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OK, im gonna build a cabinet.... here's how
themarkjohn:
So like the title says im gonna build a cabinet. I've always wanted an arcade machine and now that i have a house with a spare room for a computer room and a place for a cabinet my dream is gonna become a reality. A few weeks back i was thinkin about what arcade game i wanted to buy and i was settled on Area 51. After looking into it further i discoveered this thing called MAME and decided why the hell would i buy a machine that runs one game when ui can build a machine that runs thousands of games for the same price.
I will be using the Ultimate Arcade II design from North Coast Custom. I also want to build the 4 player control panel from there. I got the plans lined up, i got a carpenter lined up because i am not exactly a useless wood worker but i am not competant enough to make something that Is supposed to look good.
If i am stating the obvious here please bear with me. I hope to use an LCD screen as i am not intested in a super authentic arcade feel that comes with the real monitor and for ease of hookup to the pc. I plan to use a computer from craigslist or a cheapo from futureshop or something to run the emulator and frontend. Supplemented by a usb hub to incorporate 2 light guns, and
keeping in mind that i would like to basically build this http://www.mameroom.com/ProductDetail.asp?ID=QUADCONTROLLER. I am thinking i will need two of these http://www.happcontrols.com/joysticks/950800xx.htm to be able to control all the buttons and the joysticks and track balls.So i should need two usb ports for that any how. This seems like the easiest way to interface the conrol panel and the pc. If there is a better way and cheaper way let me know please.
I am hoping that wiring the control panel will be fairly straightforward. I read that cat5 can be used for this and i have access to tons of that stuff and it looks neat and clean so i hope to use that. Now setting up mame and the front end shouldn't be that hard. I have reservations about building the control panel myself but cant justify $700 dollars and another $250 s/h to get it, and i think it will be fun to build that part of the machine. I like wiring stuff so i'll give it a try.
Now that i have laid out a general plan, i throw myself at the feet of the community to be praised, encouraged, ridiculed, heckled, but moslty and hopefully given advice from people that have come before me. My coworkers laughed, my girlfriend laughed, but i'm gonna do this anyhow. So let me know what you think guys. lookin forward to hearing from you all.
javeryh:
Welcome! Before jumping right in (and spending lots of money) I encourage you to read through the Project Announcement forum so you can get a good idea of what people are doing. Some thoughts:
1. If you are going with an LCD display I would NOT use the Ultimate Arcade II as your cabinet - it is huge and you would have a ton of wasted space. Also, there are arcade monitors that plug directly into the computer (if that is the only reason you don't want an arcade monitor).
2. I would think long and hard about whether you need a 4P setup. IMO there are less than 10 games that are actually fun with 4 people and to me it does not justify the added space and expense. Also, I rarely have 4 people over anyway who would be up for a 4P game.
3. Don't waste you money on that harness - I've never used it but an iPac or KeyWiz is MUCH cheaper.
Good luck!
dmarcum99:
javeryh gave some sound avdice....
Welcome to the club!!
You mentioned you want to use light guns and a LCD screen. My advice is to make sure you buy the right setup. Some guns are made for CRT's and won't work on LCD's....I don't have any guns on my cab, but wanted to make sure you don't get into a uneducated purchase.....
**edit**
Oh....and you don't have to bury a lot of money into the project. My example...
Gutted Maximum Hangtime cab (craigslist) $60
27" CRT w/VGA inputs (craigslist) $60
PC parts on hand $150 (ebay value)
j-pac encoder $70
trackball & LED kit $56
MDF for new CP top $10
New joysticks & buttons (2-player CP) $55
Artwork $175
I have less than $700 invested in my cab....and it would stand up to most of the retail market multicades that cost over twice as much
Good luck!! :applaud:
DillonFoulds:
To Expand on what dmarcum99 said, there are NO guns designed for LCDs.
There are addon IR units, such as an aim-trak that are basically just a nintendo wii remote, gutted. They will co-ordinate X and Y axis, but that's it.
The only other options are all software or a hardware/software combination, and even then are fickle on LCDs.
Also, seconded on javery's point about the cost of your input converter. The ipacs and keywizes are both excellent devices for their costs. Why buy a gold plated nail if you're just hammering it into wood and painting over it?
Although, i'm not sure i can vouch for the anti-4p control panel. I'd avoid a franken-panel, but i comfortably fit 4 people on my panel without it being too franken-like, and we get a LOT of use out of it. That is of course, if you've got 4 people that are into arcade stuff.
HanoiBoi:
--- Quote from: themarkjohn on April 20, 2010, 12:48:48 am ---...A few weeks back i was thinkin about what arcade game i wanted to buy and i was settled on Area 51. After looking into it further i discoveered this thing called MAME....
--- End quote ---
A few weeks back?
themarkjohn, I mean no disrespect to you, but I'd say you're a little to new to the idea to have a well thought out plan. Don't rush things and plan everything out. Spend lots of time on this forum. You'll see that lots of information is here, but it is quite scattered.
Figure out your wants, needs and absolutes. Then work from there.
You say you want a cheapo PC, but you've got a contractor lined up for the build? Can you tell us how much is that gonna cost you? If you do decide to stay that route, that contractor could/should be able to also build your CP without issue. The thing is, you've got to do your homework to provide him the correct plans/measurements. That's the hard part.
+1 to javeryh regarding the 4p setup. I don't have one, never did, but I know that I wouldn't have 4 people that want to play together. I have people over all the time but to them, I think the machine is more a novelty. On the other hand, if it's for kids, there's a good chance you could scrounge up 4 of them to play the hell out of TMNT, Simpsons, TROG and others (Sadly, I can't even give more examples because I never got into those 4P games).
Have you considered picking up a cabinet locally? You can often find stuff on ebay or craigslist. No woodworking skills needed! And, it would be a good start.
Also, you weren't exactly clear, but did you actually install and work with MAME on a PC? If not, hat's another great starting point.
Good luck and welcome!
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