Cabs as coffee tables?

[ChadTower]

Does anyone here use a cab as a coffee table?  I'd like to do that, but cocktails are just too tall for my living room and not the right shape.  I was thinking of possibly building an actual coffee table shaped MAME cab.  Has anyone done that?  With the top glass on it it would be easy to use as a table... just lower and a big longer.

[teef two]

The main problem I think you'd have with a "coffee table cocktail" is with depth so I suspect the solution would be to use an lcd monitor. You'd have to make sure that the unit was securely sealed to avoid problems when that coffee cup gets knocked over.

Of course there is also the problem of just how comfortable it would really be playing on a unit that low.

[Chris]

Where would you put the controls? 

[ChadTower]

Oh, I wasn't asking HOW to do it, just if anyone had done it.

[ChadTower]

Where would you put the controls?

[clanggedin]

A coffee table cab would be a good idea. I was thinking of making an end table cab, but a coffee table cab is a much better idea and I could just hack up a pottery barn table to do it. That way it would have a scree, but yet match the decor in the house.

[Samstag]

Skip the LCD idea.

[wj2k3]

That would be awesome to play "Dejarik" on.  Anyone know when this will be emulated in MAME?

[RayB]

It's sort of been done. I remember seeing one where it was a coffee table that opened up into a full set of control. He would then just hook up some wires to his TV and away you go!

[ChadTower]

Skip the LCD idea.

[NIVO]

dont forget to add Kramers coffee table book about coffee tables on there chad  .

Another point; if your going to sit away from it, and it was still only 2ft tall, youd need to have the monitor angled toward you. Perhaps a clear showtime coffee table is in order.

[menace]

to quote ron weasley--bloody Brilliant!

http://www.eamontales.com/coffeetable/

[ChadTower]

Another point; if your going to sit away from it, and it was still only 2ft tall, youd need to have the monitor angled toward you. Perhaps a clear showtime coffee table is in order.

Another good point on the angle.  What's a clear showtime coffee table?

[missioncontrol]

When I got my cocktail cab built I brought it in the house while waiting to aquire the guts....We first used it as an end table now it's being used as a bed side table......

I really need to finish it.........

[Minwah]

Jap / UK cocktails are much more coffee-table-like than US cocktails...

[RayB]

Jap / UK cocktails are much more coffee-table-like than US cocktails...

Good point. Those "atari" style cocktails with metal "T" legs usually can be adjusted for whatever height you prefer. From real low to real high...

[NoOne=NBA=]

My idea for this was to actually run an S-Video line from the "coffee table" to the TV, and have pullout lap controllers for the games.

I was planning on using a Wi-Fi card to give the system internet access, and a wireless mouse/keyboard combo as well.
That would allow it to do web browsing too.

Several ideas I had for usefulness are:
1) DirecTV schedule in the PiP
2) go to www. while still watching the current TV show that wanted you to go there.
3) Check scores for ALL the games while watching the current one.

[DrewKaree]

Dunno if this will make your "coffee table MAME" far more expensive than you wnat it to be, but check This link out

Here's a pic of what I'm talking about, and this would indeed hook into your tv


My brother-in-law wants something like this for his basement to hook into his big screen TV.

[ChadTower]

See, I'm not looking for something to hook into my TV.  I have about 40 consoles I could use to do that.  What I want is a standalone coffee table/cab that I can use for a quick game WHILE I'm watching TV... or, more likely, while my wife is watching some dumb chick show like Dr Phil.

[Chris]

Where would you put the controls?

[ChadTower]

What I'm envisioning is sitting on the floor with your legs under the table and back against the couch while playing it.  The controls would have to be low in that situation.

[Chris]

What I'm envisioning is sitting on the floor with your legs under the table and back against the couch while playing it.

[clanggedin]

I was thinking you'd just sit on the counch and have the controls set up like a cocktail machine either the glass cut for them to be exposed or under the glass with the LCD monitor angled just slightly. You can play a game from pretty much any angle without much fading with newer LCDs.

You could do a monster garage type table where it looks like a stock coffee table, but by moving a board here and there you get a mame table.

[ChadTower]

I'd actually want as few moving parts as possible... I'll keep thinking it out, it's a project that's quite a ways off anyway.

[DrewKaree]

What I want is a standalone coffee table/cab that I can use for a quick game WHILE I'm watching TV... or, more likely, while my wife is watching some dumb chick show like Dr Phil.

Instead of building a coffee table MAME, it might be easier to just move her to another room 

Either that, or set up the parental controls on the TV to block all those girly channels and use a code only you know 

Problem solved.

[NoOne=NBA=]

Either that, or set up the parental controls on the TV to block all those girly channels and use a code only you know

[NIVO]

what i meant chad, was possibly making the entire thing out of plexi, be it clear or smoked, and possibly using some EL wire or simple led's, you would have the "wow" effect going. Would make a nice conversation piece for guests as well.

[jace055]

As I am picturing this in my mind I can't for the life of me figure out what you are going to do with your legs?  Me thinks the table would be to low with the control panel to put them underneath and if you fold them indian style in front of you, you would be to far away from the table the see the monitor. 

just something to think about.

[Witchboard]

I don't understand why you guys are having such a problem envisioning what he's wanting.  It's pretty straight forward.  Think of one of those Japanese tables with an LCD tilted about 10-15 degrees toward one way in the center and a CP with two joys and a couple of buttons.  Put a big sheet of glass on top of that and call it good.  No problems with spills, you can see the LCD fine and it could be two player if his wife decides the games are more interesting that her "chick flick."  You guys are making it way more difficult than it needs to be.

[DrewKaree]

Here's kinda what I have envisioned you to be talking about - perhaps this will either help or you can use it to clarify

You could use a false bottom in there to hold all the PC power and the IPAC and whatnot, and perhaps make two doors that would pull out and down, kinda like a drop leaf thing - to hold the controls

Crap, I think I have the idea all worked out!

[paigeoliver]

I have a "Magical Touch" bartop on my coffee table, does that count?

[ChadTower]

Here's kinda what I have envisioned you to be talking about - perhaps this will either help or you can use it to clarify

You could use a false bottom in there to hold all the PC power and the IPAC and whatnot, and perhaps make two doors that would pull out and down, kinda like a drop leaf thing - to hold the controls

Crap, I think I have the idea all worked out!

You've pretty much got what I'm thinking.  The Plexi table would have wow factor, but also a wow that's ugly factor.  I'd like a regular looking piece of furniture that also happens to play games...

As for the false bottom, that's the sort of thing i'm thinking.  Maybe a pullout drawer with the PCBs all on it.

[RayB]

Just get a GameBoy, so then you don't have to be in the same room as that awful Dr. Phil!
 

[ChadTower]

Nyah, not only is that not cool, it's not a cab!

[DrewKaree]

You've pretty much got what I'm thinking.  The Plexi table would have wow factor, but also a wow that's ugly factor.  I'd like a regular looking piece of furniture that also happens to play games...

As for the false bottom, that's the sort of thing i'm thinking.  Maybe a pullout drawer with the PCBs all on it.

What I'm thinking for the control part is a false front panel like they use for storage in front of your sink....here's a link sink front tray idea and hardware and a picture for ya.

Then inside the table, build a framed box inside to hide the controls when they are flipped up.

I'm glad you brought this up!  I hadn't really thought too much about it other than to build a coffee table with a long cord snaking out of it to the TV, and this idea is SO much nicer!

[ChadTower]

That's not a bad idea, not the direction I want to go, though.  i don't necessarily need to hide the fact that it's a cab, just make it nice enough to fit in with living room furniture.  If I actually do it I'll probably just put the controls so you're reaching under the glass to play.

Now that I think about it, though, if you want to extend your false panel idea a bit... rather than having it pull down like that, have it rotate the controls out on a horizontal axis.

[RayB]

Nyah, not only is that not cool, it's not a cab!

And neither is a coffee table! 

[DrewKaree]

When does a cab "become" a cab?  Ahhhh, the eternal question.

Well, the "Cab-fee Table" should be considered a cab once it gets a "soul". 

It won't be handicapped, it'll be "born" with 2 joysticks, at least 4 buttons (if it's healthy), and will be able to "speak" through its monitor after the right "tweak therapy".

I call it a cab.  You're just mad cuz yer gameboy idea was shot down

[ChadTower]

Duh!  A cabinet is a piece of furniture that contains things.  Just because some happen to contain monitors and PCBs doesn't mean one that contains sweaters is not a cab.

A hollow table that contains an LCD, computer, and controls sure as hell is a cab.