new at this

[jeremymil]

I am trying to get info to build a mame cab, I want it to be four players and I think that I will use a tv for a monitor. Any suggestions on a good tv that works for mame? also what best to use to wire up the 4 player controls, I would like to have six buttons for to of the players and four on the other 2 players. Also would like a good trackball.

thank you

[fjl]

Did you try this?

http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_newbie3.html
http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_newbie4.html

[leapinlew]

I am trying to get info to build a mame cab, I want it to be four players and I think that I will use a tv for a monitor. Any suggestions on a good tv that works for mame? also what best to use to wire up the 4 player controls, I would like to have six buttons for to of the players and four on the other 2 players. Also would like a good trackball.

thank you

Welcome! You have a lot of reading to do - here is some more info:

Project Arcade

Wiki

[mvolke1]

For sure, you should get Saint's book. It's really helpful, and so are the people on this message board.

Welcome.

[clockwork]

Read, read, read. That's the best thing to do. This cab building stuff can be overwhelming since there's so much information. I know I've combed the web, particularly this site and the wiki, for the last two weeks filling my brain with cab-building info in preparation to start mine. I think getting Saint's book is a good suggestion if you want to get a good basis quickly. I've only gotten a little way through it, but it walks you through the entire cab building and console wiring process and is a nice, easy read so far.

You'll also find that questions like yours are far too open ended. Most of the answers are personal preference and your best way to get those answered would be to review all the projects in the project announcement forum and the projects listed in the wiki.

I've found RetroBlast to be a great site for reviews to help you decide on what parts to get.

Good luck.

[Sensei]

I personally like about a 27" television.  That puts a nice size viewing size about 2 feet from you and it presents a decent looking picture for arcade games.

You'd be surprised but it was hard to find a TV that DIDNT have speakers on the sides (adding unnecessarily to the width).  Also I looked for a tv that powered on when you plugged it in.  This way you could hook it up to a smart powerbar so that it turned on (and to the proper input) when you powered up the computer. ("one switch to turn them all on").

Also I decided to save on space and go only with a 2 player control panel but no matter what panel layout you're going with...
Major planning and even a cardboard mockup is essential.

Just my $0.02 worth.
Good Luck