First MAME project!

[Mikezilla]

Hey guys! I bought a Marvel v Capcom cab off some dude for 100 bucks and I wanted to make a MAME cabinet out of it. The cab needs some work (ill post pics later) but what Im concerned about is the actual guts of the computer. I have saints book, but some of the answers to my questions arent in there. Now Im a total noob when it comes to this stuff, so bear with me...  I have a garage and space to work on things, but I have NO tools considering I just bought my first house having lived in apartments most of my life, so, keep that in mind haha! I have most of the cabinet intact, the control panel is messed up, I found a replacement on ebay, just waiting for it to be shipped. My main concern is connecting the computer parts to the existing wiring etc.. Here are my questions:

1. Do I need a JPAC and an IPAC? Do they both plug into the PC via a PCI slot?

2. If I plan on using a TV for my monitor (the existing monitor has some issues) can I just plug the TV into the video card that is in the computer (it has a S Video input) or do I need to buy a VGA card?

Im sure I will have more questions when they arise. I just want to thank everyone for the advice in advance, already found so much info on here. Thanks!

[ccmathome]

The Ipac plugs in by usb older ones plug into the keyboard ps2. As for using a tv if your onboard video or video card has svideo it will work. Can't help with the jpac

[Flip The Switch]

You just need an

Ipac
Computer with a video card with S video out
a Tv with S Video support

thats it..

youve got the hard part which is the Cab

[Mikezilla]

Thanks for the input guys. My GF has been taking up most of my time so I havent had too much time to work on it. So Flip, do I not need the J pac at all then? Its a jamma cabinet, do I just hook the IPAC up to the usb in the computer, then wire the actual buttons to the IPAC?  Haha yeah, the cab is the hard part for sure. So looks like the CP I was gonna get is the wrong size, so there goes that. I guess Ill have to make a custom one. I dont really have the wordworking tools/skill so I guess Ill have to figure something out. I appreciate the info!

[ccmathome]

yep you just wire the buttons to the ipac very easy

[Mikezilla]

Cool thats it? Just daisy chain them with the ground wires? Cause I plan on yanking the monitor out, putting a TV in, connecting the two via a S video cable (to the PC) then wire the buttons to the ipac and thats it? Just forget about the JPAC then since Im not using the arcade monitor? Sounds too easy...

[ccmathome]

It really is that easy