xmRcade First build : The xbRcade

[xmod]

From the xmRcade room, here is my first amateur build, WIP.

The xbRcade

I am an amateur when it come to arcade cabinets, but been a modder for close to 10 years now.
This is the first attempt at a cabinet, decided to use what I was familiar with, an Xbox.
This is just to get used to this new world of arcades, trial and error that will make sure my next build, a real mame cab is perfect.

Learn woodworking, switches, terminology and available products and software.

Total time spent : 12.5 hours.
Money spent : 150.00$
The look and details of the unit will be finalized once all is functional.

1 Arcade Cabinet
1 Xbox
Smartxx v2 chip
160GB HDD
Component Wires
Samsung 20" Flat tube
2x Controller boards (rerouted to control panel, no need for special connectors...)


Pics up to now:




























Video:




Any comments or suggestions more than welcome.

Thank you

xmod

[Silas (son of Silas)]

Nice  

What MAME variant are you using? I have used MAME/SDLMAME on just about every platform (Windows/Linux/Mac/Xbox) but never got to a point where I felt happy with MAME on XBOX. The closest I got was Coinops Ignite standalone, but that was such a PITA to get games running on.

I did spend about 15 minutes on forums to iron out the wrinkles but found they were full of pubescent idiots who felt the need to enter into endless pointless arguments with other idiots about how Xbox 'pwned' PS3 and how they had just "creamed some guys butt in Halo3 on LIVE". At that point I figured I didn't want to hang around a place where guys cream each others butts whilst dressed up like soldiers and gave up 

[syph007]

Ive got a MAME version on my xbox as well, but it pretty far from current.  I went with the pc version instead for ease of updating and rom compatibility.  I can see the the xbox method as a pretty cheap one though since you can pick up xbox's now for $20 probably.

[xmod]

Ive got a MAME version on my xbox as well, but it pretty far from current.  I went with the pc version instead for ease of updating and rom compatibility.  I can see the the xbox method as a pretty cheap one though since you can pick up xbox's now for $20 probably.

It is the cheapest way to get a cabinet going, limited tho, but still fun. I had inserted xbox's in many things, so this was pretty easy to setup as well.
Its a learning process to allow me to build a nice "real" one, made a few mistakes on this one that wont happen on the next build, which was my main goal behind this concept. Checking prices of actual parts for the next one, it is going to be quite a difference in price, but a lot more interesting.

What MAME variant are you using?

The Mame is still being tweaked, very picky on xbox like you mentioned. That why I prefer FBAxx, I am using Final Burn Legends 1.3


Things to finalize on this build among others are:
Controller port x2 on the front so a Light gun can be plugged in on the fly.
Reroute sound to Cabinet speakers.
Reroute Smartxx LCD unit to the control panel.
Reroute all power options to one switch on top of the cab.


thank you for all comments.

xmod

[dynasty_trs]

You inspired me to go in the direction of a PSX controller which can go to PC via USB, PS2 or PS3.

Can the CP w/ the xbox board wiring also connect to the xbox 360?

 

[xmod]

You inspired me to go in the direction of a PSX controller which can go to PC via USB, PS2 or PS3.

Can the CP w/ the xbox board wiring also connect to the xbox 360?

 

PSX to USB, ehm... got me thinking, could save money on adapters.

Unfortunately it can not connect to 360 due to different connections, USB for 360. But would be just as easy to connect a 360 controller board.
I did not choose the 360 even tho I have 3 of em, jtagged and emulator ready, because of the reliability of the system. 54.2% returns on the consoles, these guys have issues! build the whole thing just to get a red lighted system every 6 months, no thank you.


UPDATE:

Close to completion, I have added ports on each sides of the cabinet to connect light guns for all these cool shooting games.

Revamped menu using unleashX giving the whole thing a new look and feel.

Repositioned CP buttons to have a better setup.

New Plexiglas on the control panel.

Light paint job on the trims to test color scheme.

Pics:
















Vid:



Left to do :
Reroute Smartxx LCD screen to control panel.
Full paint job on complete cabinet.
Finalize and adjust menus and features.

One word to describe this project... addictive.