rEd86's MAME cabinet & media center

[rEd86]

Greetings.  I am in the process of designing a MAME system and wanted to post the design here and get your feedback.

I must admit, I am fairly new to the concept of building an arcade cabinet/system and have only been on the boards for a few weeks but when I get the bug with anything, I jump right in.  (I do have some woodworking tools and have built furniture in the past)

Design Requirements
I wanted something that was a little more modern and would fit in the basement I'm refinishing, along side the big HD TV, so space was a consideration.  I also wanted the system to server as a media center for all of our music, which will hopefully mean the system will get a lot of use, whether it's while playing games or music.

In searching for designs, I stumbled upon TAZ's web site and decided to base my build on his design.  His site has been down recently so my initial designs were from memory.  He's sent me some more details of his designs since then and I am pretty close to what he did, although there are some slight differences.  The lower part of my podium isn’t as deep as his is – I wanted to make the whole cabinet from a single sheet of MDF.  (minus the floor base)

Here's an overall shot.  I will be using a 27.5" LCD computer monitor.  Everything is close to scale but not exact.


 I am going to keep the control panel fairly simple, with two joysticks, six game buttons, a track ball with two buttons, and a spinner.  Add player & coin buttons and that's all there is.  The dimensions are 30"x20" and there is a slight curve on the front.  (I couldn’t figure out how to cut out the curve in Google Sketchup)



There are also two pinball buttons on each side of the control panel.

I am not yet sure about the admin panel due to my lack of experience with an emulator system.  (don’t know if I need all the buttons that are here – it looks a little crowded to me right now)  I have a CD/DVD player on the front for easy access and two USB ports in case I want to hook up a couple of joysticks on the front for the occasional 4-player game.  (I am considering moving the USB to the front/underside of the control panel to hide it a little better since it will not likely get used that often.)



The buttons are pretty self explanatory.  I got the template from Pongo – I am going to have him print me some vinyl stickers once I’ve finalized my design.  I did create a “Rotate Screen” button to rotate the screen from landscape to portrait mode.

So that’s the design for now.  Give me your feedback, both good and bad, so I can improve on the design on paper.  Then I will post some build pictures when I get going.

Thanks!

--Ed

[dungbeetle46]

looks good, cant wait to see the finished project.
you could probably do away with some admin buttons depending on your keyboard encoder, ipac encoders use a shift button eg:P1 Start + Button A  = Credit also there is pause, enter,tab,escape and tilde.
Its up to you of course, Happy Building

[rEd86]

Thanks.  I am anxious to start building it but I also know that it will turn out better if I don't rush the project.

I do have two I-PAC 2 FS32 interface boards and was looking at the options.  While I don't want too many buttons, I also want to make the interface obvious so my kids can play it without bugging me.

I have everything except the buttons, which I ordered from Groovy Games.  I opted to get the Electric ICE RGB buttons with a couple of LED-Wiz controllers. Randy said they shipped earlier in the week so with any luck I will get them tomorrow and can test a few things and take some pictures of the hardware.

--Ed

[drventure]

Looks cool

I'd agree though, you probably won't need all the admin buttons. Most of that stuff (EMU, Lists, etc) can be handled via joysticks and the normal player buttons when in your front end.

Power you probably want to put someplace discrete. Rotate screen shouldn't be necessary as there are lots of tools around to automatically rotate the screen depending on what's showing (per game or for individual apps). On the other hand, it'd be a cool party trick! I could also see a "Disco Jive" button to cause all the buttons to dance around, and maybe a "Mellow out" button to make them all do slow fades.

But then, that might be taking things a little too far 

[rEd86]

Rotate screen shouldn't be necessary as there are lots of tools around to automatically rotate the screen depending on what's showing (per game or for individual apps). On the other hand, it'd be a cool party trick! I could also see a "Disco Jive" button to cause all the buttons to dance around, and maybe a "Mellow out" button to make them all do slow fades.

I wasn't sure if I would want to automatically have the screen switch depending on what's showing.  Not only is it going to change the video settings, but I am going to have a motor that automatically rotates the LCD screen as well. (similar to what psychotech did here)  Not only is there a cool factor in being able to manually rotate the monitor, but I am guessing there might be times when the automated rotation might fail and I would need to force the monitor to change state.

I can't wait to start programming the LEDs and having some fun with the sequencing.  There will DEFINATELY be a button combination that will set off a light show.

Thanks for the feedback.

--Ed

[rEd86]

OK, I went ahead and rough cut the MDF today.  I will route the curves down to exact dimensions tomorrow and see if I can assemble it.  I figured the only things I'm considering changing are the buttons, so the cabinet assembly can begin.  I will take some pictures in the next day or two.

I received my order from Groovie Games on Friday so all the hardware is in.  Unfortunately I am traveling half the week so I will not be able to get as much done on this as I had hoped.  I plan on getting it all completed within two weeks if I don't run into any events with the family that I wasn't expecting.

--Ed

[rEd86]

OK, I have all the pieces of MDF cut out and formed.  Here are the sides of the cabinet:



Here is the console top:

(I still need to cut the holes for the controls)

And here are the pieces for the rest of the cabinet:


I dropped by Sherwin Williams and picked up some wood primer and paint so I am ready to start assembling this when I get back in town this weekend.  I'll post more photos of the build this weekend.  I am hoping to have a working system in about two weeks - so far I am on schedule...

--Ed

[rEd86]

OK, so life got in the way a little bit (always does with three young kids) but I have made progress and I have some new photos to post.

The cabinet is built and painted!  Here is a shot of the cabinet:



I still need to build the base platform that this will bolt onto so it is stable.  (see mock-ups in the first post of the thread)

and here's a shot of the console:



I used a semi-gloss Sherman Williams paint on both.  SEVERAL COATS later I think I am ready to begin the electric work. (the slots for the t-molding are cut but it's not installed yet)

So now the fun part.  I have to wire 20 buttons, two joysticks, over 100 LED wires and the computer itself.  (the trackball and dial are USB) I am hoping I can get all that done in about a week.  I also need to mount the LCD screen(which will have a auto-rotate feature) so I need to build that mechanism (based on concepts discussed here) and test it.

Hopefully I'm in the home stretch and will post updates on a more regular basis.

Later!

--Ed

[Epyx]

Having built something similiar with my bartop but benefiting from it's heavy weight I was worried about your stability...then I saw the base in your illustration. It looks like it will provide enough stability. Are you going to add additional weight in the base?

I like the open concept because as long as you stick to the VESA mounting you will be able to change out/upgrade your monitor at will without the restraints of a case determining its replacement size.

Good job!

[rEd86]

Thanks.

I am going to wait and see about the base - leaving the option available to add weight to it if the 24"x24" foot isn't stable enough.  TAZ's design had the same base so I am hoping that it will be fine.  I want to be able to break it down and transport it easily.  One thought is to find some heavy lead weights that I could bolt to the underside of the base which could be removed when transporting it.  Then I just bolt them back on when I am setting it up. If I am able to locate them I will incorporate that into the design now. The control panel is built that way, a couple of screws and it easily disassembles.  (I couldn't get it through my basement door if I didn't to that!)

I agree, that's the beauty of a VESA format, I can change the screen if I want to at some point without serious redesign.  I am sure some hard-core arcade fans aren't going to like the thin design.  If I had the space I would have built something classic, but my space is limited and I figured I would push the limits on something modern this time.

--Ed

[rEd86]

OK, busy night.  I was able to get most of the control panel wired - both switches and LEDs.  You can see the wiring here:



I still need to clean things up and tie all the wires down but I wanted to run some more tests before doing so.  Initial LED Blinky tests were successful.

So there's the top with all the controls: (yea, I still need to mount the t-molding)



Now I need to install MAME and some FE on the hardware I purchased, then it's putting everything together.  I am still hoping to get this done this weekend so I can start enjoying the fruits of my labor.

That's it for now.  I'm out of here.

--Ed

[severdhed]

looking good...keep those pics coming

[rEd86]

OK, the control panel is completed.  Here's a video of it running the LuminAudio demo:



The reason I switched the track ball and roller locations from the mock-up was to accommodate this steering wheel mount:



So now I just need to mount the mother board to the cabinet and hook up the monitor.  Unfortunately I accidentally broke one of the joystick switches while mounting the top to the control panel, so I had to order a replacement from Andy.  (and a few extras as backups)  Since it's coming from the UK, it will be a week before I can wrap it up, so my plan is to finish everything by September 20.

Later!

--Ed

[rEd86]

OK, I have the base built & I am in the process of skinning it.

So here's the base, made out of 5 sheets of 3/4" plywood glued together:



The cabinet slides in the "u" opening and bolts to the base, which is 24"x24".

I purchased some diamond plate and cut it to size & bent it to wrap the base:



I'll cut out the opening once it is glued to the base.

And here's everything clamped and glued:



The sides will be capped with a painted, plywood side.  (see initial mock-ups) With any luck I will finish the base later tonight and start assembling everything.  I have the computer components assembled and loaded the software - I'll take some photos of that and upload it later tonight.

--Ed

[rEd86]

And here's the hardware:



I purchased most of the components from NewEgg for around $200.

The motherboard is an Intel BOXD945GCLF2D Intel Atom processor 330 Intel 945GC Mini ITX Motherboard/CPU Combo.  All I had to do was add Kingston 2GB memory, a 485W power supply, and 500GB WD hard drive.

I also purchased a USB 4-port adapter from Tiger Direct so I can utilize the USB directly off the motherboard to drive my LED & I-PAC controllers.  (as well as the track ball and roller)

There is also a DVD drive pictured that I had lying around, although I am now debating whether I want to have this permanently in the system or if I will just plug in an external drive whenever I need it.  (I can also use another computer at home and just transfer files across the network.)

Anyway, I plan on mounting all this tomorrow and will start the monitor mount as well.  I am still waiting on the replacement switch for the joystick so I'm probably a week away from wrapping it up.

--Ed

[DaOld Man]

Wow, this thing is looking sweet!!
You work very fast, and looks like you are doing a great job.
Unless you plan on playing some games that require the DVD I would leave that part off, like you said you can always plug it in if necessary, and as far as transferring roms etc, I have found that a usb mem stick works just fine for that.
I put a cd rom on my machines, and I dont think I have ever even used them, after the initial setup.
Next time Im just going to place a easily accessible usb port, or maybe use wireless network like you have available.

[rEd86]

Wow, this thing is looking sweet!!
You work very fast, and looks like you are doing a great job.

Thanks. My kids don't think I'm going fast enough so it's good to hear that I am making good progress.  I trimmed the diamond skin but didn't get a picture taken before having to run home.  (the wife is getting a little impatient about the "secret project" and the time it's taking to complete)  She doesn't know what I am doing so hopefully she will be pleasantly surprised when I reveal it.

Tomorrow I'll mount the base to the cabinet and install the computer.  Then it's on to the monitor mount and rotating hardware.

--Ed

[rEd86]

The base is done!  Here's a shot of the assembled cabinet:



Now I need to install the computer components in the cabinet and mount the monitor.  I am still waiting on the replacement switch for the joystick, which should be here any day, as well as the controller for the motor that will rotate the screen. There is also a piece of black acrylic that is going to cover the space below the monitor and above the CP.  Initially that's where extra buttons were going (see mock-up) but I am opting to not have any there for now. I leave on Thursday for a business trip and will not be back until Tuesday, so it looks like I'll have to wait until then to finish this project.

That's it for now.

--Ed

[Cypriot]

Now this is something I would like to have in my room.

I think i will have a copy of the project