(Newbie Alert) Building my first cabinet... Am I on the RIGHT Track?

[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]

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)

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.

[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 ....    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   

[hellothere123]

I appreciate the help.

I'm going to forget about the 19" monitor and go with a 27" TV with S video, (TV video card for PC).
I like the Happ Supers (4 or 8 swtich) for $7.95, rather than the perfect 360 for $48.95...due to price

I am going to get the Ultimarc Ipac encorder, and since I'm ordering from Ultimarc, is there a Ultimarc joystick that will be as good as the Happ Supers, for about the same price?

As far as buttons, is there any difference from Ultimarc and Happ buttons? Any buttons that are the ones to get?

Only other thing is the PC I am getting, I'm mostly into old school mame games, so I'm getting a P4   1.6Ghz   40 gig hd  pc...anything else I'd need, like do I need lots of USB ports, anything else i may need?

Also I was planning on using an old set of PC speakers connected to the PC, will that do?


I appreciate the info...

Newbie

[Disturbed013]

You NEED the book!

Seriously, you will not be disappointed.  I picked up my copy at Fry's Electronics. 

[shardian]

Order from Divemaster in the buy/sell/trade forum. He carries the Ultimarc stuff and the Happ stuff...better yet, don't buy anything until you do more research. You'll thank me later.

[unclet]

You are doing fine.   Do some more research and you might want to buy a monitor bezel, marquee retainer, and some other stuff.    Just read some stuff,  look at a lot of examples (from the examples page) and see what other people have done.   Then gather a complete list of what you think you need any then order from divemaster or ponyboy.

[hellothere123]

OK,

This is what my list looks like now (thanks for the info)

Ipac 2 28 input encoder
Happ Supers Joystick (4 / 8 way joystick)
Happ Buttons with horizontal microswitch
22 guage wire for wiring
20" CRT monitor (I will modify the cabinet plans by a few inches)
Computer speakers and sub

Buttons on control panel: 6 per player, coin 1/2, start 1/2, shift, pause, Mouse right / Mouse left (Shift will allow these other admin: load/save game, enter, reset, tab)

I know this won't be popular, but I don't want to buy a trackball...too expensive I feel...so I ws going to mount an old ball mouse unside down on the control panel (this idea is still in testing)...I won't be using it for games, just for navigating in windows.

What type of plastic to cover control panel...what is best and cheapest...acrylic or plexiglass?

Getting a P4 1.8Ghz 40gig for $125.00...should work fine?


Thanks!

[ARTIFACT]

just so you know the Supers won't switch between 4 and 8 ways automatically... it's done when you assemble the joystick I believe (I am new to this as well BTW)

I got some Mag Stick PLUS sticks, which allow physical 4/8 way switch from the top (pull the stick, rotate to switch)... they are NICE but I also realized that they have a very short "throw" and thus won't work very well with fighter games (complex moves).

The U360 seems like a great choice (automatically switch modes via software) but you won't need the IPAC2 then as these have their own encoder with connections for buttons (See ultimarc.com)

I hope this helps.

[paigeoliver]

The supers are a good 8-way stick, but the 4-way mode is unacceptable for anything other than modern puzzle games.

If you actually want to play games and want a good cheap 4-way stick that is easy to install then get a Happ universal and install it in 4-way mode. Put it next to the player 1 8-way stick and let it share the same buttons.

Don't put any kind of mouse or PC trackball on your control panel, it will be a mistake that will be costly to fix later. Just don't have one at all, or have one that comes out of the coin door or something.

The computer you are getting is fine use mame version .72 with that processor. It should run everything in that version at full speed, although honestly, you would be better off spending half as much on a used computer and getting a trackball instead.

Don't put any plastic on the panel unless you are making your own custom artwork and need to protect it. 90+ percent of real games didn't come with plastic on them, the plastic you remember was covering up extra holes drilled in the control panels of conversion games.

Also, since you really seem to be on a budget I recommend using a used cabinet instead of building one from scratch, as scratchbuilding is absolutely the most expensive way to do it.

[Zebidee]

20" CRT monitor (I will modify the cabinet plans by a few inches)

I ws going to mount an old ball mouse unside down on the control panel (this idea is still in testing)...I won't be using it for games, just for navigating in windows.

Just say NO to small VGA monitors if you want a cab that looks any good.  a tv will be so much better.

You should only ever mount a proper arcade trackball into a control panel.

For a mouse in windows, I suggest a Logitech Marble mouse, which uses a trackball you pass your hand over to use.  It is USB so You can unplug it/ put it aside when not in use.  No need for a flat surface. 

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_pointers/trackballs/devices/156&cl=us,en

[unclet]

I agree, do not install a mouse on the control panel, simply take the mouse out from a hidden keyboard drawer or coin door and use it when needed.    You should just wait for "menace" to sell his used (but refurbished) trackballs.  I think I remember him selling them for $30 and people who have bought them like them.   Anyway, I think a trackball is a must.  Even if you do not play trackball games, someone is bound to come over and ask to play Golden Tee, Centipede, Missile Command, etc.. on your cabinet.

I would go as far to say that if you think spending an extra $30 (or even $70) for a new trackball is too much money at the moment, then you might want to wait a bit before building a new arcade cabinet from scratch since you might need the money for other things.    If you plan on keeping the cabinet for a very long time, then money probably should not be an issue since over time it really is not a lot of money at all.   Please don't take these statements personally .... I was just giving my opinion since you stated the trackball was too expensive to add right now.   Of course if you just do not want a trackball since you do not like them, then this is a different story, but since you mentioned you were not getting one since it is too expensive, then I think you are making a mistake.  You just do not want someone coming over to see your brand new cabinet and the first thing they say is .... lets play some "Golden Tee" ..... it will make you feel ill

[shardian]

Better yet, windows has a neat built in function called mousekeys. It is located under the accesibility section in control panel. This will let you use your p1 joystick to control the mouse pointer.

[Zebidee]

Better yet, windows has a neat built in function called mousekeys. It is located under the accesibility section in control panel. This will let you use your p1 joystick to control the mouse pointer.

Shardian, this is interesting .... trouble is that it is that the numpad control is 8-way, not 4-way.  So mame controls won't give you diagonals with mousekeys.  I would love a neater solution for mame joystick -> mouse.

Can you map a virtual joystick to mouse functions?  If so, then PPKey could be part of the joy-2-mouse solution.

[hellothere123]

20" CRT monitor (I will modify the cabinet plans by a few inches)

I ws going to mount an old ball mouse unside down on the control panel (this idea is still in testing)...I won't be using it for games, just for navigating in windows.

Just say NO to small VGA monitors if you want a cab that looks any good.  a tv will be so much better.

You should only ever mount a proper arcade trackball into a control panel.

For a mouse in windows, I suggest a Logitech Marble mouse, which uses a trackball you pass your hand over to use.  It is USB so You can unplug it/ put it aside when not in use.  No need for a flat surface. 

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_pointers/trackballs/devices/156&cl=us,en

That is a great idea...why not just mount this mouse instead of a trackball... I'm gonna leave room for a future trackball, (I don't care for games that use trackballs right now)..I'll mount this mouse on the control panel, that will eliminate the need for right and left click buttons and in the future I can add a trackball in its place.

[Zebidee]

Thanks!  I use them with everyday computers too as I suffer carpal tunnel syndrome.  I'm using one right now.

You don't need to mount the logitach marble mouse - leave it free so that you can place it wherever you want, even in your lap!