card. If you don't run it in 15Khz mode using these methods you may as well get a 31Khz VGA monitor which will be a cheaper but not arcade-real solution, probably OK for most people though.

[vitaflo]

There seems to have been a pattern of quality control issues with the D9200. There are so many posts around here that involve people shipping them back that it isn't even funny.

Also, you don't need an arcadeVGA if you are using a D9200, it is ALREADY a VGA monitor. Your money might be better spent elsewhere.

I beg to differ.  I have a D9200 and the ArcadeVGA card.  It's the most incredible thing I have ever seen.  Just running it w/ a regular old video card does not match it at all.  The only downside I see w/ ArcadeVGA is it doesn't output at 25Khz mode, which the D9200 can handle.  I'm hoping this is rectified in the future w/ a firmware update for D9200 owners.  Still, at 15Khz and 31Khz, the ArcadeVGA can handle most game perfectly.

As for the D9200 failing often, mine has worked perfectly since the day I got it, though I only got it a month ago.  

[MBaran]

Ok, so what is a good allaround monitor i should get. i want very authentic feel, but i also want light guns to work for area 51. Also, anyone know where to get cheap cab's in socal. Thanks

[Nightfalls]

Why don't you use a SCART TV with a VGA-SCART cable? The results using this together with an ArcadeVGA are perfect, same quailty as an Arcade monitor.

[Wienerdog]

Where is a good place to get a SCART TV?

[Minwah]

Where is a good place to get a SCART TV?

Europe!

[bloodyviking77]

MBaran -

On the controls front  - should you choose to go down the wheel, shifter and pedal route as well, I have one of each sitting in my cupboard that I would be willing to part with for a modest sum.

tho I am in Oz, so shipping might be an issue

PM me if interested.

Cheers
bviking

[Lilwolf]

You need to decide how authentic you want and how much money you want to spend.

Cheapest - VGA monitor.  Worst looking... BUT... Not all that bad at all... And you probably wont know the difference unless you look at a true arcade monitor next to it.  You also get PC games running easier.

Moderate - SVGA monitor.  Not bad... Getting better.  Looks good.  Easy to use.  Trouble with

Best - Arcade VGA + Arcade monitor.  Getting something with a VGA connection will not make it much better then a VGA monitor (will be closer to a B-Grade low end video card... built in scanlines, but not the color depth).  

To save money other places...

If you are going just trackball (no spinner) you can get the oscar hacked mouse.  10bucks there (save 30)...

VGA breakout cable... goto ebay and buy a M-M VGA cable and make your own (plus you will have 2 shots at it if you do the M-M (cut it in 1/2)... I got one shipped to my door for 4 bucks I think.  And two hacked vga cables...

buttons... goto therealbobroberts.com  And you will save some cash (players 1 / 2 for 3.20, and 1.45 for others)... Plus he has the trackball mounting plates for 10bucks... But the happs ones don't have screws on the top... His does..


But other then that.. you seem golden

[grafixmonkey]

If you're still wondering about Robotron, etc., yes you can use the first and second player sticks to control it.  Just a matter of where they're placed, and if it's comfortable to use them both at the same time.   (i.e., might be tricky if the steering wheel is in between them)

I think it's worth having 6 buttons on each joystick to play mortal kombat and street fighter variants.  If you don't want those, you can hold off fine with 4 and save a few inches of panel.  You might consider getting joysticks with a top fire button, for games where you need combos like spinner+joystick+button, or 2-joysticks+buttons.  (Tron, Battle Zone...)  I like the Happ top fire button joysticks a lot.  They're constructed just like the Supers, but with an extra button mechanism, and you can use ctrlr files to have Mame ignore the top button unless the game needs it.