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(Newbie Alert) Building my first cabinet... Am I on the RIGHT Track?
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hellothere123:
Got my cabinet design from ...http://www.webbpickersgill.com/mame/design.asp

From the forums, I got that this is the best choice:

Happ Buttons with horizontal microswitchs
Happ Competition Joystick (Is this 4 way and 8 way? And what is the diff between this and the Happ Super Joystick?)

I was going to use a 19" Computer Monitor, is that OK? I see most use TV's?
Do I need 120v AC Cooling Fans?

What type of keyboard interface is reccommended?...so far I've only heard about Hagsrtom Controllers keyboard or USB linx PCB.

Buttons needed are: Menu, Escape, Pause, Enter, (quick load, quick save - if wanted), 1 player, 2 player, joystick and buttons (I'm going with 2 player streetfighter layout = joystick and 6 buttons each player)

Get a trackball to use as a mouse, and a spinner is optional, you can use track ball as spinner if you want to, but it isn't as good as spinner for Tempest, etc.

Get arcade art from ... http://localarcade.com/arcade_art/ and http://www.basementarcade.com/arcade/cpom/cpo.html  to print out the art, look here... http://spystyle.arcadecontrols.com/01/index6.htm

Info sites:
http://spystyle.arcadecontrols.com/01/index1.htm
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=19049.0 
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=20175
http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade.htm
http://www.klov.com/game_list.php?letter=M&type=Videogame
Green Giant:

--- Quote from: hellothere123 on July 31, 2007, 02:24:37 am ---Happ Buttons with horizontal microswitchs
Happ Competition Joystick (Is this 4 way and 8 way? And what is the diff between this and the Happ Super Joystick?)

I was going to use a 19" Computer Monitor, is that OK? I see most use TV's?
Do I need 120v AC Cooling Fans?

What type of keyboard interface is reccommended?...so far I've only heard about Hagsrtom Controllers keyboard or USB linx PCB.

Buttons needed are: Menu, Escape, Pause, Enter, (quick load, quick save - if wanted), 1 player, 2 player, joystick and buttons (I'm going with 2 player streetfighter layout = joystick and 6 buttons each player)

--- End quote ---

Look at http://www.ultimarc.com/ and http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/

You might think about the U360.  It auto switches between 4way, 8way, 16way, analog, 2way, etc. automatically using software.

Each U360 supports 8 inputs which would be 6 per player and two extra for the admin buttons.  As for keyboard interfaces, the two sites listed above are by far the best with products much better than the two you mentioned and much cheaper. 

I would say the 19" monitor won't do.  The cab you are proposing is too big.  You could easily drop a 27" tv in there no problem.  People just prefer tv's cause they are the cheapest option for going big.  If you had two people staring at a little 19" with the bezel bigger than the monitor, it would suck.  A screen that fills up the whole cab makes everything look better.

You might not need any fans asside from the computer case fans if there is an opening for air to escape assuming you are keeping this cab somewhere air conditioned.
paigeoliver:
Happ competition sticks are far from the best, closer to the worst available option. They favor the corners and are really only suitable for fighters. If you are looking at Happ 8-way sticks then I suggest Supers if you want to be cheap or Perfect 360 if you want to spend money. For 4-way sticks I prefer either the Reunion stick or the Happ Universal in 4-way mode.

I have seen and used many of the sticks that easily switch modes and I have never found one I was truly happy with, although they were all nice products.
shardian:
uuzz a tv newb! ;)

Seriously, Your cabinet is 28" wide. If you used a 19" pc monitor, you will end up with like a foot of empty space on each side of the monitor. Get yourself a 24" or 27" tv with at least S-video input. Make sure to measure and verify fit before purchase.

As to cooling, you can get a few 120mm pc fans and run them from the pc power supply.

Encoders: The current heavyweights are the Ultimarc I-pac, and the Groovygamegear Keywiz. Either one will work for your system. It is best if you research their capabilities to determine which one you like. There are MANY threads on here discussing the strengths and differences of the two encoders.

Personally, you should HIGHLY consider picking up a copy of the Project Arcade book. It contains a large amount of info you that will answer your questions, and the part you will like the best is the book details an entire build process of a cabinet just like the one you have chosen, including detailed plan drawings! So run, don't walk to amazon.com or any other book retailer and get a copy. ;D ;D
unclet:
Yes, pick up a used 27" TV in your local area (craigslist, Ebay, newpaper ads) for about $40 or $50 these days and make sure it allows for an S-Video connection.  Get yourself a TV video card for your PC (about $15 to $20) and connect the two with an SVideo cable and your done.

I do not use any fans.   I have a vent in the back of the cabinet (at the top) so hot air (if there is any) would escape.  It never really seems to heat up the cabinet interior at all.  I would hold off buying a fan.  You could always add one later if you think you might need one.

I use the Happ Supers, just because .... :P   and they suit me just fine.   It really matters on how you like the joystick to feel when you are playing.

I would venture to say most people now-n-days use an Ipac encoder or a KeyWiz encoder.   I personally use a more expensive Hagstrom KE72 keyboard encoder since it allows multiple key strokes (I think up to 32) to be assigned to one button press.  This means I can run BAT files and such at a touch of a button by instructing the encoder to type out the BAT File path and execute it.   Mapping multiple keys to one button press is very nice when configuring PC games as well as some emulators (which are not cabinet friendly).

Also, if you plan on playing Visual Pinball on your cabinet I would recommend some pinball left/right flipper buttons and possible even aplunger button for fun   ;D


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