New project: poker cabs->MP3 jukeboxes

[filenabber]

I've been wanting to build an MP3 jukebox for a few years now, and finally got a cabinet yesterday. I'm actually making two - one for me and one for a friend. My friend gave me the cabinets for free and he will pay for all the parts for his. I'm going to document the steps/parts/etc. in this thread as it progresses.

I'm really not very good at wood-working so I didn't want to build a cabinet from scratch but I also didn't want to use an arcade game cabinet cause they just don't look enough like jukeboxes. I thought a poker machine cabinet would be perfect - small, and shaped different enough that it didn't look like an arcade game. So, here are the cabinets I got (free):
http://thebrokenjoystick.com/pictures/jukearrival
(I'll post the mesurements next time - they are shorter than most arcade games) I think they will be perfect for jukes. I'll be posting new pics as things progress. First step is to gut/clean them - man are they dirty!

For my friend's I'll be putting in a 17" computer monitor. For mine I'll be squeezing in a 19" eygo VGA arcade frame monitor:
http://thebrokenjoystick.com/pictures/firstpass/vgamonitor1
it should JUST fit.

I've got some cool (I think) ideas for some decorations that I'll discuss in a separate thread in the future.

That's it for now.
Til next time,
Brian
http://thebrokenjoystick.com
 

[unclet]

When your done, post your jukebox in the new "Jukebox" section on the "Examples" page

[Chris]

Those should make excellent jukes!  With a little creativity in a DOSCab/WinCab skin, you could probably use those control panels without modification...

--Chris

[filenabber]

Those should make excellent jukes!  With a little creativity in a DOSCab/WinCab skin, you could probably use those control panels without modification...

I was planning on using VMJ, but I took a look at your WinCab - last time I looked at it was a year or two ago.  Man, it's really nice now! I think I will make it work with Wincab too! If it had full support for album mode I would use WinCab exclusively! I couldn't get the album mode to work - I assume that's because it's not finished? Also, I think I found a bug - do you have a fourm or direct email I can talk to you about it?

As for the control panel, I'll be making new ones in the same shape/angles as the originals.

Brian
http://thebrokenjoystick.com

[Chris]

I was planning on using VMJ, but I took a look at your WinCab - last time I looked at it was a year or two ago.  Man, it's really nice now! I think I will make it work with Wincab too! If it had full support for album mode I would use WinCab exclusively! I couldn't get the album mode to work - I assume that's because it's not finished? Also, I think I found a bug - do you have a fourm or direct email I can talk to you about it?

Album mode isn't quite finished; there's a bug in the album addressing that I haven't found yet, and I don't have support for album covers yet.

Bug reports or suggestions can be sent to celamantia@charter.net.  Any reports are appreciated!

--Chris

[filenabber]

Got a bunch more things finished on the cabinets - take a look: http://thebrokenjoystick.com/pictures/mp3jukeboxes
I need to go ahead and get t owork on the control panels. I think that will be the most time-intensive. I need ot figure out which buttons I need for WinCab and fro VMJ and come out with a nice layout.  I already knw which keyboards i will ge tt ohack - I did one already for a friend's MAME machine so I already have the keyboard matrix figured out

Brian

[AlanS17]

I saw a couple empty poker cabs at an auction and they were screaming "jukebox" at me, but i didn't have the money or room at the time to get one (despite them being super cheap). It's a good idea, though. Good luck with it.

[filenabber]

If anyone near Toldeo Ohio wants one of these poker cabinets cheap look here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6117280694

(not mine)

brian

[filenabber]

Got some more stuff done but just now put up the pics:
http://thebrokenjoystick.com/pictures/mp3-bezel

I hacked a keybopard and wired it up - works great. Cool part is I used the original poker CP wiring - was super-simple. Pics of the hack coming. I used the original buttons to test it and it works. Gonna buy some new ones at Happ. The layout is like so (in WinCab):
1-2-3-4-5
POP-PREV-ENT-NEXT-CLR

I have Wincab setup to only use numbers 1-5 and to require Enter before accepting a selection.

The bezel turned out really cool, IMHO. I was stripping the paint from the back and the mirror wouldn't come off then I realized I might be able to selectively remove the mirror and use it. It turned out really cool - something I couldn't have done myself with the curvy mirror finish. Just have to get/make a marquee for the oval area.

I repainted the CP black with some non-smooth paint (can't remember the name right now) to hide the pitting in it.  Turned out good - I might go over it with a coat or two of clear coat to make it smoother though.


The other cab (Dave's) I finally got the top marquee/speaker plan figured out and put in the speaker grilles on the top. Still have to order the bottom grilles ofr the bottom and hack the second keybpoard for his.

Brian