RidicRick Posted June 26, 2012 Posted June 26, 2012 Ok, this isn't an arcade, but since my tablet is in there I could hook up a wii controller or any blutooth controller and play MAME. I came up with this idea a few months ago and decided what the hell and built it... let me know what you guys think. The website for it isnt up just yet. I will probably just offer the graphics to build your own unless someone really wants me to build one for them. I would of course use a digital picture frame that played video instead of a tablet, or you can throw your tablet in there if you wish.
RidicRick Posted June 26, 2012 Author Posted June 26, 2012 First, bought myself a shadow box from Hobby Lobby. This one is 13x17. I also bought a small sheet of styrofoam. And a styrofoam cutter (it just gets hot and cuts through it like butter). See.. cuts like butter. So here I have larger slots cutout for the buttons on the tablet. Just so I don't have to pull it out to turn it off or hit the buttons. Test fitting the tablet in the shadowbox. Make sure to buy the thickest depth shadowbox, it gives you more room to mount your LCD, tablet, or digital picture frame. Black cardboard from Hobby Lobby. Cut this to fit inside. It will be the inner bezel.
RidicRick Posted June 26, 2012 Author Posted June 26, 2012 Its coming together nicely! Cannot wait to print the graphics and get this project done! The video playing is a flv video preview from emumovies. Graphics are printed, laminated, and ready for install. I will be installing a graphic on each side of the plexi (was glass but I broke it). With two different graphics I can change them around at anytime to have a different theme. And here we go.. its done!!! Just wait until you see the video!
danthemute Posted June 26, 2012 Posted June 26, 2012 I like it! The ingenuity that went into this and how simple it is impresses me.
Jumpstile Posted June 26, 2012 Posted June 26, 2012 With that glass from the frame, how would you touch the screen of the tablet in order to start games, change apps, etc? Seems like a PITA to have to open the frame every time you want to do something on the tablet or even just touch the screen... - J* How to rebuild your MAME ROM set using CLRMAMEPRO - Walkthrough HERE!
RidicRick Posted June 26, 2012 Author Posted June 26, 2012 With my tablet I dont have to touch the screen, just use the wii controller and set a button to exit. But really its not meant to play games. Just meant to show video of one game that matches the shadowbox. Then have lets say have a wall of 5 shadow boxes each playing the games video. DK, DKjr, DK3, MarioBros, Popeye. So really you wouldnt use a tablet. Get a cheap digital picture frame that plays video.
Jumpstile Posted June 26, 2012 Posted June 26, 2012 With my tablet I dont have to touch the screen, just use the wii controller and set a button to exit. But really its not meant to play games. Just meant to show video of one game that matches the shadowbox. Then have lets say have a wall of 5 shadow boxes each playing the games video. DK, DKjr, DK3, MarioBros, Popeye.So really you wouldnt use a tablet. Get a cheap digital picture frame that plays video. Gotcha... I understand what it's for now. That sounds like a cool idea to hang a bunch of these on the wall. - J* How to rebuild your MAME ROM set using CLRMAMEPRO - Walkthrough HERE!
Zinger19 Posted June 26, 2012 Posted June 26, 2012 I actually like this idea alot...I might have to steal the idea when I move and have my game room. The only thing I would do differently is mod the tablet/picture frame and add a way to plug it in and turn it off from the outside the box. NES Arcade Build StarKade: A Raspberry Pi Arcade 80's Toy Collection
RidicRick Posted June 26, 2012 Author Posted June 26, 2012 I actually like this idea alot...I might have to steal the idea when I move and have my game room. The only thing I would do differently is mod the tablet/picture frame and add a way to plug it in and turn it off from the outside the box. I put a hole in the back of mine so that it can be plugged in and hide the wires a little better. And the new 12" digital picture frame I am putting into it has a remote control to turn it on/off so I wont need to have a on/off switch.
sparkywallnut Posted June 26, 2012 Posted June 26, 2012 Awesome stuff! Like I need another project right now. Thanks! Lol [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
Zinger19 Posted June 26, 2012 Posted June 26, 2012 I put a hole in the back of mine so that it can be plugged in and hide the wires a little better. And the new 12" digital picture frame I am putting into it has a remote control to turn it on/off so I wont need to have a on/off switch. Very cool. Thanks a lot for the neat idea. NES Arcade Build StarKade: A Raspberry Pi Arcade 80's Toy Collection
Skipernicus Posted August 26, 2013 Posted August 26, 2013 I love this! Fantastic work! This would make a great submission to instructables.com. A couple of questions: Would you be willing post your graphics files for the bezel? Also, what tablet are you using, and what software? Thanks!
jackhammersalm Posted August 26, 2013 Posted August 26, 2013 love this very ingenious Sent from Jumpers battered Samsung Galaxy S3 The Hyperspin Report writer/editor <br />resident grouch, Hyperspin facebook modorator<br />for those who want to read my work <br /><a href='http://thehyperspinreport.blogspot.co.uk' class='bbc_url' title='External link' rel='nofollow external'>http://thehyperspinreport.blogspot.co.uk</a>
RidicRick Posted August 27, 2013 Author Posted August 27, 2013 I sold the digital shadow box arcade but it was a $250 tablet (forgot which one) just playing a video of the game. You could use a emulator and actually play the game using blutooth and a wii controller. But I would just get a digital picture frame, load the video, put on the bezel and be done at a much cheaper cost. Most of the art you can find here, then just make it whatever size you need for the shadow box you get. http://arcadeartlibrary.com/arcade_art/
monkeychunkuk Posted August 28, 2013 Posted August 28, 2013 Nice idea it's like moving art great for someone's arcade room could you hang it like a picture
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