mini-arcade cp and config help opinions

[atari2600chick]

I am planning to build a mini-arcade desktop machine.  have done a cardboard mockup and am about to order the parts for the project. I have already bought my wood supplies - 12mm & 16mm MDF

It will have a 17" monitor, with a slide out draw for pc maintenance. 2 ultimarc t-stick joysticks as I want to be able to switch 4/8 way relatively easily, with a two player black 6 button config (I need a 5 button config to play Mortal Kombat etc).

I intend to play mame, vpinmame so I would like flippers on the side of cab (L & R Shift) and a pinball start (enter) button perhaps at the front of the cab. I am planning to use an IPAC2 as a keyboard encoder. The other buttons are from L-R  White P1start button, white P1 credit, white escape, white pause button, P2 start button, player 2 credit button.

My questions are as follows... I would appreciate help and feedback as I am a newbie... I have done research but there are a few areas I am not sure about:

1. Will the combination of buttons above be sufficient for an ipac2 or do I need an IPAC 4 (I'm not sure if I need an IPAC4 - because I only have 2 players but I want separate R shift and enter controls (which are on IPAC4), if they can be reprogrammed I will only need an IPAC2.
2/ Do I need separate coin credits buttons for each player? Or can I use another button config?
3. Do I need Exit and Pause buttons - I read that the Ipac can use player 1 start as shift with joystick control? Will combining shift functions for exit/pause affect shift functions elsewhere(Ie flippers in pinmame)?
4. I read on the ultimarc website that fire buttons can be configured for flippers... does this work with vpinmame?
5. If I choose to go with a one player cp, can I use an alternative USB controller with IPAC2 and have it work with mame?

THANKYOU THANKYOU for your help and feedback

[atari2600chick]

You can try this link to GamesVille to see the pic of the MiniArcade.... (this is my first ever attempt at designing a webpage)

http://www.geocities.com/atari2600chick/GamesVille.html

[javeryh]

First let me say I'm sorry I can't answer your questions but the reason I'm posting is because I am also building a minicab - I'm in the planning stages though.  

Are you building a 60% upright or a desk/bartop?  The reason I'm asking is because mine is going to be a bartop and I feel like my 17" monitor is too big for such a project.  If you are building a desktop, I'd love to see your plans and how you are going to incorporate the monitor.  It seems like planning takes forever!  Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

[Bgnome]

if you are getting the i-pac2, then i would suggest rethinking your pinball buttons.  as it is, you are 1 input short.  this means you will either need to double up the pinball buttons with some of the play buttons, forego 1 or more of the admin buttons, or wire 1 or more of the admin buttons as a dedicated shift combo (details here: http://www.ultimarc.com/extra_shift.html).

another option is to get the i-pac ve, which is cheaper and has 4 more inputs than the regular i-pac2.  but it is usb only and requires the keyset to be programmed at bootup if you are using a customized keyset.

[atari2600chick]

Javeryh,

I have based my idea on the Bartop Arcade Compact Mame Machine. There are plans avaible here and I used them as a starting point. I built a cardboard mockup based on these with modifications for my 17" monitor.

http://members.rogers.com/sschwartz2000/forsale.html

As for "Are you building a 60% upright or a desk/bartop?"  well its not really countertop size due to large monitor, however it will sit on a desktop - I may build some kind of stand later to make it and minimame type upright (I don't know for sure). Its almost like a 'mini mame with no base'  
Yes the monitor probably is way too big, but i kinda feel like a 14" monitor is way to small   (besides we have a spare 17" at home I am going to use for free). I will be taking the monitor out of the case saves a bit of room.

The rough dimensions so far are as follows (this will change when it comes to cutting the wood due to difference in wood and card board thickness) so use it as a guide only. When I get to building it I will post the more exact measurements I use.

H 60cm's (may be up to 5cm taller to account for monitor size and motherboard drawer
W 45cm's
D 75cm including CP


 

[javeryh]

Sounds like a great project - keep us posted!  

I will be taking the monitor out of the case saves a bit of room.

I am about ready to order parts for mine and I've almost nailed down my final design.  I am still flexible though depending on how things will fit inside.  Is it going to be easy to take the monitor out of its case?  WIll it still run properly (I read something somewhere about getting interference from the CPU).  How much space (depth) do you think you will save?  I'd love to see some pics when you get going!  Thanks!