New project...lots of questions!

[Poomobile]

Hello all!

I am a long time video game collector.  I have a decent collection of just about every video game console ever made and a respectable software collection.  I have been wanting to build an emulation cabinet for years so that I can enjoy my games without having to hook up my consoles.

So, I had a cabinet given to me last Friday.  Based on my research, it is a Jamma cabinet that was used for some sort of egg shooting game.  The game was not operational and from my research, the game that was in it never was released with a dedicated cabinet (I did not want to destroy part of video game history!)

So, I have a bunch of questions that I hope someone could help me with (pictures below):

Monitor:

- The Cabinet came with a Wells Gardner 25k7191 monitor that is on its last legs.  I was going to just throw a 20 inch CRT computer monitor in there but I think it will look too small.  I looked around for a replacement on the Wells Gardner website and the 9400 27inch looks like it would be what I want. 

- Will that monitor fit my Jamma Cabinet?  My cabinet is 26 inches wide and it looks like the monitor bracket is adjustable. 

- Will I require a special video card to make the monitor work?

- Will that monitor automatically adjust to playing everything from an old aracade game to playing a dreamcast game in 480p?

- Any other recommendations?

Controls:

The control panel that came with the cabinet has a strange button configuration.  I went to my local arcade and found a few games that use the exact same one, most notably, The Simpsons Game.  All of the games were just two button games.  I am tempted to use it as I am not the best wood worker.  I can always change it out later.

- Does anyone recognize this configuration?  Does it have a name?

- If it is a common panel, where could I get an overlay done up and would they now exactly the dimensions?

- Which joystick should I consider getting.  I saw somewhere, you can get a joystick with an above panel 4 to 8 way switch.  Is that a good idea?  Which configuration would I use more (I think I will play console games the majority of the time)

- The cabinet came with two guns.  Will they be compatible with most games?  Will they plug into the ipac or do I need a special adapter.

Graphics:

- Just wondering where would be the best place to get a graphic for the sides of the machine?  I am not very good with photoshop and would probably just get something of the shelf.  Is there a standard Jamma spec that the shop would know or will I have to take measurements?

Misc:

- The bezel behind the glass and in front of the monitor was made of paper.  What would be the best way to make a replacement keeping in mind I have weak woodworking skills

- I pulled off all of the blue colored laminate.  Any advice before I attempt to replace it with a new sheet of Black laminate?  I have never layed laminate before!

- Any other bits of advice that you can think of!


Here are the pics:







Thanks so much!!

[Poomobile]

Well, I guess I will start answering my own questions

I ordered a new monitor from Niemen's...an analog 25 inch.  It fits perfectly...games look good however, my windows desktop looks like crap.  I am guessing if I went to a Digital monitor, that would fix it.  Does anyone know of a digital 25inch screen out there?  I also noticed that I get a yellow spot about the size of a baseball to the middle right of the screen sometimes.  It seems to come and go and only really noticeable when using windows.  Is this normal?

I am still wrestling with the control panel.  I do not like the layout but I am not sure I have the skills to make one my self.  I did manage to apply and trim some nice flat black formica all around the cabinet though!

One more question, the cabinet had a piece of glass in front of teh screen.  Is that the best way to go or should I replace it with some Lexan? 

Thanks

[Blanka]

Do you play console games of modern consoles, or old ones? Or better said: does the gamepads have analog joysticks? 8-way can be tough as consolestick. Best thing is using analog sticks then, and preferably a controller that has analog-to-console adapters. As far as I know, only 1 company makes stuff for that:
http://www.quasimoto.com/quasicon.php
The layout is kind of weird. Do you plan to play 4p games often? But a 4-stick CPO can be handy for 2p console games, as controlpads mostly have 2 joytsticks. Making a new CPO is not the baddest thing. With a 28mm spindle-drill you can get very far.

Last note: remove the bulbs from the marquee and replace them with the energy saving ones. This can turn into a pretty bad melting/baking accident.

[Poomobile]

The only console that I will play with analog stick would be the Dremacast...maybe the N-64.  I will be playing mostly older consoles...nes, Genesis and Mame.  Should I be ok with the 8 way stick then?