Couple questions before I start to convert my cab

[fjser]

Hello All

I have found some excellent information on this site, and after ordering most of the parts I need to convert my cabinet from a SF3/Primal Rage to MAME, I am ready to begin the project.  I do have a few questions I was hoping someone could help answer. For a little background, I am using the JAMMA connector with a J-PAC to make life easier, along with an Arcade VGA card.

1) If I hook up a dreamcast to my cab, what is the easiest way to do the interface in the monitor? I thought i had once read I could use the standard sega VGA adapter and short out a wire or pin in it?  Is is possible to take the wires from the vga adapter and just wire them into somewhere on the JAMMA connector or J-PAC? or should I get a separate JAMMA adapter to use with the Dreamcast?

2) For speakers, if you are just connecting to a PC, is an AMP even necessary? I have an old Creative Labs 4.1 surround sound system with subwoofer and volumn control that I was planning to use. I am hoping the speakers can be taken apart to mount to the grills inside the cab. Anyone have any experience with this?  What is the true reason for an amplifier?

3) When redoing the control panel overlay on my metal CP, what is the best ways to cut the holes for the sticks and buttons?  Do I stick the new overlay on, then cut from underneath?


Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Kremmit]

re: speakers

If your Creative Labs speakers plug into the wall for electricity (and I'll bet they do), then they have an amp already.  An amp is only needed if you are using standalone speakers (like car speakers), and your sound card doesn't have enough "oomph" to power them.