Combined Stand Up / Sit Down cabinet

[GamingGreg]

My friend has an idea for a combined Stand Up / Sit Down cabinet.  It almost two cabinets put side-by-side, however they would share some components.

I was curious if anyone has done (or even just thought of) something similar?  I tried looking through the projects and board, but came up with blanks.

Any thoughts as to whether that might be feasible, or would it be better to just build two cabinets altogether?

[MinerAl]

You're gonna need to give us more than that.

Are we talking 2 screens, multiple CPs, moving parts?  What?

[GamingGreg]

Sorry, some detail would be helpful. I'll try to draw a picture when I have some more time.

It would have two screens and two control panels (one being a driving panel and the other a typical two player panel). There wouldn't really be any major moving parts.   If you picture an enclosed sit-down cabinet, and a stand-up cabinet placed together in an L configuration (from a bird's eye view), then you'll be close to what he's thinking of.

Again, I'll try drawing something when I have some time.

[Stingray]

So this will be esentially two cabs connected at the back/side and sharing the same PC? Or am I totally misunderstanding?

-S

[allroy1975]

So this will be esentially two cabs connected at the back/side and sharing the same PC? Or am I totally misunderstanding?

-S

heh...sounds like 2 cabs to me too...

[Stingray]

Sort of the arcade equivalent of siamese twins.  

Certainly possible, but I don't really see the point. The only shared component would be the PC. Also it would be very hard to move.

-S

[GamingGreg]

Okay, here's a crude sketch of that idea.  He thought it would go good in a corner, and it could probably be constructed to be two or more pieces that then hook together.

I'm not saying it's a good or bad idea, as I want your opinions there.  I was mostly curious if something like this had been done before.  From my perspective (after all it's my friends idea, not mine), the only real benefit would be that only one PC would be needed.  There might be some real-estate (floor space) savings if the monitors can be positioned right, so they don't bump into each other (flat screens maybe?).

Anyway, it's just an idea, so take it for what it's worth.

[Stingray]

Considering how cheaply you can buy a used PC that's capable of running MAME, it's not much of a saving.

-S

[Jakobud]

Hmm seems kind of pointless to me to have them both be connected.  Have you seen a Discs of Tron environmental?  They are huge.  That, combined with a cabinet the size of a Mortal Kombat (according to your pic) and you are going to have one of the biggest and heaviest arcade cab's ever.  I wouldn't waste your time making them all hooked together and stuff.

[allroy1975]

heh...looks like 2 cabs too.  

not saying it's a bad idea....it's just making me want a driving cab.

Allroy

[MinerAl]

Some ideas:

Make the two cabs separately, one with the PC inside, and one with external connector ports.  Just make one cabinet a monitor with a USB or PS/2 (or whatever) control panel, and have extension cables over to the other cab with the PC in it.

or

If you really want both monitors/CPs on the same cabinet, have them be on opposite sides of a central "tower."   The sit-down monitor/CP would be low in the tower and facing South towards the seat, while the stand-up would be high and facing North. (pic below)

or

Just make 2 cabinets.  If you're going to make 2 CPs and 2 monitors anyway, another coin door and computer won't really set you back enough to warrant the behemoth that would be the 2-in-1 you've described.

[Tailgunner]

I actually first concidered building something similar with a dual upright cab. During my research I came to the same conclusion and the others here have pointed out, the end result would be a heavy monster that'd need to be fairly easy to disassemble in case I needed to move it.

Personally, I'd look around for a sit-down cab before building one. They're fairly common and non working ones can be had for a fraction of the materials cost needed to build one.  As a plus most come with functioning/fixable controls which would further lessen the cost of a sit down MAME cab.

[shmokes]

I had, what I consider to be, a far superior plan for this.  I'll see if I can drum up the thread.

Go here:

http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=10;action=display;threadid=7387;start=msg53691#msg53691

[GamingGreg]

So what I'm gathering from that post is something similar to my crude drawing below.  Is that right?  This would allow the monitor/TV to also be shared.  

I guess if it's big enough then it might work okay.  I wonder if you'd feel too far away though on the four player CP.  When seated, would you feel to close?  Something to think about.

[paigeoliver]

I have seen that last idea before. But realize that tacking a 4-player panel onto the back of an unenclosed cockpit will create just another form of huge monster like all the others discussed.

Mame cabinets REALLY are not that expensive to make. I promise you that you could buy both an upright and a cockpit to convert for much cheaper than you could build either one of them.

[crashwg]

The "L" idea probably isn't the best one specificly because you had stated something about it saving space by being in the corner.  It would be pretty cramped right next to a wall with two people.  Of course I'm assuming that it will be a two player CP...

[Stingray]

Shmokes, I agree that your idea is the better one.

-S

[Lilwolf]

If you have them butting up to each other..

You might be able to get a mirror and one monitor to work..

Then you would have to change the flipping only...

[GamingGreg]

Interesting idea Lilwolf!  I suppose you could use MAME's -flipx and/or -flipy to reverse the image so that it works with the mirror.

[Xiaou2]

ahh, only problem is that i hear the mirrors cost a lot.

 A typical mirror has the mirror surface on the back of the mirror - which causes the image to 'ghost' and feel further away.

 While the true arcades used front coated mirrors - which supposedly cost a ton to get your hands on.   They reflect the images without ghosting as well as make it look like there isnt even a mirror in use.

  However... even with the propper mirror... i wonder if being so far away might not be a problem?

  I only know this info cause i wanted to do something simular - but tron-esk.  With the police style 2way mirrors and dual monitors. (one for artwork projection, and one for game display)

[paigeoliver]

The only arcade mirror I own is a Battlezone one, and it is NOTHING like a normal mirror. It kind of looks like a piece of smoked glass, but then when it is at an angle it works as a mirror.

[Brogner]

My kickman is the same way

[Xphile]

2 words - "fire truck"



instead of a second driving panel at the back, two person layout..

use a large screen and it'll be just like a pedestal cabinet with a usefull purpose for that typically unused space between the pedestal and screen...A seat and driving controls! :-)

[shmokes]

Nice....I've never seen that before.  That  makes it much easier to visualize.

[SirPoonga]

that's because fire truck is extremely rare.

[Xphile]

This guy has one for sale, $450 (near Seattle,WA )
Better pictures of cab and controls

http://planetmess.home.comcast.net/coinop.htm#firetruck


Building a similar design would be an Ideal solution for someone who wants both styles of cab..

[eightbit]

Build 2 cabs, all you gain by making an L shaped one is sharing the CPU. You make it very difficult to move and restrict where it can be placed.

In my opinion the best racers today are on consoles so save some coin and use an xbox or ps2 in a sitdown with a TV like the one I did-

[Harakiri]

I think it's kinda ugly but ok! Are you going to make 2 in 1 to spear some space??

[Howard_Casto]

This guy has one for sale, $450 (near Seattle,WA )
Better pictures of cab and controls

http://planetmess.home.comcast.net/coinop.htm#firetruck


Building a similar design would be an Ideal solution for someone who wants both styles of cab..

WARNING!!!


Do NOT, I repeat... DO NOT  mame this cab if you purchase it.  There might be a dozen left in the entire world.  It needs to be in a museum, not butchered into a monster cab with a frankenpanel.  

No I'm not going to buy it (can't afford it), but if I hear of it's mistreatment I will personally fly to your house and beat the living crap out of you.  


That is all.  Everyone go about your business.  

[Tailgunner]

WARNING!!!


Do NOT, I repeat... DO NOT  mame this cab if you purchase it.  There might be a dozen left in the entire world.  It needs to be in a museum, not butchered into a monster cab with a frankenpanel.  

No I'm not going to buy it (can't afford it), but if I hear of it's mistreatment I will personally fly to your house and beat the living crap out of you.  


That is all.  Everyone go about your business.  

But Firetruck sucks as a game, surely nobody would miss it.

Actually if it were east of the Mississippi I'd happily give it a good home. I have a front CP from a Firetruck cab but the controls are pretty much beyond repair.