Project empty loft space. Newbie try to figure out what I am doing.

[StammesOpfer]

Ok so I have a 42" TV to donate to this already. Started designing this and it turns out I want to do something similar to ChanceKJ's "Flynn's Arcade" (Project: Overambitious). I've done some Sketchup work (need to adjust it a little) for the cabinet suck at design and that kind of cab isn't gonna work. I think I have the Control Panel how I want Nope. Looking for some input at this point.

Do I really need to angle the whole control panel? I an leaning towards keeping it flat.
How Much wrist space is too much? Right now it is about 7" for P1 and P2.
I know people say don't angle the Joystick but I am pretty set on this.
I know that P3 and P4 only need 4 buttons but this will be used for console games too (plus I like it to match).
What about screen angle? Does it need to be tilted back? How much? I am a little concerned because this is a big screen and I kind of want to set it as far back as possible so less angle on the screen means I can set it deeper in the cabinet.

Parts List:
6-7yr old Toshiba 42" 1080p LCD
Core 2 Quad Q6600, 8gb RAM, GTX750 (way overkill I know)
2x Ulitmarc U360 Joysticks (P1 and P2)
2x J-Stiks (P3 and P4)
U-TRAK trackball
2x AimTrak Light Guns

Panel will be 48" wide aprox 18" deep. Maybe

Any thoughts are welcome.

[StammesOpfer]

Has anyone done a 3 piece Marquee before? Basically standard printed marquee on either side with a LCD screen in the middle. The price on the ultrawide LCDs that I have seen people use is a little too much for me. Especially with how wide mine is. A 15.6" LCD come in right around 9" tall seems perfect for a marquee.

[yotsuya]

FFS...  good luck with this. You're gonna need it

[vwalbridge]

Wowzers. This is ambitious. However, you seem like you know what you want. I hope this isn't your first build. 

Has anyone done a 3 piece Marquee before? Basically standard printed marquee on either side with a LCD screen in the middle.

Never seen anything like this before but I can't imagine that looking very good. If I've learned one this on this forum: don't build a cabinet that looks like it can't make up its own mind.

[StammesOpfer]

Ok so maybe I'm naive but why so difficult? The wood work? Or the Controls? Or somethings else?

The woodwork is essentially the same as a standard from scratch build. Just wider. I have the tools to do that. (multiples saws, drill press, routers, etc)

I don't think I am doing anything crazy control wise. Other than a full 4p setup. Actually I feel like it is less crowded than most panels with my goals (not a bunch of admin buttons no coin on the top panel).

Something else?

I guess I don't know what I don't know.

As for a cabinet that can't make up its mind. Fair enough. I have ideas pop into my head, sometimes I go with them, sometimes I let them sit and decide against it. a 3 piece marquee with LCD would certainly look odd in many places. It MIGHT... MAYBE work for a more generic machine... or it may not.

[Nephasth]

42" LCD in a cab...
4 players with 7 buttons each...
Angled joysticks right out of the gate...

This is clearly a joke... If not, do your homework son.     

[StammesOpfer]

42" LCD in a cab...
4 players with 7 buttons each...
Angled joysticks right out of the gate...

This is clearly a joke... If not, do your homework son.   

I know people say don't angle the Joystick but I am pretty set on this.
I know that P3 and P4 only need 4 buttons but this will be used for console games too (plus I like it to match).

Joystick angle feels more natural to me. If I change my mind (which some swear I will, and other say they like it angled too) then I will change it.

42" true it is large. I get that. With it being a 16:9(widescreen) that is equivalent to a 34" 4:3 aspect ratio TV and plenty of people use 27"-32" CRT's so is it that crazy? (no really, is it?) Oh and it is what I have.

[yotsuya]

42" LCD in a cab...
4 players with 7 buttons each...
Angled joysticks right out of the gate...

This is clearly a joke... If not, do your homework son.   

I was able to rep this post in Tapatalk. Sweet.

And it's no joke. 2015 has turned into the year of superwide cabinets.

[Nephasth]

It's your ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- show, run it into the ground however you want...

[sc23]

Good luck with your build. Just thought id mention that I just used a smart power strip, and that turned on the TV when PC powered up without the need for the remote hack. That was one thing with using a TV that I thought was going to be a pain, but turns out the TV turns on when you toggle power. Plug it in, flick switch and see if it turns on and remembers channel.

[StammesOpfer]

Ok so for everyone that hates that it is a 4 player, has angled joysticks, and too large of a screen. Pretend it's a 2 player (no angled joysticks) and has a 27 inch screen.

I still have the same questions.
Do I really need to tilt the whole control panel? I an leaning towards keeping it flat.
How much wrist space is too much? Right now it is about 7" for P1 and P2.
What about screen angle? Does it need/have to be tilted back? How much? Or is it more of an eyeball it kinda thing once you get it in there?

For anyone who cares. Here is my quick render (dimensionally accurate) just for me to get an idea of things. Decided putting the control panel curve in 3d wasn't worth the time to figure it out.

[StammesOpfer]

Good luck with your build. Just thought id mention that I just used a smart power strip, and that turned on the TV when PC powered up without the need for the remote hack. That was one thing with using a TV that I thought was going to be a pain, but turns out the TV turns on when you toggle power. Plug it in, flick switch and see if it turns on and remembers channel.

Thanks I had already checked my TV. It does not automatically turn on with power. It also will just keep power cycling if I hold the power button down. I didn't want to break it open to hard wire a button to the TV itself. So a strategically placed remote control PCB with the correct leads solder to a momentary switch does the trick (already soldered and tested). I do plan on using one of those green/smart power strips for speakers and probably lighting.

[Nephasth]

Apologies. I have mis-judged. This design is beautiful!



You clearly know what you're doing.

[pbj]

Do not mount the damn monitor to the control panel.  Your players are going to be blinded at that distance.  Pedestal, man.  Learn it, live it, love it.

[JDFan]

Do not mount the damn monitor to the control panel.  Your players are going to be blinded at that distance.  Pedestal, man.  Learn it, live it, love it.

+1 -- a 42" TV with a slim cabinet is gonna look terrible - figure if the cab is 18" deep the screen will be about 12" from your face - try standing 12" away from your TV set and you'll see how hard it is to see the entire screen - Mount the screen on the wall and build a pedestal so you can adjust the distance - and then you can also build the CP layout so that all 4 players are in line and not angled which then also allows for 2 player Robotron, Smash TV, etc. games which use dual joysticks !! 

[harveybirdman]

Apologies. I have mis-judged. This design is beautiful!

You clearly know what you're doing.

god I've missed you...


OP please don't be discouraged it's awesome that you are undertaking a build, but you are definitely making some pretty egregious snafus.  A TV that size is much better in a pedestal setup like PBJ says, and what games do you plan on playing with three of your buddies that require 6 buttons per player?

If you have some idea in your head of one machine that plays every console and every arcade game get it out now!  I wish someone would have told me this before I spent weeks downloading PSX ISO's that I never play...

 

[yotsuya]

Apologies. I have mis-judged. This design is beautiful!

You clearly know what you're doing.

god I've missed you...

* yotsuya high-fives Harveybirdman

[StammesOpfer]

Apologies. I have mis-judged. This design is beautiful!

LOL. Some babies are ugly.

Do not mount the damn monitor to the control panel.  Your players are going to be blinded at that distance.  Pedestal, man.  Learn it, live it, love it.

I kind of hate the way pedestals look (though obviously I have created an ugly baby). I think I feel that way because I see it like a table and TV (two separate devices instead of one). I guess if I could do a well integrated showcase that might be ok. :/

+1 -- a 42" TV with a slim cabinet is gonna look terrible - figure if the cab is 18" deep the screen will be about 12" from your face - try standing 12" away from your TV set and you'll see how hard it is to see the entire screen - Mount the screen on the wall and build a pedestal so you can adjust the distance - and then you can also build the CP layout so that all 4 players are in line and not angled which then also allows for 2 player Robotron, Smash TV, etc. games which use dual joysticks !! 

It would be like 24-30" from the screen but ok I see your guys point... also I was looking to avoid having an even wider control panel but maybe that is the answer.

Also it seems most stuff I have found focuses on upright cabinets. Got any good resources/ideas for pedestals/showcase?

[harveybirdman]

Here’s what To do

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=117320.0
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=134038.0
http://newwiki.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?title=Beat%27em_up-X

Here’s what NOT to do

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,135635.0.html

[Nephasth]

Also it seems most stuff I have found focuses on upright cabinets. Got any good resources/ideas for pedestals/showcase?

Might try BYOAC.

[StammesOpfer]

Damn and then I see http://www.mameroom.com/webstore.asp?productid=LCDSHOWCASESYSTEM&category=158 and I still kinda hate it. :/
That control panel even looks familiar. Though I don't hate that part.

I hate you guys a little bit right now but appreciate you calling me an idiot. I have a feeling I am going to end up spending more money than I thought to do this "decently" (I'm not going to say "right" just yet).

[StammesOpfer]

Ok so I took a few minutes and... What is the biggest that is acceptable for a widescreen in a 2 player cabinet? See here comes more money. I was thinking two, 2 player cabinets, side by side. Then use a KVM switch on one of them that makes it a mirrored screen for 4 players. Am I getting too crazy again?

[Nephasth]

You need to take a few months to figure out exactly what you want to do before you buy anything. Build yourself a USB controller in the mean time so you can figure out what games you like.

[yotsuya]

You need to take a few months to figure out exactly what you want to do before you buy anything. Build yourself a USB controller in the mean time so you can figure out what games you like.

I agree. Slow down, take a deep breath, and figure out exactly what it is you want, and why you want it that way.

[LiquidFire]

I learned more by simply setting up the control electronics in a rude single player panel design than I ever did thinking about it.

Made me re-think the whole project.

Everything always costs more than you want to think.

And you have to live with this animal, hopefully for years, so you have to make it family, space and moving friendly - check all that apply.

A smaller, faster to execute, less ambitious project will put you light years ahead for the second one.

[rablack97]

Okay, While i don't agree with the route your going.

Your vision is possible, this one has a 55" LCD in it, turned out OK, but it is a monster.

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxMjAw/$T2eC16dHJFoE9nh6piqmBQsY1!!Gi!~~60_57.JPG?rt=nc

http://www.ebay.com/itm/330832696118

My advice here is use the forum first, Neph has a point, you gotta do your homework.  There are tons of threads in this forum where folks started ambitious and now they have a half built eye sore sitting in their garage.  Even worse, they completed it, only to have it look like ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---.

Keep these points in mind.

• You have to move it
• You have to fit it through a door
• You don't want to be blind, after a week of playing your eyes will force you to sell it, too damn close and too damn bright.

Don't let the ego have you spending money on a dead end project, listen to the elders of the forum, we all want to see great builds.  However, the mob will drop the hammer hard on you if they see you headed for a disaster.

Don't build around a TV that's meant to show UFC fight in a bar, you'll beat your chest for a good week, show your friends, and then its oh ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---, that a big SOB, now what do i do with it?

Good Luck and happy building.

[Nephasth]

Don't encourage nonsense... 

[rablack97]

Don't encourage nonsense... 

[mgb]

I just kinda breezed through this thread so far but from what I see you have some design faults here and others are trying to discourage you from making mistakes.

It seems like you're taking it well so that's cool.
Most here don't mean to offend most of the time.

Basically to answer your questions (you did ask for input)
Don't use a 42" screen that the players will be standing right in front of. It will look like crap.
Don't leave your cp completely flat.
Don't mount your monitor without any angle.
Don't angle player 3 & 4 joysticks.
For arcade games, you don't need any more than 4 buttons for player 3 & 4.
I'm assuming you want it for consoles.

Also keep in mind that many here have gone down that road of playing console games on a stand up arcade and many games are much better played sitting on the couch with controllers.

It's your project. Do what you want but we're just trying to help so that you don't end up with a big ugly machine that plays 6,456,957 games tgat you never want to touch.

What exactly are the games that are important to you? What must you have and what can you live without?

[StammesOpfer]

I just kinda breezed through this thread so far but from what I see you have some design faults here and others are trying to discourage you from making mistakes.

It seems like you're taking it well so that's cool.
Most here don't mean to offend most of the time.

Basically to answer your questions (you did ask for input)
Don't use a 42" screen that the players will be standing right in front of. It will look like crap.
Don't leave your cp completely flat.
Don't mount your monitor without any angle.
Don't angle player 3 & 4 joysticks.
For arcade games, you don't need any more than 4 buttons for player 3 & 4.
I'm assuming you want it for consoles.

Also keep in mind that many here have gone down that road of playing console games on a stand up arcade and many games are much better played sitting on the couch with controllers.

It's your project. Do what you want but we're just trying to help so that you don't end up with a big ugly machine that plays 6,456,957 games tgat you never want to touch.

What exactly are the games that are important to you? What must you have and what can you live without?

Thanks for the detailed response. I am trying to listen.

The games that matter for me are mostly shooters and fighters (easy 2p stuff). But the friends and I love some Super Smash Bros. That is the big driver for 4p full controls. It plays pretty well on arcade controls. I don't want p3 and p4 using console controllers.

[rablack97]

So nix all those buttons for 3 and 4 player you only need 4, your not gonna play SF or or MK type games sidways.

[StammesOpfer]

So nix all those buttons for 3 and 4 player you only need 4, your not gonna play SF or or MK type games sidways.

Control panel will be not be curved anymore (and joystick won't be angled) and you missed the part about 4p Super Smash Bros (console) needs the buttons.

[rablack97]

Since your not curving the controls, your gonna have 4 people standing shoulder to shoulder, how is that gonna work?

Are you building this where its gonna be permanantly, cause its not going through a door.

So the full controls are for 1 game only for p3 p4?  Alrighty then.....

[StammesOpfer]

Remove the control panel before moving. I would have to do that anyway even with the curved one it was 48" wide I don't have double doors everywhere. Yes one game is worth adding 3 extra buttons to p3 and p4 cause it is only an extra 3 buttons over the standard 4 buttons.

[dmckean]

So nix all those buttons for 3 and 4 player you only need 4, your not gonna play SF or or MK type games sidways.

Control panel will be not be curved anymore (and joystick won't be angled) and you missed the part about 4p Super Smash Bros (console) needs the buttons.

Because there's nothing better than being shoulder to shoulder playing 4 player Smah Bros with makeshift controls while standing 2 feet away from a 42" TV.

[Malenko]

Here’s what NOT to do

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,135635.0.html

Im always afraid the link will point to one of my projects :/

[yotsuya]

Here’s what NOT to do

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,135635.0.html

Im always afraid the link will point to one of my projects :/

Naw, you make quality stuff, bro.

[rablack97]

Man, really rethink this.

Look at your 1p and 2p spacing vs. 3p - 1p and 4p - 2p

Once you make that CP straight, there wont be any room, and look at how close the buttons will be to the other players sticks.

There is a reason 3p and 4p and are on the curves to allow for space.



Here is a Dream Authentics Pedestal with your suggested layout.  So your right i guess people do have full control for all 4 players, but look at the spacing.





This guy builds the monsters your attempting, might just buy one of these and call it a day. I saw one for 40" 42" and 50", but really look at how big that screen is and how close your gonna be to it.  That will get old really fast.  The viewing angle for the 3-4 players will probably suck as well on such a big screen, you can see this in the photo, as you look from left to right.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Player-42-Home-Video-Arcade-Game-MAME-TM-Can-Play-1-000s-Of-Games-and-MORE-/271493762775



Also read this post, and see how far this guy got with it

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=129400.0

[StammesOpfer]

Man, really rethink this.

Look at your 1p and 2p spacing vs. 3p - 1p and 4p - 2p

Once you make that CP straight, there wont be any room, and look at how close the buttons will be to the other players sticks.

There is a reason 3p and 4p and are on the curves to allow for space.

I'm mocking up a couple different things to see how it looks. Other people seem to disagree with you (and my original design).

This guy builds the monsters your attempting, might just by one of these and call it a day. I saw one for 40" 42" and 50", but really look at big that screen is an how close your gonna be to it.  That will get old really fast. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Player-42-Home-Video-Arcade-Game-MAME-TM-Can-Play-1-000s-Of-Games-and-MORE-/271493762775

Also read this post, and see how far this guy got with it

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=129400.0

So pay $3,700 and oh look this guy posted twice. (sorry I am starting to feel like some other people are rubbing off on me).

[rablack97]

If you go straight, the thing will look like an airplane, the main disagreement was that you angled your jstiks, but your going for full button layout.

If this is your first build, guarantee you will come very close to that $3700.00 keep up a log of what you spend in tools, parts etc.

Im just saying think it through totally, and no apologies needed its an open forum.  Start worrying when nobody gives you any advice at all, and just lets you create a hot mess, only to post it to the CRAPMAME site...