I'm thinking of making a table top 2 player arcade unit using the following board: http://www.austinamusements.com.au/game-boards/60-in-1-classic-collection-jamma-board/prod_66.html (it's not the exact one as shown there in the picture) So I get that I will connect a power supply and a monitor to that board, but what else does it need, for example, controllers/buttons/joysticks/etc? How are they added, what is a Jamma connector used for/is it needed? any info is much appreciated
The jamma wiring is like the main loom in your car. It connects the game board by the jamma connector, to all the controls, monitor and PSU. The jamma connector is needed for interchangeable jamma games. What games are you planing on using? Or are you going with a MAME pc?
ok, I see the board now. For a "classic" game setup like that you'll need: 2x Joysticks 6x Buttons + 2x Start buttons 1x Coin mech or Credit button 1x Arcade PSU 1x Speaker 1x Arcade monitor / RGB TV / VGA Monitor 1x Jamma loom, (or a 56 pin connector and load of wire if you make your own) I think that will do for a simple jamma setup.
...cabinet (hard to hold the bits together without!), glass, glass clips (last two are expensive), legs, PCB mounts. And of course, check the orientation of the games! Then you'll know what orientation you want for the monitor. In short, you're better off finding an old tabletop game and replacing the board with the one you want. It may even be as simple as pulling the old board and putting the new board in, if the old board was JAMMA.
I plan on making the cabinet myself so I'll need to source all parts as new/used. So as far as a monitor goes, is there anything in particular I should look for? what about a LED monitor - I'm guessing it's a terrible idea?
Are you just wanting to use this board, or are you wanting a JAMMA compliant cabinet? If you just want to use this board, you can probably use the VGA connector and any PC monitor. You could use an LCD or LED monitor if you want. If you want to be able to play JAMMA boards, then you need a true 15khz RGB monitor and will need the jamma harness with a video connector wired.
Just this board. That's why I was all confused why I'd want a Jamma connector if it has the VGA output already..
PC VGA should work fine with that board, but not with any other jamma games. No, the Jamma edge does not output VGA. Only R,G,B and Sync and 15hz. PC monitors use 31hz.
Problem is, you may end up spending far more on the parts that way. You need a decent, thick glass - toughened probably, as you don't want to cut yourself to ribbons if it breaks. That's expensive. Then there's the clips for the glass. They're fairly expensive. That said, this looks like a reasonably priced bundle: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Brand-New-Ar...-/310293118412?pt=AU_ArcadeMachineAccessories
Clips for the glass? hmm I was thinking of making the glass area slightly bigger than the screen - about 15-20mm or so all around so that I can use silicone and then wood around the border screwed or nailed into the inside of the table top to hold the glass flush with the table top (on the inside). I'm thinking of using a LED monitor with the VGA out of that board so the table will be relatively light weight and empty. Has anyone used an LED monitor in a table top, I'm thinking it'd be cool if it works out, but I need to check the viewing angles first..
I wouldn't, personally. LED is expensive and it's not going to look good from those angles. No LCD will. The glass should be the entire top and use clips - that's how all cocktails are, if you look. Maybe of less interest with a flatscreen, but people often put a fan in a cocktail cabinet, too.
