Control panel, idea and encoder!?

[picrard]

Hi,

I'm now about one year working on the concept for a Mame-Cab, which has to emulate
nearly most of the older games up to modern(Quake etc..).

I'm using a linux distro(AGLAD v0.92b36), which uses the Wahcade frontend, loading the games. It's not a bang bang hyper rock n' roll frontend, but it works nice under python.

And my idea is building a cab with a 28" CRT TV, which could be able to rotate, for vertical games,
the Computer with the distro inside a Soundsystem and the encoders are in the cabinet,
you have only to change the control panel which is connected through sub-d connectors on the cab,
so you could have different controllers like, digital and analog joysticks, spinners, steering wheels and pedals, or trackballs..etc.

to realize this I have just one question:
I have attached a little sketch down there, do I have to install this encoders to use this different controls or do I have
forgotten one or some encoders which are very essential and not on my plan ??

Suggestions and answers are very welcome!

thank you!

[PL1]

Swappable panels, but no rotary joysticks?   

How are you supposed to play a decent game of Gondomania or Ikari Warriors?   

(Remember that Ikari III needs three player buttons -- most rotary games only use two.)

KADE with rotary firmware FTW.


Scott

[picrard]

....yes or Robotron: 2084,

I know, but isn't it possible to use a spinner instead of these rotary joysticks

And the control boards which are shown here are just 5 examples,
which controller do you need to connect a rotary??? Do I have to add another one
to the I-Pac, A-Pac. and O-Pac ?

[picrard]

äh no .. sorry Robotron does only have two joysticks... no rotary...

[shponglefan]

I'm now about one year working on the concept for a Mame-Cab, which has to emulate nearly most of the older games up to modern(Quake etc..).

I only ask because it was specifically mentioned, but... why Quake on an arcade cab?

And my idea is building a cab with a 28" CRT TV, which could be able to rotate, for vertical games,

I would go with either a CRT monitor, arcade monitor or modern LCD screen.  With the exception of emulating older console games, I would not use a CRT TV.

[picrard]

...the cabinet will contain Mame, yes, but will also emulate this list of emulators and more:

Code: [Select]

- 3DO (3DOPlay v1.8.2, FreeDO v2.1)*
- Atari 2600 (Stella v3.7.2)
- Atari 5200 (Atari800 v2.2.1)
- Atari 7800 (MESS v0.106-3.2)*
- Atari Jaguar (MESS v0.106-3.2)*
- Atari Lynx (Mednafen v0.9.22-WIP, patched)
- Atari ST/TT/Falcon (hatari v1.6.2, patched)
- Bandai Wonderswan (Mednafen v0.9.22-WIP, patched)
- Bandai Ws Color (Mednafen v0.9.22-WIP, patched)
- Capcom CPS 1 (Neubula v2.25b)*
- Capcom CPS 2 (Nebula v2.25b)*
- Capcom CPS 3 (CPS3 Emulator v1.0a)*
- CBS Coleco Vision (MESS v0.106-3.2)*
- Commodore Amiga (E-UAE v0.8.29-WIP4, patched)
- Commodore C-16 (VICE sdl v2.3.1)
- Commodore C-64 (VICE sdl v2.3.1)
- Commodore VC-20 (VICE sdl v2.3.1)
- DOS (DOSBox v0.74-2)
- Fujitsu FM Towns (Xe v2.16.2)*
- MAME SDL (MAME SDL v0.143u7)*
- MAME SDL bezel (MAME SDL v0.143u7)*
- MAME highscore patch (MAME SDL v0.143u7)*
- MAME XGL (XGL MAME v0.76.1)*
- Mattel Intellivision (jzIntv v1.0 beta3)
- MB/GCE Vectrex (MESS v0.106-3.2)*
- NEC/H. PC Engine (Mednafen v0.9.22-WIP, patched)
- NEC/H. PC Engine CD (Mednafen v0.9.22-WIP, patched)
- NEC/Hudson PC FX (Mednafen v0.9.22-WIP, patched)
- Nintendo DS (DeSmuME v0.9.8 svnr0, patched)
- Nintendo Gameboy (Mednafen v0.9.22-WIP, patched)
- Nintendo G. Advance (Mednafen v0.9.22-WIP, patched)
- Nintendo G. Color (Mednafen v0.9.22-WIP, patched)
- Nintendo Game Cube (Dolphin v3.0-291)
- Nintendo N64 (Mupen64Plus v1.5)
- Nintendo NES (Nestopia v1.40)
- Nintendo SNES (ZSNES v1.51)
- Nintendo Virtual Boy (Mednafen v0.9.22-WIP, patched)
- Nintendo WII (Dolphin v3.0-291)
- RAINE (RAINE v0.51.11)*
- Sammy Atomiswave (DEmul v0.57)*
- ScummVM (ScummVM v1.3.1)
- Sega 32X (Gens v2.15.5.-4-1)
- Sega Dreamcast (DEmul v0.57)*
- Sega Game Gear (Mednafen v0.9.22-WIP, patched)
- Sega Master System (Mednafen v0.9.22-WIP, patched)
- Sega Mega CD (Kega Fusion v3.63*, Gens v2.15.5.-4-1)
- Sega Mega Drive (Gens v2.15.5.-4-1)
- Sega Model 2 (Model 2 emulator v1.0)*
- Sega Model 3 (Supermodel Version 0.3a-WIP)
- Sega Naomi (DEmul v0.57)*
- Sega Naomi 2 (DEmul v0.57)*
- Sega Saturn (Yabause v0.9.11)
- SNK Neo Geo (GnGeo v0.7)*
- SNK Neo Geo CD (NeoRAINE v1.3.0)*
- SNK Neo Geo Pocket (Mednafen v0.9.22-WIP, patched)
- SNK NG Pocket Color (Mednafen v0.9.22-WIP, patched)
- Sony Playstation (PCSX-Reloaded v1.9.92-3)
- Sony Playstation 2 (PCSX2 v0.9.9.0)
- Windows (Wine v0.97 to 1.3.31 or daily builds)[/SIZE]
I like my 28" CRT TV which looks oldschool, and I wanna play Quake on my Cab ;-) and also Duke Nukem and other 3D- Shooter!!! Why not, when you can? 

But the question, which is shown in the headline is about the "encoder -> controller"   

Do I need more encoders or it this the right decission to connect these kind of controlls
, including the rotary stick   

[PL1]

I know, but isn't it possible to use a spinner instead of these rotary joysticks

So, one hand on the stick, one hand on the buttons, and one hand on the spinner, right?  jk   

And the control boards which are shown here are just 5 examples,
which controller do you need to connect a rotary??? Do I have to add another one
to the I-Pac, A-Pac. and O-Pac ?

You need a rotary encoder to handle the 12 position rotary switch on the bottom of an LS-30 or Happ mechanical rotary joystick.


Scott

[picrard]

O.K. ... so

I-Pac, A-Pac, O-Pac and Rotary Joystick Interface

would cover these controls:

- analog stick (yoke, flight stick)
- digital stick
- trackball (USB)
- spinner
- steering wheel, pedals and gear
- lightgun (USB)
- rotary stick
- buttons

RIGHT

Do I have forgotten a control type

but I think that theses are the main controls for games, right ??

 

[yotsuya]

Why not, when you can? 

I think Shponglefan is simply pointing out that there are a lot of things in this hobby that you "can" do, but it doesn't necessarily mean that you SHOULD do it. Personally, playing Quake or any other FPS without a keyboard and mouse would drive me nuts, so I agree with him.

[picrard]

Maybe in this point you both are right!

If I will need a keyboard and a mouse,
they will be still availabe in the drawer under the control panel 

I've tested it... Quake on such a big TV rocks, also when it's only
a 640x480 resolution... but it kills ... Quake 3, too!!!

[PL1]

- steering wheel, pedals and gear

Driving games require more configuration -- check out the Driving & Racing sub-forum.

There are two kinds of steering wheels  -- 270 degree (potentiometer) and 360 degree (spinner)

There are two kinds of pedals -- analog (potentiometer) and microswitch

Analog pedals can be wired for single-axis or dual-axis, depending on the game.



There are also many kinds of shifters.   


Scott

[thomas_surles]

O.K. ... so

I-Pac, A-Pac, O-Pac and Rotary Joystick Interface

would cover these controls:

- analog stick (yoke, flight stick)
- digital stick
- trackball (USB)
- spinner
- steering wheel, pedals and gear
- lightgun (USB)
- rotary stick
- buttons

RIGHT

Do I have forgotten a control type

but I think that theses are the main controls for games, right ??

 

No you forgot the harley

[keilmillerjr]

I made a mame cabinet. Can you help me add a trackballs, spinners, flight sticks, steering wheels, xwing yoke, LEDs, and wack a moles?

[keilmillerjr]

Still need to add the whack a mole and steering wheel. Do I have the proper encoder? 

[shponglefan]

And so the BYOAC hazing ritual begins... 

[lilshawn]

Still need to add the whack a mole and steering wheel. Do I have the proper encoder? 

i like having the flight stick jamming me in the wrist while i'm using the spinner...is this close enough? the buttons too...i felt like i would be wracking my fingertips over those buttons while i gripped the spinner.

crookid joysticks so the corner of the control panel jamms you in the junk.

abortion/10

it's still no barrel o' control panels though.

[DaveMMR]

...the cabinet will contain Mame, yes, but will also emulate this list of emulators and more:

Code: [Select]

- 3DO (3DOPlay v1.8.2, FreeDO v2.1)*
- Atari 2600 (Stella v3.7.2)
- Atari 5200 (Atari800 v2.2.1)
- Atari 7800 (MESS v0.106-3.2)*
- Atari Jaguar (MESS v0.106-3.2)*
- Atari Lynx (Mednafen v0.9.22-WIP, patched)
- Atari ST/TT/Falcon (hatari v1.6.2, patched)
- Bandai Wonderswan (Mednafen v0.9.22-WIP, patched)
- Bandai Ws Color (Mednafen v0.9.22-WIP, patched)
- Capcom CPS 1 (Neubula v2.25b)*
- Capcom CPS 2 (Nebula v2.25b)*
- Capcom CPS 3 (CPS3 Emulator v1.0a)*
- CBS Coleco Vision (MESS v0.106-3.2)*
- Commodore Amiga (E-UAE v0.8.29-WIP4, patched)
- Commodore C-16 (VICE sdl v2.3.1)
- Commodore C-64 (VICE sdl v2.3.1)
- Commodore VC-20 (VICE sdl v2.3.1)
- DOS (DOSBox v0.74-2)
- Fujitsu FM Towns (Xe v2.16.2)*
- MAME SDL (MAME SDL v0.143u7)*
- MAME SDL bezel (MAME SDL v0.143u7)*
- MAME highscore patch (MAME SDL v0.143u7)*
- MAME XGL (XGL MAME v0.76.1)*
- Mattel Intellivision (jzIntv v1.0 beta3)
- MB/GCE Vectrex (MESS v0.106-3.2)*
- NEC/H. PC Engine (Mednafen v0.9.22-WIP, patched)
- NEC/H. PC Engine CD (Mednafen v0.9.22-WIP, patched)
- NEC/Hudson PC FX (Mednafen v0.9.22-WIP, patched)
- Nintendo DS (DeSmuME v0.9.8 svnr0, patched)
- Nintendo Gameboy (Mednafen v0.9.22-WIP, patched)
- Nintendo G. Advance (Mednafen v0.9.22-WIP, patched)
- Nintendo G. Color (Mednafen v0.9.22-WIP, patched)
- Nintendo Game Cube (Dolphin v3.0-291)
- Nintendo N64 (Mupen64Plus v1.5)
- Nintendo NES (Nestopia v1.40)
- Nintendo SNES (ZSNES v1.51)
- Nintendo Virtual Boy (Mednafen v0.9.22-WIP, patched)
- Nintendo WII (Dolphin v3.0-291)
- RAINE (RAINE v0.51.11)*
- Sammy Atomiswave (DEmul v0.57)*
- ScummVM (ScummVM v1.3.1)
- Sega 32X (Gens v2.15.5.-4-1)
- Sega Dreamcast (DEmul v0.57)*
- Sega Game Gear (Mednafen v0.9.22-WIP, patched)
- Sega Master System (Mednafen v0.9.22-WIP, patched)
- Sega Mega CD (Kega Fusion v3.63*, Gens v2.15.5.-4-1)
- Sega Mega Drive (Gens v2.15.5.-4-1)
- Sega Model 2 (Model 2 emulator v1.0)*
- Sega Model 3 (Supermodel Version 0.3a-WIP)
- Sega Naomi (DEmul v0.57)*
- Sega Naomi 2 (DEmul v0.57)*
- Sega Saturn (Yabause v0.9.11)
- SNK Neo Geo (GnGeo v0.7)*
- SNK Neo Geo CD (NeoRAINE v1.3.0)*
- SNK Neo Geo Pocket (Mednafen v0.9.22-WIP, patched)
- SNK NG Pocket Color (Mednafen v0.9.22-WIP, patched)
- Sony Playstation (PCSX-Reloaded v1.9.92-3)
- Sony Playstation 2 (PCSX2 v0.9.9.0)
- Windows (Wine v0.97 to 1.3.31 or daily builds)[/SIZE]


You know you'll only play like 10% of all of those available games. Quick - name all your favorite FM Towns games. Or all those Colecovision games that aren't just ports of the superior arcade versions. (Seriously, you could count off CV exclusives on your fingers.)

Consider simplicity - make of list of games you know you'll play more than once ("must haves" if you will) and work from there.

EDIT: As for playing Quake, Duke Nukem, etc. on a cab.... try this.  Play those games standing up for an extended period and decide if it's worth working that into a cabinet.

Not trying to come off jerky or anything but "wanting everything" is sometimes a recipe for expensive disasters.

[lilshawn]

Not trying to come off jerky or anything but "wanting everything" is sometimes a recipe for expensive disasters.

agreed. sometimes less is more.

sure more is...well...MORE, but sometimes stepping back and looking at the big picture is seriously worth a go. i'd rather play a few really good arcade games on an awesomely designed panel than have everything and a control panel that has so much that it doesn't play anything really well.

[Vigo]

Well, a perk of going with modular panels is that you don't have to bite everything off at once. Start with one well-designed "base" panel on one encoder. Get the core games you want, and grow from there. Toss in more emulators and panels as needed. Buying 3+ encoders at once and every emulator under the sun is not the route I would personally take.

[yotsuya]

I made a mame cabinet. Can you help me add a trackballs, spinners, flight sticks, steering wheels, xwing yoke, LEDs, and wack a moles?

Bro, you forgot the 42 inch widescreen monitor that seems to be in vogue now... 

[lilshawn]

Bro, you forgot the 42 inch widescreen monitor that seems to be in vogue now... 

I actually mentioned on another thread today that a widescreen TV flipped vertically doesn't actually look that bad.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,139947.msg1451094.html#msg1451094

[yotsuya]

Bro, you forgot the 42 inch widescreen monitor that seems to be in vogue now... 

I actually mentioned on another thread today that a widescreen TV flipped vertically doesn't actually look that bad.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,139947.msg1451094.html#msg1451094

Oh, I wholeheartedly agree with you on using on VERTICALLY. However, that's not really what we're seeing....

[lilshawn]

Oh, I wholeheartedly agree with you on using on VERTICALLY. However, that's not really what we're seeing....

no, no, I get ya. 4:3 look kinda sillyputty stretched out on 16:9. It's really bad sometimes, and others, you hardly notice. depends on the game i guess....and how much you've seen/played it 4:3.