head to head machine?

[clok]

I just started thinking of building a new machine. I was thinking a cocktail so i could sit and play (bad back, standing to long is annoying) with the controls on this side instead of ends. The more I thought the more i disliked looking down into a cocktail and how cramped it is with two full grown (maybe a little more then full grown) guys standing side by side, or in the cocktails case, sitting side by side. The seed of an idea started, what about a head to head with two monitors back to back and a person sitting on each end? The Idea was good (IMHO) but I was seeing one problem, SIZE! I have (2) 21" Hatachi computer monitors just waiting and a FX5500 2 display video card waiting. Now with a little  more insane thinking, i thought how about something that sits in a corner with the two monitors in a 90 degree setup with two control panels. It could sit in a corner to eliminate some of the bulk. Its still going to be huge, but now i don't have to have access to both ends, and the huge length it would take. I'm about 90% sure I'm going to build this, and will posts some quick crude drawings of what I'm thinking about. I have built two uprights and while happy with them, I always seem to miss something when I build them, so with some rough ups, maybe you guys can give me some more ideas or even negatives.

Clok

[pointdablame]

I'm almost positive both of your ideas already exist.  I know for a fact there are some Japanese cabs that are back to back 2player machines.  I'm also fairly sure I've seen a corener machine with 2 screens.

Either way though, they exist.  They're a really cool idea.

Edit:

[GGKoul]

When I last heard, MAME only displays on 1 screen.  So you won't be able to play games when each player uses their own screen.  IE: Dual Racing games.

[pointdablame]

When I last heard, MAME only displays on 1 screen.  So you won't be able to play games when each player uses their own screen.  IE: Dual Racing games.

True, as far as I know.

You could mirror the two screens though and play any 2 player game that would use the same screen... fighters, beat-em-eps, etc.  Any game that would have 2 independent displays though would be trouble.

[Shape D.]

or use a video splitter

[GGKoul]

When I last heard, MAME only displays on 1 screen.

[RayB]

When I last heard, MAME only displays on 1 screen.

[Jakobud]

Or just use nView or show a cloned display on the second monitor.

[clok]

man this forum is busy (3 posts while i typed this), the idea was born this morning, and has evolved with some help from a co- woker here about 20 times in the last hour. Sorry didn't mean to imply it was a new idea, just a re-in-visioning of an idea. As for two different displays on the monitors, no I was going for the same display on both, just trying to free up room for the players so they don't have to stand side by side. But that did make me think, i have plenty of computers laying around, and there is a version of mame for internet isn't there (never tried it), with a LAN setup it should be fast I'm thinking... Hmm more to think about. But for now its just going to be one computer with duel display (same image on both). As for the bad back, I basically want to make it like sitting at my computer (there will be no bottom other then legs, so i can sit my feet under it). I think I have the sitting part figured out, I'm more worried about what to do from the controls up. Here is my rough Mock up.

I plan to have it all enclosed like a regular cab with a marque above both monitors with something like "VS" in the center area. I also plan on having the computer so the CD ROM is accessable (possibly make the center between the two monitors open somehow so the computer and keyboard is easy to access, yet when closed its not ugly.  SO many ideas.. if i can just make them work out.

thanks again guys, already some food for thought.
Clok

[GGKoul]

The design looks good. 

But one suggestion, you should have a PC in the other cab as well.  So when your not playing dual games.  One person could play one type of games and another playing a different game.



Wasn't there a post about this topic awhile ago?? hmm..

[Danny R]

Yeah, in a prior post I'd asked if anyone had a simular idea before about linking cabinets for 4 player play.

My idea:

[clok]

Ah DannyR, I didn't use the search (my bad, I was so excited with this i just sorta blurted it out without looking). The ideas are close and you have gave me more ideas (your ideas). The ability to play different games at the same time is a good one. I know awhile ago i was toying with the idea of a "rolling control panel" (1Up put my meager idea to shame and it was abandoned as his idea was so slick). When i was looking at this I had some Printer manual switch's that has enough wires for this kind of idea I think. The Cyberball Machine is pretty close to what i have planed, except Mine will be sitdown. My original machine was a 4player (very tight, hence this idea).. But as We have played a few games 4 player (not often) I'm wondering if I should try get 4 player as an option. I know it wasn't often that we played it 4 player, but if I eliminate it, will i miss it? I do know I will design it as a 2 player machine with 4 player as an after thought if I do ( player 3 and 4 can be smashed together instead of all players being smashed together on my original cab).

Clok

[RayB]

If I were you I'd design the footprint to be as tight as possible.

[ShinAce]

I'm with RayB, this is going to use much more space than a standard back to back setup.

[clok]

Well my original Idea was a back to back, but with the requirements of it being a sitdown and using my 21" monitors thelength would have been roughly 5+ feet, not counting the 2+ feet on each end for a player. Keep in mind I plan to have nothing below the controls so the Monitors and CPU need to be kept basically above desktop level. My Hitachi Monitors are roughly 2 feet deep, then add 6-10 inch's on each side for a control panel, that's 5 feet min. Then add the player space on each end, that's HUGE. The back to back ones above are standups with the monitors pointing at a 45 degree, I want mine to be more like a desktop, hence the monitors cant point up that much.

I agree my corner idea will still be quite large, but as its a corner it wont be in the way (well, that is my hope). I do plan on keeping the footprint as small as possible, but I dint want to sacrifice comfort just to make it small.

I have already done more changes to my drawing, I'm not doing a perfect 90 with the monitors and control areas, I'm going for more of 75-80 degree on those, with the actual base being 90. This gives the player one person more room on his left (so he wont be right against the wall) the same for the right side of player 2.
Hopefully will have some more concrete measurements and ideas up next week for any who are interested.

Clok