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Author Topic: Been out of the game (no pun intended) for quite some time, need some input.  (Read 1463 times)

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Warborg

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Hi all...  Used to be somewhat active but have been otherwise occupied for a long time, just now looking to get back in.  I have an old cab that has a u360 and 8-way stick, a bunch of convex lit buttons (microswitch), 3" Imperial trackball and a Tron spinner fitted with an Optiwiz, and an original Keywiz for the encoder.  The PC is now completely ancient (Athlon XP system), so I have been looking at rebuilding.  I live in an apartment, so having a full cab eats up space so I might ditch it to just make a self-contained control panel using a Lenovo tiny PC (Ryzen 5 Pro 4650ge) using the iGPU.  So firstly, any examples of projects that are similar (just self-contained control boxes)?  Second, I'm not sure I'm up on the newer encoders, what is good out there now for a setup like this (all USB, no PS/2)?  I see these zero delay encoders on Amazon, are they any good?  I also have a couple of unused Aimtrak guns, so I might throw those in to the mix as well.

Warborg

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Oh, and I set up the system using Win10 pro as it already has a license for it, 256GB M.2 SSD so loads quick enough.  Will also be using a licensed copy of Launchbox/Bigbox for the front end.  Are there any good guides for streamlining/hiding Win10 for this type of setup?

processedmeat

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I used to use the zero delays but I've moved over to using IPACs.  A little more pricey but it eliminated for the me the USB jumping ID issue.  I know there are ways to fix it through mame but I've never had to use it with the IPAC controlling all the buttons and joysticks instead of a zero delay for each joystick you have.

On UKvac, in the mame forums, there's a guy (Chunksin) who made an embedded Windows 7 ISO with Groovymame and Attract Mode that's pretty easy to setup.  I put it on an SSD and I can hard power off the machine with no issues.  So far for a few years, no corruption issues powering it on and off with no shutdown.

When you mentioned a self contained box, do you mean a pedestal?  If so, I've always been partial to severdhed's TMNT pedestal http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,134038.msg1381490.html#msg1381490


Warborg

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No, more of just a control panel box that can be placed on the coffee table for instance...  Kind of like an X-Arcade Tankstick actually, but with the PC and everything housed inside the box.

Warborg

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*tap* *tap* *tap* Is this thing on?

Warborg

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114 views and one person responds?

Mike A

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There have been multiple threads here to hide Windows 10.

You could start searching.

I don't bother hiding the OS on my MAME machine.

I flip the switch, go get a beer, and by the time I get back the front end is loaded up.

When people come over for a party they have no idea there is a PC in the cab.

Warborg

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There have been multiple threads here to hide Windows 10.

You could start searching.

I don't bother hiding the OS on my MAME machine.

I flip the switch, go get a beer, and by the time I get back the front end is loaded up.

When people come over for a party they have no idea there is a PC in the cab.

Fair enough, but my initial post was about a few things outside of hiding Windows 10...  :)

Mike A

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Sorry. I can't help you with any of that.

I only have one MAME machine that I setup years ago to play 4 way vertical games.

I own a bunch of dedicated arcade cabs.

My MAME knowledge is minimal.

yotsuya

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There have been some self-contained fight stick projects, but not too many.


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Re: Been out of the game (no pun intended) for quite some time, need some input.
« Reply #10 on: September 29, 2022, 02:39:30 am »
Encoders from Groovygamegear or Ultimarc both still are literally PnP.

I have a U-hid that would run all of what you are talking about.
I'm sure Randy at GGG makes something that will as well.
More than one encoder obviously works as you know so that hasn't changed.

Processedmeat's suggestion on software is a good one.

I imagine you won't be using a CRT?

Make sure your PC has some processing speed if you want to run more recent games or a more recent version of MAME.
Recent updates to MAME are doing an awesome job at sound emulation but it takes some thinking speed.

Anything slower than 3.0 might gag on you.
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Warborg

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Re: Been out of the game (no pun intended) for quite some time, need some input.
« Reply #11 on: September 29, 2022, 04:43:43 pm »
Encoders from Groovygamegear or Ultimarc both still are literally PnP.

I have a U-hid that would run all of what you are talking about.
I'm sure Randy at GGG makes something that will as well.
More than one encoder obviously works as you know so that hasn't changed.

Processedmeat's suggestion on software is a good one.

I imagine you won't be using a CRT?

Make sure your PC has some processing speed if you want to run more recent games or a more recent version of MAME.
Recent updates to MAME are doing an awesome job at sound emulation but it takes some thinking speed.

Anything slower than 3.0 might gag on you.

Cool, thanks...  I guess I just wanted to hear from the crowd if there has been anything new out there I should consider, doesn't sound like it.  GGG and Ultimarc still seem like the defacto "standards", so that's cool.

Are there any domestic (US) vendors for Ultimarc stuff, just to avoid insane shipping?  Mainly for a new U360 maybe...

Zebidee

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Re: Been out of the game (no pun intended) for quite some time, need some input.
« Reply #12 on: September 29, 2022, 06:51:39 pm »
It has been a fair while since I last ordered from Ultimarc, but I used to order a fair bit, and their shipping rates have always been pretty reasonable and fast. That was to Australia! I could order on a Friday and expect the DHL van next Friday.

Back then there was a Ultimarc distributor in Melbourne, but I found his markups+domestic shipping made it not worth my while.

Don't know about your US situation though.
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Warborg

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Re: Been out of the game (no pun intended) for quite some time, need some input.
« Reply #13 on: September 29, 2022, 08:36:28 pm »
It has been a fair while since I last ordered from Ultimarc, but I used to order a fair bit, and their shipping rates have always been pretty reasonable and fast. That was to Australia! I could order on a Friday and expect the DHL van next Friday.

Back then there was a Ultimarc distributor in Melbourne, but I found his markups+domestic shipping made it not worth my while.

Don't know about your US situation though.

Yeah, I remember a while back it was a bit high...  And with shipping charges all going through the roof I'm not even sure what it would be today.