My Mame cabinet project

YouTube Movie

2008-01-07T00:26:00.000+01:00

I've uploaded a movie about the Mame cabinet on YouTube, see below:

Enjoy!

What? An update after all this time?

2008-01-05T12:18:00.000+01:00

Yes: the cab is working fine for several years now.
However, some work on the finishing details still have to be done.
See here the little changes I made on my cab this week:

The CPU in my Mame computer was originally a Pentium 4 1.7GHz with 256KB cache.
A friend of mine gave me a Pentium 4 2.0GHz with 512KB cache, which is working perfectly on the Compaq Evo system.
The programs are running obviously faster now!

The coin door was not illuminated until now: An USB cable plugged in the computer is used to provide the 5 volt required for the two light bulbs. Simple and neat.

See here the result:

The computer is generating some vibration noises: not that much but I want this cab to be as silent as possible.
Using isolation foil on the bottom of the drawer where the PC is standing was the right solution to reduce noticeably the noise of the system.

This is the cheapest and most effective mod I've done on this cabinet!

See here the newest GameEx v9.08 in action: it's working like a charm!

I will post more pics of the cabinet very soon, maybe a movie also this time.

By the way: Happy new year to you all!

New project

2006-04-30T00:19:00.000+02:00

I've started a new arcade project: you're welcome to take a look at it:

My Lunacade Project

GameEx front-end

2005-11-13T14:35:00.000+01:00

At last something new...

I've discovered an amazing front-end called "GameEx" from Tom Speirs.
This front-end is not only very cool to use for sorting, searching or running Mame roms, but it plays internet radio while you're busy in the menu, video, RSS news etc...
It's full of features and options.

You can even set your (ArcadeVGA!) resolution, add other emulators or applications.

To remove the nag-screen, you'll have to donate 18$ or more, which is a bargain for a program like this!

If you're looking for a front-end, give it a try:

http://tomspeirs.com/gameex/default.htm

Marquee Part #3

2005-08-20T11:15:00.000+02:00

I received the side-arts this week, along with the second marquee (just the same as the first one) I ordered just in case.
Those side-arts are really beautiful: the quality of these products is awesome!

Oh yeah: this is it!

Monitor Remote

2005-08-03T20:20:00.000+02:00

Today, I received the parcel from Hantarex, with the missing part of the "remote".

Now, the adjust-panel is mounted just under the control panel, so it will be much easier now to make the monitor adjustments...without a mirror!

By the way, about the question regarding the ArcadeVGA videocard: there's no Low Profile option available unfortunately.

T-Molding Renewal

2005-08-02T22:39:00.000+02:00

Today, my neighbor came at my door with the parcel from T-Molding.
Damn: they're fast!

Time to start the project...
First the old t-molding has to be removed: that's obviously the easiest part.

After I've cleaned the slots, the new t-molding could be installed.
Some notches were cut in the inside face of the molding at some places, allowing it to easily fit around the corners.

I've used glue on the molding to be sure it will stick, especially around the corners... (yes, I admit: my wife was helping me...)

It's done: the cabinet has a fresh look.
I'm not 100% satisfied about the result, but it's not bad at all.

Time to clean up the mess...

Few Updates

2005-08-01T23:25:00.000+02:00

No big news today, only a few updates.

When I received the Polostar, I realized the connection-bridge on the "remote" was missing.

This so called "remote" is nothing more than a flatcable that connect the adjust- panel with the mainboard of the monitor: this allows you to adjust the monitor while being in front of it instead of behind. (which is not practical, and dangerous too...)
Without the bridge between the flatcable and the adjust-panel, I'm stuck with two female connectors that can't be linked.

I wrote an email to Hantarex about the missing part, and they promised me they will send it by post as soon as possible.

I've also ordered 60 feet of black T-molding today, so I can renovate the cabinet a little bit more.
Check this online store, dedicated to T-molding products only: http://www.t-molding.com

Marquee Part #2

2005-07-27T19:13:00.000+02:00

Oh yeah: the "Atomic" marquee has arrived!

The marquee itself is very well made, and so easy to install that it wasn't even interesting to take pictures of the process.

Instead of that, see rather the final result:

The "Atomic" side-art stickers have been ordered today: no need to wait any longer.

Windows XP Resolution

2005-07-26T23:09:00.000+02:00

Windows XP has been forced to work at 640 * 480 at 60Hz. (VGA mode)
It can be done via Display >Settings >Advanced >Device >List All Modes.
This is the ideal Windows resolution for the Polostar.

I don't know yet if there's a possibility for the Polostar to have a modified 800 * 600 resolution without panning.
Meanwhile, I'm stuck with a low-res resolution on a 28 inch screen, which doesn't really matter anyway: it's supposed to be a Mame machine after all.

As for the games, the VGA mode is not taking advantage of the ability to display native arcade resolutions.
Maybe the famous ArcadeVGA will be the solution, but first, I need to know if this card has also a low profile bracket as option.
(The PC can only handle low profile AGP videocards)

There's an excellent Monitor faq here: Ultimarc

Some screenshots

2005-07-23T17:08:00.000+02:00

I've put the glass back on the monitor bezel, and took some more pictures. Enjoy!

That's me in the reflection of the glass... ;-)

The monitor part is done, let's see what the next steps are:

I have to wait for the new marquee: that will give the cab a great look!
As the current t-molding strip is not so nice anymore, I need to change that as well.
The glass plate has to be replaced too, as the current one has been damaged.

Monitor First Tests

2005-07-23T11:48:00.000+02:00

It's friday late in the evening, and I'm tired, but I can't stop now.
I must see this thing working, whatever it takes!

This are the first moments of the new monitor running.

See here the screenshots:

Windows XP is running at 640*480 so I'm also able to use other Windows applications as you can see:

I can also use the "Virtual Desktop" option at 800 * 600 or even 1024 * 768 with panning: that's still an option if I need more room.

Monitor Part #3

2005-07-23T11:30:00.000+02:00

I had to modify the brackets: the monitor is 2 mm too large at the corners.

The monitor fits well on the modified brackets: great!
It has now to be set at the right height.
Because of the weight, this is not easy to perform...

That's it: the monitor is mounted and ready to go!

Monitor Part #2

2005-07-23T11:17:00.000+02:00

The new monitor has finally arrived!

The tube is huge, this will be quite different than the original monitor!

Surprise, there's a cooler fan build inside.
(I'm a bit worried about the noise it will make)

See here the adjust-panel, which can also be mounted at the front of the cabinet with a flatcable.

First tests

2005-07-20T13:30:00.000+02:00

This is the cabinet, running with a 15" flatpanel.
Of course, I've tested it before, but didn't take pictures of the screen until now.
As you can see, it's really time for the new monitor to come!

Mame32 v0.98 is configured, and ready to go.
There're +/- 5548 working games in my collection, but the most recent ones are too heavy for the computer.
Titles such as Strider 2 or Wargods are not playable, which is too bad.
Well: it is not only a PC hardware issue: those games are not emulated at 100% anyway.

The coindoor has been stripped to the minimum: only the lightbulbs are left in place.
I may connect those again, but I still have to figure out where to take the power.
The volumecontrol and powerswitch are reachable from here.

Marquee Part #1

2005-07-19T01:14:00.000+02:00

I couldn't wait any longer: I've ordered the new marquee at http://www.mamemarquees.com.
This is the choice I made:

The side-art stickers with the same theme are also available but are quite expensive.
I may order those in the future, but for now, the marquee will do.

Monitor Part #1

2005-07-18T17:58:00.000+02:00

The old monitor has been removed, and is ready to be trashed.
I can't wait to see the brandnew 28 inch multisync monitor working!

I made new mounting brackets out of aluminum rails for the Hantarex Polostar (Which isn't delivered yet).

These brackets have to support the 30 kilo weight of the new monitor, so it has to be strong enough.
The fixation holes will be made as soon as I get the Hantarex so I'll be able to take the exact measures.

Electricity and sound

2005-07-17T21:17:00.000+02:00

This is the new electrical installation.
The mainswitch which turns on and off the powerstrip is reachable from the coindoor.
I 've also installed a standard powercord on the fluorescent lamp behind the marquee.

I bought this Creative 2.1 speakerset: the Sub will be placed on the bottom of the cabinet. The satellites will be replaced by the existing internal speakers which requires some soldering.

See here the subwoofer with the plugs and wires to the cabinet speakers.
The result is amazing: it sounds very good!

Wireless keyboard

2005-07-16T21:52:00.000+02:00

I found this wireless keyboard/mouse combination from BTC.
This is perfect to avoid cables and a loose mouse without support.

The Radio Frequency (not InfraRed!!) receiver is hidden behind the marquee of the cabinet.

The brain

2005-07-16T17:44:00.000+02:00

This is the new brain of the cabinet: a Compaq Evo SFF P4 1.7Ghz.
I bought this PC on Ebay, and added some hardware to tweak it up.
Along with 768Mb memory, a Radeon 9250 128Mb, a 160Gb HD and even a DVD+/-RW DL optical drive, it will do the task!

As my intension is to run Mame32 under Windows XP, the PC has to be quite fast.

The back of the computer: I've plenty of room left inside the cabinet! See also the antenna of the Linksys Wifi 54Mbps PCI adapter.

Control panel Part #2

2005-07-12T21:04:00.000+02:00

The top plate is finished.
The buttons and joysticks are mounted and wired.
I chose for a blue finishing, instead of black which was my first choice.
The blue color matches perfectly with the Mame theme I want to use.

The Mini-Pac interface is placed in the middle of the top plate: this way, the wires which are really short can reach all switches.

The top plate is now ready to be installed on the metallic panel.

Final result of the control panel: the panel fits perfectly and the joysticks and buttons are working great.

Control panel Part #1

2005-06-27T16:27:00.000+02:00

The panel has been cleaned.
A rectangular breach has to be cut out to make room for the new layout.

The breach has been made, it's time for a first layer of primer.

Those are the new 4/8 way joysticks and buttons I've ordered at http://www.ultimarc.com.
Right now, I have to design a new top plate (MDF 1cm thick) for the panel.

A pic of the Mini-Pac along with the wires and USB cable, also from Ultimarc.
The wires are quite short: that could be a problem if the interface is not placed in the middle of the panel.

This is the new MDF top plate, ready to be painted.

The front plate is now mounted on the panel: that will do!

Stripping off

2005-06-26T17:52:00.000+02:00

It's time to remove the Sega System 24 hardware, the 24KHz 26" monitor and of course the metallic control panel that has to be modified: that will remain the hardest part.

This Wells Gardner 25k5594 monitor is not good enough for my project: it will be removed and replaced by a brandnew Hantarex Polostar 28" which will be ordered at http://www.arcaderick.de.
There's also a 29" True Flat model available, but it will not fit in the cab.

The cab is almost empty: time to clean up 16 year of dust.

This is a picture of the Sega System 24 hardware that has been removed.
You can see the 1.44Mb floppydrive under the mainboard.
If you want to know more about the System 24, follow this link: http://www.system16.com/sega/hrdw_system24.html

The game

2005-06-25T19:59:00.000+02:00

Before removing it, I took some screenshots of the original game.
"Sega Jumbo Ozaki Super Masters" : a huge title for such a little game on floppydisk!

Main screenshot:

Ingame screenshot:

This game cannot be emulated by Mame (yet) because of the protection on it.
Big deal: we have Puzzle Bobble and the Metal Slug series...!

The delivery

2005-06-24T18:30:00.000+02:00

At last, the Sega has arrived.
Here it is, in my living room, beside my Optima 28 (NeoGeo) cabinet.
I though the Optima 28 was large, but this one is ever bigger!

The cabinet is covered by stickers that have prevented scratches on the wood which is of course a good thing.
Now, the first step is to remove those.

The original marquee will be replaced by a new one.
That will be the finishing touch.

Starting up the project

2005-06-19T19:19:00.000+02:00

I was searching on the internet for a nice arcade cabinet, to build my first Mame machine.
It's quite hard to find one in a good condition for a reasonable price in the Netherlands.

This is what I found at http://www.topshop-automaten.nl:

It's quite expensive for a 16 year old cabinet, but it's perfect for my project.
This Sega cabinet has a conventional shape, and is fairly easy to customize.

So I made a deal, and I'm now waiting for the delivery...