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Zobeid:
Howdy do!

I've been playing MacMAME on my computer for several years, and even got a HotRod which I hacked so it would work properly with my Mac.  But I think the time has finally come to go for a cabinet.  I figure I can make room if I chuck out enough other pieces of boring old furniture.

I'm deep into research now.  I've got some pretty specific ideas about what I want, and I've also got a couple of things I'm having trouble deciding.  Maybe some of you can help me with those.

I know I want a cabinet that is sized and styled like the old classic arcade machines I remember.  I don't want a monster machine with a 30-inch monitor, control panel the size of a coffee table, eight joysticks, a trackball, couple of spinners, light gun, etc. . .   I'm sure they work fine, but that's not for me.

I'm trying to come up with a reasonably versatile control layout that fits within, say, 24X8" space, or maybe 24X10".  Two joysticks , a spinner, eight or ten game buttons, and the minimum of admin buttons.

I have zero interest in fighting or beat-em-up games, so I don't need the full six or seven button layout per player.  I decided I can live without a trackball, too.  But I am very keen on some kind of 4-way/8-way switchable sticks.  I'm trying to decide now between the OMNI-Stik Prodigy Retro Edition or the UltraStick 360.

The US360 is obviously way more versatile.  I could play Star Wars, I could play Q*Bert. . .  It's tempting.  But those things seem pretty complicated to configure, both physically and in the software.  The Prodigy looks just about foolproof.  I've read that it's a short-throw stick, which sounds OK to me.  And it looks good without one of those silly plastic dust washers.  But. . .  No Star Wars, no Q*Bert, and probably Sinistar wouldn't be too good with it.  So I just don't know.

I've been playing MacMAME all this time. . .  So I have no experience with PC software or MAME front-ends, I don't know how they work.  How many admin buttons do I actually need on my machine?  I'm guessing. . .   pause/select/exit?  (Plus P1, P2 and some kind of coin drop of course.)  I'm sure I will have a wireless keyboard for the more complicated admin functions, so I'm just looking for basic navigation here.

The only other big question I'm turning over in my head is a monitor.  I'm no fan of arcade monitors, I want something high-res that will make vector games look good.  So I'm thinking computer monitor, I'm thinking 22" CRT or else a 19" or 20" LCD.  I've talked to one custom builder who prefers to use LCDs, and I've talked to another one who prefers CRTs for their "better picture".  Huh?  When did you ever see a CRT with a better picture than a LCD?  I know LCDs sometimes have issues with their black level or with motion smearing, but I love their brightness and sharpness.  I've loved playing MAME on my 22" Cinema Display, but it cost arm+leg and may not be a typical LCD, so. . .   Once again, I dunno.

I do have a dark corner I can put the machine in, for whatever that's worth.   8)

javeryh:
Welcome to the boards!  Some things to consider:

- you might not like fighting games but your friends might.  Adding 2 more buttons per player opens your cabinet up to many more games.  I'm not huge into fighter (I like them) but when my friends get together it's all anyone wants to play because matches are over quick and everyone can get a turn pretty fast.

- ditto with the trackball.  Golden Tee is another friend favorite and probably gets the most play time on my cab.

- the U360 is so unbelievably easy to set up.  I have ZERO computer skills and it wasn't a problem.  Plus, certain front ends switch the maps on the fly depending on the type of game chosen - this is invaluable, IMO.  My first cabinet has 4/8 way T-Stik Plus joysticks which work fine but no one can seem to grasp the concept of when to switch them (or how) and they ask a million questions.  With the U360 you can switch from Pac-man to Q*bert to Street Fighter to Galaga without configuring a thing.  On my first cabinet, all of theose would just get played with an 8-way because people can't be bothered to switch (nor do they know).   I can never go back.

- I use Exit (to front end), Player 1 Start, Player 2 Start and Pause as my admin buttons.  Coins are handled via a coin door and the coin door return button which I rigged to act like an "Insert Coin" button.  YMMV on admin buttons though - it's definitely a personal preference.

- As for monitors, LCDs are typically considered "too sharp" so older games like Pac-man don't look quite right whereas a CRT arcade monitor will look more authentic.  I like the look of CRTs better but my last two cabs were built with LCD because of the cost, weight and the fact that I could build a "slim" cabinet instead of a bulky one.  Again, YMMV - it's a personal preference.

 :cheers:
CheffoJeffo:
Welcome ...

First, let me congratulate you on resisting the temptation to build the "one cabinet to rule them all". I prefer tighter designs over monster frankenpanels.

The control dilemma will haunt you, but I'm sure that folks will help you out vis-a-vis configuring a U360 (I don't have one, so am not much use there).

A nice LCD is a good choice for a MAME cab, so long as you don't run around disrespecting CRTs too much.  ;)

Be sure to check out the wiki, FAQ & Links Of Interest and, of course, Project Arcade.

 :cheers:
Zobeid:

--- Quote from: javeryh on February 05, 2008, 11:07:22 am ---- As for monitors, LCDs are typically considered "too sharp" so older games like Pac-man don't look quite right whereas a CRT arcade monitor will look more authentic.
--- End quote ---

MacMAME has an OpenGL smoothing option so it blurs the display and relieves the severe jaggies.  I had to assume MAME on the PC has some similar option. . . right?  Right??  I would not want to play on my Cinema Display without smoothing, it would be harsh.  (I can't imagine it would look all that great on a hi-res CRT either, as far as that goes.)

Some earlier versions also had a "filter" option that introduced simulated grain and scan lines, it looked pretty realistic.  But I don't see that option anymore, I don't know what happened to it.

javeryh:

--- Quote from: Zobeid on February 05, 2008, 11:47:21 am ---
--- Quote from: javeryh on February 05, 2008, 11:07:22 am ---- As for monitors, LCDs are typically considered "too sharp" so older games like Pac-man don't look quite right whereas a CRT arcade monitor will look more authentic.
--- End quote ---

MacMAME has an OpenGL smoothing option so it blurs the display and relieves the severe jaggies.  I had to assume MAME on the PC has some similar option. . . right?  Right??  I would not want to play on my Cinema Display without smoothing, it would be harsh.  (I can't imagine it would look all that great on a hi-res CRT either, as far as that goes.)

Some earlier versions also had a "filter" option that introduced simulated grain and scan lines, it looked pretty realistic.  But I don't see that option anymore, I don't know what happened to it.



--- End quote ---

yeah, there are effects like adding scan lines and stuff you can tinker with to get it close to CRT-looking but for some people close isn't good enough.
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