Newbie looking for best plans to follow!

[manderson99]

I have never built a thing related to MAME, and although I own 11 arcade games, I really know almost nothing about what makes them tick either. How's that for a solid basis to start a MAME project on?

I have wanted to try this for awhile, and decided to just do it. My problem is that there are all these great "here's what I built" projects all over, but they are all different and it's really hard for me to make sense of them.  So, let me tell you the very basics and see if you have a guess of what directions to 'follow' for my cabinet.

I think I will use my exisiting Die Hard (Sega ST-V JAMMA) cabinet. Although ST-V, KLOV says it is JAMMA, so if I understand MAME controls so far, I could easily just hook the JAMMA connector up to a J-PAC, and thus save all the hassle of control panels. Is that right? I also know that to use the 25" monitor in the cabinet with a computer, I need some kind of adapter to hook it up, plus change a setting somewhere (the number 15 rings a bell - 15 hz or something? - LOL!).

So in other words, it will be a very simple build this time. I'll use an old computer in my attic to start (like a PII-400) just to get everything working. Then if it all works, and after learning as I do this, I can either start upgrading this one or build a more complicated one.

Okay, so now you know what I'd like to do - is this about the simplest setup to start with? Any leads on where I can find some step-=by-step directions to start this project now? Everything from "buy this" to "hook this up here" to "download and install this"

Mark

[Kremmit]

Buy this book:

http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0764556169.html

It's by the owner of this here fancy-schmancy web site.

Or, if you want the free advice, buy that J-Pac thingy you mentioned, and an ArcadeVGA card from the same vendor.  The instructions with the products, coupled with some advice from folks here once you've acutally got the things, should be enough to get you running.

[missioncontrol]

yeah get Saint's book... it's the BYOAC bible...

[MYX]

and how

[Buddabing]

Note that the ArcadeVGA is an AGP card, so that it won't work in a really ancient computer with no AGP slot, or in a really new computer with no AGP slot.

The book is more geared to scratch-built cabinets than it is to what you are envisioning. But if you plan on scratchbuilding, definitely get the book because the enclosed CD-ROM has cabinet plans on it.

J-Pac+ArcadeVGA+your cabinet= up and running very quickly

[MYX]

I did not use the plans included in the book, but, I did like having it around as a refference.

[missioncontrol]

I used my own plans... and the book is still informational....

[DZuroff]

Check it out on Amazon.com:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764556169/qid=1145053054/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-0051921-3969728?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

I just bought it new for around 20 bucks.  If you spend over $25 you will qualify for their super saver shipping (free shipping)  Excellent book!  Not only is it an excellent source of  information, it is also fun to read.