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Author Topic: New build- PGA Golf cab (was portrait 37" TV) NOW 27"HD monitor  (Read 5521 times)

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flylear45

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New build- PGA Golf cab (was portrait 37" TV) NOW 27"HD monitor
« on: January 25, 2016, 04:20:31 pm »
Hi guys, I'm looking for suggestions on my project. I am using a 720p 37" Vizio in a gutted PGA cab that I picked up for 50 bucks off CL.

It is in decent shape, but the marquis is kinda BLAH and I am changing the CP out for a two player w/trackball.

My MUST have games are:  (I have these already)

1. Missile command

2. Golden Tee PC version

3. Links 2003

4. Silver strike

5. Centipede cause chicks dig it LOL

6. A few 2 player fighting games for my boy and his pals

The hardware is a PC, duo-core Intel with a 730GT graphics card and 4G memory. The controls are tied in through an Ipac2.  I'm not a purist (obviously!) but want to play a few MAME and PC titles and have them look as good as possible with this rig.



My thoughts are to mount the TV vertically and change display output to the best 4:3 / 3:4 resolutions I can use to fill the viewable space.

Moonshot is a nice example of the concept, I am using a bit smaller screen since I own it already, and it won't need to be de-cased to fit in the big-honking cab.

I already had a mock-up CP built and it actually might work out with a few tweaks and a lot of prettifying.

I'm thinking of going with a HG Wells time machine movie theme, even though it isn't a game specific one. I'm just a big fan and I think there might be some good art available.

Any thoughts or suggestions will be appreciated.  ;)












 
« Last Edit: January 31, 2016, 04:08:05 pm by flylear45 »

harveybirdman

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Re: New build- PGA Golf cab w/ portait 37" lcd TV
« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2016, 05:11:41 pm »
I would have just put Joysticks and buttons in the existing panel.  Does that Marquee topper thing come off?

flylear45

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Re: New build- PGA Golf cab w/ portait 37" lcd TV
« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2016, 05:17:51 pm »
I would have just put Joysticks and buttons in the existing panel.  Does that Marquee topper thing come off?

That is still an option. I actually like the height at which this CP ends up better than the original.

I already had the joystick panel built as a tabletop setup.

The topper comes off and it will!  It's just too big with it on, right?

EDIT:

I also like the spacing better between trackball and buttons on my panel better for Missile Command and Centipede...... if I use the original panel I would have to modify it since my spacing would foul the CP base.

The end 'pretty' version of my panel would need a more rounded profile to the top of the CP to match the lines of the cab IMHO. I am also not going with as deep of a curve to the button layout. I decided to change that after playing with this one for a while.

I am also going to put a convertible 4 way in P1 joy spot.
« Last Edit: January 25, 2016, 05:27:43 pm by flylear45 »

harveybirdman

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Re: New build- PGA Golf cab w/ portait 37" lcd TV
« Reply #3 on: January 25, 2016, 07:25:47 pm »
I would control height by leg levelers, now that you say it, it definitely shows that the cp you built was designed separately. Not hating,  just pointing out that setting so high up and being so wide makes it look a little silly.  I'm sure your final design will be on point regardless of which way you go.

I wouldn't worry about 4 way support but if you do it you definitely want a switching option as you mentioned.

I like portrait mounted flat screens, I'll be watching.


flylear45

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Re: New build- PGA Golf cab w/ portait 37" lcd TV
« Reply #4 on: January 25, 2016, 09:39:17 pm »
No hate taken, I tend to agree. When a person asks for thoughts and suggestions they shouldn't expect all love and roses.

 I think with a properly dimensioned top I can keep the control spacing I want and make it flow into the cab better, more like the original. I first thought the extra height was gonna be too much, but it measures to the center within a 1/2" of the DK Jr cab next to it and it feels really comfortable for me. The feet are all the way down, as in as low as possible.

 I will need to round the lower box edges with a router to make it flow in, and bridge the gap between the monitor and CP tastefully for sure.

I wasn't thinking about 4 way at first, but all the joystick MAME games I like are 4 way and the 8 way doesn't cut it for those. I definitely only need one convertible stick, though.

Most 2 player games of my liking are alternating games.

flylear45

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Re: New build- PGA Golf cab w/ portait 37" lcd TV
« Reply #5 on: January 25, 2016, 09:57:30 pm »
I removed the speaker panel,  whacked out some of the original monitor support blocking and got the monitor laying in. It's going to end up down lower than it is and at a slightly different angle to match the sloping cab sides.

With a 37" TV I loose about an inch viewable on each side compared to the 27" CRT it replaces. Like I said, I have it and I'm going to use it.

I just set the CP back on to see what is next.

I removed the top marquis and led screen it had behind it. I need to see if the LED display can be used somehow for another project or in this one somehow. It's kinda cool.







flylear45

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Re: New build- PGA Golf cab w/ portait 37" lcd TV
« Reply #6 on: January 25, 2016, 10:28:46 pm »
I know it seems picky, but to play Missile Command for an extended session I need the buttons farther from the trackball than what I could get with keeping the original panel as is.  My only other choice is to offset the trackball to the right of center and have a single joystick.

I'd rather compromise the total width than take the track ball more off center. Priority one and two are equal, and that is golf games and MC.

Here's an original panel so you can see the distance between trackball and buttons.

« Last Edit: January 25, 2016, 10:41:43 pm by flylear45 »

flylear45

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Re: New build- PGA Golf cab w/ portait 37" lcd TV
« Reply #7 on: January 26, 2016, 01:51:56 pm »
I never used Illustrator before. I grabbed some images and was just playing with an idea for CP overlay. I kind of want to remember Rod Taylor in my own small way.

 

flylear45

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Re: New build- PGA Golf cab w/ portait 37" lcd TV
« Reply #8 on: January 26, 2016, 04:00:33 pm »
After learning about such a thing as vector graphics.


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Re: New build- PGA Golf cab w/ portait 37" lcd TV
« Reply #9 on: January 26, 2016, 04:29:40 pm »
50 Bucks for the cab is a steal, I would also keep the height of the original control panel, also I agree that topper takes the cab too tall.

Another vertical modern monitor build that will play horizontal games, I see a new trend coming on.
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Re: New build- PGA Golf cab w/ portait 37" lcd TV
« Reply #10 on: January 26, 2016, 04:33:56 pm »
I see a new trend coming on.

I'm all for it, anything to get people to think twice before building non-pedestal widescreen monstrosities.

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Re: New build- PGA Golf cab w/ portait 37" lcd TV
« Reply #11 on: January 26, 2016, 06:25:18 pm »
I see a new trend coming on.

I'm all for it, anything to get people to think twice before building non-pedestal widescreen monstrosities.
***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

Malenko

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Re: New build- PGA Golf cab w/ portait 37" lcd TV
« Reply #12 on: January 26, 2016, 09:26:38 pm »
Another vertical modern monitor build that will play horizontal games, I see a new trend coming on.

YAY! I started a trend 7 years ago that didnt catch on until now.



works well for stacked 2 monitor games, like punch out and playchoice 10




/thread jack, sorry :)
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Re: New build- PGA Golf cab w/ portait 37" lcd TV
« Reply #13 on: January 26, 2016, 11:00:22 pm »
So....

What're you doing with that old golf control panel?

*Ahem* Asking for a friend, of course. (Who's broke now, but will be adding golf functionality to his cab in the future...)

Haha

Sent from my Atari 2600
« Last Edit: January 26, 2016, 11:01:57 pm by acvieluf »

flylear45

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Re: New build- PGA Golf cab w/ portait 37" lcd TV
« Reply #14 on: January 27, 2016, 08:27:48 am »
So....

What're you doing with that old golf control panel?

*Ahem* Asking for a friend, of course. (Who's broke now, but will be adding golf functionality to his cab in the future...)

Haha

Sent from my Atari 2600

I'm going to keep this one, but I have a source for another if you need one. Shipping could be a bit steep on it depending on our relative locations. PM me if you need me to follow up.

flylear45

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Re: New build- PGA Golf cab w/ portait 37" lcd TV
« Reply #15 on: January 27, 2016, 08:36:00 am »
Another vertical modern monitor build that will play horizontal games, I see a new trend coming on.

YAY! I started a trend 7 years ago that didnt catch on until now.

works well for stacked 2 monitor games, like punch out and playchoice 10




/thread jack, sorry :)


No problem at all. I am still sorting through some options at this stage.

That P1 joystick location turned out a little unfortunate in regards to the graphic! Gives a new meaning to grabbing the joystick. LOL  :censored:   :cheers:

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Re: New build- PGA Golf cab w/ portait 37" lcd TV
« Reply #16 on: January 27, 2016, 08:38:01 am »
That P1 joystick location turned out a little unfortunate in regards to the graphic! Gives a new meaning to grabbing the joystick. LOL  :censored:   :cheers:

Ha! I thought the same thing, but thats the factory control panel on a Killer Instinct 2 , maybe Nintendo/Midway/Rare is full of pervs?
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flylear45

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Re: New build- PGA Golf cab w/ portait 37" lcd TV
« Reply #17 on: January 27, 2016, 08:56:12 am »
I'm not sure that I'll use this TV after seeing it. Being only a 720p, the pixel size is pretty large at the viewing distance it will be mounted. :(  I don't think I'll be happy with it.

I may just put this TV behind the bar and get the largest 1080p I can fit horizontally (I have 27" inside width to work with) and accept the smaller vertical letterboxing.

Or, since my DK Jr. is a mutt cabinet anyway I might just set it up to do vertical games and run horizontal games exclusively on the big cab.

Decisions, decisions.


flylear45

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Re: New build- PGA Golf cab (was portrait 37" TV) NOW 27"HD monitor
« Reply #18 on: January 31, 2016, 04:15:55 pm »
It's official. I am scrapping the portrait TV idea since 720p isn't high enough res to do the job at this distance for me.

I already have an AOC 27" monitor that fills up the sides and is a bit short on the vertical, but it is going in instead.

If a person was to go with a 37-42" it would have to be 1080p minimum IMHO.

Monitor is mounted and I have been working on migrating the PC over to a 256g SSD for OS and programs and a 3TB HDD for storage.

 I'm about to start the CP.

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Re: New build- PGA Golf cab (was portrait 37" TV) NOW 27"HD monitor
« Reply #19 on: February 02, 2016, 06:46:41 am »
I have waffled about the CP design for days. I really tried to keep the original size, but 27" (inside dimension) just wasn't enough in my opinion to get an un-cramped trackball and two joys with six buttons without hurting the original feel of either Missile Command or golf games.

I thought about a 4 button layout, but I really like having the two mouse buttons on joy1b6 and joy2b6. With a trackball, navigating Windows is SOOOO easy, I just couldn't give it up.

I decided on a compromise; to shrink my first layout by 2 inches and add a small relief area on the sides of the cab under the CP top where the outboard buttons and joystick will need clearance. That takes the top panel from 30" to 35", so 2 1/2" on a side larger.

I cut a new top from 3/4" MDF (and a plastic topper while I was at it) that follows the contour of the original panel and I think it doesn't look too bulky.

I got as far as recessing in the trackball plate last night. I'll get the buttons and sticks in today and see just how much I'll need to modify the cab sides.

flylear45

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Re: New build- PGA Golf cab (was portrait 37" TV) NOW 27"HD monitor
« Reply #20 on: February 02, 2016, 12:06:38 pm »
As of this morning:





I picked up a couple of posters to have some art on it for now until I can dream up something and get it printed. I'm waiting on a switchable joystick and the T-molding anyway.

flylear45

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Re: New build- PGA Golf cab (was portrait 37" TV) NOW 27"HD monitor
« Reply #21 on: February 02, 2016, 03:33:28 pm »
Almost there with the preliminary setup. Just gotta populate it with everything from the tabletop panel.



« Last Edit: February 02, 2016, 03:36:09 pm by flylear45 »

flylear45

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Re: New build- PGA Golf cab (was portrait 37" TV) NOW 27"HD monitor
« Reply #22 on: February 16, 2016, 10:45:50 am »
I got the basement gameroom arcade finished last night. There's a new homemade marquis on the big cabinet that's not in this pic, though.







Thanks to all for the great resource this site provides.

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So did the 37 inch tv work. I'm trying to switch my crt out with a cga to vga and does it work. Can you give some insight


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