Vertigo - Dreamcast countertop *Back on track*

[stellarola]

Hey guys. I'm going to build a countertop dreamcast based shooter cabinet. This machine will be called "Vertigo". It's going to be very similar to japanese based vertical shooter cabinets, but mini

[stellarola]

Here is a crappy concept image I drew at work today. Its in 3d

[Hiub1]

Take that picture. Change the monitor to a 21'' PC monitor, put a base on it, and add another player and that is what I am after in the next couple of weeks. Should be a kickass project. I am thinking of going with a DC theme and using white laminate with orange tmolding. Maybe not though, and do some shootemup artwork theme like you are doing. That sounds nice.

Good luck with it! 

[stellarola]

Yea, Im doin the white laminate too. But that neon green t-molding. You dork...stealing my ideas  .

[stellarola]

Hey guys check out the site...I added some pics from today's building...o my god it took a long time.

[SirPeale]

Hey, you're actually building, that's too cool.  A lot of guys do a drawing mockup of what they want, but never follow thru.  Good for you!

[stellarola]

Thanks a lot bud for replying to my topic, makes me feel like someone cares  .

[stellarola]

Now, today...I'm going to work on a bezel, what would be a good thin material to make the bezel out of?

[ChadTower]

That's cool and all but... since you're actually building around the monitor casing... what happens if that specific monitor dies?

[javeryh]

where's the DC going and how are you going to access it? 

NICE WORK by the way!

[stellarola]

That's cool and all but... since you're actually building around the monitor casing... what happens if that specific monitor dies?

This specific cabinet is designed around any 15 inch vga monitor..I've tried two and they both fit like a dream.

where's the DC going and how are you going to access it?

NICE WORK by the way!

The dreamcast will be laying on top of the 15 inch monitor. For easy access I've hinged a door on top (please check the website for a picture) so I can interchange the discs, if need be. You will see some more examples of this as I add on to it.

-Ben

[ras2a]

Hey Stella, stellar looking cab mate 

Good work, I HAVE to build myself one of these, they are just too cool for words!

Craig

[stellarola]

I'm thinking of replacing the wood for the marquee to a smaller size...maybe 5/8 for the top and somthing even smaller for the bottom. I didnt really take into consideration the 3/4 size wood. . Also I should start the lamanating tomorrow. All white. Then I will purchase the lime green T-molding http://www.t-molding.com/cart/customer/product.php?productid=15&cat=6&page=1

Does anyone know where I can purchase convex buttons?

[Dave_K.]

Stellarola, I'm amazed you got a great start on this project!  Some feedback:  maybe stick to dreamcast colors for the cab design (orange, grey, white).  For the button color(s) I'd suggest matching the A,B,X,Y colors with Red, Blue, Green, Yellow arranged in classic arch.  Although expensive, I'd suggest getting the buttons through Himuragames.com (same with the stick if you didn't get that one off ebay). Lastly, keeping the dreamcast above the monitor may not be the best idea as the monitor heat will travel upwards and affect the DC.  I've had mine overheat just being inside a normal cab on a hot day.  Maybe some fans in the back could help?

Keep up the great work!

[MameMaster!]

wow she's a beaut!.....great progress.

A fitting monument to the DC!.....

MameMaster! 

[hiperco]

Ah HA!  This is where stellarola has been hiding     

I've been wondering what ended up happening with your CGA/EGA monitor, but I now see you've been so busy that perhaps you haven't gotten back to it yet 


Cool cabinet, looks like its coming along nicely!

[stellarola]

Stellarola, I'm amazed you got a great start on this project! Some feedback: maybe stick to dreamcast colors for the cab design (orange, grey, white). For the button color(s) I'd suggest matching the A,B,X,Y colors with Red, Blue, Green, Yellow arranged in classic arch. Although expensive, I'd suggest getting the buttons through Himuragames.com (same with the stick if you didn't get that one off ebay). Lastly, keeping the dreamcast above the monitor may not be the best idea as the monitor heat will travel upwards and affect the DC. I've had mine overheat just being inside a normal cab on a hot day. Maybe some fans in the back could help?

Keep up the great work!

Yea I'm going to add 2 fans to the back of the cabinet one for in coming air flow other for outgoing. Should keep everything cool  . So do you think orange T-molding or that green T-molding?

[Hiub1]

Man it is looking incredible! I envy you for getting a start on it before I did. How did you get away with making all that mess inside the house? My mom would kill me! Also, what is the deal man, no 2 player?

[stellarola]

Ah HA!

[stellarola]

Man it is looking incredible! I envy you for getting a start on it before I did. How did you get away with making all that mess inside the house? My mom would kill me! Also, what is the deal man, no 2 player?

I just had to do some mad sweeping, and dusting...its wayy too cold outside to be messing around in there. For the 2 player thing, I'm going to add a little port on the back of the cabinet out of a dreamcast extension cable. So it will be flush into the cabinet. Just easily hookup the second player .

[Hiub1]

I see. That's no fun, no arcade controls for P2! I would feel discriminated against if I was at your house playing that cool cab with no arcade controls. Anyways, I have started looking for a cheap-o 21'' computer monitor, I am just hoping that it will be big enough. I really want to have a sitdown cab, so that is probably what I will build. Who knows, I need to sit down and see what size monitor I need to satisfy the cab.

[stellarola]

I cant wait to see the designs/building your going to do. 

[Hiub1]

I've got some cool ideas. If you see my Main Cab post I have my DC mounted inside on the cab wall. I was thinking of making a little door on the side of the cab, maybe a plastic sliding door with the DC mounted inside in a box with the cover off, that way I can switch games easily. I am going to make it 2 players with 4 buttons each, since all the shooters don't need more than 4. I don't even know if there are any with more than 3 buttons, so I might go with just 3. The only thing that is really bothering me is that the width of a 21'' monitor is not big enough to fit controls for 2 players side by side without the CP on the cab sticking out of the sides, which I would not like to do in this project.

[stellarola]

Yo Hiub, the funny thing was I was going to do the sliding door thing on the side too

[Dave_K.]

Orange t-molding all the way  .  Single player control panel is fine if all you are playing is vertical shmups.  Also 3 buttons is actually enough for vertical shmups.

[stellarola]

Finally recieved my joystick in the mail today from Dreamarcades..I must say this joystick has a nice loose feel to it, the way I like it.

[stellarola]

Yo guys. I'm going to retire this project and redesign it. I'm determining whether or not to make it vertical or horizontal... It may be called vertigo, but some things need to change. I kinda wanted to have it as a unit that replaces the Tele in someone's room. You kinda have it in the corner for an all in one dreamcast center, not just for vertical shooters. I've checked it out. Honestly there are only like 5-6 games that are vertical that I can play on this baby.

Here is a list I've compiled of what I want to change to this new design:

-Take monitor out of casing. It'll look a lot sharper, cleaner look to it.
-Make the controls 6 button instead of 3.
-Add a second player??? (joystick and buttons)
-Slide out front panel for the dreamcast instead of top lifing up for access
-Use MDF instead of friggin Partical Board.... I hate partical board 
-Maybe make the monitor rotatable. Sounds a bit difficult...but worth looking into...maybe.
-Make marquee area larger

Anyone have any suggestions??? Please let me know I'm interested in any and all ideas for this project. I really want to get it right. 

[Minwah]

Here is a list I've compiled of what I want to change to this new design:

-Take monitor out of casing. It'll look a lot sharper, cleaner look to it.
-Make the controls 6 button instead of 3.
-Add a second player??? (joystick and buttons)
-Slide out front panel for the dreamcast instead of top lifing up for access
-Use MDF instead of friggin Partical Board.... I hate partical board 
-Maybe make the monitor rotatable. Sounds a bit difficult...but worth looking into...maybe.
-Make marquee area larger

Anyone have any suggestions??? Please let me know I'm interested in any and all ideas for this project. I really want to get it right. 

Good ideas, but why not finish this one as well!

I like all your ideas...not sure how Player 2 will fit but you'll have to try it.  Rotating monitor will make the thing wider, not sure if that is a biggie or not.

Good luck with it

[Dave_K.]

The entire point of this was to be a single player shooter tabletop.  You aren't loosing anything by finishing this (you already have it built and a VGA monitor).  I say finish this one (with single player and 3 buttons) and then start a seperate project for a 2 player horiztonal tabletop with TV inside. 

[stellarola]

Yea I know Dave. I'll be loosing money if I try to finish this current one. The question to me now is: What will be getting more gameplay? A vertical only shooter cabinet or a horizontal cabinet that can do 95% of games natively. I wanted to do laminate on this one, but laminate is kinda expensive so I plan on doing it on this one I'm going to start work on soon. I'm gonna do some great, great stuff on this next cabinet. You all wait and see. Hopefully they will do Hall of fame. I dunno if there are any hof for countertop cabinets. I will just set this current project to the side. Or if anyone if interested in purchasing the vertical game cabinet lemme know. I'll charge $50 for it. Thats the wood only, does not include monitor.

[albrigsr]

Ben,

I tried to email you back but it got bounced back.  Please check your PM for my address.

[stellarola]

Yo guys. After not having too much free time, and some thinking. I've decided to go with the shooter cabinet idea. I just thought it will be really easy for people to pick up and play the games. I mean the idea is simple...SHOOT!!!     I've made some adjustments. I will keep the sides of the cabinet, then replace all of the insides with 1/2 inch mdf. The sides are 3/4 particleboard. Then I'm going to cut the wood right where the control panel is. Cut that part off and replace with a separate control panel. The control panel will be able to be removed easily. I drew up a quick design (remember just a quick drawing) of what I'm trying to convey to you all. I'm gonna attempt make a little pop out drawer on the side of the cabinet. It will be flush with the side of the cabinet, then u press into it, out pops the dreamcast system for easy access to game change. We'll see if that gets implemented. Also I wanna thank all those who have emailed me with support of finishing this project I set forth. I WILL COMPLETE IT. 

-Ben

[menace]

Did you consider 3/8" ply for the cabinet?  I've used that twice now and besides being ALOT lighter it's easier to work with than crappy mdf or particle board.  Also, I was going to mention that I'll never do a vertical cab again just because I find more people are playing horizontal games than vertical ones and the vertical games looking better on a horizontal monitor than the reverse--but you made your call and stuck to it--good man, keep the project rolling!

[stellarola]

LOL, thanks bud for the support.

[Minwah]

I can't wait to see it, glad you stuck to the idea.  I'm still pissed that my DC broke just when I wanted to put it in my cab    Good idea making a bartop tho, removes the trouble of fitting a PC in.  I've got an old 14" low-res monitor that I could use...

[SNAAKE]

stellarola,did you get my last PM