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New and looking to build a bartop cabinet

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jmarket:
I have been looking around and found a few bartop designs. I have a computer and 17" LCD monitor that I can use and here is a parts list for controls. This will be my first mame cabinet and I am trying to keep costs low. Let me know what you think. All suggestions welcome


Xin Mo 1 player Arcade Controller to USB - PC or PS3
http://www.paradisearcadeshop.com/en/mame-arcade-parts/229-xin-mo-1-player-arcade-controller-to-usb-pc-or-ps3.html

White IL Concave Pushbutton PSL-L
http://www.paradisearcadeshop.com/en/il-concave-buttons/268-white-il-concave-pushbutton-psl-l.html

Black IL Concave Pushbutton PSL-L
http://www.paradisearcadeshop.com/en/il-concave-buttons/269-black-il-concave-pushbutton-psl-l.html

Black IL 1 Player Imprint Pushbutton PSL-L
http://www.paradisearcadeshop.com/en/il-imprint-buttons-white-and-black/322-white-il-1-player-imprint-pushbutton-psl-l.html

Black IL 2 Player Imprint Pushbutton PSL-L
http://www.paradisearcadeshop.com/en/il-imprint-buttons-white-and-black/326-white-il-2-player-imprint-pushbutton-psl-l.html

Black IL Eurostick Joystick (aka Happ Competition)
http://www.paradisearcadeshop.com/en/il-eurostick-joystick/165-il-eurostick-joystick-black.html

PS2 LED Trackball
http://www.paradisearcadeshop.com/en/trackball/47-ps2-led-trackball.html


Thanks

PL1:
Welcome aboard, Jmarket.

Looks like fairly standard hardware choices.

You thinking about upgrading to 20 gram switches with those IL buttons?

Since you mentioned price as a consideration, have you looked at Vigo's gamepad-style ZD encoders or Degenatron's keyboard-style AVR encoder?

Looks like it's time to visit Slagcoin to find a layout you like and decide what front end software and admin buttons you want.


Scott

jmarket:
Do you suggest upgrading to the 20 gram switches?

What admin buttons will I need?

I was planning on six of the for playing and a black button to turn on the computer in the cabinet.

I was looking at MALA do you have any suggestions?

rCadeGaming:
If you want to go with American style parts like that, I'd recommend iL competition buttons.


--- Quote from: PL1 on November 10, 2012, 07:15:37 pm ---Looks like it's time to visit Slagcoin to find a layout you like and decide what front end software and admin buttons you want.
--- End quote ---

+1.  Use the info there to select a button layout.  The layout you pick for the main player buttons will have a big impact on how it feels.


--- Quote from: jmarket on November 11, 2012, 08:51:18 am ---What admin buttons will I need?
--- End quote ---

I would make a quick and sloppy test panel to test out layouts and admin buttons.  Play with MAME for a while and see what works for you.  You should probably go through few drafts before you commit to a final layout for your cabinet.  You could make the test panels out of unfinished MDF or even cardboard in places, just so it's quick and you can move things around.

PL1:

--- Quote from: jmarket on November 11, 2012, 08:51:18 am ---Do you suggest upgrading to the 20 gram switches?

--- End quote ---
Lighter switches require less pressure to actuate.  Regular 50 gram or even heavy 125 gram switches are no big deal for a couple of presses, but it adds up when you're playing a rapid-fire game for an extended period.

Worst case scenario, you're out 10 cents per button to upgrade to 20 gram microswitches.
Best case scenario, less fatigue during extended gaming sessions.


--- Quote from: jmarket on November 11, 2012, 08:51:18 am ---What admin buttons will I need?

I was planning on six of the for playing and a black button to turn on the computer in the cabinet.

--- End quote ---
Ahh, the timeless argument: How many admin buttons?

Short answer is this: How many do you need to get the job done the way YOU like to do it?

Functions to consider
P1 Start

P1 Coin

P2 Start

P2 Coin - Needed if the games you want require a separate coin slots for each player TMNT, Gauntlet, etc.

Pause

Exit - Some people configure MAME so you return to MALA when pressing P1 and P2 Start at the same time, some use a dedicated button.

Menu - The controversial one.  If you like tweaking settings and don't have stupid friends or nosy kids, you may want it.  Some people have one, but put it in a hidden location to reduce the chance of someone messing up their settings.

Power button for computer - Sounds good, but how do you plan on switching on the monitor?
If it powers on automatically when you plug it into the wall outlet, a smart strip will do just fine.
If not, a DPST or DPDT switch wired like this may be the answer.


--- Quote from: jmarket on November 11, 2012, 08:51:18 am ---I was looking at MALA do you have any suggestions?

--- End quote ---
Sounds like a great choice.


--- Quote from: rCadeGaming on November 11, 2012, 10:04:18 am ---I would make a quick and sloppy test panel to test out layouts and admin buttons.

--- End quote ---
+1 on building a test panel.  It also allows you to test your admin buttons with MALA.

You may discover that you prefer having 1 or 2 more admin buttons than you thought, so order a few more buttons than you think you need -- it costs a lot less than placing a second order and paying for shipping.


Scott

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