XBOX ARCADE CABINET

[dskillz1]

Fellas - I am embarking on a mission to convert my Hanaho Arcade PC  Mini Cabinet into a full blown XBOX cabinet.  This is the first time I'm doing something like this so if anyone could give me some advice/tips on this it would be most appreciative.  So far this is what Im buying to accomplish this:

Brand NEW! Pre-Modified Microsoft Xbox Console #16162
http://www.modchipstore.com/customer/product.php?productid=16162&cat=4&page=1

Maxtor 120GB 7200 / 8MB / ATA-133 Hard Drive
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=115960

X-Arcade XBOX Adapter
http://www.x-arcade.com/adapters.shtml

X-Arcade: Build Your Own Arcade Kit - (May not be available till beginning of December)
http://www.xgaming.com/byoarcade.shtml

GameLink

[Dave_K.]

You may want to replace the xrgb2 with the xbox hd-pack and a transcoder (like the x2vga).  You'd save yourself about $100 by doing this.   Almost all xbox games support 480P progressive out (it will look much better on the Hanaho svga monitor than upscanned via xrgb2).

[dskillz1]

Thanks you just saved me some $$$$$!!!!

My ArcadePC's monitor's maximum resolution is 800X600.  What majority of XBOX's games run at 800X600 or less?  Will 640X480 suffice for most games?  Thanks again!!!

[dskillz1]

DAve_K

Can you supply a link for the HD pack and tell me if I need an additional cable (maybe a high quaility MONSTER Cable) and what type.  Thanks!

[dskillz1]

Let me also add that the monitor in the ArcadePC Mini is a Wells Gardner Arcade Monitor.  

Can arcade monitors work at 480i mode?

[SkateDetroit]

Id spring for a bigger hard drive, and probably a better manufacturer. I have some maxtors, but i'd slap a Seagate or Western Digital in there just to be safe. They provide a much longer warranty.

Check out newegg.com or wait for the day after thanksgiving sales.

            SD

[dskillz1]

Thanks
I was told that 136 gig was as big as you could go with the XBOX.  What is the highest?

[wrxh8r]

With the new partitioning system size shouldnt matter.As big as you want to go in other words.You could also if you prefer get 2 hard drives and a 4 device ide cable made.You then just hook both hd to power with an on-on switch and whichever hd is getting power is the one that will go.I currently have original xbox live hd and at the flick of a switch arcade and media hd.

[SNAAKE]

DAve_K

Can you supply a link for the HD pack and tell me if I need an additional cable (maybe a high quaility MONSTER Cable) and what type.  Thanks!

He was talking about vga adaptor www.x2vga.com
Works great,tested and everything.Its THE best you can get for you money.I have seen vdigi xbox transoder as well and x2vga delivers sharper picture.

Let me also add that the monitor in the ArcadePC Mini is a Wells Gardner Arcade Monitor.  

Can arcade monitors work at 480i mode?

You have a vga monitor by wells gardner right ? vgas wont work with 480i but you really dont have to worry about that at all because there are like 4-5 games that dont support 480p and they all suck anyway(like bust a move,collin mc rally 2003,kung fo chaos)

[Dave_K.]

I don't know which model Wells Gardner you have, you may want to check your documentaiton (or look on their website to see if it supports "15khz" otherwise known as Standard Resolution.

480P (640x480) should be fine for your monitor (and as snaake said, it will look great).  800x600 I believe equates to 520P which no game supports.  Xbox only support 480P, 720P and 1080i.

Also as snaake said, there are a couple games that don't support 480P...check the boxes or website reviews to make sure.

Here is a link to the xbox hdpack.
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/product/209496.asp

[SOAPboy]

300 USD for a modded xbox with no upgraded hd? talk about wack..

WITH a hd i could almost say thats ok, but think about it.. 150 for the xbox, 50 for the top of the line chip.. wow theres 200 bucks.. not 300.. now i understand install charges, but 100 bucks to install it? LMFAO..

[DYNAGOD]

screw a chip..
softmod it and dual drive with a switch..
the cost if you have a spare hardrive and already own an xbox...
NOTHING!!
save your money and use it for the Xbox memory/processor upgrade. that way you can play larger titles like neo geo and others..

[dskillz1]

I wanna thank everyone for the advice, here are the new specs you guys saved me like almost $200!!!

Custom Xbox with Xecuter 2.6.    $242.00
http://www.chipdealer.com/proddetail.php?prod=Xbox&cat=15   
   
Maxtor / 200GB / 7200 / 8MB / ATA-133 / IDE / Hard Drive    $129.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=168422   
   
SmartJoy FRAG (Keyboard and Mouse Adapter) for XBOX    $28.90
http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=82&products_id=5438   
   
X2VGA+ High Definition VGA Pack    $64.95
http://www.x2vga.com/x2vga_order_eng.php   
   
CTG 2-Port Micro KVM W/Audio Port Authority 2    $34.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=675012&CatId=202   

[SkateDetroit]

Just a comment on the xecuter 2.6. My friend has had odd side effects with that chip. For instance, you can't boot up with anything like a Logitech Wireless controller plugged in, or a light gun. It would not copy THUG(Tony Hawk) properly, and it freezes occasionally. Maybe this is just his chip, but I would opt for something a little newer. Xecuter 3 or personally I've dealt with the Xenium Ice chip with great success.

         SD

[Puds]

I started my project before I found this forum and I really wish I had known about you people beforehand  Anyways, I have read of just a few others on this forum who have done what I decided to risk but I would highly suggest it instead of doing the X-arcade way.  First off, I have prettymuch exactly what you're starting: a modded xbox which I built an arcade around.  But the thing that seems to differ from mine and some others here who use the xbox instead of PC is that I decided to build a custom 4 player control panel and use 4 xbox controllers to run them.  The way I did it was just to buy 4 used, third party xbox controllers, strip them down, and then solder each of the controller buttons to two leads running to the control panel buttons.  At first I thought I would be better off with an X-Arcade control panel but not only am I glad I chose not to because of its weak look (your entire custom arcade and then someone else's CP..), but I'm also very glad I chose not to because the X-Arcade joysticks are absolutely terrible.  And I dont say this because someone else said it; frankly Ive never seen anyone else say it and im confused as to why I originally bought 2 X-Arcade Combos (2 joysticks and 20 buttons) giving me 4 joysticks, 36 black buttons, 2 One Player buttons, and 2 Two Player buttons (how lame is that).  The only thing that is useful and worth the money from X-Arcade is their buttons.  Unfortunately you can only get black.  But Please, please god dont get the x-arcade joysticks.  The actuator on the joystick is round (just like the Happs Ultimate and Super but it is faaar worse, its almost impossible to get a diagonal and you can forget about doing combos in a game. AND Lets not forget that They STICK, yes, ---gosh-darn--- it they stick) Thus here's what I would suggest (dont get the things that I had wished I hadnt wasted my money on in the last 6 months when I built my xbox arcade)
1. Do buy X-Arcade black buttons (unless you want different colors)
2. Do buy 4 crappy xbox controllers (or two if you want to limit yourself to 2)
3. Do buy a Good soldering iron, possibly the one they show on tv that everyone is always saying "Hey pat, when you did your soldering you should have used the one they show on..."
4. Do buy Happs Competition Joysticks.
5. Please Do Not buy the customized CP, I see how much they charge for a 2 player CP board and i cant imagine how much it would cost you to have them Customize something for you.
6. The soldering may seem like a lot of work at first, but I'm guessing your control panel is gonna be $250+  (but 4 xbox controllers will run you 50-60 bucks, buttons will be $20 and Happs joysticks are $15 each.) So for easily half the price you'll never have to field the question "so.. Bob... this arcade you built looks cool and all but who is... X-Arcade?"

I'm excited to hear that you're planning on working on this project.  I've been hoping there would be more people into the xbox mod / arcade scene so that I could exchange thoughts with.  Let me know if any of you guys are up to the same things that I am and are looking to exchange some ideas, AIM sn: Puds99
-Pat

[dreamcastninja]

x arcade works fine for me

[dskillz1]

PUDS

I actually decided to connect my SLIKSTIK Classic to my xbox with the following item:

SmartJoy FRAG (Keyboard and Mouse Adapter) for XBOX    $28.90
http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=82&products_id=5438  

This device simply allows you to connect a PS/2 mouse & Keyboard to it and then use it in any XBOX game, its even programable.  This way I can completley avoid rewiring and soldering to my existing control panel.

Has anyone used this yet?

[Puds]

I dont quite understand though, how are you then going to have arcade buttons on your arcade?

[geomartin]

If you use the X-arcade diy kit, but the X-box adapter from X-arcade for an additional 19.95.  This plugs right into the controller port on your X-box and you wont have to hack a controller

[dskillz1]

PUDS

The IPAC Keyboard Encoder translates all the keypresses of a standard keyboard into arcade buttons on my control panel and my mouse is translated into a trackball.  They both have a ps2 interface on the end.  All I have to do is conect it to the Smartjoy and im in business....

[Dave_K.]

PUDS

The IPAC Keyboard Encoder translates all the keypresses of a standard keyboard into arcade buttons on my control panel and my mouse is translated into a trackball.  They both have a ps2 interface on the end.  All I have to do is conect it to the Smartjoy and im in business....

Smartjoy is not the end all solution here....its not that simple.  As people have been telling you, you cannot use it for 2 player setup.  Also its not known how much keyboard emulation functionality is built in for the joystick movements.  In short, don't bet the farm on smartjoy.  And with it being out of stock and people asking stupid prices for it, you are better off just hacking a set of cheap pads.

[wrxh8r]

Yeah i also would have gone the x-arcade diy kit. Ive had no problems with x-arcade although i would definitly prefer happs buttons and sticks.

[mcdo15]

not sure if this public info yet...but ultrimarc is making psx/xbox adapters..should be out in a month

dont mess around with that x-arcade stuff

[wrxh8r]

yeah i heard that several months ago.
Good things come to those that wait or you could get something that works now.

[Dave_K.]

not sure if this public info yet...but ultrimarc is making psx/xbox adapters..should be out in a month

dont mess around with that x-arcade stuff

Are there any details posted on this?  Will he support analog controls?

[rchadd]

take a look at this new product

http://www.ultimarc.com/xba.html

it enables you to link an ipac based control panel to xbox.

[BobBorakovitz]

someone else said it; frankly Ive never seen anyone else say it and im confused as to why Tongue I originally bought 2 X-Arcade Combos (2 joysticks and 20 buttons) giving me 4 joysticks, 36 black buttons, 2 One Player buttons, and 2 Two Player buttons (how lame is that).  The only thing that is useful and worth the money from X-Arcade is their buttons.  Unfortunately you can only get black.  But Please, please god dont get the x-arcade joysticks.  The actuator on the joystick is round (just like the Happs Ultimate and Super but it is faaar worse, its almost impossible to get a diagonal and you can forget about doing combos in a game. AND Lets not forget that They STICK, yes,  it they stick)

I agree with you 100%, I bought a great deal from X-Arcade, I bought 2 joysticks and 20 buttons for like $20.00, I thought it'd work out great, but I've had problems with the joysticks from the beginnning, they stick, and the diagonals suck.  I've adjusted the crap out of my joysticks trying to get them to stop sticking, but they just won't stop.  So, they're being replaced by some nice 4/8 way switchables.  Good luck on your cab, I've been considering a 2nd cabinet to put my extra modded xbox in, but, I'll probably try making a small table top unit.

-BobBorakovitz

[nipsmg]

Maybe it's just me, but it seems a waste to throw an xbox into an arcade cabinet, since a LARGE number of xbox games require the analog controllers. 

If you're using it only for a MAME box, then it makes sense.  BUt if you're going to use it to play actual xbox games, isn't this setup severely lacking?

--NipsMG

[wrxh8r]

You can still play arcade style xbox games, like fighting games and pinball hall of fame.Its super quick and easy to set up mame etc on and is super cheap.If your just looking for a quick way of putting a cab together that is less customisable, cheap but very simple then my vote goes to xbox.I also use the xbox because by using a dual boot i can load a media box for music and movies or emulators depending on wether or not you hold the power button down.

[Puds]

Its also quite neat just having it around being able to run xbox media center: movies and I especially like the jukebox feeling of it playing the mp3s and turning on the visualizations

[nipsmg]

Its also quite neat just having it around being able to run xbox media center: movies and I especially like the jukebox feeling of it playing the mp3s and turning on the visualizations

See, I really need to play with XBMC more.

Maybe i'll just scrap getting a new computer for the arcade cabinet, and just embed the xbox in it, and rig up some external ports for joysticks.


For anyone that's used MAMEoX,  do you know if it's possible to hook up a trackball/Spinner?  What games start choking? (Can you play out to the end of the MK Series games?  Is there a kiemu for xbox?  what about Zinc style games?)

--NipsMG

[exph]

For anyone that's used MAMEoX,

[Layer01]

There is a Ki emu for xbox. I believe it was based on Ultra64 and the latest updated emu is called ki-xxx. It runs ki1 at full speed. ki2 is too slow on stages with 3d backgrounds.

No Zinc style games. Xbox only has 64 Megs of ram and a 733 mhz processor. It can emulate n64 and psx but Zinc style games may be too much for it.

I can't recommend www.xbox-scene.com enough for xbox info. If you search the emulation forum you can find tons of information.

.:exph:.

where does one get this so called Ki-xxx (do you mean Kawa-xxx?) and what is "Zinc" you speak of?

[DYNAGOD]

dontbother getting the latest zinc (which is the best)
theres no way to control it yet in a cab.

[exph]

kixxx and most other emus can be found on xbins ftp. here is a tutorial on how to use xbins.

http://www.xbox-scene.com/articles/xbins.php

.:exph:.

[mcdo15]

not sure if this public info yet...but ultrimarc is making psx/xbox adapters..should be out in a month

dont mess around with that x-arcade stuff

Are there any details posted on this?

[Layer01]

kixxx and most other emus can be found on xbins ftp. here is a tutorial on how to use xbins.

http://www.xbox-scene.com/articles/xbins.php

.:exph:.

Oh yeah i am all over Xbins but what the hell is kixxx i've never heard of it...what are the game types that it plays IE: neo geo? and zinc? what the? what does it play..not that it matters seeing as it seems there is no controls for it yet? or somthing...

[exph]

about kixxx... this is pasted from xbox-scene
----
>> Killer Instinct XXX
This emulator is based on U64-X from lantus. It's a Killer Instinct 1 and 2 arcade emulator.
Current Status:: v1 // no download (built with XDK) // Official Website
----

I think the thing about the controls is that it fixed two buttons that were swapped in U64-X. All it emulates is ki1 and ki2.
.:exph:.

[pakchooi2]

I've abandoned my original MAME only cabinet idea in favour of an XBox cabinet.

The only thing holding me back at the moment is the analogue control system.
Anyone got any ideas on how to effectively replicate it on an arcade control panel set up?

[Dave_K.]

I've abandoned my original MAME only cabinet idea in favour of an XBox cabinet.

The only thing holding me back at the moment is the analogue control system.
Anyone got any ideas on how to effectively replicate it on an arcade control panel set up?

Well you could still do both (Mame and Xbox).  Get an Ipac and then the X-Box adapter. 
http://www.ultimarc.com/xba.html