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

[wonderboy78]

Hey everyone, I'm new here and I want to convert an original standup arcade cabinet into a Mame Machine been wanting to do this for about 10 years now and I was hoping you kind folks could help me with a few questions? 

Here's the details of the project:

* I want to keep the original arcade monitor and re-wire it to fit a PC graphics card.

* I want to use the Ultimarc video card because it seems by far the best and easiest option and isn't that expensive.

* I want to use the Ultimarc I-PAC 2 Interface for the same reasons above, to wire the existing joysticks and buttons to the PC

* I want to mostly play the classics and I am not too worried about 3D games (although it would be nice) but would like to be able to still play newer 2D games.

* I just want it to power on and play games through a good Front End

* I want the coin mech to put credits into Mame (is this hard?)

What I'm wondering first off is:

* What kind of PC spec would be ideal? I read a 3ghz Dual Core (Intel) would be really good for old and new games

* When I buy a cabinet, say off ebay, how can I tell if I'm getting a machine that will work with the Ultimarc stuff and also support the resolutions of the games I want to play?

* Would a Lowboy NEO GEO cabinet work okay? Like this: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/151031302506?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

* What is the best software to use for an operating system and front end if I just want it to play games and easily let me put new roms etc on there.

Thanks for your help!

[keilmillerjr]

The i-pac has coin1 and coin2 inputs for you to wire to your coin mechanism. Which wire and where? Your better off using the search feature or making a new thread. I'm using a golden tee coin door.

I'm working on fully hiding the windows 8 interface right now. Windows 8 is speedier than previous windows versions. I'm almost done, and will create a how-to when I'm done. Keep an eye out for details here.

I went with an i3 3.1ghz mainly because it is a new age processor that will not become obsolete anytime soon. Intel i series seems to be the best. Was my purchase the best for mame? I don't know. It is definately overkill for 2D games. I'm not sure what 3D games it will play. I'm more concerned with a fast boot. Some one else can probably give better advice. I haven't my setup running yet.

For a front end, I'm probably going to use maximus arcade. It's just a preference. Maybe I'll do a compare and contrast video with different front ends sometime after I finish my "Hiding Windows 8" project.

[happyfunball]

well, if you're going to use an existing arcade cab, try to find one that is empty, doesn't work or something along those lines. its usually frowned upon to gut one to turn it into a mame cab, especially if its a classic.

for example, I picked up a Lethal Enforcers cab to convert last weekend. the cab is a litlte beat up but in good shape, it had no game board or controls and the monitor was missing the neck board and chassis. Lethal Enforcers is not a classic and the cab wasn't going to be missed so I don't feel bad repurposing it.

that neogeo looks to be in good shape and functioning so personally, i'd leave it as it is if its an original cab and find something else.

[happyfunball]

 i wouldn't go with maximus arcade. its no longer supported and I only found that out after paying for the license. It didn't say anywhere on the site he basically wasn't doing anything with it anymore but the link to give him money still worked. And no response about a refund. Pretty sure I'm not the only one this happened to.

The i-pac has coin1 and coin2 inputs for you to wire to your coin mechanism. Which wire and where? Your better off using the search feature or making a new thread. I'm using a golden tee coin door.

I'm working on fully hiding the windows 8 interface right now. Windows 8 is speedier than previous windows versions. I'm almost done, and will create a how-to when I'm done. Keep an eye out for details here.

I went with an i3 3.1ghz mainly because it is a new age processor that will not become obsolete anytime soon. Intel i series seems to be the best. Was my purchase the best for mame? I don't know. It is definately overkill for 2D games. I'm not sure what 3D games it will play. I'm more concerned with a fast boot. Some one else can probably give better advice. I haven't my setup running yet.

For a front end, I'm probably going to use maximus arcade. It's just a preference. Maybe I'll do a compare and contrast video with different front ends sometime after I finish my "Hiding Windows 8" project.

[Dcpmark]

i wouldn't go with maximus arcade. its no longer supported and I only found that out after paying for the license. It didn't say anywhere on the site he basically wasn't doing anything with it anymore but the link to give him money still worked. And no response about a refund. Pretty sure I'm not the only one this happened to.

A counter-opinion. I and others have had no trouble getting licenses emailed to us within a day or two of paying since January of this year. Further, Maximus Arcade is now affiliated with X-Arcade, and Mameseer is currently working on a new forum for Maximus Arcade. It is an extremely easy to use, powerful, and good-looking frontend, and I have zero problems running it under Win8.

There is more information in the Maximus Arcade forum on this site.

[retrostark]

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.

[happyfunball]

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.

i wouldn't go with maximus arcade. its no longer supported and I only found that out after paying for the license. It didn't say anywhere on the site he basically wasn't doing anything with it anymore but the link to give him money still worked. And no response about a refund. Pretty sure I'm not the only one this happened to.

A counter-opinion. I and others have had no trouble getting licenses emailed to us within a day or two of paying since January of this year. Further, Maximus Arcade is now affiliated with X-Arcade, and Mameseer is currently working on a new forum for Maximus Arcade. It is an extremely easy to use, powerful, and good-looking frontend, and I have zero problems running it under Win8.

There is more information in the Maximus Arcade forum on this site.

[yotsuya]

How is it affiliated? Going to Maximus' website gives me no info, nor does X-Arcades. I'm totally, completely 100% Hyperspin, but I'm still curious.

[mgb]

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.

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

[Dcpmark]

How is it affiliated? Going to Maximus' website gives me no info, nor does X-Arcades. I'm totally, completely 100% Hyperspin, but I'm still curious.

Not sure other than what was posted by others in the Maximus Arcade forum on this site. But from there it seems that it is getting a new live forum, and apparently new registrations have been disabled off the old Maximus site. I think your question will be answered shortly.

[Dcpmark]

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.

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??

[happyfunball]

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.

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??

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

[keilmillerjr]

Mala is currently dead at the moment and I hate hyperspins interface. There is an issue with just about every front end. I suggested maximus arcade because its dead simple to setup, works on windows 8 without installing anything extra, and the only bug ive found can easily be worked around by opening preferences in the frotn end intead of the seperate preferences exe file. Developer recently responded to an inquiry of mine via email quickly too. the best thing to do is try each front end for yourself.

[wonderboy78]

The i-pac has coin1 and coin2 inputs for you to wire to your coin mechanism. Which wire and where? Your better off using the search feature or making a new thread. I'm using a golden tee coin door.

Awesome, that sounds like it won't be hard, thanks!

I'm working on fully hiding the windows 8 interface right now. Windows 8 is speedier than previous windows versions. I'm almost done, and will create a how-to when I'm done. Keep an eye out for details here.

For a front end, I'm probably going to use maximus arcade. It's just a preference. Maybe I'll do a compare and contrast video with different front ends sometime after I finish my "Hiding Windows 8" project.

What do you mean by hiding Windows 8?

[wonderboy78]

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.

Thanks for your input and I would like to, but I just don't have the time, resourses or energy, 10 years ago when I first started thinking about this I had a whole plan all mapped out on a custum built machine, it was going to be beautiful! (at least in my head it was ; ) But since then I realised my needs and circumstances have changed and I can't go for this option any more.

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?!

[wonderboy78]

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.

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

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]

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.

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??

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

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.

[bradx]

get an empty cab on craigslist or one with a lousy jamma game you can sell the kit out of, it will be much cheaper and easier than building your own. 

keep in mind, if you dont need to play every single game mame is capable of currently, you can use an older version that still will work perfectly with thousands of the classics, and pretty much any old PC tower you can get for $50 or less will be fine. 

for a frontend, mala is easy to set up and free. 

my last project was built for a friend, we got a cab on craigslist for $50.  keyboard encoder through a member here for $15.  21" monitor from a thrift store for $15.  compaq deskpro PC for $20.  the cab still had the joystick and buttons, it plays thousands of games, i was able to sell it to him for $300 and double my investment, not too shabby. 

my advice is keep it as simple as you can stand.  no need to overcomplicate things, you can always upgrade later...

[wonderboy78]

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.

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.


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.

Thanks for your input,

I really want to use an original arcade monitor and the quality and authenticity of this option is the main reason I want to do this.

Mala sound like a good option, I will try it out on my computer to see if I like it, is it easy to find and setup with artwork etc?

You built a very cheap cabinet and I think that is awesome, I would like mine to be a fairly cheap build too, but here in Australia getting cheap cabinets is not easy, smaller market I guess, but I will keep searching until I find a good one.

[wonderboy78]

get an empty cab on craigslist or one with a lousy jamma game you can sell the kit out of, it will be much cheaper and easier than building your own. 

keep in mind, if you dont need to play every single game mame is capable of currently, you can use an older version that still will work perfectly with thousands of the classics, and pretty much any old PC tower you can get for $50 or less will be fine. 

for a frontend, mala is easy to set up and free. 

my last project was built for a friend, we got a cab on craigslist for $50.  keyboard encoder through a member here for $15.  21" monitor from a thrift store for $15.  compaq deskpro PC for $20.  the cab still had the joystick and buttons, it plays thousands of games, i was able to sell it to him for $300 and double my investment, not too shabby. 

my advice is keep it as simple as you can stand.  no need to overcomplicate things, you can always upgrade later...

Thanks for your input, I like the idea of the cheapest possible build and I also want to get an old cabinet and convert it because I know this will be the easiest and cheapest way. I can see the advantages of a computer monitor like the one you mentioned, but I have my heart set on an Arcade monitor and this is the driving force behind this build.

So I'm gonna try to start by getting an old cabinet with a working arcade monitor and go from there.

[mgb]

Mala is definitely easy to setup.
Also it has a low res mode for arcade monitors.

[wonderboy78]

Mala is definitely easy to setup.
Also it has a low res mode for arcade monitors.

I checked this out and I'm so far finding it much harder than say Mame32, but I have seen some nice examples on youtube of a guy who has set it up to look rally good. I'm just wondering how long something like that would take:

[wonderboy78]

"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.

Thanks : ) I noticed that when I did anther post, really glad that stopped when it did, I was starting to think I would have to find a new forum!