how many of you guys actually PLAY games?

[ultrageek]

As ashamed as I am to admit it, I rarely play games on my cab. It's constantly in a state of flux, adding this accessory, rebuilding that part.  It's actually kinda frustrating too that the software changes so fast and existing rom sets become obsolete. I put a lot of time and work into building it and I spent way too much time in the arcades as a kid, I would think I'd quit my job just to play the cab. I  Don't know whats wrong with me.

[Namco]

Here's the process, well for me anyway.

• Get a cab.
• If it's playable, play it for a week before you tear it down. (Skip to step 4 if you're building one from scratch).
• Tear it apart and get it down to an empty wooden shell
• Woodworking (fit and reinforce monitor framework and build your blank control panel at this point, but don't install any controls!)
• Painting
• Install Monitor
• Wiring (coindoor, power, speakers, and lighting)
• Control Panel artwork, plexi, then wiring and control installation.(use an iPac, there is no real substitute)
• Install Marquee, sideart, bezel
• Then the final last step, stick the computer in there.

You should be nearly done before you even put the computer in, let alone install an OS and emulators. But if you do the control panel first, then plug a working mame computer into the monitor to "test" it, then you're done for. Efficiency drops 75% when you don't have that anticipatory "first bootup on finished cab" motivating you through the project. However, I've seen haste taint many a project too, so maybe it's a wash 

As for playing, I spend about 50% of my time playing on it and the other 50% configuring Mala/Mame. Since I upgraded to a new motherboard and upgraded Mame from .83 to .120, I've noticed an extra .05 second lag in Street Fighter series of games that is bugging the hell out of me. I'm sure it's D3D causing it too. Thinking of going back to ddraw and mame .83. At least mame .83 let me set -refresh 70 which is the only way I can run those low 384x224 resolutions and stay within my monitor's range.

But I digress, I don't play nearly as much as I thought I would with a cab, but if I just wanted to play, I would've been happy on the computer and keyboard. Just looking at the cab on attract mode and messing around with the insides is where I get my jollies off most of the time.

[Ginsu Victim]

It's actually kinda frustrating too that the software changes so fast and existing rom sets become obsolete.

Then don't upgrade. Find a version of MAME you like and stick with it.

[CheffoJeffo]

Went to start MAMEing my Smash TV last night, ended up playing Smash TV all night instead.  Viscous circle.

That's the arcade gods trying to tell you something ... heed their warnings ...

 

[dgame]

Went to start MAMEing my Smash TV last night, ended up playing Smash TV all night instead.  Viscous circle.

That's the arcade gods trying to tell you something ... heed their warnings ...

 

LOL! I went to try to MAME it again and it is still Smash TV. To date I have never even seen what MAME looks like on my cab with the AVGA/JPAC setup I have. I may wait until I get all the parts for my conversion before hooking it up. There is just something  'right' about playing on the dedicated cab.

[Ginsu Victim]

Don't MAME a perfect good working game.   

[lanman31337]

You should give me the smash tv cab, and i'll give you some wood to build another one.

[emdkay]

speaking of attract mode, is it possible to enable this on mame128 running on the xbox media center?   i need an excuse to leave the bartop on all the time 

[dgame]

Don't MAME a perfect good working game.   

I know, I know. If it is any consolation I am going to make an entire new control panel and put the original panel on display near the machine. None of the wiring or hardware will be removed from the cabinet. I ordered some red t-molding and will match my new control panel to the original size, shape, and color scheme. I will not paint the machine or anything like that.

Why? To play more games!

All that would be needed to play the dedicated again is to reconnect the Smash TV PCB, power supply, and control panel. This can be done by hand as the PCB, power supply, and control panel have plug in connectors. The control panel is held on to the machine using quick-release clamps.

[Ginsu Victim]

As long as you're leaving it in a reversable state, that's great. It's a good cabinet to MAME.

[Dervacumen]

My daughter is at the age where she asks "Can I play the arcade machine?" and then I load up Sailor Moon and she gets to some SERIOUS button mashing.  So when you ask if I play, all I can say is "OH YEAH BABY, WE'RE GETTIN' IT ON!!!"

And when she's gone, I get to play the classics. :-)

[Jdurg]

I just finished the wiring job on my CP and hooked it up to my laptop which I hooked up to my 42" HDTV.  I played aracde games for about 8 or 9 hours today.  It was a blast, and my cab project is probaby now on hold for quite a while.