Monitor and bezel compatability

[spidermonkey]

I just picked up an NFL BLITZ cab (converted to Tekkan)
from a local operator for $50.00 minus the monitor and boardset. It came with a 25" monitor but I plan to put in a 22" pc monitor. I know that an arcade monitors are measured differently then tv's and pc monitors. My question is do you think that a Happ 19" monitor bezel would be a good fit for a 22" pc monitor since pc monitors are measured diagonally and really aren't as big as there size indicates ? Or will I have to build my own ? I tried to talk him into leaving the original monitor in there for a couple extra bucks but he said that he has tons of 27" and 19" monitors  for spares but no 25's so he wouldn't give it up. Oh well, the cab is in beautiful condition and does have a nice coin door, glass monitor overlay and all its controls so I think it was a steal even without the monitor.

[Howard_Casto]

Get with the program, arcade monitors are measured diagonally too.  ALL displays are measured diagonally, it's a marketing ploy to make it seem like you are getting more for your money.  

You'll need a new bezel dude.  

[wescotte]

I just picked up an NFL BLITZ cab (converted to Tekkan)
from a local operator for $50.00 minus the monitor and boardset. It came with a 25" monitor but I plan to put in a 22" pc monitor. I know that an arcade monitors are measured differently then tv's and pc monitors. My question is do you think that a Happ 19" monitor bezel would be a good fit for a 22" pc monitor since pc monitors are measured diagonally and really aren't as big as there size indicates ? Or will I have to build my own ? I tried to talk him into leaving the original monitor in there for a couple extra bucks but he said that he has tons of 27" and 19" monitors  for spares but no 25's so he wouldn't give it up. Oh well, the cab is in beautiful condition and does have a nice coin door, glass monitor overlay and all its controls so I think it was a steal even without the monitor.

I'm using the happs 19-20" monitor bezel (the plastic one) with my 19" PC monitor. It's a close fit on my 19 so I really doubt it'd work with your 22. Get the larger one.

Eric

[Lilwolf]

go back and ask for a 19" monitor for a couple bucks

then get an arcadevga...

Or go get a 25 inch SVid TV and a good tv out card.

Or look at getting a b-grade vga monitor (large, very low res)..

LAST RESORT... get that 20" SVGA monitor... Will have the worse output in the bunch....

Then make a bezel if you have to... VERY hard to do a great job.  Its MUCH easier to get plexi if you can and black construction paper on the inside (or whatever)

[paigeoliver]

I have found that arcade bezels never properly fit PC monitors, the tubes are not the same size, and they tend to be flatter than arcade tubes. My 19" PC monitor is too small for a 19" arcade bezel, my 21" kiosk monitors are too large for 19" bezels, and both of them are flatter than the arcade bezels are designed for.

I have just been making my own bezels.

Arcade bezels DO fit TV tubes of the same size though.

[spidermonkey]

Allright here's the plan. I'm thinking about using some MDF 2 1/2" colonial door frame casing/molding and making a mitred picture frame type of bezel. I'll paint it matt black. Hopefully by using the mdf stuff instead of wood it'll be flexible enough to conform to the curve of the monitor. If it doesn't bend enough then I can always use some of that black universal rubber weatherstripping that is used to seal doors and windows on cars and that should make a nice uniform seal between the two. I'll spray paint the backside of my glass to give it a nice shiny boarder around the monitor frame and then use the mdf molding to fill the gap where the painted glass ends and the pc monitor screen starts. Because this stuff has a nice step down bevelled look to it, I think that it'll give me a nice deep telescoping look between the monitor screen and the edge of the painted glass shield. On my first cab I used several peices of black foam poster board and glued it into a 4 step telescopic pattern to create the deep (set back) look when placed behind the plexiglass and it does look nice but I want to try something more professional looking this time.  

[Tailgunner]

Some of the classics use formed cardboard bezels, you might concider making something similar to fit you computer monitor.

Here's a Dig Dug bezel for example.

[Tailgunner]

Heh, you posted while I was renaming the picture.

[telengard]

I have found that arcade bezels never properly fit PC monitors, the tubes are not the same size, and they tend to be flatter than arcade tubes. My 19" PC monitor is too small for a 19" arcade bezel, my 21" kiosk monitors are too large for 19" bezels, and both of them are flatter than the arcade bezels are designed for.

I have just been making my own bezels.

Arcade bezels DO fit TV tubes of the same size though.

I have the same issue.  My 19" SVGA doesn't fit perfectly w/ the Happs' 19" bezel.
I tried following the instructions on how to make your own cardboard one but it
assumed you had one in poor condition to use as a template.  

How did you make yours?

[Lilwolf]

btw, is there a reason that you want to have a bezel that fits to the screen compared to a smoked plexi?

The advantage to the smoked bezel (other then I think it makes the games look better) is that you don't have to have it fit exactly.  And you just need the outside stuff dark...

It might be  the way to go for you if you can't get a prefitting version.

[Howard_Casto]

You usually have a bezel and plexi lilwolf.  The bezel hides the tv/monitor mount.  The plexi keeps you from touching it. And/ or serves as a place to put instruction cards and artwork.  If you use smoked plexi it covers up some flaws, but unless it's really really dark, it wouldn't hide the monitor mount.  

[pmc]

I have just been making my own bezels.

I tried following the instructions on how to make your own cardboard one but it
assumed you had one in poor condition to use as a template.  

How did you make yours?

I'm interested in instructions/assistance too. At this point, I've been planning on painting the front of my 21" monitor black and then cutting a rectangular opening in black posterboard. That way I don't have any funky angles to contend with. But I'm worried it won't look professional (which it isn't, but it'd be nice if looked close). I figured I'd cover the bezel with artwork to make it look better and reduce the emptyness of the black space around the monitor. My lexan is clear.

Techniques? Suggestions?