Re: Yet another Midway cocktail project *COMPLETE W/ PICS - 08/21/05*

[AlanS17]

Ok here's a picture of the inside. Yes, it's another picture from the camera phone. I was in a hurry.

The speakers, sub, power supply, audio remote, power strip and pc power switches are all being held in place by industrial strength velcro.

Again, it's hard to appreciate exactly how packed this thing is. Once it's closed, it's vey tight in there. I had to do a fair amount of planning to make sure everything fit ok.

[traknfieldSUPAstar]

I haven't spent quite that much, But I'm hovering around $1000. The cost would be higher if I was listing full retail price for the monitor and coin door. Those are the only 2 parts I'm using that aren't brand new.

No, there's no reason why a CGA monitor can't be used. Lots of people just use VGA because they're pretty easy to come by in 19".

Yeah, my cost estimates were around $800-$1000 depending on whether I wanted to buy a refurbished/new vga monitor. If i use one of the two CGA monitors I have (one's untested and the other is for a vertical setup, both have some screen burn) I can shave off around $200-250 from the price or spend it somewhere else on the cab. Of course If i'm going the spend $600 might as well swing for a new monitor...

[javeryh]

It's not like you have to shell out the money all at once though - my costs have been spread out over about a year (it takes forever trying to get time with a baby in the house) so it has only been about $100 a month... and since I no longer go out (baby, again) the money was there!

[AlanS17]

If you've already got a CGA monitor, that will work fine with AdvanceMAME in DOS. Ultimarc sells a video amp with break-out cabling. You just plug one end into your regular video card. It ramps up the signal and then breaks out all the proper wires to hook it up to the CGA monitor. It takes all the effort out of it, and I think it's only like $15 or something. I'm too lazy to look it up right now.

You might as well work with what you've got to keep the prices low. That's all I did. I worked with what I had. Of course, I just happened to have a VGA monitor, but that's besides the point.

I just wouldn't want to put a 19" monitor into an upright cab if I were building my own so I used it in a cocktail cabinet. Given the choice, though, I'd be just as happy (or happier) if I'd used a CGA monitor. Using a CGA monitor also gives the whole thing a more authentic feel IMO. I still sometimes feel like I have a computer shaped like an arcade machine rather than an arcade machine with a computer in it because of that VGA monitor.

[traknfieldSUPAstar]

It's not like you have to shell out the money all at once though - my costs have been spread out over about a year (it takes forever trying to get time with a baby in the house) so it has only been about $100 a month... and since I no longer go out (baby, again) the money was there!

true... but damnit, I want it now!!!

[AlanS17]

DONE!

I had a couple of hurdles along the way, but my cocktail cabinet is officially done! I'll get some pictures up when I get it moved upstairs to its final location.

Evdentually I'd like to get the reset button and control panel lights up and running. I'd aso like to get some CPO's. Those are just extras, though. For all intents and purposes, this thing is complete.

[Bones]

Wake up!!

Pics, pics, pics!! 

[traknfieldSUPAstar]

congratz, I'm looking forward to your review at retro blast (as well as a bunch of pics)!!! 

[AlanS17]

I've just got camera phone pics until I can get my digital camera pics downloaded to my PC. If you notice holes below the control panels, it's because I haven't gotten speaker grills yet.

The left money shot.

[AlanS17]

I'll likely decorate the stools to match the machine. I picked them up at IKEA for $10 each. They tuck under the control panels and they're a good height (at least for me) for seeing the screen.

The right money shot.

[AlanS17]

Notice the lock on the coin door is actually a latch. That's my "keyless lock" (which I still need to get shipped out to a couple people). Yes, I know the pictures suck. I apologize. When I get more up I'll include interior shots.

The left closeup.

[AlanS17]

My final control panel layout choice. I think I like it this way.

[AlanS17]

FYI, the first game I played was Galaga (followed by Ms. Pac-Man, Juno First, Tetris, Frogger, Mappy, Donkey Kong, and Donkey Kong 3).

[dweebs0r]

Are we going to have to wait for the retroblast review to get high res pics?

Alan, I know you've been working alot lately but think of the BYOAC'ers here first, and the job second.

(I say this as I am surfing from the work computer).   

-Dweebs