Consolecab design, please comment

[Felsir]

I'm currently in the design stage for a new cab. My wife (and I) are currently addicted to Dancing Stage Fusion so my wife was more supportive to a DDR cab than the driving cabinet I'm working on. Which doesn't mean the driving cab is canned but it is lower on the todo-list.
Anyway, here is what I came up with so far.

The cabinet is very basic: I want to be able to put an X-box in there as well as a PS2. The cab is mainly intended as DDR machine with added bonus of being able to use controllers (see 3). The only buttons I plan to put on the machine are 'start' and 'select' buttons since these are required for DDR. I have already a metal dance pad (with bar) and a 28" 4:3 TV.

Features of the cab:
1. Console drawer: console can slide in and out for easy access: to change games, reset the console etc. The cables for controllers and tv/audio are 'locked' to the inside of the drawer using clips to prevent the cables becoming a mess of spaghetti wires.

2. A 'hidden' shelf inside the cab holds the gamepads. The shelf is easily accessed by an opening under the monitor, the opening is hidden out of view. When the dancepad is removed and replaced by bar-stools 4 players can gather around an play regular console games.

3. The cab provides a little storage opening for the metal dancepad to 'slide' under. Makes the gamesroom a bit more spacious when the cab is not in use.

What do you think? Comments are welcomed!

[oldsage]

Only two buttons?
Oooooo!
This screams illuminated jumbo domes!!!!
(well at least to me...)
Sounds cool, though i'm not a big fan of dancing games...
I have a tiny suggestion, though...
If you're going for a dancing cab, why not also incorporate an EYE-TOY?
You could 'hide' it somehow, then it will be really neat...

And i'll say again, ILLUMINATED JUMBO DOME!!! You have to put one!!! (or two )

[SteveJ34]

I set my daughters up with a DDR setup for Christmas and I must admit  it can be alot of fun.

Your cab design is cool, the only question I would raise from my limited personal experience is whether or not having the screen at more of a 90 degree angle rather than the angle set you are currently considering would make game play easier.

From my limited personal experience, having the screen straight in front of me and more at eye level helps me to keep on track a bit better.

Of course, this is all personal preference and you are certainly more of an expert for such a setup than I.....just wished to offer something to consider.

Best of luck in your project.

[Felsir]

@oldsage:
Yeah, I was planning to have big buttons on it. Perhaps 4 big buttons (select/start are required for each player, in 2 player games of DDR). Eyetoy is a great idea, Dancing Stage Fusion includes eye-toy support (waving hands during gameplay), heck, just store the pad away and play eye-toy only games would be a great idea! 

@stevej34:
Hmm, I might do some extra testing to get the right angle. Thing is that I want to be able to play other games with 4 players too and a angle provides better view when with 4 players. Might do some tweaking to find the optimum.

[oldsage]

@oldsage:
Yeah, I was planning to have big buttons on it. Perhaps 4 big buttons (select/start are required for each player, in 2 player games of DDR).

Not big buttons, ILLUMINATED JUMBO DOMES!!!! Tottally different thing...
Check this link...
http://www.happcontrols.com/pushbuttons/954002xxxxz.htm

They're REALLY expensive though... I don't think a lot of people will buy 4 of these...
But they're REALLY neat also... Maybe one or two, otherwise it just isn't morally okay...

[Trimoor]

Consider putting the console drawer in the front of the cab, in case you decide to put it against a wall.
Also, wireless gamepads might be nice.  It would eliminate the need for another door/shelf.

Do you intend to use a coin door on this project?
The console could sit on a shelf inside the coin door.
Or you could just hack your consoles and never have to swap discs again.

[tmasman]

I was going to say something similar...
Put a drawer, or door on the front...
Bending over to get to the side of the cabinet to change games would get to be a real pain.  Wireless controllers (at least for P1 & P2) would also help prevent a rat's nest of wires...

Otherwise, it sounds like a really neat idea.  I hope you're able to follow through with it.

- tmasman

[Zathras]

Looks good!  I've got a couple of metal DDR pads (built from instructions on DDR Freak) and there is just something so much better about playing it on a cab.

Storing it underneath is a great idea!

[clanggedin]

I am installing the TV into my PS2 cab tonight and it has an angled screen. I thought that it would cause a problem with me seeing the screen from a distance using a dance pad or GunCon guns and Time Crisis, but it doesn't at all.

If you are not into fighting games, then you have the perfect desgin. Otherwise I would build a CP that can be attached so you can play fighting games with joysticks and not just the paddles. I could also serve as a base for a steering wheel.

Don't forget a place for the EyeToy. DDR has a new one out that uses the EyeToy also. It's a must have for DDR fans.

[RoboG2]

How about making the whole thing out of "brushed" aluminum and get it anodized black.  Now that would be nice!

On a serious note though:  Did you make the metal pads or buy them?  If you bought them, where can I get one?

[Felsir]

On a serious note though:

[Lilwolf]

Hey, let us know how much the shipping was.

I want one for my daughters... But the 300-400 doesn't seem worth the money if I'm not sure they will actually use them.

Also, anyone know if the metal DDR pads work well on carpet?

But I love the pull out aspect of the DDR pad.  Good design!

One comment though.  The angle of the monitor will make it hard to play console games from across the room.  This isn't normally an issue (since you have to be close for the controls on an arcade machine)... But it seems like you aren't adding arcade controls.. but going to use the original controllers. 

I can see where I would rather sit on a couch across the room then to sit on a bar stool up close just because I wouldn't be able to see otherwise.

[Felsir]

Hey, let us know how much the shipping was.

I have no shipping info, I went to the store and bought it there.

I want one for my daughters... But the 300-400 doesn't seem worth the money if I'm not sure they will actually use them.

Also, anyone know if the metal DDR pads work well on carpet?

The metalpad has a good rubbery surface on the bottom. It doesn't slide on a wooden flood and it's solid and heavy enough for carpet. It's in fact better than those soft-mats which have the tendendy to slide on carpet.

But I love the pull out aspect of the DDR pad.

[SOAPboy]

Didnt read the whole thread.. but..

A slide out dance pad.. is asking for bad news.. On a saftly level, fold down or something would be better.. 

[Felsir]

Didnt read the whole thread.. but..
A slide out dance pad.. is asking for bad news.. On a saftly level, fold down or something would be better..

[paigeoliver]

Are there any good metal pads that either have all 9 sections as buttons, or that have the center and all the corners? I really want a pad, but I play Pump and not DDR.

[b3atmania]

You might want to reconsider the angled monitor design. You are standing close to the cabinet so you will need to look down to see the screen. This will hurt your neck within minutes. You get the same thing from living room setups were players need to angle their neck down to see the screen. Real arcade DDR cabinets have the screen parallel to the player's face.