Arcade Cab and Separate Monitor/ Thinking out side the cab.

[Visitor Q]

Ok so I ordered my cab last night but I was thinking here. Now my main goal is Mame but I still want to play console games as well and my question is this. Is it possible to hook up my Mame cabinet to a TV as well if it is close by so that I can play some console games on a TV if I choose? I know my current video card supports this, the same one I will be using in my cab.. More or less what I envision here is being able to play Mame at my cab and then having the option to have a smaller LCD monitor is the same room where I can play console games if I would choose to do so. I mean the only real issue I see here would be the sound, making sure it was directed to the correct area but other than that, I think it would work. Has anyone done this or thought about it, maybe I am just crazy for thinking a little out side of the cab here?

[shmokes]

It's definitely possible.  You can always take care of the sound and video with an A/V switch, and you can get some wireless controllers or extension cables.  But I wouldn't do it if I were you.  It's just a big pain in the ass.  Current-gen consoles aren't really very cab-friendly to begin with.  Most current games don't lend themselves to joysticks/buttons as found on typical cabs, and most newer games are epic things that really want to be played while sitting on a comfy sofa.  If you've got a 360 or PS3, just leave it out of your cab.  That's meant to be played on your big-screen TV.  As for older systems, just buy another one if you want the option to play it on the sofa.  Any of them can be had for under $50 these days, and who wants to get up and get inside the arcade cabinet to change channels on the A/V switch and swap games, etc.?  Not worth it. 

[DaveMMR]

Agree with Shmokes here, just for practicality's sake.  Compare the size of a console to the size of the average arcade cab and figure out which one wouldn't look completely awkward next to a TV set in the living room by the couch. 

Granted, if you have the cab near the TV anyway, it's less of a problem, but then you're dealing with wiring issues, extra software, and unnecessary tinker time just to change games.   

You can always do what some builders have done: Make a stand-alone panel with the computer inside that can hook-up to a TV set as your next project.  Inside, put console emulators and any other game that's "couch-friendly".  It's relatively inexpensive and more portable than a full sized machine.

[Visitor Q]

You may have misunderstood what I was trying to say. I am talking about the emulation of console systems, not installing my PS3 or 360 inside a cab..

What I was more or less driving at was if I have PSX emulation installed on the PC inside my cab, rather then stand there and play it could I not just run it to a near by TV set? Use some wireless 360 controllers etc..

[DaveMMR]

You may have misunderstood what I was trying to say. I am talking about the emulation of console systems, not installing my PS3 or 360 inside a cab..

What I was more or less driving at was if I have PSX emulation installed on the PC inside my cab, rather then stand there and play it could I not just run it to a near by TV set?

I think the replies still apply.  Shmokes said that fairly modern consoles (including PSX) aren't as arcade control friendly and he gave the 360/PS3 information as a hypothetical situation only.  And I said it'd be more practical to possible have a different project for emulators that are living room friendly only because it'd be a hassle to switch up displays, control options, etc. 

Again, it can be done, but it might be a bit messy.

[Visitor Q]

You may have misunderstood what I was trying to say. I am talking about the emulation of console systems, not installing my PS3 or 360 inside a cab..

What I was more or less driving at was if I have PSX emulation installed on the PC inside my cab, rather then stand there and play it could I not just run it to a near by TV set?

I think the replies still apply.  Shmokes said that fairly modern consoles (including PSX) aren't as arcade control friendly and he gave the 360/PS3 information as a hypothetical situation only.  And I said it'd be more practical to possible have a different project for emulators that are living room friendly only because it'd be a hassle to switch up displays, control options, etc. 

Again, it can be done, but it might be a bit messy.

Hmmm... I am am talking about just running the monitor part out of the cab, 1 cable and using wireless 360 controllers. I am not talking about running this to another room and like I said, my video card supports two monitors already.

Maybe I am missing the point?

[Visitor Q]

I'm really surprised that no one is doing this. Guess I will lead on this project…

[DaveMMR]

Maybe I am missing the point?

Probably.  We're just saying it can be done but it might be a pain.   But if the arcade cabinet is going to be within reach of the family television and you have easy access to the back, then go for it.

[Visitor Q]

Maybe I am missing the point?

Probably.  We're just saying it can be done but it might be a pain.   But if the arcade cabinet is going to be within reach of the family television and you have easy access to the back, then go for it.

Yeah, I mean that is more or less what I am saying or even just putting a small LCD set near by.

Wireless controllers and a video cable, seems easy enough.

I guess will see... Just trying to think down the road a little here.

[Franco B]

Im planning on connecting my cocktail to my large LCD for a couple of reasons.

a) So I can use the LCD as a big display for playing games, either MAME, emulated console or X360/XBLA games (via hacked 360 pads) using the cocktail as a kind of mobile CP.

b) In cocktail mode I can use the video out and display it on the big screen so everyone else can see the action at parties etc.

[Visitor Q]

Im planning on connecting my cocktail to my large LCD for a couple of reasons.

a) So I can use the LCD as a big display for playing games, either MAME, emulated console or X360/XBLA games (via hacked 360 pads) using the cocktail as a kind of mobile CP.

b) In cocktail mode I can use the video out and display it on the big screen so everyone else can see the action at parties etc.

I see what you are saying...

I am just thinking in the way of be able to use the same PC for console games and not have to sit at my cab to play them, along the same lines here.

[vputz]

I have my CP on a trunk, connected to a HTPC which is also my DVD player, jukebox, etc.  For some games I do use wireless gamepads (console emulators, MAME games with more players than my 2-player CP can handle, etc).  It's a decent combination, although eventually I may put the CP *in* the trunk with an LCD in the lid of it and a computer in the bottom for a "portable cab" (or, probably better, make a cocktail MAME for a coffee table, which may be more practical).