a different type of mame machine idea...tell me if you like it

[GMZombie]

ok we all know that some of us dont exactly have alot of space in our homes for a full upright machine and cocktail cabs just dont do justice for running all the games so i thought of this idea and while its not a portable its more moveable than a full upright cab. Ok to the project..

you first build or buy a 4 player showcase pedistal or 2 player showcase pedistal.  Next build your mame machine as you see fit but instead of a monitor you can use a lcd or dlp projector. a 800x600 resolution will do just fine. as long as it has a vga input you will be fine.. You might not even have to use an arcade vga card as this is a standard monitor in the eyes of the computer. now point your projector at your wall and now you have a big game on the wall.. im gonna do this with my golden tee 2005 since i have a projector coming this week and i will tell you how it goes...i think it will look great. so what do you think?

[Q*Bert_OP]

Great idea!!!

[pointdablame]

someone is doing this exact thing in the Project announcements board.. .and I think its been done a few times previously.

I also think Gozur has a master plan for something similar when he gets into his new house.

[Cutty]

expensive

[RayB]

If space is an issue, then chances are you won't have such a large blank wall available.

[pointdablame]

expensive

hardly... you're talking about a projector that really only needs to output 800x600.  You can easily find a nice projector for the price of a D9200 or other larger arcade monitors.  You don't need a $4k projector to put PacMan up on your wall.

[Abomination]

You can buy a decent projector for $1,000 or build one for $500.  I guess expense is in the eye of the beholder.  But after starting the Mame cabinet I'm building now I find it hard to believe anyone with a tight budget can have this as a hobby (and if you do contact me, I need a financial adviser  )

[Crazy Cooter]

I did this with an old Sony projector "table" and screen.  The setup was from the 80's and had a 6' silverized screen.  The projector was a table with red/blue/green lamps on the front.  It took up too much room in the basement because it had to be at a set distance from the screen in order to focus.

I think with a newer (anything with a focus adjustment  ) it would work well.  The biggest thing would be the brightness of the projector.  The one I had looked best when the shades were closed.  I saw the one that was in the Project Announcement area.  It's a pedestal with the projector mounted in it.  See if you can find that thread for more info.  I can't find it with the search for some reason?

[Cutty]

expensive

hardly... you're talking about a projector that really only needs to output 800x600.  You can easily find a nice projector for the price of a D9200 or other larger arcade monitors.  You don't need a $4k projector to put PacMan up on your wall.

Exactly, for the price, I would rather go with the arcade monitor, and not have to play in the dark on a wall with clear line of sight and nothing on it

[Avery]

If this does it for you, then this would certainly do it.

[AceTKK]

Yea, the only downside I see to this kind of setup is that the room has to be very dark to get a good image.  It might be difficult to see your buttons (like the admin buttons for navigating the front end).  Of course you could always use some illuminated buttons or other lighting techniques to keep the CP visible.

-Ace-

[mairsil]

Sucks for those of us who like gun games though... 

[terabit]

Don't forget about the bulb cost. They can run from $200 -$400 depending on the model of the projector. They normally last about 1,000 to 3,000 hours. It is not like a TV or monitor. They burn out just like a light bulb would. It is not talked about much in the industry. It is like buying a printer for $20 and having to buy $60 of ink in less that 2 weeks.
Later
Glenn

[Q*Bert_OP]

Don't forget about the bulb cost. They can run from $200 -$400 depending on the model of the projector. They normally last about 1,000 to 3,000 hours.

I'm a concert lighting designer part time...it sucks spending 1000s of dollars for 4 light bulbs  that easily break

[Doc-]

A friend of mine has a portable control panel (small two player panel with a mini-pc and speakers built into a compact panel box) and a portable projector.  He takes them to parties and sets them up on any flat surface and points the projector at the wall.  It is fun to play your favorite game in "giant size" on the wall.

The combination works remarkably well.  You can play the games just about anywhere (even outside).  He still has a full size cabinet at home.

The only downside is the cost - a decent projector can cost more than many full size cabinets.

Doc-

[IG-88]

expensive

hardly... you're talking about a projector that really only needs to output 800x600.

[RandyT]

I've thought about this one in the past.  I have an old 450 lumen 800x600 DLP that got replaced by something much better.

The thought was to build a floor standing console with controls on it and the DLP housed in the back, aimed at a blank wall.

The problem:

You would need to cut a hole in your floor, pour a cement block and anchor the console to it.

Every wiggle, jiggle and bump is going to translate to 3 to 6" of movement at the projected screen.  I may still try it, but I can't see it working very well until a way is found to counteract this problem.

RandyT

[pointdablame]

expensive

hardly... you're talking about a projector that really only needs to output 800x600.  You can easily find a nice projector for the price of a D9200 or other larger arcade monitors.  You don't need a $4k projector to put PacMan up on your wall.

Really? Do you know of any webs that offer them? Never seen one under $500 frankly.

You can find used ones for nice prices, I've seen a LOT of projectors with good bulbs go for under $500.  They will be older, or have fewer inputs, etc... but its completely possible to get a projector for under $500.

Check home theater message boards, ebay, and computer forums like anandtech or hardforum. 

[Cameronj]

I have done this and it turned out really good. I had the projector ceiling mounted though and the control console was just stand alone. One of the big things with this approach is light control. I plan on doing it again as I happen to have a spare projector and a nice vibrant screen. I only need a new control panel.

[cholin]

Crazy how you can have a spare projector    Id love to try something like this, and I saw a post like that a while ago where some people played some board game by mounting the projector above them pointing onto a table...

Pretty cool stuff.

[headkaze]

You might like to check out these links for making a cheap projector using an LCD screen and overhead projector..

http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/20041113/index.html

http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/20041201/index.html

[97thruhiker]

Sounds like a cool idea.  I have access to a Hitachi Projector and I love it.  When we upgrade our house in a couple of years I am definitly buying one of these to make a movie room.  Theres nothing like watching a DVD on a 10 foot diagonal screen in my living room.

[ArcadEd]

You can also build something like this  www.arcadeinabox.com  .

Cheap plug, but don't feel the need to purchase plans or anything.  If you need help, just IM me or email me.

The plans are for people that want a nice little project to do without a lot of knowledge of this sort of stuff.

Anyway I use my box on my HD projector that I have in my gameroom.