MAMEWorld Forums - Hardware - Re: newbie needs a guru sidekick.

> I have been obsessing over the idea of creating my own arcade system for about 4 days
> now.
> I actually made the decision to spend lots of time on getting it done as quick as
> possible, and as cheap as possible.
> I have about 3 computers and CRT monitors, I can recycle for the project. Each spare
> computer are only about 5-10 years old. So I think they might live up to the
> requirements.
>
> The questions I have is how to mount the CRT monitor.
> Would a bar top design work for a CRT monitor. I also want to know if there is a
> design someone already has that is bar top and uses a CRT monitor. I also would like
> help with finding web pages that will teach me how mount my PC into the cabinet so
> it's organized and so it fits well.
> The lastly I think, would be needing info on getting the menus on the arcade. I want
> to be able to have the ability to hit a button and end up back at a menu. When I'm at
> the menu I want to have the ability to select from many emulators other than MAME ,
> like; Sega , nintendo , Atari , etc. I want each logo to be displayed also.
> Well I hope I made some sense , and I hope to get some help when needed.
>
>
> Thank you

For cab building techniques, examples and advice your best bet would be to sign up at the BYOAC (build your own arcade controls) forums.

Most multi-emulator front-ends will do what you want in terms of menu. You can set them up so a button can cycle through the game lists for lots of different emulators, and another button will launch a game and the correct emulator when you want to play it. Game lists can be displayed with screenshots, AVI's and other artwork. You can also set most emulators up to exit with a button press which will put you back to the front-end you choose to use to select a new game.

Good shareware FE's include Maximus Arcade and GameEx, good free FE's are Mala and Mamewah the shareware FE's are generally much easier to set up. For something really fancy check out Hyperspin (good PC required). There are of course loads of others you can try too, best thing is to google emulator front-ends and try some out to see what you like and what you're comfortable setting up.

On the PC performance side of things, modern builds of Mame require a fairly good PC to avoid framerate and other issues. Dependent on the spec of the ones you're intending to use, you might need to use older builds of Mame. If the PC you're intending to use is close to 10 years old you'll almost certainly need to use an older build.

Hope that helps.