Database of Arcade Friendly (Power Return) CRT TVs

[Well Fed Games]

For those of us who use TVs in our cabs, it can be hard to find one with power return, as transactions on Craigslist, at thrift stores, and garage sales are not always conducive to finding out a TV's details. "Power Return" means that a TV turns back on and to the last input/channel when power is restored, like if you have all the electronics in your cab tied to one on/off switch. This is not an advertised feature- some TVs have it, some don't.

So, lets share the info. If you have found a TV (lets keep it to CRT/tube type TVs for now) with power return, post the details (in the format below if possible) and I will add it to the list! Remember, composite is yellow/red/white and component is red/green/blue (white/red).


[BRAND]           [MODEL]            [SIZE]      [RATIO]        [INPUTS]                                        [SCREEN]        [CASE COLOR]   

Sylvania          SRT2319             19"           4:3             coax, composite                                  curved              black


Sylvania          SRT2213             13"           4:3             coax, composite                                  curved              black


Sansui            DTV2798A            27"          4:3             coax, composite, s-video, component      curved              black


Sony Trinitron  KV-2502U             25"          4:3               Coax, Composite, S-Video, RGB-Scart      Curved             Black 


Toshiba             27A42                 27          4:3             s-video, component, composite            curved                   silver


Sony Trinitron    KV-27S25             27          4:3             s-video, composite                                   flat                  black


JVC             AV-27530                27          4:3             1x component, 1x s-video, 3x composite    curved                black   

 
JVC             AV-32230                32           4:3             1x component, 1x s-video, 3x composite    curved                black   

                           
PANASONIC    TX-25LK10F          25"          4:3                 2x scart, 1x composite                         curved               black     


Sony                 KV-27FS120       27"         4:3             coax, composite, s-video, component         flat       silver case in front, black in back   
 Note: The KV-27FS120 is 15kHz only, with a digital service menu accessible with the standard remote.

[Gray_Area]

If you're in front of the TV, you can try it right there. If it's through CL, you can ask them to do it; if they won't, or you think they're lying, pass on it. Also, for many units there are links to manuals online.

[Well Fed Games]

If you're in front of the TV, you can try it right there. If it's through CL, you can ask them to do it; if they won't, or you think they're lying, pass on it. Also, for many units there are links to manuals online.

It is usually not mentioned in the manuals.

Well, I thought it was a good idea. Maybe not....

[utracerx9]

It's an excellent idea.  In fact, doing a Google search for a list of tv's with Power Return is how I found this site.

While you can find manuals for a lot of tv's online, I'm sure not all of them actually list "power return" as a feature, even though they may do it.  And, most of the ads I found on craigslist never included the model number so I had to waste time asking for the model number and then sometimes I still couldn't be sure whether it would work or not.

I've found that Toshiba tv's have the power return feature documented in their manuals, but not all models have it.

The best model I've found for Toshiba for a 27" tv is the 27A34.  Built in 2005, silver cabinet, has S-video and component inputs, and power return, while being one of the last tube tv's they ever built.  They also have models with a "last mode memory" function, but since I am not 100% sure if that works the same as Power Return, I will not list the few I found.  I've also heard but cannot verify myself, that a Sanyo DS27425 also has the power return feature and component inputs.

[Well Fed Games]

Yeah, it is a good idea.   I will update the OP soon with your additions, thanks. Always good to know what manufacturers included these features on specific models and as a trend in their range of sets.

edit: oh, and welcome to the forum!

[utracerx9]

Thank you, I'm in the process of building my arcade now, should be done in January I hope.  I've got most of the parts needed at this point, just need to finish up the cabinet, decide on a front loader, and tie it all together.

[Jollywest]

I'm using the following TV that has Power Return;

Sony Trinitron KV-2502U - 25" - 4:3 - Coax, Composite, S-Video, RGB-Scart - Black - Curved

* EDIT *

whoops! Just realised this is a fairly old thread, good idea though all the same

[Well Fed Games]

No, it is definitely a current thread, would love to keep it going. I will update OP... eventually...

[Jollywest]

No, it is definitely a current thread, would love to keep it going. I will update OP... eventually...

Double whoops! 

Very helpful thread then in that case, when I was on the hunt for a Power Return TV I did struggle to find much info on TV's with it.

[UncleArgyle]

A couple more.
[BRAND]           [MODEL]            [SIZE]      [RATIO]        [INPUTS]                                          [SCREEN]          [CASE COLOR]              [NOTES]
Toshiba             27A42                 27          4:3             s-video, component, composite            curved                   silver
Sony Trinitron    KV-27S25             27          4:3             s-video, composite                             flat                       black

[Well Fed Games]

Thanks!

Edit: OP finally updated. Future googlers appreciate your submissions.

[bleargh]

Cool thread... wish it was around when I was searching for a TV for my cabinet...

I had the 32" one in my living room for years, and loved it.  When I went looking for a TV to put in my cabinet, I was really happy when I found one of the 27" ones at the local Sears store (floor model, end of season, got it at a great price).


| Brand | Model    | Size | Radio | Inputs                                 | Screen | Case Color | Notes |
| JVC   | AV-27530 | 27"  | 4:3   | 1x component, 1x s-video, 3x composite | curved | black      |       |
| JVC   | AV-32230 | 32"  | 4:3   | 1x component, 1x s-video, 3x composite | curved | black      |       |


I've attached the flyer and instruction manual for the 27" one (if for no other reason than when I search for it in the future I'll be able to find it myself).

[Well Fed Games]

Cool thread... wish it was around when I was searching for a TV for my cabinet...

I had the 32" one in my living room for years, and loved it.  When I went looking for a TV to put in my cabinet, I was really happy when I found one of the 27" ones at the local Sears store (floor model, end of season, got it at a great price).


| Brand | Model    | Size | Radio | Inputs                                 | Screen | Case Color | Notes |
| JVC   | AV-27530 | 27"  | 4:3   | 1x component, 1x s-video, 3x composite | curved | black      |       |
| JVC   | AV-32230 | 32"  | 4:3   | 1x component, 1x s-video, 3x composite | curved | black      |       |


I've attached the flyer and instruction manual for the 27" one (if for no other reason than when I search for it in the future I'll be able to find it myself).

Thanks! Always nice to know what manufacturers inclided power return in some of their model runs. Was not aware that JVC did. Nice! OP updated.

[Well Fed Games]

And here is a suggestion when testing TVs: keep one of the battery-powered plug + play TV games handy, they are an easy way to get a familiar test signal and games like Pac Man, etc. are perfect for checking screen geometry & color handling.

[BobA]

+1 that's a good idea thefearsomefearful.

[Xumet]

Hello,

Great list! You can add a new one: PANASONIC TX-25LK10F
Tested today. TV 25" with 2 SCART.

| Brand | Model    | Size | Radio | Inputs                                 | Screen | Case Color | Notes |
| PANASONIC   | TX-25LK10F | 25"  | 4:3   |  2x scart, 1x composite | curved | black      |       |

Thanks a lot for your work.

[Well Fed Games]

Hello,

Thanks, Xumet, OP updated. And welcome to the forum!

[Xumet]

Hello,

Thanks, Xumet, OP updated. And welcome to the forum!

Thanks! I'm working on my own arcade cabinet (I'm a noob  , just trying to do some useful). I will put some pictures when I have something to show (and I'll write more when I improve my bad english  )

[rCadeGaming]

Sony KV-27FS120 - 27" - 4:3 - coax, composite, s-video, component - flat screen - silver case in front, black in back

I have a couple more I can double check soon.

This is a great idea, but if you want to know if a TV is suitable as an arcade display, there are a couple other things to consider:

-Should list supported scan rates/resolutions.  For MAME it should be 15kHz only (~240p/480i, "standard def").  Anything supporting 480p generally can't display ~240p native res (90% of MAME, pre-Dreamcast consoles) without upscaling.  Once you've upscaled, lost scanlines, etc., it's kind of a waste of going through with the trouble of a CRT.  Or maybe you're focusing on newer games, (like modern consoles, PC games, etc.) and could use 480p or higher.  Just need to list it either way.

-Should list whether the TV has accessible geometry adjustment pots on the chassis, or how to get into the digital service menu if it has one.  Either is a big help.

-IMHO, you should avoid anything without an RGB or component input if you want to make using a CRT worthwhile.  Coax and composite are awful.  S-video may be usable, but your options for a getting decent picture and native res are out of a PC are very limited with S-video.

The KV-27FS120 is 15kHz only, with a digital service menu accessible with the standard remote.

[Gray_Area]

This should be a sticky thread.

[Well Fed Games]

Thanks, rCade, OP updated, glad to be seeing some trends in manufacturers and model lines. As far as additional info, I think the more the better. And I agree, the specs of the TV a builder should look for will depend a lot on their goals for the cab... for me composite video was fine, as long as I wouldn't have to use a remote to turn it on and it was the right size (and geometry wasn't wonky).

[Well Fed Games]

Bumpy bump. If you have TVs used in your cab that you would recommend to others, send the info my way!

[rCadeGaming]

Sony Trinitron  KV-24FS100 and KV-27FS120

both are 24", flat 4:3 screen, silver front/black back case, coax, composite, s-video, and component inputs, digital service menu accessible by a remote code

Note: The KV-27FS120 is 15kHz only, with a digital service menu accessible with the standard remote.

Applying this note to just that model doesn't make sense.  First, ALL of the TV's on that list are 15kHz only.  If they weren't, they wouldn't be suitable for MAME. 

Second, some of the other TV's probably have digital service menus.  It should be listed for each model if it does or not.  If it does, it should list how to get into it (remote code/jumper on chassis/other), and if it doesn't it should list if there are adjustment pots on the chassis.

I think it should be stressed here what makes an "Arcade Friendly" TV.  "Power return" is far from the only requirement, and IMHO not the most important.  There is more than one way to automate turning the TV on.  One important thing is geometry adjustment via a service menu or adjustment pots.  Furthermore, I don't even think TV's without a component or RGB should even by listed as "Arcade Friendly."  That just leads people down a bad road.

I appreciate your efforts here, but I think this list needs more work to become useful.  The TV's without component or RGB inputs could go, and there are a ton of better models that could be added.  I think you need to do some research, and start tracking other users down to get information on what they're using in order to make this comprehensive.

[Well Fed Games]

...digital service menus.  It should be listed for each model if it does or not.  If it does, it should list how to get into it (remote code/jumper on chassis/other)...

Good point. If people can forward me that info, I will be sure to add it. I've never had luck trawling the net for service menu codes. Those sites are a mess.

I think it should be stressed here what makes an "Arcade Friendly" TV.  "Power return" is far from the only requirement, and IMHO not the most important.  There is more than one way to automate turning the TV on.  One important thing is geometry adjustment via a service menu or adjustment pots.  Furthermore, I don't even think TV's without a component or RGB should even by listed as "Arcade Friendly."  That just leads people down a bad road.

Well for me, power return is very important, and a frustrating feature as I have never seen it mentioned in a manual. Only way to know is to test it in person. And if you dismiss all 4:3 CRTs that are not component or RGB, you are narrowing down potential monitors to a very small list. For example, finding a 19" with component-in is nigh impossible in my part of the world. And, while the merits of composite/component/s-video/etc have been discussed in other threads, I used composite for my last build, and liked it enough I am putting the same model TV in my next one- but keep in mind, these are 19" TVs.

...I think you need to do some research, and start tracking other users down to get information on what they're using in order to make this comprehensive.

  I'm way too lazy for that. The amount of work I am willing to put in in equal to the amount of work it takes to copy and paste a submission into the OP or do the occasional "bump" post. This is mostly a list I was keeping personally and it made sense to crowd-source it here. Hopefully the information helps another user someday as they stare at a wall of $10 TVs at a thrift store.

[rCadeGaming]

As I said, there are other ways to automate turning the TV on and off.  You would only need to learn a few lines of code to program an Arduino to do it.  Or you could look into programmable relays, which may be simpler.  The advantage there is that you can make the TV turn on after the front-end is loaded, hiding the BIOS, etc.  Even simpler, you could just use a relay that's triggered by +5V from a USB port.  That's just simple wiring, no code or software required.

Anyhow, if you do still want to use a smart strip, I understand that it's a priority for you.  I just said it shouldn't be the only qualification to be "arcade friendly."

Do you need something that's exactly 19"?  There are plenty of 20" 15kHz-only Trinitron's with component in.  When you say "your part of the world," where exactly do you mean?  If you're in a territory that uses SCART, you should be using that instead of component.

[rCadeGaming]

Note: The KV-27FS120 is 15kHz only, with a digital service menu accessible with the standard remote.

Applying this note to just that model doesn't make sense.  First, ALL of the TV's on that list are 15kHz only.

You could at least address this.  I guess we're letting this list die.

[Well Fed Games]

You could at least address this.  I guess we're letting this list die.

Meh! If you have TVs to submit, do it! If not quit cluttering up the thread! 

[rCadeGaming]

I'm pointing out a fundamental problem with the list itself, and you can't take five minutes to correct it. 

Forget it.  Meh.

[nadcraker]

I love this idea, so I created a public Google Spreadsheet, which I think is better than a sticky thread.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AuJTa63vsfixdHZHUFpwUHhmRmpLSFh5d3BMelo4Umc&usp=sharing