Yet another Newbie !! PLEASE HELP

[ian_d]

Hi Guys,

I have been reading through this forum for quite some time, I have just bought the book, which is just fantastic.

Im currently living in Sydney, Australia. There is not much support here, Nothing like the US - So i will most probably getting stuff imported so final choice is critical to the funds !!

However there are 2 shops i have found here, Ozstick and Highway, so if anyone else can recomend some other shops/sites that would be a great help

Im wanting to build myself a cabinet, but I have a few newbie questions before I start creating sawdust !

I Know that these questions have all probably been asked before, so I apologise in advance


1. I Have most of the power tools needed, so im just curious if there are any special/handy/odd tools that would help me with the build.


2. Monitor selection - im probably going to use a TV or computer monitor, what would be the better option ??
Also what size TV (including the case) would fit into the cabinet in the book ?


3. Control Panel. I Have started to collect a few bits for this - Well, just a few buttons so far. Im again going to try the 2 player CP from the book.
I Was thinking of an Ipak, will this cover all my options including a tracker ball and spinner ? Or would I need another option for these ?

Is there any other ways around purchasing an IPak, im not too interested in hacking a keyboard !! But will happily give it a go - nothing to loose


4. Software. Im going to use MAME. But can anyone give me a dummy's guide to setting it up ??




Phew ! I Think thats all the questions for now.

Thanks in advance


Ian

[spriggy]

Welcome Newb! 

ian_d,  'search' is your best friend @ the byoac forums... so always a good first start.  A more accurate/specific search can be had by surrounding your query in inverted comma's.... eg  "wico button"

however, some quick answers to your questions...

1.  Router and 1/16" Slot Cutter bit (don't go cheap on the slotter!) Clamps and more Clamps!  A Saw Board...... http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=43568.0

2.  Personal preference, cost and cabinet specifics come in to play here.  For me... de-cased 19" PC monitor's for Mameing..... and obviously Arcade monitors for restorations.

3.  Randy T @ http://www.arcadepanels.com/gib/
     Andy @ http://www.ultimarc.com/
..your best options...

4.  Mame's documentation is excellent.  READ IT ALL and you will learn all you need.  Most popular principle used in mame cabs is running Dos based Mame with a menu based Frontend... like MameWah!

I'm from OZ as well.  I don't want to say it..... but I still find it cheaper to buy most of parts in the US.. believe it or not.  Use Ozstick if you have to buy your stuff from Oz, or a local operator...if any exist near you!!!

Good parts suppliers....in no particular order

Andy and Randy (as listed above...  sounds like a kids cartoon! )
http://www.happcontrols.com/.    Try ponyboy (byoac member) for Happs stuff...
http://www.wicothesource.com/new2/default.htm.   not always customer friendly however..imo..
Bob Roberts @ http://homearcade.org/BBBB/
ebay
http://www.arcadeshop.com/ , http://www.arcaderenovations.com/store/home.php & http://www.phoenixarcade.com/art.htm for repro artwork.
The Arcade Art Library for the obvious.. http://www.localarcade.com/4images/
Local sign printing companies.
http://www.tntamusements.com/ or http://www.quarterarcade.com/Default.aspx  for old parts.
BYOAC B/S/T thread ..http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/board,2.0.html
Google 

Good luck

[topher0002]

Take in mind I'm kinda  a newbie as well but heres my 2 cents....

Yes,  definately get a front end for mame after downloading mame.  Most of them are free and very useful.  They are very small and you can get them all over the web.  My suggestion would also be Mamewah,  I currently use Mame F.E but its limited.   This makes the whole Mame part much easier.   

This is just preference but I currently have a 4 player cab that is going to work perfectly with a 27 inch tv with s-video.     We didnt even have to take the casing off of this one when we mounted it inside the cab.  Im not sure of the one in the book what the dimensions are but mine was originally a NBA JAM cabinet. 

For the computer you will need a video card with S-VIDEO OUT capabilities.  And id say at least 64MB of video ram.  I got a card like this brand new with 128MB of onboard video ram for about $35 at Microcenter.   

I have mame and a complete 4 player control panel right now running pretty nicely.   You can see some pics of my control panel and my computer specs here.     

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=48146.0

Hope this helps. 

[topher0002]

BTW I just used an IPAC4 on that CP and it was worth every penny.   My trackball plugs directly into the USB port on the computer so no worries there (as long as you get a trackball that already has a PS/2 or USB connection on the end of it)  The IPAC did everything I needed perfectly.  And EASILY!!!

Not sure about the spinner,  I didnt put on my board.

[c64rulez]

I'm doing a keyboard hack combined with a sidwinder hack. Just for the "hack" of it...
If you're not afraid of tedious soldering on a tiny area and got some spare time, do it.
Me, I just had to pay a ton for the shipment (to Israel), so I passed on the I-Pac.

Good luck with your project

[PCtech]

I kinda a noob myself, but have built 1 cab, and learned a TON duruing the build, this is just my 2 cents worth.

1. I agree on the router and slot cutter (If installing T-molding)...Clamps are a must-have

2. I went with a PC monitor for ease and quality.  Arcade Monitors and TV are good, but PC monitor looks best (IMHO)

3. Use the Mini-Paq from Ultimarc - it is a little more expensive than some of the others, but so easy to install, especially if you pay the money for the wiring harness.  I have heard excellent things about the other products out there, but this is the one I've tried and it worked great, and was really easy to hook up, especially with a trackball and spinner.

4. If a newbie, try the latest build of Mame32 for Windows.  Is the easiest to setup (IMHO), but eats a lot of resources.  Once you get more comfortable with Mame, try the Dos version with a Front End (Lots of ducumentation here)

Good luck, the guys in here are great, and helped me TONS!