Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: RTj on August 01, 2005, 09:26:23 pm
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Hi all!
I was quite dubious of posting photo's of my 'cabinet' especially after seeing some of the excellent designs and ideas you folks have come up with. My design seems a bit lame now... but, i'm so proud of it I thought i'd post some photo's of it anyway... ;D
Before the images, the story:
Didn't have room for a full arcade cabinet in my bedroom so had to be a bit more inventive. Infact, even if i'd had the space I doubt i'd have been able to get it up the stairs anyhoo. So... think... think... what can fit into a bedroom and hold MAME?...
Hmm... :-\
Ah HA! I know... a wardrobe! ;D
(http://www.ronnietucker.co.uk/mame/images/Wardrobe1.jpg)
Add a sliding shelf for a control panel...
(http://www.ronnietucker.co.uk/mame/images/Wardrobe6.jpg)
Chop the doors and hide the computer from the player....
(http://www.ronnietucker.co.uk/mame/images/Wardrobe8.jpg)
Wire up controls, install MAME, add MAMEwah and voila!
(http://www.ronnietucker.co.uk/mame/images/Cabinet1.jpg)
;D
If anyone's interested in knowing what I did in more detail then feel free to visit my MAME Cabinet page (http://www.ronnietucker.co.uk/mame/). Through time i'd like to add some other emulators. Maybe a Megadrive/SNES emulator. Hell, maybe even an ST/Amiga emulator too! ;D
Please, be thoughtful with your comments, she's my pride and joy at the moment! ;D
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Cool cabinet! It's like a stealth cab! :)
The great thing about this hobby is that there are SO many ways to enjoy old video games: I love seeing approaches that differ from the usual conversion or replica arcade cab.
I like your sliding CP -- how do you prevent it moving when playing the games? Is there some sort of a mechanism to lock it in the "pulled out" position?
-- Chris
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Great way to be inventive. Gives it a bit of an upperclass look to it. Now you just need to vacuum.
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@ CJK : The sliding CP holds still due to the person leaning on it. Although I need to strengthen the sides of the cabinet coz leaning on it too much can start to push the shelf off the rails. Easily fixed...
@ Clonedsheep : Vacuum? VACUUM! No way! I have MAME running... i'm busy!! :D
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I've thought of doing the same thing with a armoir (sp?).
Here's a couple ideas (you can take or leave) I came up with by looking at your pictures.
1. You could 'bezel' up your monitor with either plain bezel, or art/instruction type bezel.
2. On the shelf above your monitor (I'm guessing you have speakers up there?) You could frame a marquee with a florescent light behind it.
Those things may take away from the "class" that has been described, but it will get it closer to a real cab.
(plus, who has a marquee in their wardrobe? It would be unique!)
Anyhow, it looks great. More importantly, it looks FUN!
-Stobe
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What I might add is some neon 'string'. You know the flexible lit cable that gives a nice glow in your computer case? Might put that on the back inside of the wardrobe. Although i think that might be a distraction while playing... hmm :-\
With all the MAME/MP3 progs out there I might upgrade the speakers, drill some pinholes on the upper of the wardrobe, point the speakers to the outer sides and use it as a jukebox too... ;D (the pinholes allowing the sound out of the wardrobe even when the doors are closed). Need to find a decent MP3 playing prog that will allow key mapping to let me choose songs with the joystick(s)... hmm... :-\ any recommendations? ??? I tried a few progs but some either don't allow key mapping or look right ugly :( Time like this i wish i could program... :-[
I feel like a mad scientist... ;) :D
Anyway, thanks for the kind words and ideas folks, I appreciate you taking the time to look at it and give feedback. :)
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If you go to the Audio/Jukebox/MP3 board here, there is a sticky listing all the jukebox programs out there. A lot of them allow key mapping and joystick control.
-Stobe