WIP dual screen cabinet (MAME+MESS+Daphne+VPin+PC)

[iceman87]

Hello, I am just at the beginning stages of my all-in-one arcade cabinet and thought I would share.   It is a dual screen setup so I can include virtual pinball emulators (Future Pinball and Visual Pinball) and to keep games in their native aspect ratio (vertical or horizontal). As well, the cab will host MAME, MESS and proprietary emulators for laser disc games like Dragon's Lair and Space Ace etc.  I am planning on having a 3 joystick setup (6-8 buttons per stick) as well as a trackball, spinner and authentic pinball plunger (plus USB ports for external controllers). It is also going to serve as my day-to-day PC.



 

[GibsonRiddler]

This one has me intrigued. Have to follow this to see how it turns out. 

[mebronx2000]

  i wanted to do something like this !!! i plan on using a mk2 cab something like midway did with circus pinball !! this looks like a great build cant wait to see more 

[SammyWI]

Interesting dual screen set up.  Nice use of a full depth cabinet in an LCD world. 

[Raven..]

My God, that is absolutely brilliant!!! I have never seen that kind of set up before, but I think I must now steal your idea.

[drventure]

Nice use of a tube ( at least it kind of looks like a tube monitor, from the base on the left hand side) and flat panel. I like it!

and I love the whole horizontal/vertical games in proper ratio, plus being able to play VPin games with a playfield and backglass.

Slick!

[iceman87]

I am also going to try and customize my trackball.   I thought replacing the stock roller ball with a pool table ball (probably the 8-ball) would be really cool as they are the exact same diameter (2 1/4").

[drventure]

I hunted for a replacement alternative for a HAPP 3" trackball, and never had any luck. I really wanted to find a Globe, preferably partially transluscent. But I was looking at crystal balls, billiard balls, you name it. Never had any luck.

BUt I'm looking forward to what you turn up!

EDIT: Ah, 2.25. Mine's a 3" so billard balls won't fit. Can't imagine why they wouldn't in the smaller trackball like that though. I'd wonder about the "grippiness" of a billiard ball on the steel rollers though. Might have to just try it to see.

The other prob with a billiard ball is you can't illuminate it, and that can look very nice on a CP.

[iceman87]

Nice use of a tube ( at least it kind of looks like a tube monitor, from the base on the left hand side) and flat panel. I like it!

and I love the whole horizontal/vertical games in proper ratio, plus being able to play VPin games with a playfield and backglass.

Slick!

Thanks... yes its a tube, a 21" Sony Trinitron to be exact, some o'l school flavor
Actually the tube works best for VPin games (on the playfield screen) as there is zero lag (ie. no ghosting) of the ball which some LCDs render. (Wanting to include Vpins for this cabinet is why I didn't go with 2 LCD flat panels. The backglass is fine with an LCD as the screen is fairly static for the most part)
      

[iceman87]

I hunted for a replacement alternative for a HAPP 3" trackball, and never had any luck. I really wanted to find a Globe, preferably partially transluscent. But I was looking at crystal balls, billiard balls, you name it. Never had any luck.

BUt I'm looking forward to what you turn up!

EDIT: Ah, 2.25. Mine's a 3" so billard balls won't fit. Can't imagine why they wouldn't in the smaller trackball like that though. I'd wonder about the "grippiness" of a billiard ball on the steel rollers though. Might have to just try it to see.

The other prob with a billiard ball is you can't illuminate it, and that can look very nice on a CP.

I have seen some 3" (approx. 76mm) range diameter crystal balls on eBay that maybe ideal for illuminating....

http://cgi.ebay.com/NATURAL-CLEAR-QUARTZ-CRYSTAL-SPHERE-BALL-Healing-75mm-/120744818755?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c1cf3b843

http://cgi.ebay.com/Wonderful-Blue-Crystal-Quartz-Sphere-Ball-75mm-/230642559097?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b35e2879
 

[IG-88]

I got a couple of those "natural material" type balls that I picked up in Rapid City a few years back at a rock shop (on the cheap). One was granite and the other marble IIRC. Thing is, I'm not sure if they perfectly round. Definitely solid tho. I need to get them in a roller housing and try them out.

Fantastic idea with the dual monitors.    I've been on these forums 8+ yrs and have never seen that before.

[jimmy2x2x]

Simply Brilliant

Really like the idea, and fully expect the idea to become quite popular!

Well done 

[drventure]

I tried a few of those natural crystal balls. The problem was they were always advertised as a specific size, but were never actually that exact size, and it the ball isn't exactly the same size as the original trackball, it just doesn't work. I got one that was too small, it wobbles and rattles, and even slightly too large, and it won't fit right.

Sucks too, because those would look perfect for what I was wanting.

[pinballwizard79]

Wow thats clever 

I like the points you made about having the ability to play vertical or horizontal on their own monitors too, not that the pinball part isnt awesome.

Dayumn dude you can totally work some magic on Playchoice10 games.

Word

[syph007]

Oh I like this idea alot!  The only dual screen cab I remember from before was the varsity club, but I can't remember if the top screen was for gaming too, or just marquee info.   

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=50889.msg587642#msg587642

[Coolin]

I actually spent hours designing a scratch build 2 monitor cab for this very same setup as I love my pins (currently own 4 full size) but no matter how I went about it I just couldn't get it to look retro enough for my tastes however I like the way you have used an original cab so will follow your progress. best of luck with the build Col

[iceman87]

I am also going to try and customize my trackball.   I thought replacing the stock roller ball with a pool table ball (probably the 8-ball) would be really cool as they are the exact same diameter (2 1/4").

small update... this is how I plan to implement a trackball, essentially a hacked Kensington TurboRing, and substituting the generic roller ball with a real pool ball.  Works really well
Currently working on a mounting solution.

[iceman87]

Here is some images of my custom analog pinball plunger which takes advantage of the mouse wheel.  As well, right above it, I have drilled a spot for a switched/digital plunger button which also serves as my 'Enter' key.

[DrumAnBass]

Love it so far! Very cool concept with the dual monitors...!

I hacked an old school Kensington TurboMouse and it works well. Used a translucent "sparkle" cue ball in it.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=68929.msg703000#msg703000

Mounting that TurboRing might be trouble; I hope you figure out a way to make it work.

Looking forward to seeing your progression!

[markronz]

This is a great concept!   Is there a command line function for MAME that you could tell it which screen to show the game on, based on whether its a vertical game or not?   

Also are there any arcade front ends that support dual screens at all, besides the pinball end of things?   I would love to be able to show the menu and videos and such on the top screen, and then additional information on the bottom screen.  But I'm not sure that any front ends can currently do that, can they?

[iceman87]

Love it so far! Very cool concept with the dual monitors...!

I hacked an old school Kensington TurboMouse and it works well. Used a translucent "sparkle" cue ball in it.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=68929.msg703000#msg703000

Mounting that TurboRing might be trouble; I hope you figure out a way to make it work.

Looking forward to seeing your progression!

Thanks!
I actually ended up dropping the TurboRing idea (for possible durability issues) and went with a 2 1/4" Happ trackball with usb conversion kit.   The combo was a little pricey, but in the end I felt this was the way to go for my cab.   Cool thing is, I was still able to swap out the stock white ball with a 9-ball

[iceman87]

This is a great concept!   Is there a command line function for MAME that you could tell it which screen to show the game on, based on whether its a vertical game or not?  

Also are there any arcade front ends that support dual screens at all, besides the pinball end of things?   I would love to be able to show the menu and videos and such on the top screen, and then additional information on the bottom screen.  But I'm not sure that any front ends can currently do that, can they?

Thanks!
I am currently using Mame 32+ (makes dual monitor configuration easy) but as far as a true dedicated front end I am not sure what is the best solution at this point.   I may actually end up creating my own Flash based solution so I can unify all emulators (MAME, FP+VP, Daphne etc.) under one roof.   I am going to get the cabinet completed first and address the front end unification/configuration stuff last.

BTW, here is a YouTube video of my custom analog pinball plunger in action:

[iceman87]

A small update.... making progress on the base of the control panel.  Paint and clear coat done, buttons installed.

before/after:

[Martijn]

What paint can do these days 

[iceman87]

Here is a YouTube video demonstrating the use of two car starter solenoids within my control panel to implement force feedback flippers in virtual pinball simulators like Future Pinball and Visual Pinball.

[updating video, stay tuned]

[drventure]

Nice job with the car solenoids. Likely tons cheaper than actual pinball flipper solenoids.

But how are you connecting the buttons to your keyboard controller (Ipac or whatever)?

[iceman87]

Nice job with the car solenoids. Likely tons cheaper than actual pinball flipper solenoids.

But how are you connecting the buttons to your keyboard controller (Ipac or whatever)?

These car starter solenoids are about $10 each.   They are rated at 12V DC.

I will post some images to better illustrate how I am going to accomplish this, but essentially I am creating an external data line on the outside of the switch that gets wired into my IPac4.  When flipper button gets pressed, it will actually be closing this data line, thus registering a button being pressed, while simultaneously closing the internal switch which activates the solenoid. (normally this internal switch is what the IPac would be wired to, if the solenoids were not present)

[iceman87]

Here is my finished control panel (just some internal wiring left to do)

[Donkbaca]

You and your buds lefties?

[Green Giant]

6 buttons.......left of joystick.....vertical


I need some explanations

[swaffar]

Uhhhh...........

[jmike]

Love that pinball plunger (got to give that a try). I see you have a 4-player button but only see 3 joysticks? Interesting button layout, as long as it works for you that's all that matters. 

[dextercf]

trolling?

[Martijn]

It looks very nice, but the layout is indeed confusing. Care to share how you came up with this layout? 

[iceman87]

It looks very nice, but the layout is indeed confusing. Care to share how you came up with this layout?  

I was going for a Gauntlet inspired layout where left and right players were on angles to the cab, and player buttons are all left oriented.
 

Love that pinball plunger (got to give that a try). I see you have a 4-player button but only see 3 joysticks? Interesting button layout, as long as it works for you that's all that matters.  

Thanks, my plan is to have a wireless 4th joystick for Mame, as well it will allow for 4-player VPin games to be played.

6 buttons.......left of joystick.....vertical


I need some explanations

Simply a trade-off for the tight space.  Open to suggestion though.

You and your buds lefties?

its all about me


Its a good thing I haven't done the wiring yet ... would love to get some ideas for some mock layouts as I may consider version 2.  Space is tight with having the trackball, spinner, and plunger in close proximity, and I want to keep a 3 player setup. (if possible)

[Nephasth]

Simply a trade-off for the tight space.  Open to suggestion though.

Have you given any thought on swappable panels. Great for tight space situations.

[iceman87]

Simply a trade-off for the tight space.  Open to suggestion though.

Have you given any thought on swappable panels. Great for tight space situations.

Thats a clever idea, I would still need to brainstorm a good layout for a second panel.

[Donkbaca]

Do you have a wireless controller already?  If not I would suggest getting the wireless hori tekken stick. 

If you like the layout, great, it just seems that guests would find it hard to play with the buttons being all goofy foot and all, the layout does seem a bit akward.

I am curious, it looks like the spinner and trackball would get in the way of the 1P.  I would move them, or make a bigger panel, but if they don't get in the way, then its your perogative.

Your layout is definitely.... different....

[Nephasth]

Thats a clever idea, I would still need to brainstorm a good layout for a second panel.

If it were me, I would have your trackball and spinner on the second panel. That would free up a lot of space on your primary panel.

[iceman87]

Do you have a wireless controller already?  If not I would suggest getting the wireless hori tekken stick. 

If you like the layout, great, it just seems that guests would find it hard to play with the buttons being all goofy foot and all, the layout does seem a bit akward.

I am curious, it looks like the spinner and trackball would get in the way of the 1P.  I would move them, or make a bigger panel, but if they don't get in the way, then its your perogative.

Your layout is definitely.... different....

Good thing is that I am at a stage where I can create an alternate control panel, perhaps just a 2P version (+2 wireless).  Probably should get the pals over for some testing/feedback at this stage.