Converting from cabinet to pedestal + TV wall-mount? Thoughts?

[sofakng]

A few years ago I built a large ("standard"?) MAME arcade cabinet with a 27" CRT TV.  The cabinet is really big and we recently moved into a bigger house but the basement is actually smaller so I'm having a hard time finding a place for the cabinet.

I've always like the the "showcase" arcade cabinets so I was thinking about wall-mounting a LCD TV (32" - 34") to a wall in the basement, and then building a pedestal for the control panel.

Has anybody done this?

Does anybody have any plans for building a pedestal?  I was only able to build the cabinet with plans from the Project Arcade book (and lots of help from my father) but building a pedestal should just be a box, right?  (and maybe a cut-out for the coin-door)

Here's a picture of my current cabinet:


...and here are my pictures:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/jklimek/sets/255273/

[Generic Eric]

Lots of examples, not sure about plans though.  I thought this was neat:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=129582.0

[Paul Olson]

I designed my pedestal to look similar to the Funglo cabinets used on Silver Strike Bowling games. I just like the look of them, and they work well. I am much happier without the actual cabinet, but it didn't actually save me a lot of space. My cab is 30" deep, and 40" wide, so still pretty large. I think you could go quite a bit smaller, but I wanted to make sure it was stable on thick carpet, so I went pretty deep.

My only real suggestion would be to get a bigger TV. I started with a 32 inch, and replaced it with a 46". The extra size will allow you to use the bezel artwork around the game screen, and I that looks really nice with the high resolution screen. With this size, it is pretty easy to get the actual game to be the same size as the original game. Bigger is rarely better with these old games, so you will probably want to try to get them close to the right size. It also gives you a nice size TV if you want to multi purpose the set up. I have my TV on a swivel mount so I can angle it where I need it when I am not using the cabinet.

[yotsuya]

This one is probably my favorite pedestal so far:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,135115.msg1419393.html#msg1419393

Simple, not gaudy, not overdone. 

[wp34]

This one is probably my favorite pedestal so far:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,135115.msg1419393.html#msg1419393

Simple, not gaudy, not overdone. 

Agreed.  It is well proportioned and has fantastic artwork to boot.

(I'm also thankful that link didn't take me to Kaneda.  There was a 50/50 shot it would.)

[yotsuya]

This one is probably my favorite pedestal so far:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,135115.msg1419393.html#msg1419393

Simple, not gaudy, not overdone. 

Agreed.  It is well proportioned and has fantastic artwork to boot.

Yes, excellent proportions, just the controls the user needs, well-planned artwork that's an actual theme. Nice!

(I'm also thankful that link didn't take me to Kaneda.  There was a 50/50 shot it would.)

 

[pbj]

I'll never mess with a traditional cabinet again, barring some $50 deal on a working classic.  I've been slowly gathering pieces and hardware for a pedestal.  Don't go any smaller than a 42" screen.

[KIguy]

I used JakoBud's Dynamo Showcase plans as a guide for the one I'm building. http://www.jakobud.com/plan.php?id=36 Just nix the back half and call it a day. I believe somebody else here said that the dimensions actually were incorrect, so keep in mind you'll want to "measure twice, cut once" if you go this route.

And agreed with pbj. Unless you're only going to be a foot or two away from the screen, go at least 42". Remember that the 90s fighters had 25-27" screens and our eyeball sockets were what, maybe 16" away? Food for thought 

[sofakng]

42" ?!?

Wow!  How far are you guys standing away from the screen?

I was in Best Buy earlier looking at the 32" screens standing about a two or three feet back and it seemed quite big!

[Paul Olson]

Once you add in the bezel art, the actual game screen is not all that big on a 46" TV. This one is about the original size, and it looks and plays the best at that size.

[KIguy]

42" ?!?

Wow!  How far are you guys standing away from the screen?

I was in Best Buy earlier looking at the 32" screens standing about a two or three feet back and it seemed quite big!

Take your widescreen (16:9) diagonal size and multiply by .82, that'll give your 4:3 screen size (it's actually .81xxxx something, but i'm lazy). So a 42" monitor will be roughly 34.5" and a 32" screen chopped down to 4:3 is a hair over 26". If you're a shmupper, chop that down even more.

Maybe I'm the minority here, but I'm testing with a projected 60" 4:3 screen at about 6.5 feet distance and I can't even imagine going smaller at this point. 

[yotsuya]

Maybe I'm the minority here, but I'm testing with a projected 60" 4:3 screen at about 6.5 feet distance and I can't even imagine going smaller at this point. 

I can't imagine standing almost 7 feet away from the game, myself! 

[ark_ader]

Maybe I'm the minority here, but I'm testing with a projected 60" 4:3 screen at about 6.5 feet distance and I can't even imagine going smaller at this point. 

I can't imagine standing almost 7 feet away from the game, myself! 

Why not opt for a cheaper method via short throw projection?

[kaneda]

Go 4 player if you're going to go pedestal.  My TV is 55", a bit big, but when you set the screen to square for older games, it's not bad at all. 

Some things to keep in mind with pedestals.  They do shake, so be careful with drinks on them.  And if you go 4 player, don't angle the joysticks, or so I'm told

[KIguy]

Maybe I'm the minority here, but I'm testing with a projected 60" 4:3 screen at about 6.5 feet distance and I can't even imagine going smaller at this point. 

I can't imagine standing almost 7 feet away from the game, myself! 

It is pretty freaking epic Attached pic is Moon Patrol @ 60", not sure if the drywall texture helps with perspective? But it's redonk, all I can say. I have to say this is the first time I've been bummed to go on vacation - won't be able to pick up on the cab build until the last weekend of Feb 

Why not opt for a cheaper method via short throw projection?

Can't get cheaper than free I'm actually really happy with the size versus distance, the only reason I'd replace it at this point is if it wasn't bright enough to fill out the 7 foot screen I want need to fill.

[yotsuya]

It is pretty freaking epic Attached pic is Moon Patrol @ 60", not sure if the drywall texture helps with perspective? But it's redonk, all I can say. I have to say this is the first time I've been bummed to go on vacation - won't be able to pick up on the cab build until the last weekend of Feb 

I have a dedicated Moon Patrol, so I only stand a foot away. 

That's a great game to use as a demo, tho!

So where are you going?

[KIguy]

I have a dedicated Moon Patrol, so I only stand a foot away. 

That's a great game to use as a demo, tho!

So where are you going?

You, sir, have fantastic taste!

And we're leaving Saturday for a week long booze cruise in Mexico - hence the additional week for recovery

[BadMouth]

Rough rule of thumb is the distance between your eyeballs and the screen should be at least as much as the diagonal measurement of the 4:3 image.
Doesn't matter how big the screen is as long as you're back far enough.

[pbj]

Don't listen to these clowns.  Running the games in 4:3 is a unused waste.  Set those suckers to 16:9 and never look back.

 

[severdhed]

I just got done building a pedestal cabinet to use with a 42" tv and I am very happy with it. The base is 24" x 25.5" and the front of the panel is about 3 feet from the wall during gameplay...art this distance the tv is the perfect size.



http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,134038.0.html

[KIguy]

I just got done building a pedestal cabinet to use with a 42" tv and I am very happy with it. The base is 24" x 25.5" and the front of the panel is about 3 feet from the wall during gameplay...art this distance the tv is the perfect size.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,134038.0.html

42" cropped to 4:3 = 34.5" screen @ 36" distance - perfect!

BadMouth's recommendation is actually very close to the THX standard for viewing distance, which is coincidentally the same ratio I am trying to stick to

We've got some suhhhweet looking pedestals in this thread - you guys have done amazing work, major kudos! 

[pbj]

I just got done building a pedestal cabinet to use with a 42" tv and I am very happy with it. The base is 24" x 25.5" and the front of the panel is about 3 feet from the wall during gameplay...art this distance the tv is the perfect size.



http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,134038.0.html

Well, damn.  Throw some shelves inside that thing and you've built exactly what I'm envisioning.  Down to the theme, even.   Well done.

 

[severdhed]

Thanks.  I can get you the measurements if you would like.

[pbj]

Thanks.  I can get you the measurements if you would like.

Yes..... yess....... yessssss.......

[Paul Olson]

Here is another example of the 46" TV with the bezel art. It is still a bit big for Defender since the original used a 19" monitor, but it is perfect for games that used a 25".

[severdhed]

i made a quick drawing with the dimensions...the images are not to scale.  I used 3/4" MDF.  I purchased several  2'x4' sheets of MDF...this made it slightly more expensive than buying a 4'x8' sheet, but much easier to transport in our minivan, and since most of the dimensions are 24", it reduced the amount of cuts i needed to make, and also made sure i had nice straight edges.

i didn't include the dimensions of the bottom shelf, or bottom of control panel box.  you should be able to see in my thread basically how i assembled it.  I hope this helps, if you need any other dimensions, let me know.

enjoy, and please take lots of pics once you start building.

[thewisteron]

kaneda, that is pretty awesome. Did you build that yourself? That is perfect for what I would like to build. Any chance you would share your plans?

Go 4 player if you're going to go pedestal.  My TV is 55", a bit big, but when you set the screen to square for older games, it's not bad at all. 

Some things to keep in mind with pedestals.  They do shake, so be careful with drinks on them.  And if you go 4 player, don't angle the joysticks, or so I'm told.

[/URL]

[yotsuya]

kaneda, that is pretty awesome. Did you build that yourself? That is perfect for what I would like to build. Any chance you would share your plans?

http://www.dreamhomearcades.com/home.aspx

[pbj]

i made a quick drawing with the dimensions...the images are not to scale.  I used 3/4" MDF.  I purchased several  2'x4' sheets of MDF...this made it slightly more expensive than buying a 4'x8' sheet, but much easier to transport in our minivan, and since most of the dimensions are 24", it reduced the amount of cuts i needed to make, and also made sure i had nice straight edges.

Thanks for the measurements, they're great. 

I'm curious, though, why did you knock the control panel down to a width of 46"?  Seems like keeping it 48" would have made life slightly easier.

[Generic Eric]

i made a quick drawing with the dimensions...the images are not to scale. 
enjoy.

Nice share

[Generic Eric]

Here is another example of the 46" TV with the bezel art. It is still a bit big for Defender since the original used a 19" monitor, but it is perfect for games that used a 25".

Do you have a build thread?  I'd like to know more about you lit the plexi.  Super cool.

[Paul Olson]

Here is another example of the 46" TV with the bezel art. It is still a bit big for Defender since the original used a 19" monitor, but it is perfect for games that used a 25".

Do you have a build thread?  I'd like to know more about you lit the plexi.  Super cool.

I have a build thread around here, but it is not updated with this latest revision of the cabinet. The plexi is laser etched, and it just takes an LED strip along the top edge to get that effect. I think it added about $150 to the cost of the cabinet, but I think it was worth it. LEDs are a pain to photograph, but it looks nice in person.