Heh, we're definitely on the same wavelength, phines. There's a particular HDTV I'm planning on using for this. Just got to make sure my dad's not using it when I want to play.
Electronics and controls
Given the nature of the project, I can afford to forgo a lot of things, CD rom, marquee lighting, etc. This means lower power consumption, and more space. In the attatched pic, there's the power supply I'll be using, the HDDs, cooling fan, mobo for mock up (I was going to use it, but it's dead. Hope the processor and ram are okay, I might still use those). And yes, those are PC Joypads and trackpad you see. I am going to commit mortal sin number uh.... ten - Hardware hacks. Yes, the I-pac is relatively inexpensive, but the original idea was USB stick and I know they work. I got the pads before the scope and design expanded, and I'm going to use them. The trackpad is a different matter altogether. I needed a pointing device for when I'm not in the emulator. I had considered a trackball, but I decided that I probably wouldn't be playing any trackball games anyway, so I went with the trackpad. There will be a fragment of keyboard in there to keep the mobo happy, and for admin/quit buttons.
As far as the actual touchable hardware, I'll be using Happ Super Sticks and either the Happ competition buttons or X-Arcade buttons. It really depends on what colours I choose for the CP. I know a lot of people here rag on the X-Arcade buttons for various reasons, but the one that I keep seeing is that they're louder than the Happ ones. I think I can live with that. Trackpad, along with what I said earlier, I decided I liked the profile of the trackpad. No protrusions out of the plexi. I was kinda hoping I could just 'tap' on it to click, like on laptops, but nope. two more buttons on the face.