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Arcade Cabinet Mame Conversion - Looking fo good advice before I do anything!
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wonderboy78:

--- Quote from: mgb on April 25, 2013, 06:09:39 pm ---
--- Quote from: retrostark on April 25, 2013, 04:04:55 pm ---wonderboy i recommend just building one from the ground up, with buying cabinets on ebay it's hard to say what you will be getting and for wanting a MAME cabinet i personally feel custom built cabinets are far better.

--- End quote ---

I disagree. Custom built cabinets are not automatically better than converted commercial cabs.
I've seen many great custom made cabs and many that try to be furniture and lose the true arcade feel.

If you're gonna buy a cab off eBay, make sure it's local.  And don't mame a classic

--- End quote ---

Thanks mgb, I agree totally with your stance, I only think the preservation rule really applies to classic dedicated cabinets, the rare unique ones like donkey kong etc, this I agree with, noone should hack one of these up for a Mame Project. Converting a generic looking cab like a NEO GEO (that ran so many different games) is not going to put a dent into the preservation of gaming history.
wonderboy78:

--- Quote from: happyfunball on April 25, 2013, 09:59:28 pm ---
--- Quote from: Dcpmark on April 25, 2013, 08:00:06 pm ---
--- Quote from: happyfunball on April 25, 2013, 05:10:19 pm ---i didn't realize it was back to life again till an hour ago. if so, by all means consider it, but I wasn't pleased that I got misled about paying for a registration for a product that at the time was dead in the water and an author who was happy to take my money on false pretenses.

--- End quote ---

That sucks, and I know you were not the only one who didn't get your registration code. I had reservations about paying my $25 in January, but I got a quick response and I've been thrilled with it so far. Have you emailed him recently? Maybe try again now??

--- End quote ---

maybe but i've put all the time and effort into hyperspin and not sure its worth going back now. but who knows.

--- End quote ---

I was wondering if anyone knows if hyper spin will run on a lowres arcade monitor okay? Like a 320 x 240 one? I've heard of interlaced resolution or something does that mean it could display 640 x 480 interlaced? And would this still look good for Hyperspin?

Because I really love the look and think it will make the project so much more worth it!
wonderboy78:
bump!
rpgposer:
Sometimes adding opinions can make a simple project complex.  Here is my experience, which you may find helpful:
1.  Wanted an arcade cab for years, life finally led to a place where I have one, purchased by my WIFE at an auction for $30.
2.  Generic woody cab in non-working condition with a somewhat common game conversion kit.  Kit sideart slapped on the sides, marquee in good shape.  19" monitor was dead, game played blind.  Rest of the cab in great shape.
3. Weighed options:  Fix/replace tube monitor - out of my ability.
4.  Decision:  Replace tube monitor w/LCD, purchase RGB/CGA/YUV to VGA adapter and J-PAC.  Leave original game and wiring and power supply in place in case I change my mind.
5.  This allows many options:  MAME, PS2 and Dreamcast games - plus the original game.
6.  Emulation hardware - old Shuttle small form factor P4 pentium w/2GB of ram.
7.  WinXP 32 as the OS with MAME, Mednafen, EPSXE (I don't like psxfin) and windows games.
8.  MALA as frontend.  * I have spent years using and trying out front ends.  MALA has been the easiest to set up, best looking, works with vert/horiz monitor orientation.  For a simple list frontend, I would use AdvanceMenu, for an eye candy frontend, I would use XBMC.

A few addendums:  I agree with those who say that it's ok to convert a generic cab.  I wouldn't convert a classic game cab.  You don't need a super computer to run most mame games.  You will be fine with a dual core intel.  Core I5 is more than enough.  I know there are a lot of hyperspin fans here, but it's simply too flashy for my taste.  I was able to set up horiz and vert layouts in MALA quick and easy.

Expenses for were the cab ($30), video adapter ($40), lcd monitor ($35 - PA state surplus) and the JPAC with PS2 console adapter. ($70? - not 100% sure).

I am happy with the results and have zero regrets.
BobA:

"BTW. entering 2 verification for every post I write is ridiculous, never had to do this before in a forum. Is there anyway to bypass this madness?!"

It is to prevent spam.   I think it goes away when you have enough posts.  Not sure what the exact number is.
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