Help a newbie out with his first machine

[Jedi Master Matt]

Hello everyone, long time lurker, first time poster...

I'm getting ready to start construction on a new MAME/Multi-console cabinet and I want to make sure I've got everything in order.

I've got the software side of things under control; but, I want to make sure I'm headed in the right direction with the cabinet hardware.

Here's the part list:

2 x P360's
1 x Super (to hack into a trigger stick)
30 x horizontal competition buttons
Crayola Kidsball (will probably hack like on 1-UPs site) or will buy a 3" Wico ball

Soon to pick up:

IPAC2 - USB
OPTIPAC - USB
J-Stick from Ultimarc for 4-way
Oscar's Push/Pull Spinner
Oscar's DOT knob (non-annodized of course)

I've got someone willing to sell me a Zaxxon machine for $30.00 (I haven't seen it), so I may use it if it's in bad shape or keep it if it's o.k.

I'll probably go with either rotating or swapable CPs.

Now here's the rub... I'd like to have the PC (emus) and at least the Dreamcast (for SFIII: III Strike and Soul Calibur) hooked up "at the same time".  Now they don't have to be active simultaneously, I will obviously have to switch the monitor source, but I'm worried about how to connect the PC and the consoles up.

For convinence, I think the IPAC is the best tool for the PC, but I don't know how I'd hook up the console controllers to it.  From what I read, it doesn't sound entirely like an option.  Especially, since I'm be dealing with the P360s.

Does anyone have any suggestions?  I'd be willing to put a "switch" in the  My initial thought was hook virtually everything up through USB.  Use the Opti to power the P360s, but then I don't know how they'd get power if I had to disconnect the IPAC to use the consoles.

Thanks in advance for the help,

Matt
 

[AlanS17]

There are other things to consider. You would have to switch audio and video too.

If you're trying to find a method for switching controls, though, an X-Arcade's controller board with multiple adapters including PC and Dreamcast. As for where to get one... I couldn't tell you.

[OSCAR]

For convinence, I think the IPAC is the best tool for the PC, but I don't know how I'd hook up the console controllers to it.  From what I read, it doesn't sound entirely like an option.  Especially, since I'm be dealing with the P360s.

Does anyone have any suggestions?  I'd be willing to put a "switch" in the  My initial thought was hook virtually everything up through USB.  Use the Opti to power the P360s, but then I don't know how they'd get power if I had to disconnect the IPAC to use the consoles.

Thanks in advance for the help,

Matt

Are you concerned about the power requirements of the P360's and connecting them to an I-PAC?  I power both of my P360's right from the I-PAC without any trouble.  I spliced the +5V wires together and used a .100" connector to attach it directly to the I-PAC's power/LED header and it works just fine.

The multi-console/I-PAC connectivity is a different story, though.

[Jedi Master Matt]

AlanS17 & Oscar,

Thanks for the quick responses.

I did think about the X-Arcade; but, it wasn't the most econmically feasible solution and would've required a lot of manual switching of the plugs to get it work right.  If I had to use a connector, I'd rather make the switch when I go from PC to the consoles.

In regards to the power to the P360s, I was planning on getting it from the IPAC or the OPTI but I don't know how I'd get the darn power hooked up to the consoles.  Maybe hack a USB plug?

I don't necessarily have to the consoles hooked up the IPAC.  I just would like to make it relatively easy (and 100% foolproof) for somebody to go from emulation to console in regards to the control pannel.  The IPAC is such a versitle product, I'd hate to not take advantage of it in my cabinet.

I willing to do hacks if needed for the console side of things.  If I'm understanding things right, the problem may be using the IPAC for the PC.  If I'd go the route of hacking a PSX pad then using adaptors all the way around, I'd probably be o.k., is that right?

Would it possible for me to have an on/off switch for the console hacks via USB and the IPAC?  Could I leave them plugged in at the same time and just switch them over?  If I go USB all the way around, for IPAC & OPTI, and do a USB PSX hack could they be all plugged in simultaneously?  

Trying to do both is confusing me.  I know I want both, I'm just not sure of the best way to get there.

[MinerAl]

Does the Zaxxon machine still have its CP?

If it does it could have a nice leafy trigger stick already on it.  Don't buy the super-for-hacking until you see the cabinet.

[TheTick]

Are you concerned about the power requirements of the P360's and connecting them to an I-PAC?  I power both of my P360's right from the I-PAC without any trouble.  I spliced the +5V wires together and used a .100" connector to attach it directly to the I-PAC's power/LED header and it works just fine.

Are you using USB or PS/2?  I tried something similar with the USB connection and I can only get the IPAC to supply +5v when one of the keyboard LEDS is active (Numlock, Scroll, Caps). Is there a pin that is always active?

[OSCAR]

Are you using USB or PS/2?  I tried something similar with the USB connection and I can only get the IPAC to supply +5v when one of the keyboard LEDS is active (Numlock, Scroll, Caps). Is there a pin that is always active?

I currently have it connected via PS/2, but I plan to switch it to USB shortly because of the swappable panels I'm making for it.

According to the website, http://www.ultimarc.com/ipac2.html, there are two +5V pins on the header.  In fact, that's where the Opti-PAC gets +5V when it is connected via a serial port.

[TheTick]

Woops. Guess I could've re-read the documentation.

I just assumed two consecutive pins.

[Jedi Master Matt]

Thanks for all the help guys.

To answer the question about the Zaxxon stick.  I did think about using it, but I really wanted to use something with more than one button, to play DOT.  If I remember right, doesn't it have a trigger and a top hat button.  If I end up using the cabinet to hack into MAME, I may temporarily try it out with just the one button.

Does anyone know what would happen if I hooked the IPAC up with USB, the OPTI with USB, and then plugged in a hacked PSX pad using a convertor?

From what I've read, having the IPAC and a hacked pad doesn't seem to work well.  

What if I plug the IPAC in with USB and use the +5volts from it to power the trackballs and spinner.  Then use the OPTI plugged in with USB to power the P360s.  Have both of those plugged in while playing emulated games on the PC.  Then, when I want to play console games, remove the plug for the IPAC only and then plug in the hacked pad via USB.  Since I'd leave the OPTI plugged in at all times, the P360s would still be able to get power.  That way, I only have to switch between two USB connectors going into one port.

Do you think this would work?  I so want to order my parts and begin construction, but I want to make sure I get what I need.

[Negativecreep0]

umm I need help with this topic too, Where exactly is the 5v on the ipac4? can i get a good picture please with detailed shot and show how to connect the wire from the p360 to the ipac4 thanks guys

also is there a drawback with the usb version of ipac than the norma ps/2 interface? i heard some pcs in dos mode wont detect usb

[Sephroth57]

im not sure what exactly isnt good about it, but i know that its easier to use PS/2 connections for the i-pac then USB. i read it in a post here a while ago but the key thing i made myself remember was get PS/2, not USB

[MameMaster!]

HEY NEWBIE!!!!....welcome!

Just so you know, my MAME cab started out as a Dreamcast cab with an XArcade. It was about a month or so later that I even heard of Mame and a month longer until I figured out how to find it.

Any hoo....I presently have a PC, XBox and Dreamcast all hooked up at the same time using a VGA switcher; automatic audio switcher and VGA adaptors for both the XBox and Dreamcast.

Point here is....the cable switching is simple. I have the XArcade's main cord hanging down into my cab and I attached my Xarcade & Dreamcast adaptors in a easy to reach spot.

Result?....I can in about 10 seconds switch between all 3 sources (PC, XBox and Dreamcast). In addition I have an Oscar spinner that I use w/my XArcade to play games like Major Havok, Arkanoid etc.

The only thing I'm missing is a trackball....but XArcade is (hopefully) going to release one soon.

Something to consider if you want to utilize one of the best 3D arcade machines ever the Dreamcast in your cab!!!!

The MameMaster!

[owlicks]

I just so happen to have a Zaxxon cabinet that I recently completed.  The thing I would be most worried about with your plans is the logistics of fitting all those buttons on there.  The control panel on the Zaxxon machine is metal, and it is sunken between the 2 sides, so there's no room to expand short of chopping the sides a making your own new panel set up.  On my machine I have 2 Happ supers, 6 buttons per player, 2 player start buttons (mounted in their original position on the front), and 2 extra buttons for Esc and Options.  These are a fairly tight fit on there, I'm not sure if I'd recommend more buttons on this cabinet.  It's a fairly small cabinet compared to some of the newer machines.  As for the rotating panel on this machine, I think it might turn into a nightmare.  Not saying it's impossible, but 1up's machine was built from scratch with the idea for the panel in the design in the first place.  There is not a lot of room between the control panel and the front of the monitor on this cab, so I'd be worried about running into that.  To make your own new CP you'd have to chop the sides a bit, and chop the front folding down part, possibly having to move the coin slots a bit.  I put a 25" monitor in my cabinet which I would really recommend if you can.  It looks really slick in this cabinet since it's such a close fit in there.  I'm going to try to get some pics of my machine up real soon so get back to me if you'd like to see  Good luck on your machine, i'm glad to see someone else using a zaxxon cab, it's a good one, heh.  

[derek1800]

If you go with x-arcade you can go with a serial switch box so there is no need to reach inside the cabinet.

[MameMaster!]

If you go with x-arcade you can go with a serial switch box so there is no need to reach inside the cabinet.

....thanks. That's a great idea. I simply never thought of that.

Onto CompUSA today!

The MameMaster!

[NoOne=NBA=]

I'm not sure about the hacked pad, but my I-pac cuts off signals from my keyboard when I use it.
For example, if I'm holding a key on the keyboard for movement, and use the I-pac to shoot, I will stop moving until I let go of the movement button, and repress it.