Steve Clement 6ac464ca69 | ||
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README.md |
README.md
Level2VPin
Virtual Pinball Cabinet à la Level2
Bill of Materials (BOM)
PC Hardware
Graphics Adaptors
2 nVidia Cards, recent ones, no need for crazy expensive ones. GTX460 1GB at least.
Power-supply
You will need a 750W supply to be sure the system runs smoothly.
Mainboard
Robust and compatible Mainboard
Processor
Any Intel i7
Speakers
Mid-range 2-speaker setup. Or a Pinball Cabinet Kit
Approx. 99€
A complete Flipper Fidelity Sound System Kit
Approx 130€
Monitors
3 are needed in total
- Backbox/Backglass, head of the cabinet (32") Approx. 300€
- Dot Matrix Display (15.6") Approx. 300€ in a Kit with USB Interface
- Playfield (46") Approx. 1500€ if Commercial grade used
For the main playfield the thinner the screen, the better. Mainly because the flipper buttons need to be in the most natural position for game play.
Memory
2x8GB Ram
Disk
1xSSD Disk
Cabinet Hardware
Electronics
Fans
⚠️ The cabinet will become hot. Proper cooling is needed. Suggesting 200x200x20 fans. If you want to play it fancy, get fans with LEDs.
Approx. 20€ a piece
LED Flashers
These are high-powered LED elements and need passive cooling.
Approx. 10€ a piece
Nudge
Nudging a Pinball table is essential to good game-play.
Buttons
We will need quite a few buttons. From the 2 Flipper buttons, 2 Nudge Buttons to the Start buttons and maybe a plunger button. The following buttons have RGB LEDs pre-wired for the PacLED64
Approx. 84€
Plunger
Research if there is a digital "analog" plunger.
iPac
The iPac allows you to control arcade buttons, switches etc through USB. It acts like a keyboard and sends a keyboard signal. Latency is an issue and I would advise against rolling your own with an Arduino or Raspi.
Approx. 70€ from Ultimarc
PacLED64
The PacLED64 is an LED controller and lets you connect LED lights.
Approx. 70€ from Ultimarc
Alternative: LED-Wiz
A more universal piece of hardware that can control many different types of outputs, like solenoids, motors, lights etc.
Woods
Misc. Hardware (joints, legs etc.)
4 table legs 1 Coin door (Approx. 60€ from Ultimarc)
Glass
To make the experience more real adding a piece of tempered glass over the big play-field screen is recommended.
Software
- Windows 7 Pro (To run XP compatibility mode) Approx. 160€
- Visual Pinball
- VPinMAME
- PinballX
- DirectB2S
- Direct Output Framework
Build
Reference Pinball
We are very fortunate to have access to a real Pinball Machine. The machine in question is "The Who's Tommy Pinball Wizard" (January 1994). IPDB WikiPedia
Precision
Some DIYers suggest a precision of 3mm (for the main screen fitting for example)
Art work
Obviously the Level2 Pinball cabinet wants to be customized with beautiful Art-work. We would need someone to design the outer shell of the cabinet.
Resources
Blogger detailing his steps in Building a cabinet
Virtual Pinball Forums and Software Resources
Non-PC Part Vendors
iPac controllers, LED management and more
Connecting a real Dot-matrix to your PC
Virtuapin, commercial DIY Cabinets
Traditional pinball and arcade game parts
Pinball Repositories
Pinball Mini for iOS using Cocos2d and Chipmunk (outdated)
Some notes on building a VPinball Machine
Helper tool to manage VPin ROMs
DirectOutput framework for virtual pinball cabinets
Rough cost-estimate
Item | Price |
---|---|
PC-Hardware | 2300€ |
Software | 160€ |
Screens | 2100€ |
Wood | 1000€ |
Glass | 150€ |
Pinball HW | 700€ |
Tools | 300€ |
Misc | 120€ |
Total Cost | 6686€ |