Xbox arcade machine

[bigt204]

Hi guys,
I'm new to this site but the other day I decide I wanted to turn my old Xbox and 27" CRT tv into an arcade machine for my garage. However I want to keep the Xbox intact so I can take it out and use it in other places at times. I started buying the material and I'm planning everything out and realized I don't know how I will turn on the Xbox and tv once they are in the cabinet since the buttons will be covered by the cabinet itself. How have other people accomplished this in the past? Also any other tips and info you guys can provide me with to make things a little easier would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[rablack97]

Use one of these......



Plug your xbox into the control outlet and the TV into one of the automatically switched outlets....

Make sure your TV is on and then unplug, then plug into the switched outlet.

When you turn on your xbox the tc when turn on....when the xbox turns off the tv will turn off.


Now if you want to keep your xbox intact, you might want to look into a simple RF mod remote.

Or, just keep the xbox accessible from the from of your cab, and turn it off and on from there.

Another option is to hard wire a momentary switch, (arcade button) to the power pcb in the xbox, minor solder mod, requires decasing though.  Mount the button somewhere on the cab and done.

Your gonna have to make you mind up though, either keep it in there or make it transportable.....My suggestion is buy you another xbox (local goodwills sell em for like $20.00 now), put the same software on it, and use that as your travel rig.  Leave the other in the cab, you take that one out and it gets messed up your screwed.....



 

[bigt204]

Thanks for the reply. I don't think the tv would turn on with that power bar looking option, it is a neat idea tho. I'm thinking of leaving a swing door on the back to get the Xbox in and out an I may have to require the tv power switch back there as well so when i open it to turn on the Xbox I can turn on the tv too

[rablack97]

Not sure why your TV wouldn't turn on, when you turn it on, unplug it and plug it back in, does it come back on.  If so the smart strip will work.

There's ways to have them both work together with one switch, but if that's what you want to do, that will work too....

[bigt204]

I'm working out of town right now but ill check when I get home. How much is that smart strip? Where can I buy one?

[chopperthedog]

I use a 27" "trutech" on my ghetto ass golden tee/HOD cab and unplugging TV while powered on and plugging back in never worked for me. I ended up wedging a small strip of plastic to keep the power button of the TV constantly pressed and now it works great with a relayed power strip.


good day.

[rablack97]

Yeah guess it depends on the TV......some switches are latched some are momentary....

You can get them online, just google smart stip....price ranges 30.00 to 40.00

[PL1]

Yeah guess it depends on the TV......some switches are latched some are momentary....

You can get them online, just google smart stip....price ranges 30.00 to 40.00

Some TVs have menu settings that switch the tv on when power is applied.

Smart Strips available on Amazon.

Some people use the Belkin version, but Belkin doesn't have a sensitivity adjustment IIRC.


Scott