Totally New Here and Interested in MAME in Gameroom

[BillinIndiana]

 Hi, so far all I have are pinball machines and I've been thinking about trying to do a MAME. I really don't have any experience on this but was told this is the place to come for help.. I don't feel too bad about building the cab from plans, I'm pretty handy with woodworking tools and have them all.. table saw, routers, skil saws, finish guns and compressor.. I really don't know what I'm doing as far as all the computer parts of it.. Front ends , files etc.. Hopefully, I can be kind of guided in what to do there..?
  Anyways, I guess my first question would be about the monitor.. Should it be LCD tv or and old CRT tv , computer monitor or what?
   Thanks for any help, Bill in Indiana

[yotsuya]

'Sup, Bill?

My advice- stick with a traditional shaped cab if you're going to build from scratch. Find a design you like and adapt it to your needs. Also, I posted this a few days ago- worth a repost:

One thing I'd like to throw out there, and really, I'd throw it out to all new builders:

Decide exactly what it is you want your cab to be.

I say this because when we all get introduced to this aspect of the hobby, many times we're enamored by all the possibilities. The thought that "I can play every arcade game, every Atari game, every Nintendo game, every SNES game.... ever made on one machine!!!!1!" is exciting, but realistically not practical. My initial plan for my cabinet was like this. I built a control panel with two 8-ways, a 4 way, a trackball, and a spinner, was quite proud of it... then realized a 37 inch control panel was just too big. So I kept the control panel within the width of the cabinet, tossed the 4-way, loaded all those games and console emulators.... and found that even though I could do all those things, I couldn't do all of them well. I toyed with swappable panels, but ultimately, where was I going to put them when I wasn't using them?

So I took out everything but MAME. Better, but still, the CP was crowded, the 4 way games just didn't play right..... so I built a 4 way vertical only cabinet, I removed the trackball and spinner, pared down the game list, and now my original cabinet plays a multitude of games that I enjoy, and it does it quite well. It's not going to be an "OMG, It plays 40,000 different games!!!!!!!" machine, and honestly, that works great. It's a two-player horizontal cabinet that can play 8 way vertical games. Do I miss playing Tron with my spinner, battop joystick, and regular button? A little, but the control scheme was so awkward that it wasn't the optimal way to do it. I know now that if I want to play Tron, I should look into getting a Tron.

Just a bit of advice. There's no right or wrong way to really do it if you are happy with the end result, but you can save a lot of time and money along the way with careful planning.   

[BillinIndiana]

I guess I might just go with a prebuilt control panel? IDK..? Do they get bad reviews on here? Are Tankstick any good?  I'm really just looking to play the classics.. Donkey Kong, Defender, Asteroids and Centipede.. I won't go into a huge list, but I would like as many as I can.. I like the Mario games from Nintendo also, so those would be nice to have..
 

[yotsuya]

Great questions, Bill. My plan was to initially go the Tankstick route as well, but so many guys here suggested and showed how to build my own, so I went ahead and took the plunge. I ordered buttons and joysticks from GroovyGameGear, an I-Pac from Ultimarc, and.... well, I never looked back! The level of customization alone makes it worth while.

Oh, and to answer your monitor question, CRT is the most arcade authentic, especially if it's an arcade one. I started with an LCD, my next two cabs were a computer CRT, and everything else since has been actual arcade monitors. I've enjoyed learning about arcade monitors.

[BillinIndiana]

Oh, and to answer your monitor question, CRT is the most arcade authentic, especially if it's an arcade one. I started with an LCD, my next two cabs were a computer CRT, and everything else since has been actual arcade monitors. I've enjoyed learning about arcade monitors.

  Which is good for a beginner? Which is easiest to setup?

[yotsuya]

For a beginner? VGA CRT if you want authentic, LCD if you want to save space.

[BillinIndiana]

For a beginner? VGA CRT if you want authentic, LCD if you want to save space.

I wish there was a way I could see the difference between LCD and CRT.. I've been playing XBOX so long I couldn't tell you the last time I played an actual standup arcade game. They usually have some at Pinball at the Zoo in Michigan, but not many and they're usually surrounded by kids so I play the pins.
   I guess I'm not to worried about being authentic as long as it plays and looks OK.
 
  What do I need as far as a computer? I seen a tower was on sale at Best Buy for like $279.. or do I even need something that new?

[BillinIndiana]

I guess this is in the FAQ part in the sticky's.. I probably should've read there first..

[keilmillerjr]

Are you looking to build a full size cabinet, or a slim version? What are your size constraints and budget? I settled on a slim design, so lcd was a must. 4:3 lcd's are becoming rare in large sizes, so I went with a 27" remanufactured widescreen lcd that I got relatively cheap. It large enough that vertical games are not small. CraftyMech sells "minislg" which adds in scanlines to simulate the feature. Wells Gardner sells new open frame crt's for an arcade machine. Of course, if you find a used unit, you might save a few bucks.

[BillinIndiana]

I have so much to learn... I was thinking I could just get a tv from Walmart.. Does it not work that way?

[BillinIndiana]

Also I have a nice size room to put it in, but probably want to stay around the size of a regular authentic cabinet. Money-wise, of course I'd like it as cheap as I can.. I've seen some for less than $800 on Craigslist, so I guess I'd like to stay around that..
  I so don't know what I'm doing..! I do know I have bad hips and I'm walk with a cane, so that might have to determine what monitor I use.. I guess I'm thinking of how much it would have to be handled, if you know what I mean.. I doubt I'll be able to walk carrying a 27" CRT, my legs just won't take it

  Wish there was a step by step guide somewhere... I'm kinda guy that needs someone to hold my hand...Haha.. You'll all find out I ask about a million questions when I start something new, because like I stated.. I know nothing!
   Thanks, Bill

[Jeromebechaz]

dude, before you do anything more, i suggest you go get your hands on "Project arcade" it is a book written for people lie you and me, i bought it, and a week later i built a cab shell in 5 days, trust me, it was the best thing i ever did!

the guy who wrote it is actually the guy who stated this site!

[BillinIndiana]

Great questions, Bill. My plan was to initially go the Tankstick route as well, but so many guys here suggested and showed how to build my own, so I went ahead and took the plunge. I ordered buttons and joysticks from GroovyGameGear, an I-Pac from Ultimarc, and.... well, I never looked back! The level of customization alone makes it worth while.

Does ordering and making a custom control panel cost more than the Tankstick ? I think I seen the Tankstick for $199

[yotsuya]

It all depends on the options. If you want to keep it simple, 2 joysticks and 14 buttons (for fighters, six per player and 2 start buttons) are like $46 shipped on ebay. Get an I-Pac2 with USB cable from Ultimarc for another $58 shipped (trust me, the extremely quick shipping time is well worth it). The more options you add, the higher the price, but you are in control of that. You'll need wire, quick disconnects (unless you solder), wood, paint... That can add up, but if you have some of that already, you can save.

[BillinIndiana]

It all depends on the options.

Yea, I just jumped back on here to answer my own question.. I went to Happ Controls and realized the options available

[PL1]

It all depends on the options.

Yea, I just jumped back on here to answer my own question.. I went to Happ Controls and realized the options available

Be sure to visit Groovy Game Gear, Ultimarc, Paradise Arcade Shop and ArcadeEmulator.net.

They are the four main supppliers on BYOAC and Randy, Andy, Bryan and Gary are regulars here.

Ordering direct from Happ means paying full retail prices and really high shipping, but it's a great site for finding part numbers and mounting diagrams.


Scott

[Brian74]

Read, read and read some more! There is  a ton of info on this site! People here are more then willing to help. Just don't expect them to build it for you lol  If you have problems walking, maybe a cabinet like this would work better. http://customvewlix.blogspot.com/

[BillinIndiana]

Be sure to visit Groovy Game Gear, Ultimarc, Paradise Arcade Shop and ArcadeEmulator.net.

They are the four main supppliers on BYOAC and Randy, Andy, Bryan and Gary are regulars here.

Ordering direct from Happ means paying full retail prices and really high shipping, but it's a great site for finding part numbers and mounting diagrams.


Scott

Thanks I just came across Happ in a Google search. Glad to see there are some better options

[BillinIndiana]

Read, read and read some more! There is  a ton of info on this site! People here are more then willing to help. Just don't expect them to build it for you lol  If you have problems walking, maybe a cabinet like this would work better. http://customvewlix.blogspot.com/

Haha..  Yeah I can build the wood part... Does that count? LOL.. I may need my hand held with the rest    I'll do the best I can though, but I do ask a lot of questions..

[BillinIndiana]

dude, before you do anything more, i suggest you go get your hands on "Project arcade" it is a book written for people lie you and me, i bought it, and a week later i built a cab shell in 5 days, trust me, it was the best thing i ever did!

the guy who wrote it is actually the guy who stated this site!

Do you think it is possible to build a MAME solely by reading this book? I mean is it kinda a " MAME for Dummies" type thing?

[BobA]

Project Arcade 2nd Edition allows a beginner to build a cab from start to finish.  It has been updated so is fairly current and has alot of info that even regular arcade cab builders can use.

[BillinIndiana]

Project Arcade 2nd Edition allows a beginner to build a cab from start to finish.  It has been updated so is fairly current and has alot of info that even regular arcade cab builders can use.

Does it have any how-to's on anything other than the cabinet.. Say how to configure everything.. The comp setup etc?

[keilmillerjr]

Also I have a nice size room to put it in, but probably want to stay around the size of a regular authentic cabinet. Money-wise, of course I'd like it as cheap as I can.. I've seen some for less than $800 on Craigslist, so I guess I'd like to stay around that..
  I so don't know what I'm doing..! I do know I have bad hips and I'm walk with a cane, so that might have to determine what monitor I use.. I guess I'm thinking of how much it would have to be handled, if you know what I mean.. I doubt I'll be able to walk carrying a 27" CRT, my legs just won't take it

  Wish there was a step by step guide somewhere... I'm kinda guy that needs someone to hold my hand...Haha.. You'll all find out I ask about a million questions when I start something new, because like I stated.. I know nothing!
   Thanks, Bill

My suggestion would then be to have a few kids help you pick up an authentic machine off Craigslist with a broken pcb. All you would have to worry about is possibly refinishing or and the computer aspect. It would probably save on some lifting too. Ultimarc sells a jpac to connect a computer to most oem wiring. Check into it.

[BobA]

Project Arcade 2nd Edition allows a beginner to build a cab from start to finish.  It has been updated so is fairly current and has alot of info that even regular arcade cab builders can use.

Does it have any how-to's on anything other than the cabinet.. Say how to configure everything.. The comp setup etc?

It covers emulators, utilities, front ends, jukeboxes and more.  It does not have a step by step on how to configure everything as that would take a whole book by itself.  Every emulator has doc that you can find on how to set it up either packaged with it or on a web site.

[mamenewb100]

For a beginner? VGA CRT if you want authentic, LCD if you want to save space.

I wish there was a way I could see the difference between LCD and CRT.. I've been playing XBOX so long I couldn't tell you the last time I played an actual standup arcade game.

Colors are more accurate on an arcade CRT and not as pixelated due to a larger dot pitch, as well as not having a fixed resolution like an LCD. The obvious advantages of the LCD is the smaller size and weight.

The HLSL scanline effect makes LCDs look pretty decent though.

[BillinIndiana]

Just my opinion, but I like pic #1 better

[yotsuya]

So do I!