Starting Mame Project

[lilrascal]

Hello all.  I am new here, but have been lurking and searching the threads before starting a MAME arcade build.  I am sure I will have many questions along the way, but once I get started will be sure to document my progress in the project forum.  My woodworking skills and available tools are above average, so I am good to go in that department.  My computers skills on the other hand, not as much when compared to you guys.

The first big decision I have is the dreaded monitor question.  I originally was gung ho about an arcade monitor.  I originally bought a working Big Buck Hunter 2 with 25" monitor, with intentions of converting.  Well not to long after buying the monitor kept giving a green hue.  I just sent the chassis out for repair.  That is kind of making me think, I just want to build one from scratch with an LCD.  I realize this is not ideal, but may save me a bunch of hassle in the future.  Plus people really enjoyed the Buck Hunter game, so I am thinking of just leaving it if I can get the monitor up and running again.  I thought about an old CRT TV, and just don't want to go through the hassle.

So figuring I going with LCD, am I correct in that I should go for a 1920x1200 (16:10) monitor, as it will give me just a little more height?

I am considering this one, but am concerned it will seem TOO big/wide:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254052

I did see it used in a recent post here, and definitely seems big: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=113405.msg1208866#msg1208866 

Any other links to 27.5 monitors in cabs?

Or my other option is to go for a 24" 16:10 like this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824176141

Would the proportions of this seem to fit in a cabinet better?

Any input or advice before I get started would be appreciated.

Joe

[Crono22]

Id vote for ebay unless you can afford those prices. I picked up a 4:3 refurb dell for 60 bucks 19inch lcd Largest I could fit in my bartop. I dont know how games look on widescreen monitors to be honest.

[lilrascal]

I was thinking a 19" 4:3, but am concerned about how small it would seem next to the 25" of the Buck hunter.  I looked at 20" 4:3, and the price starts to get up there for used ones. I have put the mame on my 22" widescreen that is my desktop monitor.  The mame ones look good not stretched with scanlines.  Though it seems a little small still, that is why I was thinking 24" or maybe 27.5" in 16:10.  Maybe I will make some mock up of the different screen sizes to help give me an idea.

[lilrascal]

Well I did end up going with Hanns G 27.5" monitor.  They put it on sale last week for $239 with free shipping.  I realize that it is not the top of the line, but it was pretty hard to pass up at that price.  No it is time for me to figure out what I want to do cabinet wise.  There are so many great and inspiring builds on here.  I am thinking something along the lines of Knievel's evolution, perhaps with a little more depth to account for the slightly wider LCD.   I will be sure to post a thread in the project announcement forum once I am under way. 

[DirtyDachshunds]

27.5" Widescreen is going to make for a large cab....but the bigger the better!

[ragnar]

I went with a 23" LCD.  reason is simple.  When viewing things meant for 4x3 monitors, it acts exactly like a 19" 4x3 screen.  In genral, multiple the 19" you want by 1.15 to get the 16:9 equivilent in terms of viewable area.

Why did I go widescreen?  Because nothing lasts forever and in 5 years it will be hard to find a 4:3.  Might as well accept that now.

If you do go 4:3, consider what a suitable 16:9 screen would be.  And make your cabinet wide enough to fit that.  My bezel is removable so I can always switch to a different LCD if I really have to.

[xmenxmen]

go lcd with 4:3 either 19 or 20" if you going slim style.  there's tons available both ebay and craiglist.  and decently cheap too.

for a full size, I would consider a tv over an lcd.  with everyone dumping those tube nowadays, it's very easy to find a nice one that fits your need.  craiglist is best for this.  just need to grab something about 25 to 27 in that supports component.  the last batch of tv before flat came in are ideal. 

for video, most radeon card with the component dvi adapter works good.  if you need suggestion, try either toshiba, sony or phillips.  I have had great luck with those 3 especially toshiba. 

[lilrascal]

Well, like I said I already purchased the 27.5"  LCD.  It will be a little wide, but I think it will work.  I have seen others that have used the same monitor.  The nice thing about it is I was sure to get a 16:10 to get the little extra height.  I really wanted a 16:10 26", but it was impossible to find at a reasonable price.  I am planning on just adding some depth to the slim cabinet to give better proportions.  Maybe 20 deep at the base.

[bkenobi]

Maybe I will make some mock up of the different screen sizes to help give me an idea.

There was a documents someone put together and posted here (among other places) that shows how different size and aspect screens look.  I suppose you could print it out if you had a large enough printer.  Don't know where the image is hosted, sorry.