Project: Hyperspace Quad Cab (Update)

[superbigjay]

Hello (+_+) ,

just want to say that your cab is very impressive : huge, solid pine, cool angles.

It looks amazing!!!
congrats 
Jay

[Havok]

Very nice! The only suggestion I would make is replace those white player buttons with black ones. I think Divemaster sells them...

[hulkster]

very nice cab indeed!     what FE are you using?

[(+_+)]

I'm using my own FE called PowerGamer. I have some screenshots and a little bit of write up about it earlier in the thread about mid way through the link below.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=62244.40

[hulkster]

I'm using my own FE called PowerGamer. I have some screenshots and a little bit of write up about it earlier in the thread about mid way through the link below.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=62244.40

whoa!  your FE is sweet!  any release in sight??  id love to put that thing on my cab.

[(+_+)]

hulkster, unfortunately not at the moment. I've been way to busy to tackle the extra work that it would involve. I plan to create a video showing some of its features. If there is enough interest, it may motivate me to pursue releasing it.

Here's a few videos showing the case as well as yours truly playing Robotron and Mutant storm.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=NRTII4X0
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7AMM3Z57
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=0QTRWGGL

[Manny]

Truly impressive work, very nice indeed. I’ve been a lurker for a while and I’ve been thinking about building my own Mame box, first time, out all the ones I’ve seen here this one is the most psychotic, you should enter this box for a Mamey award!!! Literally, this thing is a bloody beautiful!!!! , it’s amazing what you have done here. I’m definitely not in your league , but I was wondering where did you get the plans for this? I’d love to know what made you choose this design.

Manny

[(+_+)]

Thanks Manny. I never really came up with a formal set of plans (cad etc). I always had a general idea about what I wanted which was a box that was well built, had an outside of the traditional box design and played the games I enjoy most. There was quite a bit of doodling, measuring as well as a little lying around wondering what to do next. I would suggest determining what games you'd like to play, screensize, your budget and designing around those things. PM if you have any questions whatsoever. Also, there is a bottomless pit of knowledge on the board for just about anything you want to know about regarding BYOAC.

  and thanks again for your praise.

[Donkey_Kong]

hulkster, unfortunately not at the moment. I've been way to busy to tackle the extra work that it would involve. I plan to create a video showing some of its features. If there is enough interest, it may motivate me to pursue releasing it.

Here's a few videos showing the case as well as yours truly playing Robotron and Mutant storm.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=NRTII4X0
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7AMM3Z57
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=0QTRWGGL

Can't get these to play. What do we do once we get to those pages? 

Register or something?

[(+_+)]

There is a section at the top that says

Please enter  here:

You type in the 3 letter code that's shown and click download. A new page comes up with a 45 second count down timer. As soon as it reaches 0, you can down the file.

I just took a peek and it appears to be working as it should.

[Manny]

I was just wondering if you would be willing share what your costs were doing this project, I'm guessing atleast $1500, probably more, just wanted to know what I would be getting into cost wise.

Thanks 

Manny

[Gametreks]

Ive been a member here for three years now and have only commented on about  four cabs.  Your cab has forced me to come out once again.   Beautiful concept and design.  The lines are very attractive.  Nice insight on the control panel.  Its nice to see something different.  Interestingly you choose the wide screen and made it work perfectly for this style cab.     I truly see the love put in this one.  Good job mate!!!   

[(+_+)]

Thanks Gametreks, I really appreciate your kind words. The work was all more than worth it just to watch my wife and kids laugh while playing Nibbler the other day. I met my wife at Pinochio's arcade playing that exact same game about 20 years ago. I used to hog the game because I'd play it indefinitely on one quarter. Out of guilt and the fact that I thought she was cute, invited her to share the game with me. It was the best spent quarter ever.

[(+_+)]

I was just wondering if you would be willing share what your costs were doing this project, I'm guessing atleast $1500, probably more, just wanted to know what I would be getting into cost wise.

Thanks 

Manny

Manny, here's an approximate cost breakdown.

Wood - $500
26" LG LCD - $800
Controllers - $800
Z-2300 speakers - $100
Artwork - $100 + a world of hurt and delay.
Misc - $100

Total - $2400 give or take $200. Most like give.

It may be a little pricey for some peoples budgets, but it can be trimmed down quite a bit if you go for a smaller CP and screen. To me it isn't even expensive when you consider what some people spend on other hobbies and/or luxuries.

[mccoy178]

Nice looking project!  Great work on the CP.  I can appreciate the time and effort it takes to make these and I must say, job well done sir!

[ARTIFACT]

What did you use to build your front-end?

was it a custom solution from scratch?

If so, did you use WPF? Winforms? Java Swing? (..etc..)

[(+_+)]

Thanks mccoy178.

ARTIFACT, it is in fact custom and done from scratch. It uses VB and windows APIs.

[(+_+)]

What did you use to build your front-end?

was it a custom solution from scratch?

If so, did you use WPF? Winforms? Java Swing? (..etc..)

Speaking of WPF... I've been toying with it a bit lately and I can't believe what you can do in terms of eye candy compared to VB. I used to have to jump through hoops to add affects to my FE. With WPF, you can make thinks glow, twist, spin, create storyboards to add animations and add different effects to each layer of your image. Very cool stuff. The added bonus is separation of GUI from code. This should allow some interesting skinning possibilities.

[(+_+)]

Recently gave my cab a few tweaks.

- Changed the CP. It is black stained oak
- Changed the artwork.
- Added grills to the 2 speakers after I saw one of the members from my soccer team putting his fingers in the opening.
- Closed off the keyboard tray that used to be under the CP. I now use the mini IOGEAR bluetooth keyboard. I like it
  since it doesn't break my back anymore to access it now that I can place it on the CP.
- Added a new piece between the CP and the cab so that it meets flush.
- Modified the CP layout so I can play 2 player twin stick games and left more real estate open for playing FPS games
as well as some arena shooters using my mouse.
- Modified the pinball flipper button locations so they are closer together.

Overall, I'm very happy with the changes seeing my wife wouldn't allow me to build a new one... yet.