Planning on starting my first arcade project

[Jae200]

Hi. I've been thinking of doing this for quite a few years and either never had the space, was moving around and didn't want to take the machine with me or whatever..

Now I'm ready and have a couple of questions. I think I can handle cutting and building my own cabinet but I'm really not sure if I'm eletrically/electronically inclined enough to deal with hacking keyboards/wiring controls, etc. Has anyone built their own cabinet for use with commerically available arcade style controllers like Hanaho's Hotrod Joystick? Can anyone recommend a good arcade size controller that I could drop into my machine?

Also I'm thinking of going with a Wells Gardner SVGA monitor instead of a computer monitor. From what I've read they connect to a computer just like a computer monitor but are a little more authentic looking. Can anyone tell me what size I should go with for a real arcade feel? What size monitor do Neo Geo arcades use for instance? Are these monitors easily obtainable from any local sources or would I have to go through a specialty dealer like Happ Controls to find them?

Thanks for the help.
Jason

[pointdablame]

Hi, Welcome

There are a few people that have used Xarcade/HotRod joysticks on their machine.  I (and many others here it seems) think that it looks terrible slapping a joystick on a machine, but it WILL work just fine if thats what you'd like.

The electronics side of things really isn't that difficult at all.  If you can build the cabinet, you can wire it.  Don't hack a keyboard, get an encoder.  That way, its just screw terminals and quick disconnects.  If you can follow wires, use a screwdriver, and push disconnects onto metal tabs, you're 90% there.  It really isn't hard and you can make the control panel EXACTLY like you want.

The monitors like the D9200 will hook directly up to your PC.  If you wanted to use a regular arcade monitor you could use an arcadeVGA card as well.  Again, it's pretty simple to hook up once you understand what each part is doing.

As for monitor size, most classics used a 19" monitor, either vertiacl or horizontal.  A lot of fighters and newer games use 25"/27" monitors.  Then there are the showcase and projection cabs with the monster monitors.  There are a ton of NeoGeo cab styles, and I think there have been Neos with 19/25/27 and probably more sizes of monitors.

You might be able to find a monitor locally, but perhaps not a new one.  If you're getting a new SVGA one, you'll prolly have to go through a dealer.

[Buddabing]

Hi. I've been thinking of doing this for quite a few years and either never had the space, was moving around and didn't want to take the machine with me or whatever..

Now I'm ready and have a couple of questions. I think I can handle cutting and building my own cabinet but I'm really not sure if I'm eletrically/electronically inclined enough to deal with hacking keyboards/wiring controls, etc. Has anyone built their own cabinet for use with commerically available arcade style controllers like Hanaho's Hotrod Joystick? Can anyone recommend a good arcade size controller that I could drop into my machine?

Also I'm thinking of going with a Wells Gardner SVGA monitor instead of a computer monitor. From what I've read they connect to a computer just like a computer monitor but are a little more authentic looking. Can anyone tell me what size I should go with for a real arcade feel? What size monitor do Neo Geo arcades use for instance? Are these monitors easily obtainable from any local sources or would I have to go through a specialty dealer like Happ Controls to find them?

Thanks for the help.
Jason

Well, you could try a Devastator from Treyonics, or one of the slikstik products. Retroblast has a summary of most of the currently available controllers.

I mentioned Treyonics because their controller is a bit cheaper ($50-$80 or so) cheaper than the SlikStik, and it's not mentioned in the Retroblast review.

[clanggedin]

I built an arcade cabinet and didn't hack anything. All of your fears about building can be quickly calmed, by reading the book "Project Arcade"

It helps out a ton and simplies the whole arcade building process.

[thrash242]

I'd recomend making your own control panel.  It's really not hard at all.  Just buy an encoder and pretty much all you need to do is plug things in.  It might be kind of tedious, but it's not hard.  IMO, there's no need to hack anything now that quality encoders designed for arcade cabinets are available for cheap.

[Jae200]

Thanks for the help. I'll consider going with an encoder instead of a commerical control panel. I read the pages on encoders here at BYOAC but I'm still not entirely clear on how to hook it up. Can anybody recommend a few good sites that explain the process for non-technical people? Thanks.

[pointdablame]

http://www.ultimarc.com/ipac1.html

Take a look at Andy's site.  Look at the pictures and FAQ for the IPAC.  It should answer most of your problems.  Basically you'll have 2 wire to each button.. one ground and one that corresponds to the button's function.  Functions will be labeled on the encoder, so you screw in say Player 1 button 1, then attach that wire to the button you want to be Player 1 button 1.  That's pretty much all there is to it.

NOTE: All of the encoders will work basically the same way.  I used Ultimarc's site cuz there are a few good pics of the Ipac that shows all the labels near the screw terminals, etc.

[GGKoul]

http://www.ultimarc.com/ipac1.html

NOTE: All of the encoders will work basically the same way.

[pointdablame]

http://www.ultimarc.com/ipac1.html

NOTE: All of the encoders will work basically the same way.  I used Ultimarc's site cuz there are a few good pics of the Ipac that shows all the labels near the screw terminals, etc.

Don't forget Andy's excellent support and fix it policy if the IPAC ever breaks.

Very very true.  I just wanted the OP to know there were other choices so as not to seem like I am working for Andy or some such haha.  I'd actually recommend the Ipac, but we all know there are other viable options around.

[paigeoliver]

As far as the monitors go.

I have used all of the following with MAME.

Wells Gardner D9200. I must admit this is the nicest one, but a lot of people have had problems with theirs, including me.

Assorted Wells Gardner VGA monitors. Second best choice, they have a nice arcady picture, and don't require any special setup.

25" and 19" arcade monitors (mostly Wells Gardner). Pretty good as well.

Television. Eh, could be better. Only choose this is you have a spare svideo TV set on hand. If you are buying then buy something else.

Assorted normal computer monitors. These work fine, you can crack them open and set them just a tad out of focus for a more authentic look. This is choice one if you have a cabinet designed for a 13" monitor, as a 14" PC monitor is a direct replacement (basically). Replace 19" arcade monitors with 21" PC monitors.

[Jae200]

Thanks for the help and links, guys. I've decided to build my own control panel after looking at reviews of various controllers and considering the price. I would almost consider going with a SlikStik, since there are no logos and such on it but the price is just rediculous. It would be much cheaper building my own, even if I went with a low-end controller like the HotRod.

I haven't decided what to do about the monitor.. I haven't really weighed all my options and prices yet. I'd like an arcade monitor but the problems with the Wells Gardner monitors have me worried. I'm considering the Betson Imperial and will look at TVs and PC monitors a little more closely before buying supplies and all.

Question: If I go with an Ipac4 keyboard encoder, should I also pick up one of their wiring kits for $20 or is that necessary?

[subzero23]

can the wells gardner d9200 hook up to a normal computer without any special setup needed or extra video cards/cables etc?

[Goz]

can the wells gardner d9200 hook up to a normal computer without any special setup needed or extra video cards/cables etc?

Yes

[subzero23]

Is the 300 dollar difference between that and a TV worth it?