Help a newbie out

[Bucephalus]

Ok, I'm thinking about building an MAME cabinet, and I would appreciate it if you kind folks could give me some advice. First, I have a few questions:

1: I'll try to explain this well...Is it possible/feasable to have a control input splitter of sorts so that the inputs from the controls go both to the computer and a usb (or whatever) connecter on the back or side of the cabinet? I ask because I am wondering if it would be possible to couple this with additional audio/video inputs so that a console or computer, via adaptors, could recieve the cabinet's controls and also output to the cabinet monitor. It would be nice to have the ability to run any future systems with arcade style controls without having to build/buy separate arcade sticks. Has anyone done anything like this?

2: I'm thinking of a 2-player street fighter style layout (plus an extra thumb button for SNK games and such) with a modular thing in the middle, so that different control components could be put in. This could be used for a trackball, a 4-way joystick, etc. I've seen it done, so I know it's possible, but here's where my questions come in: Is it absurdly difficult, would you need to have a certain size cabinet (or an extended control surface) to do it comfortably, and is it worth it? In other words, how much better is a 4-way joystick than an 8-way in games like Pacman, Donkey Kong, and whatever else might benefit from it, and would it just be better to put in said joystick (or a trackball) without bothering to make it modular?

If it will help you to answer, here are my goals for the cabinet: I want it to be versatile, with the primary focus on fighters and classic arcade games. I don't need to be able to play every game in the history of man, but I don't want to finish and find out that there are a lot of great games I could have accomidated with but a few minor alterations.

And finally, are there any of you that finished your cabinets and then realized "you know, it wouldn't have been that much more work to add [blank] or to have it set up more like a [blank]. I wish I had thought of that before I started..."

Sorry if these are questions you get a lot. I've checked out examples and everything, but I really want to be sure of myself before, and if, I start my project. I'm sure you all understand. Thanks!

[kspiff]

1: The best way would probably be to hack your arcade controls into a PSX controller and then buy convertors for other systems (PC/PSX/XBox/DC/whatever else they make those damn things for) if cross-console compatibility is an issue.. that buy an I-Pac and hack a controller for each console and stick them in your CP with molex connectors (rat's-nest-of-wiring-from-hell solution).

2: It isn't absurdly more difficult than building your own arcade cab is to begin with.. but it depends on what you want.. trackballs and joysticks are generally different in size and mounting (though I'm not sure if Oscar's mounting plates -- probably your best bet for swappable sticks with little effort --  are the same size as a Happ TB mounting plate) so that would probably require more work/ingenuity/materials to swap completely different control types.  If you just want 1 TB, 1 4-way, and 2 8-ways w/ 7 buttons each, there are designs which incorporate this out there.. not cluttered at all, I might add.

As for recommendations, just keep in mind there are lots of different control schemes.. yokes.. trigger sticks.. spinners.. dual sticks.. analog sticks.. steering wheels w/ a host of different shifters/pedal combos.. just don't get too crazy, unless you plan on making several cabs!

[Xphile]

<snip>
As for recommendations, just keep in mind there are lots of different control schemes.. yokes.. trigger sticks.. spinners.. dual sticks.. analog sticks.. steering wheels w/ a host of different shifters/pedal combos.. just don't get too crazy, unless you plan on making several cabs!

or several control panels..

from what i've read here and in the archives in the last few months, i'll bet the easiest way to get the most authentic, and most different types of controls, with least amount of effort,  is swappable CPs.. flick the two latches at the back,, tilt your two player 8way fighter button layout cp forward, disconnect the molex connectors to the i/optipac and lift it out..replace it with your tron spinner panel, or your centipede/castles/missile command panel, or your poleposition panel, or your DK/pac/4way , and you're off to the races..:-)
start buttons will probably be mounted permenantly on a strip of non-removable wood (finished like the CPs of course) just below the monitor bezel...(don't need duplicates in all those CPs, and hey, those blinky volcano cones aren't cheap, eh!)
I'm definately aiming for that with my cab...I just don't want an overly cluttered panel, and I still want all the goodies/games..

good luck..:-)