Author Topic: Two Mini Bartops (Android) FINISHED & VIDEO (Read 42256 times)

Mungo9000 · « **on:** April 19, 2013, 03:58:36 pm »

I'm quite far into this project now so have plenty of images to share.

I'm building two mini-bartop machines around 7 inch Android tablets.
The tablets are slightly different but they're both from Neuropad.
They cost a staggeringly low £40 each new and are amazing value for money.

They run MAME4Droid quite easily and emulate most older games, NeoGeo, SNES etc, without problem.

Mungo9000 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 19, 2013, 04:00:40 pm »

To begin with I tried a few variations of paper engineering to see what sort of shape would match the idea I had in my head.

Mungo9000 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 19, 2013, 04:03:00 pm »

Once I had the basic idea of something that would work I took the paper engineering to Phase II.
I want the Android tablets to be able to slide in and out so I had to think about how the cabinet would look on the inside as well as the outside.

Termin8tor · « **Reply #3 on:** April 19, 2013, 04:06:12 pm »

Looking good. I love the idea of using a tablet. (note to self: must do this)

Mungo9000 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 19, 2013, 04:06:52 pm »

I'm using thin MDF.
Because it's going to be very thin in places, the boxes need to be over engineered to make them durable and allow hardcore button mashing. I've previously built two minis and I'm a firm believer that you should be able to punish them just as much as you would a regular machine; but when it's made out of 3mm and 5mm compressed cardboard, that takes some careful thought.

Mungo9000 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 19, 2013, 04:10:51 pm »

The reason I'm building two is a colleague of mine has been asking me to build one for her boyfriend. Her boyfriend flipped when he saw my old Mortal Kombat mini and she's been on at me to make one for her to give as a birthday gift. When I spoke to him his favorite game of all time was the 4 player Ninja Turtles game, so his unit will have a TMNT theme.

Mungo9000 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 19, 2013, 04:13:34 pm »

Right... let's do this!

Mungo9000 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 19, 2013, 04:15:43 pm »

Fitting the control panel...

Mungo9000 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 19, 2013, 04:18:18 pm »

Vertical and Horizontal games.
The units are primarily designed to play vertical games but there's not a lot lost in playing horizontal.

Vertical: Shao-Lin's Road vs Bombjack

Horizontal: Aliens vs Metal Slug

Mungo9000 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 19, 2013, 04:23:40 pm »

Graphics:

Prototype for the Turtles unit.

...and the finished product.

I print my graphics on A4 photogloss paper with self-adhesive backing (such stuff exists)
If you look at my other minis (see signature), I print the images on gloss, then laminate them with a transparent self-adhesive backing. This makes the livery deeply glossy and reflective. It gives an amazing high-quality finish.

Here's the graphics before the laminate coating.

Mungo9000 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 19, 2013, 04:26:15 pm »

Applying the graphics

And the finished unit.

You can see just how shiny and reflective it is. It's that deep piano gloss that makes it hard to photograph because it's so reflective.
The T-moulding is a chrome detailing used for cars. (See my Mortal Kombat mini for details).

BobA · « **Reply #11 on:** April 19, 2013, 04:29:39 pm »

Great looking projects. I know that it is always asked but I will ask it again. What joystick and buttons did you use?

Mungo9000 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 19, 2013, 04:39:56 pm »

Components:

Joystick: http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/joystick-switches/4791570/
Buttons: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000L1OX0Q/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Tablet: http://www.amazon.co.uk/CloudNine-Neuropad-Capacitive-Allwinner-Processor/dp/B0099QT4FS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366404077&sr

They will be wired to the tablet using a Minimus AVR: http://mrmodchips.co.uk/catalog/minimus-development-board-p-808.html

macattack · « **Reply #13 on:** April 19, 2013, 04:47:00 pm »

Love it, guess I know what I am doing next week. Been using those avr's a lot. Didn't know they worked with the tablets

www. Xtremepinball.com

Mungo9000 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 19, 2013, 04:51:32 pm »

The tablets recognise any USB keyboard so the Minimus works fine.

macattack · « **Reply #15 on:** April 19, 2013, 04:57:11 pm »

Sweet thanks

www. Xtremepinball.com

degenatrons · « **Reply #16 on:** April 19, 2013, 08:33:43 pm »

Quote from: Mungo9000 on April 19, 2013, 04:39:56 pm

They will be wired to the tablet using a Minimus AVR

Nice to see minimus AVR being used in your project. Are you planning to use KADE software on it or my DIY keyboard encoder firmware?

Check out the KADE Loader software which will allow you to customise the key mappings and choose from a bunch of firmwares (including keyboard and USB/HID joystick). Information on this thread:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,128745.msg1350833.html#msg1350833

Drnick · « **Reply #17 on:** April 20, 2013, 06:44:34 am »

That is some nice looking side art, The replication of the atari sign just below the atari sign is what first caught my eye. But then again I just have a filthy mind

Mungo9000 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 20, 2013, 04:42:58 pm »

The Turtles unit gets it's graphics.

If you're a TMNT fan, then prepare to Nerdgasm

Mungo9000 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 20, 2013, 04:45:38 pm »

The Android tablets inside the units are mounted on a frame that allows them to slide in and out through the base.
There's a sliding catch mechanism to hold them in place and release so the units can be inserted and removed with ease.

Mungo9000 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 20, 2013, 05:27:06 pm »

Work in progress video:

PL1 · « **Reply #21 on:** April 20, 2013, 06:36:57 pm »

Tease!

(Video is private.)

Scott

Edit: Thanks -- that fixed it.

Mungo9000 · « **Reply #22 on:** April 20, 2013, 06:40:31 pm »

Whoops

...changed settings so video should be playable now, thanks for the warning!

macattack · « **Reply #23 on:** April 21, 2013, 12:39:24 pm »

What setting do you change in mame4droid to get full screen?

www. Xtremepinball.com

Mungo9000 · « **Reply #24 on:** April 21, 2013, 04:58:52 pm »

Quote from: macattack on April 21, 2013, 12:39:24 pm

What setting do you change in mame4droid to get full screen?

In the options/settings I use these variables for the screen in portrait display settings.
Scaling Mode = Keep Aspect Ratio
Filter Overlay = None
Touch Controller Visible = Disabled

In landscape display settings I have the filter overlay and touch controller set as visible.
This helps with development in that if I want to see any of the on screen graphics such as the coin/start buttons or the options menu I just tip the unit on its side.

macattack · « **Reply #25 on:** April 21, 2013, 07:25:55 pm »

That's did the trick, nice touch with the landscape trick.

Looks like the same tablet here in the US is the dragon touch line. Seems to be working well once you get the right roms.

www. Xtremepinball.com

Mungo9000 · « **Reply #26 on:** April 26, 2013, 08:31:58 am »

95% complete for the Turtles unit.
Playable...

Mungo9000 · « **Reply #27 on:** May 14, 2013, 06:34:21 pm »

DOWNLOAD ORIGINAL PLANS AND GRAPHICS

I was contacted today by a forum member asking if I had schematics for these units.
I sketched the designs using a desktop publishing program which are now printable as a PDF
The PDF is millimeter perfect, so if you print it out actual size (and use one of those ubiquitous Chinese Android tablets) you can transfer the design directly to the wood.

In the document, Page 9 is the design you should copy to your wood. (Pages 1-8 were for paper engineering tests)

Download the PDF here: http://document.li/gNlj

gonzojoey · « **Reply #28 on:** May 15, 2013, 03:42:19 pm »

Great Work! Makes me want to run out and buy an Android tablet just so I can start building a mini cabinet. Thanks for sharing your build!

mike boss · « **Reply #29 on:** May 18, 2013, 07:25:13 pm »

Amazing project !
I have the following tablet,
http://www.factorydirect.ca/Canada-Ontario-/Electronics__Portable_/Android_Tablets/buy/DP2912/D2-912-BK_D2pad_9__4Gb_1_0Ghz_Android_4_1_Tablet__Black__855791004115/0

Is it hard to wire/set up the Minimus AVR ?
I have no idea what that is....lol

You've inspired me ! Thank you

PL1 · « **Reply #30 on:** May 18, 2013, 08:13:59 pm »

Quote from: mike boss on May 18, 2013, 07:25:13 pm

Is it hard to wire/set up the Minimus AVR ?
I have no idea what that is....lol

The easiest version to wire is the recently released KADE -- announcement thread here, details here and sold here.

If you prefer to solder your own connections, the KADE firmware works on several boards including the Minimus AVR (shown below) available here and here.

For size comparisons, the AVR is about the size of your thumb (1" x 2"), while the KADE is 2" x 3".

It is very easy to program using the KADE Loader program.

Scott

mike boss · « **Reply #31 on:** May 18, 2013, 11:52:26 pm »

Thanks for the info, I'll for sure need to do my reading.

mike boss · « **Reply #32 on:** May 20, 2013, 01:55:20 pm »

This project has me stoked !
I just downloaded and installed MAME4DROID and I'm all over Kijji and Craigslist looking for an iCade.
I figure for me its far more easy to get an iCade and cut it down, I sized my tablet in my existing iCade and its quite wide.

Also thanks to PL1 for some great info !

(sorry to hi-jack) I just wanna say again this project is awesome and I'm inspired.

Mungo9000 · « **Reply #33 on:** May 21, 2013, 12:45:54 pm »

Quote from: mike boss on May 18, 2013, 07:25:13 pm

Amazing project !
I have the following tablet,
...
Is it hard to wire/set up the Minimus AVR ?
I have no idea what that is....lol

The minimus is a little USB connector that can be programmed. I used the original "DIY keyboard encoder firmware" developed by "degenatrons".
This software makes the minimus look like a USB Keyboard.
To know if it works with your tablet, just plug in an 'unpowered' keyboard. if it works, the minimus will work too.

Mungo9000 · « **Reply #34 on:** May 21, 2013, 12:55:10 pm »

Here are two other images of the minimus to show its size against the rest of the project.

To protect the electronics I cut a piece of perspex and softened it over the cooker to bend it into a transparent shield.

sabreerbasAlpha · « **Reply #35 on:** May 21, 2013, 01:04:37 pm »

mungo. These Two mini Cabs are joy to look at. They would look perfect on either side of our bed for some late night Arcade action.. Very nice builds mate..

mike boss · « **Reply #36 on:** May 21, 2013, 06:55:50 pm »

Fantastic project, thanks for all the info.
I'm really excited to borrow this idea.
I'm sold on the idea of using an iCade.
I don't have the skill set or the tools to cut my own cabinet, I think an iCade would be ideal.
It's a lil bigger than needed and you cant really do anything to to lessen the width of the control panel, but I'm thinking a bezel could help the aesthetics of it.
(sorry to ramble)........... I'm just excited.
I even did a test fit of my tablet and an iCade.
http://imgur.com/a/uRyoy#0

mike boss · « **Reply #37 on:** May 27, 2013, 06:18:33 pm »

Happy to report that not only am I inspired by this thread and the awesome work ... but I started buying parts.

Mungo9000 · « **Reply #38 on:** June 06, 2013, 12:13:11 pm »

Finished!
(Actually there's a tiny bit of tidying left to do. But to all intent and purposes, this project is done.)

mike boss · « **Reply #39 on:** June 06, 2013, 06:46:20 pm »

Great work !


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