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MAME CABINET PROJECT |
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| PLANNING
| CABINET | HARDWARE | SOFTWARE
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The first decision to make is whether to buy or build a cabinet. I decided to buy since I didn't have access to adequate space and tools to build the cabinet. So, next, I had to decide on the features that I wanted in a cabinet. My basic criteria were:
Based on these criteria, I decided on either a Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat (since I like both of these games anyway). The search was on... Initially, I posted a WTB (want to buy) request on an arcade collector's USENET group (rec.games.video.arcade.collecting). I also scoured Washington DC area retailers/distributors for an SF or MK cabinet in relatively good condition to no avail. I managed to find a Street Fighter 2 World Warrior on eBay in New Jersey. I won the auction and got a very nice working cabinet for $300. Here's a picture of the original cabinet:
Now, that I got the cab that I wanted, it was time to begin the real work. The controls were in relatively bad shape, so I decided the replace all of them. Happ Controls had everything I needed. I was able to replace both joysticks and all the buttons for around $50. Here are the before and after shots:
The new controls made a world of difference. I played the original SF2 game for about a day before I decided that it was time to gut the cab. I started by removing the shelf that the SF2 PCB was mounted to. I decided that I wanted to keep the cabinet as close to its original state after the MAME conversion. Now it was time to mount the necessary hardware to run MAME. I decided the mount the hardware to the shelf that the PCB was mounted to (basically because the control panel bolted to the shelf). The hardware I chose is as follows:
The biggest challenge in building a MAME cab is displaying the correct video output from the PC on the arcade monitor. After doing a lot of research, I decided to go with a JPAC. Basically, the JPAC will convert the video card's video signal into an output which the arcade monitor can display via the standard JAMMA connector. Also, it provide the necessary keyboard mapping so that the PC can interpret the arcade controls. Here is a picture of all the hardware mounted to the PCB shelf:
I also replaced the original speaker (SF2WW had only mono sound even though the cabinet had cut-outs for 2 speakers) with a pair of inexpensive PC speakers. Also, I added a Microsoft Sidewinder Racing Wheel for the driving games.
As part of my research, I came across numerous software configurations for MAME. I decided to go with a config based on Windows 98 since it appeared to offer the easiest setup without a significant performance compromise. Here is the software configuration:
UPDATES January 2003 - Ultimarc released the ArcadeVGA which solves a lot of the problems with displaying the problem game resolutions on arcade monitors. I ordered one of these cards and installed it in my cabinet. The ArcadeVGA works great! One of the nice features about it is that it allows you to properly display the Windows desktop and other Windows-based emulators. Thus, I've added 2 new emulators:
February 2003 - Late last year, Act-Labs released a USB light gun that would work with MAME. However, it was only for VGA monitors. Nevertheless, I was determined to try it with my cabinet and lo and behold -- it worked! The video connection is as follows: ArcadeVGA -> Act-Labs Light Gun Converter -> JPAC -> Arcade Monitor All of the light gun games work well with the exception of the PlayChoice games. I've moved all of the light gun games to a separate category in ArcadeOS. March 2003 - I've made some major hardware and software changes to the cab. Hardware: Basically, all the hardware changes were triggered by my monitor dying. The issue was that the monitor would continuously blow fuses and would not power up. After replacing the usual suspects (flyback transformer, voltage regulator, cap kit), the issue was still not resolved so I decided that it was beyond my troubleshooting skills and was not worth the time or effort to fix it. Thus, I decided to upgrade to a Wells Gardner 27D9200. The great thing about the D9200 is that it is basically a large VGA monitor; therefore, you don't have to deal with any of the sync issues that you typically do with a standard resolution arcade monitor. Now I don't need the ArcadeVGA card or the JPAC to properly display games! I instead replaces the ArcadeVGA with an ATI Radeon 7500. Typically, you don't need a video card any more powerful than a Rage 128 to run MAME games; however, I wanted a 3D card that would allow me to play PC games on the cab. I also decided that it was time to upgrade the sound system and dispose of the tinny PC speakers that I had been using. I opted for the Creative Inspire 2500 2.1. These speakers rock! The remote volume control is especially nice. Software: On the software side, I upgraded the system to Windows XP Pro. I chose to do this because I felt that it would offer better performance, compatibility, and will not be EOL'd anytime soon. As a result of this, I can no longer use any DOS-based front-ends or emulators. So, I was forced to abandon ArcadeOS and moved to AdvanceMenu. I've also migrated to the Windows build of AdvanceMAME for all non-lightgun games and to the standard Windows build of MAME for the lightgun games (AdvanceMAME does not support the USB lightgun.) Controls: And
now for my favorite addition... the stand-alone trackball "box".
I've wanted to add a trackball for some time; however, I felt that it
would it would clutter the existing control panel. So, after doing some
research, I decided to go with a design similar to this.
I got a used 3"
Happs Trackball off of Ebay for $30 -- a steal considering that they
are $100 new. I also ordered an OptiPac
from Ultimarc to interface the trackball with the PC. We decided to build
the "box" from black laminated shelves with a lexan top to avoid
scuffs. The game play is great, especially for Golden
Tee Golf PC. Here's a picture with Golden Tee and the trackball "box":
April 2003 - I decided to re-do all the graphics on the cabinet, doing away with the original SF2 graphics. Marquee - I got the graphics for the new marquee here. Here's a picture of the new marquee installed:
Control Panel - I removed the old SF2 control panel overlay, sanded off the adhesive, and painted the control panel assembly a high gloss black. I found a very nice generic overlay which I added a MAME logo to. Here's a shot of the finished overlay:
Dreamcast Integration - As part of what I believe will be the last major change to the cabinet, I have integrated a Sega Dreamcast. This may seem a little outlandish; however, the Dreamcast is a perfect candidate for a console-to-cabinet conversion because it:
The
DC2Jamma site provided some great information on converting the
Dreamcast's video output, audio output, and controls to a standard JAMMA
connector. However, the conversion was significantly easier since I used a
Dreamcast VGA converter which connected directly to the D9200's VGA input.
Here are a few pictures of the Dreamcast in action:
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