Has anyone shoved a MAME computer inside the control panel?

[trimaniax]

I just recently had to scrap my MAME cabinet project for various reaons, (the cost was getting to be too much, not enough room to place the cabinet once built, etc.) but I did have some luck constructing the control panel for cabinet. At this point, another idea popped into my head.

Instead of constructing a full cabinet I thought about building a computer inside the control panel top so that the MAME setup is smaller and (sorta) portable. The major concern I have with this is that the computer I have considered using, one of the Via Epia Mini-ITX setups, may be a bit underpowered for running a lot of the games in MAME at an acceptable rate.

Anyways, this project is just in my head at this point and I think I have a greater chance of completing this one than I did with a full cabinet. As anyone tackled something like this before and have a nice write-up about it?

Thanks.

[AlanS17]

Yeah it's been done before. Go for it. The mini-itx boards are the boards of choice for this solution. What speed is yours? That's pretty much what it comes down to.

You'll be able to play most stuff without a problem. You can forget about playing Killer Instinct, but even CPS2 fighters ought not to be a problem if you have the right processor. I don't think the 600MHz or 800MHz would cut it for CPS2 games, but the 1GHz ought to. As a disclaimer. I haven't actually tried this. I can do it when I go home, though. I have an M10000 at home.

[jelwell]

My friend built his first arcade "machine" as a portable control panel. Indeed he shoved a computer in there and on the back simply had a vga out, svideo out, and a power cable. Just plug the video into either a TV or Computer and plug the power in and you're ready to go.

As far as "portable", well he used a standard sized motherboard and power supply. So it was about a foot and half tall and 3 or 4 feet wide. He attached handles onto the side so that he could carry the thing about.

He ended up ditching the idea and rigging the control panel face onto an old arcade cabinet.

The thing was so popular that friends were demanding that he leave it at their house on loan. And everytime it seemed like somebody messed something up. Whether it was snapping a wire, or messing up the MAME or MAMEWAH settings, or even Windows. he was just kind of sick of having to trouble shoot it.

So, after seeing my cabinet, he decided that an upright would save him from the guilt of having something that's portable enough to loan out but not wanting to loan it out. Also, the box was a bit heavy and he was kind of tired of lugging it out and back to "storage" everytime he wanted to play. He was kind of looking for an excuse to leave his "arcade" in the living room all the time - rather than plopping it down on the floor in front of the TV each time.

Joseph Elwell.

[trimaniax]

It's been a couple of years since I first purchased an Epia and I haven't kept up with their advances. It's good to hear that they should be able to power just about all that I can throw at it. I made quite an investment into things like buttons and joysticks when beginning construction on my scrapped cabinet project so I was hoping to recoup some of that with this little project.

We'll see how it goes I suppose.

[Freeplay]

What about putting the whole thing in an aluminum breif case.
With joy and buttons on top surface, complete with fan on base.

Call it the "The Ultimate Business Edition"

[markb]

Here's my 'portable' party machine.



1.33ghz Athlon, 384ram, 20gb Hardrive, 16mb TV Out card and it plays 90% of mame fine. Added a karaoke programme to it the other week as well just for good measure.

It is for 2 players (essential for me) and has a trackball, only 2 wires go into - Power and Scart Lead, also the legs are removable.

It's alot easier than buiding a full size cab jut be careful of heat and vibrations on the PC components.


best of luck.

[AlanS17]

Well the good thing about mini-itx boards is that they're small and generate very little heat/noise. Plus most of them have built-in TV output.

[CJK]

It strikes me that the Mac Mini running MacMAME would be perfect for this application.

-- Chris

[AlanS17]

It strikes me that the Mac Mini running MacMAME would be perfect for this application.

-- Chris

... except for the $500+ price tag.

[CJK]

... except for the $500+ price tag.

Well, YEAH. But other than that, it's perfect!   

-- Chris

[AlanS17]

It won't play many more games than a good mini-itx board, either. At least, not that I'm aware of. Of course, if you pay retail for all the parts, you may end up spending $400, anyways. (I just wouldn't pay retail.) At least the Mac Mini is complete and working out of the box.

You're right, though. It ought to work just fine.