econ - drawing available for laser cutting or printing

[lokesen]

This is a project that I have thought about making for years - Now I am finally doing it.

One of the problems with MAME cabinets, is that they take up so much space. Don't get me wrong, that's also one of the strong points of them, but it not always practical having a family and no spare rooms.

I got the idea to make a dedicated console for retro / mame gaming to plug directly into the TV / Projector / monitor. Just like a PS3 or Xbox 360, but with the full range of retro games and with the perfect controls for it. Yes, you could use your PS3/Xbox360 or HTPC and arcade controls for the same purpurse, but a dedicated cabinet, with customized software is always much much better. At least that is my experience.

This was my requirements for such a device:

Good looks - At least as good looking as the TV or PS3/Xbox360
Silent operation - It has to be more silent than PS3/Xbox360
Fast booting - Has to be ready in under 20 secs
Quality arcade controls - Seimitsu LS-32 and 30 mm push buttons
Build in Wireless controller support - I love the Xbox 360 controllers
Compact - Smaller than a PS3 slim
Sleek Front-end - That will work with both the arcade controls and the game pad.
Maximum spouse accepting factor - Otherwise I would just have a 4 player MAME cab in the living room.
Multiple connections - Got to have HDMI / VGA / DVI and maybe composite too
Powerfull - Has to handle MAME, NES, SNES, GENESIS, N64, PSX, PS2, Dreamcast, GameCube etc.

Here is a little rendering teaser of the console.



I am actually building it right now and it will look just like the rendering. I just got the laser cut acrylics and soon I will start the assembly.

This is actually a very inexpensive project to make. Depending on you hardware demands. This is the hardware I will use:

Asrock E350M1 - Dual Core and onboard DX11 gfx with HDMI
2 GB DDR3-1333
64 GB SSD - Crucial C300 RealSSD SATA6
PicoPSU 80 watt
External 60 watt 12v PSU

Now the actual construction:
Read more here:
http://www.koenigs.dk/mame/eng/stepecon.htm

The acrylic parts:

This is how it looks when you remove all the excess material. Only a small handful of excess material is removed. I always save these to make reinforcements or other things. You just never know if you are going to need it later.

The assembly:


Well - With a new born daughter, it's pretty hard to find the time for assembling the cabinet, so I have to do this in the late hours. This also means that the pictures will be a little fuzzy due to the lack of natural light.

Once more I use my trustworthy kitchen table and wall, knowing this has an exact 90 degree angle.




This is the critical part. You really have to make sure the back panel is turned the right way around, or the whole project is wasted
I guess we found out when mounting the mini-itx motherboard later.






The bottom panel has holes for standard brass motherboard standoffs. I recommend using some glue or epoxy before screwing them in, just to make sure they stay there.
You can also see the clever system for hiding the screw heads and mounting the 2.5" hard disk with hidden screw heads. Under each hole there is a bigger hole with room for the screw heads.












Installing  the push buttons, the joystick and encoders. I'm testing an E-limitator from ArcadeShop.de to see if it actually works. The E-limitator is an electronic device that predicts the right directions when playing 4-way games like Pac-man or Donkey Kong. You have to shift between 8, 4 or 2-way with a button.
The econ is a very flat cabinet with low installation depth, so I couldn't use an UltraStik 360, this is why I am trying the E-limitator instead.

I am yet to find out if the E-limitator works, but I can safely say that the UltraStik 360 is much easier to installs and feels better that your good old micro-switch stick.


I finally received the walnut veneer and here I'm preparing the surface for applying it with epoxy.


The veneer is covered in epoxy and I use as much weight as possible to get a smooth surface.


After cutting the excess veneer off and sanding the edges and the surface, it looks like this. Can't wait to apply the varnish.


The varnish makes all the difference in the world Huuuuuuuge difference.....


Looking good I think.

Finished cabinet:








Read more here:
http://www.koenigs.dk/mame/eng/stepecon.htm

Drawings and artwork available for download:
http://www.koenigs.dk/mame/eng/drawecon.htm

[vast]

that looks sweet!  you sure do like the acrylic as a material lokesen...

[drventure]

Nice. So is the idea that that console is "all in one" or is that just the controller which connects wirelessly to another box that's the actual computer etc?

[lokesen]

Nice. So is the idea that that console is "all in one" or is that just the controller which connects wirelessly to another box that's the actual computer etc?

This is a all in one console, you just need to plug it in to a TV, Projector or monitor to get going.

The size is almost identical to a PS3...

[drventure]

Ah. I see now, "Wireless controller +support+". Duh. Hadn't had my coffee yet.

[emphatic]

That looks good. Now build it! 

[VanillaGorilla]

You would have to use solid state storage. I dont think a regular hard drive could stand the abuse of being Shmup'ed on a regular basis, with the controller being directly integrated into the housing itself.

+1 on the wood grain idea.

I thought of doing something like this myself, albeit with wired controllers ALA atari 2600. 2 simple hand-held, 2-button housings with a seimitsu or sanwa stick....hmmm might have to re-light that fire.

[Donkbaca]

So the controller is attached to the console?  I would advise against that, as most people nowadays have huge tv's and like to sit a bit further back so they would have to run a long cable to their tv.  I think a small box that you hook up to the TV with the controls all wireless, with hacked wireless 360 pads for the joystick controllers would be better.

[lokesen]

So the controller is attached to the console?  I would advise against that, as most people nowadays have huge tv's and like to sit a bit further back so they would have to run a long cable to their tv.  I think a small box that you hook up to the TV with the controls all wireless, with hacked wireless 360 pads for the joystick controllers would be better.

Why hack anything???

There are already two Xbox 360 controllers hooked up wireless with the with the econ. The arcade controls is an alternative and also to make it look cool. Heard about HDMI cables? They actually come in different lengths.   External arcade controls would be the same size as the console itself and then the whole point is gone.

What you are describing is just a standard HTPC. One would assume I already thought about that and found it boring and totally uninspiring. But thanks for the advice anyway 

[lokesen]

You would have to use solid state storage. I dont think a regular hard drive could stand the abuse of being Shmup'ed on a regular basis, with the controller being directly integrated into the housing itself.

+1 on the wood grain idea.

I thought of doing something like this myself, albeit with wired controllers ALA atari 2600. 2 simple hand-held, 2-button housings with a seimitsu or sanwa stick....hmmm might have to re-light that fire.

Same problem as with any bartop cabinet actually... But that's not the reason I use SSD's. I use them because they are 100% silent and they make your OS boot up faster. I would never dream of using HDD in an arcade cabinet again. That said, I don't think there is any problem with using a normal HDD in this cabinet, it's not much different than using one in a nettop.

[Donkbaca]

Hey, don't be so defensive!  Just saying  

so basically its a HTPC with a joystick stuck on the front of it?

[Termin8tor]

That looks good. Now build it! 

+1

[markronz]

Looks awesome!   I want one!  Now if you could just rig it up so that it would turn on when you turn on the Xbox 360 controller (like how the 360 itself current works) that'd be sweet!  You wouldn't have to walk up to it to turn it on! (Yes, I'm that lazy at times)

Just a question though, with your 64GB SSD, you mention that it must be able to play MAME, NES, SNES, GENESIS, N64, PSX, PS2, Dreamcast, GameCube.   With all those different emulators, and windows and whatever else, how do you fit it all onto 64GB?   Do you use an external hard drive or something?     I guess that's the biggest problem with SSD's for me, is that I'm the kind of person that likes to have everything.  So with my current set up, just with MAME, NES. SNES, Genesis and Atari 2600 my size is about 80GB.   So would you just have a game or two from each of those systems or something?  Even still, you'd think 64GB would fill up quick.

[Nephasth]

Great idea, but I would have to see the front end in action before considering this...

[lokesen]

Hey, don't be so defensive!  Just saying  

so basically its a HTPC with a joystick stuck on the front of it?

Sorry, had a bad day.

Yes, just like any MAME cabinet in the whole world is just a big HTPC with joystick and screen stuck on the front of it...

I made a MAME cabinet for the TV/Projector/monitor, if you don't see the point in this, make yourself a regular MAME cabinet. I'm not forcing you to like the idea, OK?

[lokesen]

Looks awesome!   I want one!  Now if you could just rig it up so that it would turn on when you turn on the Xbox 360 controller (like how the 360 itself current works) that'd be sweet!  You wouldn't have to walk up to it to turn it on! (Yes, I'm that lazy at times)

Just a question though, with your 64GB SSD, you mention that it must be able to play MAME, NES, SNES, GENESIS, N64, PSX, PS2, Dreamcast, GameCube.   With all those different emulators, and windows and whatever else, how do you fit it all onto 64GB?   Do you use an external hard drive or something?     I guess that's the biggest problem with SSD's for me, is that I'm the kind of person that likes to have everything.  So with my current set up, just with MAME, NES. SNES, Genesis and Atari 2600 my size is about 80GB.   So would you just have a game or two from each of those systems or something?  Even still, you'd think 64GB would fill up quick.

One could easily use 25 terabyte for games for multiple consoles. I tend to have a collection of my favorite games for each emulator, except for MAME, I usually have about 10-40 games for each platform. There is no problem in installing a bigger SSD or a bigger HDD. The cabinet accepts a standard 2.5" drive.

I could easily use 128/256 GB too, but unfortunately money is always an issue for me  

The motherboard can "wake on usb" and should be able to turn on when the x360 controller is activated, or atleast when a push button is touched.

[Donkbaca]

OUch!

I think this is cool, for the record.  So only one player is going to have a joystick, and the rest will be wireless xbox pads?  (love the xbox pads idea)

[lokesen]

OUch!

I think this is cool, for the record.  So only one player is going to have a joystick, and the rest will be wireless xbox pads?  (love the xbox pads idea)

Already thinking about making a two player version too. The Xbox 360 controller receiver supports up to four controllers, the rest have to use the 8 USB ports on the back or they could use PS3 wireless Bluetooth controllers.

I know this console is not for everybody, but I always wanted something like this, and I know a few of your guys also would like one. This shouldn't be compared to a regular MAME cabinet or a PS3/X360 though    We all know a MAME cabinet is terrible at emulating console games. And consoles is terrible at emulating MAME games. This is just in the middle, good for both, but not as perfect for MAME as the dedicated MAME cabinet.

[VanillaGorilla]

Wow. Touchy.   Dont post if you cant handle feedback.

Oh, I see, you're the essence of perfection and all of your ideas are flawless. ---meecrob---.

BTW - I think the controllers look poor on the unit, not cool. What successful console EVER had the controls FIXED to the main unit? Sorry, I've liked some of your past projects, I just dont care for this one.


I'll be waiting patiently for your defensive, attacking reply.

[opt2not]

Wow. Touchy.   Dont post if you cant handle feedback.

Oh, I see, you're the essence of perfection and all of your ideas are flawless. ---meecrob---.

BTW - I think the controllers look poor on the unit, not cool. What successful console EVER had the controls FIXED to the main unit? Sorry, I've liked some of your past projects, I just dont care for this one.


I'll be waiting patiently for your defensive, attacking reply.

 
Don't listen to these dolts, lokesen; they've clearly been sniffin' too much MDF particles.

I think your idea is a good and practical one. 
A friend of mine wants me to build him a cabinet sometime in the near future, and asked for a method of detaching the CP and having the computer components within it so that he can transfer it to the living room and play on his projector or large screen LCD. I can see how something like this can give me ideas on how to incorporate that portable essence.

One of the things I've been worried about, but haven't looked into yet, is the switching of display resolutions. I'm going to assume that running a projector these days will be have an output in HD resolutions, higher than what a regular arcade monitor would output.  With going back and forth between different displays, are you worried about how the computer will react and display with switching resolutions? I assume that one could just connect a mouse and keyboard via USB and switch the resolutions manually, but that'd be pretty cumbersome.

[Donkbaca]

So its a one player bartop without a screen?

[lokesen]

So its a one player bartop without a screen?

That's it

A screen wouldn't make much sense when connected to a HDTV, monitor or projector.

[lokesen]

Wow. Touchy.   Dont post if you cant handle feedback.

Oh, I see, you're the essence of perfection and all of your ideas are flawless. ---meecrob---.

BTW - I think the controllers look poor on the unit, not cool. What successful console EVER had the controls FIXED to the main unit? Sorry, I've liked some of your past projects, I just dont care for this one.


I'll be waiting patiently for your defensive, attacking reply.

 
Don't listen to these dolts, lokesen; they've clearly been sniffin' too much MDF particles.

I think your idea is a good and practical one. 
A friend of mine wants me to build him a cabinet sometime in the near future, and asked for a method of detaching the CP and having the computer components within it so that he can transfer it to the living room and play on his projector or large screen LCD. I can see how something like this can give me ideas on how to incorporate that portable essence.

One of the things I've been worried about, but haven't looked into yet, is the switching of display resolutions. I'm going to assume that running a projector these days will be have an output in HD resolutions, higher than what a regular arcade monitor would output.  With going back and forth between different displays, are you worried about how the computer will react and display with switching resolutions? I assume that one could just connect a mouse and keyboard via USB and switch the resolutions manually, but that'd be pretty cumbersome.

No problem, Windows 7 adapts to the resolution your TV/monitor/Projector can handle, so no worries.

I didn't think this "console" would make that much fuss, come on, it's just a mame cabinet with no screen. It's just made to use at my big screen tv, and to take with me when visiting family and friends. It's the size of a A4 sheet and only weights about 5-6 pounds. How can that be a bad idea 

[Donkbaca]

Hey buddy you mind if I come over and plug my 15 foot HDMI cable into your tv so that I can play some street fighter all by myself?

[lokesen]

Wow. Touchy.   Dont post if you cant handle feedback.

Oh, I see, you're the essence of perfection and all of your ideas are flawless. ---meecrob---.

BTW - I think the controllers look poor on the unit, not cool. What successful console EVER had the controls FIXED to the main unit? Sorry, I've liked some of your past projects, I just dont care for this one.


I'll be waiting patiently for your defensive, attacking reply.

Feedback would be comments on improving the design in some way, that's not really what you're doing, is it?

"What successful console EVER had the controls FIXED to the main unit?" - Game Boy?

Do you really think I am trying to make a successful console? I am making a console for myself, for using at home. What do I care about success? If everybody was thinking like you, nothing would ever change or be different from yesterday.

[lokesen]

Hey buddy you mind if I come over and plug my 15 foot HDMI cable into your tv so that I can play some street fighter all by myself?

It isn't finished yet, but your welcome to come and play Street Fighter on my 1-player Nanocade.

Sounds like the whole 1-player thing is very new to you...

[Donkbaca]

I did give you comments to improve the design, have the box and the controls separate, and you got all defensive.

I do know that they make longer HDMI cables, by the way, but why would you want a 15 foot HDMI cable lying across your living room when you can have a small discreet box hooked up to the tv and have the control be wireless?  You know what I would do?  Keep your design it looks cool and very atari-ish BUT, hack a wireless 360 pad for your controls and make the front part of it detachable, that way when you aren't playing you can connect it back up and have it look like your prototype, but when you play it, all you have is a little control panel.  You could make it super small and thin and sleek and you wouldn't have wires all over your living room.  It would also be nice to have a second player joystick so that two people can enjoy arcade controls.  

As its designed right now, its basically just a Jakks multi game on steroids.

But hey, its your deal.  You make it how you like it.

[opt2not]

No problem, Windows 7 adapts to the resolution your TV/monitor/Projector can handle, so no worries.

Ah, cool!  Unfortunately I'm still livin' in the past, and using XP. I really should upgrade at some point...

I didn't think this "console" would make that much fuss, come on, it's just a mame cabinet with no screen. It's just made to use at my big screen tv, and to take with me when visiting family and friends. It's the size of a A4 sheet and only weights about 5-6 pounds. How can that be a bad idea 

Haters gotta hate! Just stop feeding the trolls, and lets see some of this sweet progress!

[wonderalex]

I think it's a great idea too and I'd love to see how it turns out.  

I toyed with a similar idea for portable gaming, I was getting tired of lugging the bartop around from place to place - but I've opted to make my own version of Bender's Benderama (why do I pick the hard ones?) - and was even tempted by your Nanocade (technically, still am)- as my portable option.

More power to you.

Be seeing you,

WonderAlex

[VanillaGorilla]

You would have to use solid state storage. I dont think a regular hard drive could stand the abuse of being Shmup'ed on a regular basis, with the controller being directly integrated into the housing itself.

+1 on the wood grain idea.

I thought of doing something like this myself, albeit with wired controllers ALA atari 2600. 2 simple hand-held, 2-button housings with a seimitsu or sanwa stick....hmmm might have to re-light that fire.

This was constructive feedback, I even complimented you, but you conveniently ignore this in order to force your hurt feelings on everyone. You decided to have a panic attack. Grow up.

[lokesen]

Updated with pictures now

[emphatic]

Looking good so far.  While the black acrylic is very nice, I think your projects could look much better with artwork.

[lokesen]

Looking good so far.   While the black acrylic is very nice, I think your projects could look much better with artwork.

I agree and I do love artwork too and I would love to make some for this project too, but no traditional artwork for this particular unit though.

This one is going to have some vinyl on the sides looking like dark wood.

But no traditional arcade artwork of any kind. It's made to fit my minimalistic living room, and my 50" LG plasma and my PS3, so it has to fit in.

I would like to have some chrome details though, small arrows around the joystick etc. but thats pretty much impossible for me to make. :/

I'd definitely going to think it over

[lokesen]

I'm already thinking about it - maybe something on the top panel with green and blue lines and with the econ logo on it. Something Taito-ish.

[emphatic]

I'm already thinking about it - maybe something on the top panel with green and blue lines and with the econ logo on it. Something Taito-ish.

I have planted seeds in your brain and soon I'll be controlling your every move. 

[Donkbaca]

More like,

"if you want to comment on how freaking cool I am, please post, otherwise don't"

There isn't much to the design, its just a box.  The materials make look interesting because its shiny, other than that, its a big Jaks multigame.

[Bender]

I've been thinking of this same sort of thing, but unless it can be battery powered and have a wireless HDMI adapter seems like too may cords to be convenient

pretty though!

[lokesen]

I'm already thinking about it - maybe something on the top panel with green and blue lines and with the econ logo on it. Something Taito-ish.

I have planted seeds in your brain and soon I'll be controlling your every move. 

You have planted a seed alright. Photoshop already in use...

[Donkbaca]

How hot does it get sitting in your lap?

[lokesen]

I've been thinking of this same sort of thing, but unless it can be battery powered and have a wireless HDMI adapter seems like too may cords to be convenient

pretty though!

You're right and I agree, that would be much more convenient. The cabinet accepts any mini-itx board, so when wireless HDMI comes (and that very soon) I will upgrade the board. Until then, I have the wireless Xbox 360 controllers too.