No...an actual Barcade!

[rCadeGaming]

I'm not sure about a matrix switch.  Don't you want each console connected to a bartop display at all times?  You just need a switch to pick which one would connect to the projector as well.

[Maximus]

yeah I guess I can just do a split at each console and then have a selector that goes to the projector.

[rCadeGaming]

The big question is whether your projector will accept 15kHz RGB.  If so, you can get composite video and RGB out of these consoles simultaneously.  If not, things become more complicated.  Still doable though.

[Locke141]

If you can do the SD card hack for DC and a multi cart for the SNES you would never need to change physical media on them.

The only question is whats the 3rd consul? If you want a PS1, the PS2 is backward compatible, so are some models of the PS3. Perhaps a hack PS3 would be a nice clean solution. You could dump game back ups on the the hard drive and not mess with physical media at all.

A Xbox 1 running XBMC can do most consoles nicely, up to the 16 bit gems. It would be a nice way to add a multi system solution.     

I like your shelf idea at one end of the bar. You could have your SNES and DC dedicated to there own CRT's and have a mix of systems on the shelf for the 3rd CRT.

If you want to do something out of the box, I saw a video of a 100 disk CD changer hacked to a Xbox 360. That would probably not be a clean or practical solution.
 

[rCadeGaming]

The PS2 backwards compatibility is a good point.  It's quite good, so there's not really much reason to have an actual PS1 anymore.  The PS3 backwards compatibility is not very good though, it adds a good bit of lag, and can't output proper 240p, 480i is the minimum.

These other emulators will add at least one frame of lag as well, possibly several depending on the method of vsync.  I've tried NES emulation on a Dreamcast, and I could notice the lag just by feel.  Games I was familiar with, especially the original Super Mario Bros., felt noticeably off.  Not as tight as the real thing.  Isn't part of this about showing off the real console, and the authenticity of the real controller?

[Maximus]

Yeah I dont think I want to run any emulation for this it's just not the same.

Snagged a sweet little bundle from CL for $40 last night


It came with a few originals and a bunch of 'backups' although it doesn't seem to play the burned discs

[rCadeGaming]

it doesn't seem to play the burned discs

It may need a boot disc.  It has to do with how the iso was prepared, how it was burned, and what model Dreamcast you have.  Not that I know anything about that anyway .  You can find a lot of things on the googles these days though.

Actually, there is some debate over whether playing cheap CD-R's will wear out your disc drive more quickly.  I'm not sure of the "final verdict" on that debate, but the safest bet is to buy a real copy of anything you'll play often.  Playing a CD-R once in a while to try before you buy is probably ok, but if you must use a copy regularly, for example if you want to play a Japanese-exclusive game (Ikaruga and a lot of other shmups) without a modchip or boot disc, burning it to a quality CD-R is a safer option.  Taiyo Yuden makes quality discs.  Most commonly available CD-R's are garbage.

[Maximus]

Yeah I'm not after that many titles so it wont hurt to just pick up the proper disks, nice to have the art and boxes etc too.

[a1pharm]

I'm excited to see where you go with this project, but I want you to consider one change:

Pinball

You don't have a pinball machine in your plans.  The Future Pinball program has been having a surge in ultra high quality work, and it would be a shame if you don't allow room for a PinSim cab in your design.  EDIT: just saw your pincab thread, very nice.

I've offered up my supreme MS Paint skill set to create a photorealistic rendition of where you may want to consider putting the table (you're welcome).

Cheers!
 

[Maximus]

Lol my Alchemy VPin is right there next to the door

[a1pharm]

Lol my Alchemy VPin is right there next to the door

I must have spent too much time in CoryBee's stash that I missed this detail.  I'm sure you have already ensured that the side art will be properly showcased in your arrangement.  Carry on!

[Maximus]

Oh yeah especially considering the side art is all video

[matsadona]

He wants to run console games on them, not arcade games.

Indeed, that's why I added the comment "if it was me" referring to what I would like to do in the future with the same concept.
And it could also be valid if he suddenly change his mind about the consoles but keeping the concept.

[Locke141]

The PS2 backwards compatibility is a good point.  It's quite good, so there's not really much reason to have an actual PS1 anymore.  The PS3 backwards compatibility is not very good though, it adds a good bit of lag, and can't output proper 240p, 480i is the minimum.

These other emulators will add at least one frame of lag as well, possibly several depending on the method of vsync.  I've tried NES emulation on a Dreamcast, and I could notice the lag just by feel.  Games I was familiar with, especially the original Super Mario Bros., felt noticeably off.  Not as tight as the real thing.  Isn't part of this about showing off the real console, and the authenticity of the real controller?

That's because the PS2 mostly does not emulate PS1. Every PS2 had the PS1 CPU in it as an I/O processor and some, many older models, had even more PS1 chips, so it was more or less native. All PS3's do 100% emulation back to PS1.  Older PS3's have most of the PS2 chips for the same reason. The only PS1 games I played on my PS3 were RPG's (FF7, Star ocean 2, and others) worked great.

If the only PS1 game you wanted was Parappa the rapper a moded older PS3 should do fine. You could also dump backups of other PS1/2/3 games on the hard drive, if you don't want to have to mess with physical media.         

I completely agree about only using the original hardware. I have over 20 original systems, mostly from thrift stores and yard sales. I just wanted to share ideas. If emulations 100% out don't get any of the new slim NES or the 3 in 1 systems. They all use system on a chip emulation. I would like to point out, not all emulations are equal. Try using an emulations made for accuracy like KEGA vs one made with lots of extra needless features. 
Note:The special addition NES I posted to earlier runs games natively and they are much more reliable then the older classic gray rectangles.

Personally I would put in a SEGA Genesis/CD/32X on the 3rd CRT, They can play Master system and Game Gear games natively off a multi cart. Better yet I would put my collection of systems and games above the bar and use a switcher to pick witch system goes to the 3rd CRT or to the big screen.     

[CoryBee]

I must have spent too much time in CoryBee's stash that I missed this detail.

[rCadeGaming]

The only PS1 games I played on my PS3 were RPG's (FF7, Star ocean 2, and others) worked great.

If the only PS1 game you wanted was Parappa the rapper a moded older PS3 should do fine.

RPG's are fine because input lag doesn't really matter in most cases.  Parappa is a rhythm game though; any input lag will be highly detrimental.

The special addition NES I posted to earlier runs games natively and they are much more reliable then the older classic gray rectangles.

There's nothing wrong with the original NES once you've fixed two important things.  Everyone knows that replacing the pin connector will help it start up more reliably, but that's actually only half of the solution.  A lot of the time, the blinking screen is caused by the region lockout chip.  It can be disabled by raising pin on the chip and connecting to ground, or even just cutting it off.  I did this to mine and it starts right up the first time you put in the cartridge almost 100% reliably, no need to blow on the cartridge, etc. (which is a bad idea btw).

Personally I would put in a SEGA Genesis/CD/32X on the 3rd CRT

+1 on a Genesis, but no so much on a 32X.  I makes the system twice as tall, and I can count on one hand the number of games for it that are even worth playing.  Kind of the same thing with the Sega CD.  It's great if you're really into 16-bit shmups, but there's still not that many if you don't count arcade ports.

Better yet I would put my collection of systems and games above the bar

That's what I was saying.  Just too lazy to draw an arrow.

[Maximus]

Yep I can't play Parappa on the emulated systems because it needs twitch speed for mad rappin' yo  which is why i may leave it for a different solution, hard to say so early into this part of the project.

I don't want to put the consoles up top as it will be awkward to reach, people wont really be able to see them, and I want to keep those cupboards for glasses, beer mats, crack pipes etc. 

[Locke141]

Personally I would put in a SEGA Genesis/CD/32X on the 3rd CRT

+1 on a Genesis, but no so much on a 32X.  I makes the system twice as tall, and I can count on one hand the number of games for it that are even worth playing.  Kind of the same thing with the Sega CD.  It's great if you're really into 16-bit shmups, but there's still not that many if you don't count arcade ports.


[/quote]

Yes, but it looks cool and they are cheep on ebay. As for the Saga CD there are lots of games like lunar, monkey island, and sonic CD.

I want to try your this SNES hack you speck of.

[rCadeGaming]

Meh.  I've had a 32X for years, but I always up end up playing regular Genesis games, not 32X games.  I got sick of the extra 3 inches of shelf height it was wasting.

NES mod?
http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/console/nintendo/nes-lockout.htm

Maximus, yeah I thought it might be too high, but wasn't sure of your dimensions.

[pbj]

Meh.  I've had a 32X for years, but I always up end up playing regular Genesis games, not 32X games.  I got sick of the extra 3 inches of shelf height it was wasting.

As much as I hate derailing threads, did you ever try something like Sonic 1 plugged into a 32X?  I was told playing it through the 32X would eliminate the slowdown when he got hit and lost his rings.  By the time I heard that claim, I had long gotten rid of the thing.

 

[Maximus]

As much as I hate derailing threads

 

[mike boss]

This is phenomenal.

[Maximus]

Got most of the garage emptied out this weekend so now I can start playing with the space a little.

[Bender]

I'd love the see the CRT's slightly angled under a smoked glass Bartop surface, would be hard to notice they were even there till they were turned on

[Jigenjuke]

I'd love the see the CRT's slightly angled under a smoked glass Bartop surface, would be hard to notice they were even there till they were turned on

I concur!

JIgenjuke

[Bender]

something like this

[Maximus]

Yes absolutely something along those lines

[mike boss]

Really like following this thread, I think this build is just awesome.
I've aslo learned a few things. I had no knowledge of these multicarts. (I'll need to look into this)
I like and agree with the idea of the original game pads and also agree that Dreamcast emulation seems to be "fussy." Not to mention the fact that the Dreamcast out of the box w/o any "alteration" can play your back up games. So getting your favorites is rather easy.

From what I've tired other consoles like NES, SNES, and even N64 emulate quite well.
I actually have 6 "altered" XBOX consoles loaded with complete US ROM sets and emulators and have been happy with the game play.

[Maximus]

Watched our first big movie in the cave tonight. A very rough working model but it was lots of big booming fun. Very raw right now but testing the space like this for a while is a good plan

[jdbailey1206]

Watched our first big movie in the cave tonight. A very rough working model but it was lots of big booming fun. Very raw right now but testing the space like this for a while is a good plan

All I can think of when I see this is the episode of the Simpsons called Homer the Moe when Homer turns his garage into a bar and Marge pulls in with the car and almost runs everyone over.  Or if you will 'Moe's' everyone over.