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

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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:


--- Quote from: Visitor Q on October 20, 2008, 01:47:05 pm ---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?


--- End quote ---

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.

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