My MAME idea

xads308

New member
Joined
Aug 16, 2010
Messages
59
Reaction score
0
Location
Michigan
I've decided to turn my arcade machine into a MAME, and I think I've got the right plan for it; however, being a COMPLETE beginner at this, I figured it would be a good idea to submit my idea here. Anyway, I plan replace the monitor with an LCD and add a trackball; following are the steps, I would be VERY appreciative if you would help me along the way.

1. Order the parts. My machine is JAMMA; I plan on buying a J-PAC for all the miscellaneous buttons on the arcade machine (I do NOT, however, plan on using the J-PAC for the monitor...is that possible to only use it for controls?), and I plan on buying a PS/2 trackball as well that I can just connect to the computer. I'm also looking at some 19" arcade LCDs, can anyone recommend to me good, inexpensive brands?

2. Take the monitor/chassis out and replace with the LCD. This I am a bit apprehensive about; is it possible for me to just unhook everything and take the monitor/chassis out in one fell swoop?

3. Connect all the buttons/joysticks/coin mech to the J-PAC, connect the J-PAC to the JAMMA harness, and connect the J-PAC to the computer. Somewhere in here I'm either going to attempt to make a hole in the control panel or extend the control panel out (it'll be ugly, but it'll get the job done), any suggestions on how to do this? Also, will the J-PAC/computer be enough to power the controls?

4. Connect the LCD to the computer via VGA and of course, plug the computer/monitor in to a wall socket.

5. Fire everything up and play!

It seems like that's all there is to it...besides, of COURSE, sound and the marquee. EVERYTHING on my machine works (besides the monitor), how would I go about at least getting the speakers to run into a standard PC? I'm not very big into electronics, mind you, so please have pity. Is it just a simple matter of somehow connecting the speakers to the computer, and then actually turning on the machine (not the computer) to get them (and the marquee) to work? Or is it more than that?

I think I've gotten all my thoughts onto the virtual paper, how do they sound?

Thanks!
 
I think you will find MAME is not a very popular name around here and you won't find much help. Best to try BYOAC forums or look at Ultimarc's website. Andy provides all the answers to your questions in regards to JPAC etc.
 
BYOAC would be best for you yes, but i'll answer a few questions none the less.

JPAC is fine which has basically everything already wired up if your using Jamma. Anything after 3 buttons thou you will have to run to the JPAC manually. Easy to do.

If your using an LCD Monitor, you don't need to wire the pc to the jpac, you can skip that and run the monitor straight via PC.

Pulling the CRT monitor all in one shot should be easy, usually just 4 bolts and out it goes. Just be careful not to mess with the anode cup with bare hands, just on the safe side.

Mame can be a pain to setup, depending on what all your wanting to do with it. As far as the control panel thing, if possible, make yourself a new one. Keeping the original one intact. Making it easy to convert the game back to whatever it is. There's thousands of games, and I would recommend limiting your list so it's not overwhelming.

Oh and the speaker thing, save yourself the time and run PC speakers instead of hacking into the speakers that are already in the cab. I picked up a cheap set recently that sound ok, and have there own seperate volume adjustor making it easy to place almost anywhere.

Hope that helps, but yes maming a dedicated cab is frowned upon here.
 
I think you will find MAME is not a very popular name around here and you won't find much help. Best to try BYOAC forums or look at Ultimarc's website. Andy provides all the answers to your questions in regards to JPAC etc.

+1

There is the vaps logo on the top left of this page and it does spell that out for you.
 
I've decided to turn my arcade machine into a MAME, and I think I've got the right plan for it; however, being a COMPLETE beginner at this, I figured it would be a good idea to submit my idea here. Anyway, I plan replace the monitor with an LCD...
godzilla_facepalm.jpg
 
Back
Top Bottom