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paulscade - First Build - MAME - Blastoff!
paulscade:
Some project facts:
??? Research for the project started in November 2007
:laugh: My build lasted from March 2008 to December 2008 (mostly weekends)
:o Project cost: about $2100 (excluding the PC)
:applaud: Total build time: 138 hours
I'm 98% complete now. I consider the last 2% of the project the time that it will take me to get together and apply the side art.
I've attached a spreadsheet detailing all the project costs and build time.
This really was a fun project to build... and it's my first woodworking project (aside from when I was a kid and bolted together a few 2x4s to make speaker stands).
Here are the photos of the project:
... And "No flash" shot:
Benevolance:
I think this is one of the best documented project builds I've seen on this site and the final product is excellent. I bookmarked this thread early and routinely followed along with the updates. I took a lot of inspiration for my own cabinet from this thread. And especially thanks for all the help with wiring the lighting for the trackball!
Gamester:
Paul,
I just want to first say that you did a fantastic job on your cab, and your extremely thorough documentation is really appreciated!
I have a question for you... I was curious about your decision to use a hi-res (VGA/SVGA/XGA) monitor instead of one that supports the authentic arcade resolutions (like the WG D9800 or the Betson). How close to authentic do the older games look on your monitor? Any regrets?
I'm struggling in my decision between the monitors that support the authentic resolutions vs a hi-res model like you got. I can see advantages both ways. I'm leaning toward a hi-res, but my only fear is that I might be sacrificing too much with regards to the display of the classic, low-res games.
Any insight you can offer is greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
paulscade:
@gamester
Tkx! for the compliments... let's pause a second so I can soak it up. ;D
No regrets at all!.... none, nada, zip.... I run the front end at 1024x768... I'd run it higher if the monitor supported it. I think that it switches resolution and/or refresh rate automatically once you run MAME... to whatever MAME needs.
The monitor looks great. The games all look "authentic" enough to me... sure, they are missing [most] all those scan lines... with the right filter enabled, they look (IMHO) better than the original. The video filtering does make a difference.
Because of the monitor size and the smoked glass in front of the monitor... the vertical games look great too.
re: decision to buy this monitor
I really didn't have any experience at all... this is, after all, my first build. I started off looking for an LCD monitor for the project... but then quickly realized that they don't make *big* LCD monitors (say bigger than 21" or so) in a 4x3 aspect ratio. For me, 4x3 was a requirement... so I knew that I would have to go with a CRT. I went looking for the biggest CRT (within reason) with the highest resolution that I could find.
No regrets... I'd buy this monitor again.
Shortbus:
I have to agree with the masses, you did it right and it shows. I learned alot and took notes on specific things, thank you Paul.
Just one thing I noticed in the final pictures, a errr request if you will.
Please either:
A: move the cabinet
or
B: Re-locate the picture of the marine. (If he visits and sees blastoff covering his pic he might beat you, plus he deserves it).
(this was a joke).
Thanks alot, now build a jukebox or something, how about a CNC, so you can document it and it will help me,,.,,,,heeee heee.
take care.