Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: MoonDog on November 30, 2004, 03:52:20 am

Title: thinking about building a mini MAME bartop
Post by: MoonDog on November 30, 2004, 03:52:20 am
Santa came early!
Title: Re: thinking about building a mini MAME bartop
Post by: paigeoliver on November 30, 2004, 04:14:02 am
Does it have USB?

If so, then do they still make USB speakers? I know they used to.
Title: Re: thinking about building a mini MAME bartop
Post by: Oddfeld on November 30, 2004, 06:32:43 am
About the 4 or 8 way switchable thing, since you'll have limited space you probably want to go for a single joystick so you might try something like the Ultimarc T-Stik Plus - this is switchable between 4-way and 8-way from the top of the control panel without having to get underneath to flip a switch or anything - you just pul the shaft up and twist it to change it over.

http://www.ultimarc.com/controls.html

Title: Re: thinking about building a mini MAME bartop
Post by: JustMichael on November 30, 2004, 06:50:51 am
MoonDog, which frontend is that being displayed?
Title: Re: thinking about building a mini MAME bartop
Post by: Lilwolf on November 30, 2004, 08:46:51 am
btw, it might have onboard sound.  I don't know why it would have a speaker jack without a sound card.  Probably not the best but probably good enought for a mame machine.  But USB would be your next best option.  Other then that, you might not be able to get a sound card for what you can get a new motherboard for... fact of life with non-consumer grade hardware.

Also, with a $22 keyboard encoder for keywiz... keyboard hacks become more and more annoying.  Consider space as your #1 issue with a bartop... and keyboard hacks usually make a LOT of clutter.  the $22 keywiz + a IDE cable and your set with all your cabling needs in a VERY small space.

Anyway, you will probably want to take some time to draw out some rough sketchs.. And figure out your space..  Then decide on the joysticks, ect.  There are some pretty low profile ball tops on ebay that switch between 2/4/8 that might be perfect for you.  Also gives the classic red balltop.

example one I'm talking about... I don't know the seller and you should be able to get them for less..
eBay Link (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=13718&item=6134115267&rd=1)
Title: Re: thinking about building a mini MAME bartop
Post by: Lilwolf on November 30, 2004, 08:48:17 am
and if you have some extra cash... How about a tron cocktail joystick

eBay Link (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=13718&item=6133806649&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW)

And which of the spinners would be best?  hum hum... if I only had the money... spinner, one of these, then 6 buttons... 1 player nervana
Title: Re: thinking about building a mini MAME bartop
Post by: Hoagie_one on November 30, 2004, 09:00:08 am
where can i get one of those nifty 8.5" lcd's?

lol
Title: Re: thinking about building a mini MAME bartop
Post by: SteveJ34 on November 30, 2004, 09:04:38 am
If you can use the ISA Bus backplane to add a soundcard, I know I have an ISA SB16 I would be happy to donate to the cause....
Title: Re: thinking about building a mini MAME bartop
Post by: Hoagie_one on November 30, 2004, 09:14:51 am
why does the MoBO have an edge connector?
Title: Re: thinking about building a mini MAME bartop
Post by: MoonDog on November 30, 2004, 11:47:09 am
Does it have USB?

If so, then do they still make USB speakers? I know they used to.
USB Speakers?
Title: Re: thinking about building a mini MAME bartop
Post by: MoonDog on December 01, 2004, 02:08:28 am
Well, I found USB speakers on ebay with no sound card needed for $20 after shipping.  I have to say though that I don't like the idea of lowering price and then charging $18 in shipping.  Some may call it marketing, but I think it is just trying to be deceptive.  I'm not ready to start buying stuff yet, but it looks like I can find everything I need online.

eBay Link (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5144077021&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT)
Title: Re: thinking about building a mini MAME bartop
Post by: SteveJ34 on December 01, 2004, 09:19:30 am
....
Well, I found USB speakers on ebay with no sound card needed for $20 after shipping.  I have to say though that I don't like the idea of lowering price and then charging $18 in shipping.  Some may call it marketing, but I think it is just trying to be deceptive. 
....

It most situations, low listing prices and high shipping fees is a method sellers use to reduce the costs of listing fees and the result percentage that eBay collects on the final purchase price.

Another source for pieces and parts is www.cyberguys.com and of course newegg.com and zipzoomfly.com

Best of luck on your project.
Title: Re: thinking about building a mini MAME bartop
Post by: quarterback on December 03, 2004, 11:49:14 am
example one I'm talking about... I don't know the seller and you should be able to get them for less..
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=13718&item=6134115267&rd=1

Does anybody know the quality of the joystick seen in this auction and/or anybody have a particular recommendation on a 2/4/8 joystick?
Thanks
Title: Re: thinking about building a mini MAME bartop
Post by: Stingray on December 03, 2004, 11:56:55 am
This looks like a fun project. I'll enjoy following your progress when you get started on it. I've been kicking around the idea of building one myself. Been sort of hoping a baby motherboard falls into my lap in the same way that one seems to have fallen into yours.

-S
Title: Re: thinking about building a mini MAME bartop
Post by: MoonDog on December 06, 2004, 03:29:45 am
This looks like a fun project. I'll enjoy following your progress when you get started on it. I've been kicking around the idea of building one myself. Been sort of hoping a baby motherboard falls into my lap in the same way that one seems to have fallen into yours.

-S

I'm excited to get started but I think I'll have to wait a month or two.  I spent a lot of time an money on my cabinet recently and I've neglected other projects around the house that I need to get finished.  I'll post something in Project Announcements once I'm able to start.
Title: Re: thinking about building a mini MAME bartop
Post by: LordDamo on December 06, 2004, 04:07:53 am
Does anybody know the quality of the joystick seen in this auction and/or anybody have a particular recommendation on a 2/4/8 joystick?
Thanks

Im using MCA joysticks, that were donated to me by Bomberman (damn that dude rocks, go the mighty Bombers!). Most ppl reckon they are crap, but in my opinion they rock, and also they are Australian made - so thats a pluss 4 me. They were what I was using the most in the arcade when I was growing up. Heres a site where you can get them
http://www.classicgames.com.au/spare-parts.htm - Hope this helps
Title: Re: thinking about building a mini MAME bartop
Post by: quarterback on December 07, 2004, 03:03:09 am
Im using MCA joysticks, that were donated to me by Bomberman (damn that dude rocks, go the mighty Bombers!). Most ppl reckon they are crap, but in my opinion they rock, and also they are Australian made - so thats a pluss 4 me. They were what I was using the most in the arcade when I was growing up. Heres a site where you can get them
http://www.classicgames.com.au/spare-parts.htm - Hope this helps

Thanks for the info LD'
Title: Re: thinking about building a mini MAME bartop
Post by: vrf on March 16, 2005, 10:48:31 am
Hi Moondog,

Do you have any information on that LCD you have there? How's the picture quality/resolution? Does it take a VGA signal?

Thanks!

-v
Title: Re: thinking about building a mini MAME bartop
Post by: j123vt_99 on March 16, 2005, 10:23:12 pm
how did it ever turn out?
Title: Re: thinking about building a mini MAME bartop
Post by: Stingray on March 17, 2005, 01:41:51 pm
I'd like to know if this ever happened too.

-S
Title: Re: thinking about building a mini MAME bartop
Post by: Hoagie_one on March 17, 2005, 01:43:34 pm
i just want that 8" display...sexsay
Title: Re: thinking about building a mini MAME bartop
Post by: vrf on March 17, 2005, 07:15:41 pm
I'd also like to know more about that particular 8" display. They're not a common item, especially if you'd like to have it take a VGA signal.

Here's one I found. Quite pricey.

http://www.xenarc.com/product/800yv.html
Title: Re: thinking about building a mini MAME bartop
Post by: Goz on March 17, 2005, 07:57:38 pm
This thread had got me thinking when I first saw it and ironically today I saw this add on craigslist (http://www.craigslist.com/eby/sys/63884051.html) and picked one up to start a similar project. It has a whopping 10.4" screen and is touchscreen. The unit is brand new, never installed and is upgradable. Oh yeah the TV tuner built in is pretty sweet as well.

This will be on my pub table for TV / MAME / Internet access.

If anyone is interested in picking one of these up. The guy has a bunch of them. I got the impression that they were from a dot bomb.

Anyways didn't mean to hijack the thread just figured worth a mention since this thread started me down this road.

-Goz
Title: Re: thinking about building a mini MAME bartop
Post by: JonnyBoy on March 17, 2005, 09:23:05 pm
Damnit I want one of those but I don't have the cash. Damnit damnit damnit... Anybody want to donate some money to the JonnyBoy fund?