What should be the screen size of my PC monitor for my MAME cabinet?

[ArcadeSeeker962]

For our MAME cabinet, me and my father are thinking of using a PC monitor that's 20 inches. The problem about that is that I read on the Wiki that a PC monitor that's 21'' can cause the graphics in an arcade game to become pixelated. So, what would be the best screen size for a PC monitor for my MAME cabinet?

[Nephasth]

Get the book.

[ArcadeSeeker962]

Thank you for your recommendation. I just ordered the book, so I'll start reading it once it arrives in the mail. I would also like to apologize for posting this topic in the wrong section, it was by accident.

[GregD]

It sounds like you are going to use a crt monitor.  Get the biggest that you can find.  I think most are using lcd's recently and you can always use a crt television as well.  Pc monitors have higher resolution than tv's or arcade monitors so whether it is a crt pc monitor or an lcd pc monitor it will appear pixelated.  Myself, i used a 20" lcd monitor and I really like it.  Much less weight and I could make my cabinet with less depth.  Reading the book will help you.  It is required reading if you are going to build one of these.

[drventure]

+1 for the biggest you can find.

Of course, keep in mind the dimensions of your cabinet. But there's few things more silly looking than a full size cab with a 13" or 15" monitor surrounded by a sea of black bezel.

Pixelated or not, you won't regret that you went big with the monitor.

[Nephasth]

Also, looking at your profile statistics, you haven't been visiting the project announcements forum. Browse other people's projects, see what they're using, and learn from their experience and mistakes. It will be easier than trying to keep up with all these new question threads...

Hold off on ordering ANY parts until you've seen all the options out there. You don't want to have a pile of parts you regret ordering because you changed your mind later. It's exciting when first getting into this hobby, you might think you know what you want now, but plans will change... and then they'll change again.

[ArcadeSeeker962]

Also, looking at your profile statistics, you haven't been visiting the project announcements forum. Browse other people's projects, see what they're using, and learn from their experience and mistakes. It will be easier than trying to keep up with all these new question threads...

Hold off on ordering ANY parts until you've seen all the options out there. You don't want to have a pile of parts you regret ordering because you changed your mind later. It's exciting when first getting into this hobby, you might think you know what you want now, but plans will change... and then they'll change again.

Thank you for the warning. I'll look into the project announcement thread and see what they've made, and make ideas based off of that. I was just afraid to look into the project announcements forum because of the fact that I didn't want to steal any other members ideas, that's all. I'm just trying to be respectful to other members of the forum, since you've all been a great help so far.

[Nephasth]

I was just afraid to look into the project announcements forum because of the fact that I didn't want to steal any other members ideas, that's all.

When you stand on the shoulders of giants, you can see further than they did...

That's what keeps this hobby evolving, knowing what works, knowing what doesn't, and trying something new. If we didn't wan't people sharing our ideas, we wouldn't post them on the interwebs.

[darthpaul]

Hold off on ordering ANY parts until you've seen all the options out there. You don't want to have a pile of parts you regret ordering because you changed your mind later. It's exciting when first getting into this hobby, you might think you know what you want now, but plans will change... and then they'll change again.

How true especially on your first build, I'm about to pull things apart for the fourth time, then again, I went a little crazy with my build. Take your time and do a lot of research, it will be time well spent.

[ArcadeSeeker962]

I was just afraid to look into the project announcements forum because of the fact that I didn't want to steal any other members ideas, that's all.

When you stand on the shoulders of giants, you can see further than they did...

That's what keeps this hobby evolving, knowing what works, knowing what doesn't, and trying something new. If we didn't wan't people sharing our ideas, we wouldn't post them on the interwebs.

Okay, thank you for letting me know it's alright to check out the project announcements thread, I definitely will. As for what darthpaul said, I'll take some research for a bit around the forums and look at the articles posted(along with reading saint's book that he published once it comes in the mail, which is this tuesday).

[drventure]

I was just afraid to look into the project announcements forum because of the fact that I didn't want to steal any other members ideas, that's all. I'm just trying to be respectful to other members of the forum, since you've all been a great help so far.

Dude, just about every idea that people have on these forums has been "stolen" (and then usually improved upon) by someone.

Heck, just check out Ond's thread

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=88912.0

He stole all his ideas from me 

Seriously though, do some browsing, esp hit the Hall of Fame worthy projects page

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=103103.0

See what might work for you, what wouldn't then combine and subtract.

[Le Chuck]

I was just afraid to look into the project announcements forum because of the fact that I didn't want to steal any other members ideas, that's all. I'm just trying to be respectful to other members of the forum, since you've all been a great help so far.

Dude, just about every idea that people have on these forums has been "stolen" (and then usually improved upon) by someone.

Heck, just check out Ond's thread

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=88912.0

He stole all his ideas from me 

Seriously though, do some browsing, esp hit the Hall of Fame worthy projects page

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=103103.0

See what might work for you, what wouldn't then combine and subtract.

Hell, I stole the Mamey.  True story... so they say 

[ArcadeSeeker962]

Seriously though, do some browsing, esp hit the Hall of Fame worthy projects page

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=103103.0

See what might work for you, what wouldn't then combine and subtract.

Thank you for the link. I just ordered the newest edition of the book that saint published, and I've been asking questions on the threads in the Project Arcade section, and already found some inspiring ideas. In other words, I've been making progress in putting together how I want me and my father's MAME cabinet to look using bit and pieces from various members ideas. So I thank you all for prying me out of my shell.

[darthpaul]

One word of caution, If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will, sorry wrong speech. Once you start getting involved in this hobby, it can consume you. Look at Le Chuck, he wasn't satisfied building a normal sized cabinet he had to build one 1/6th scale, that actually works  . Looking forward to what you and your Dad come up with.

[yotsuya]

One word of caution, If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will, sorry wrong speech. Once you start getting involved in this hobby, it can consume you. Look at Le Chuck, he wasn't satisfied building a normal sized cabinet he had to build one 1/6th scale, that actually works  . Looking forward to what you and your Dad come up with.

I think Le Chuck's next project will be to shrink himself down to 1/6 so he can play his cab as God intended.

[ArcadeSeeker962]

One word of caution, If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will, sorry wrong speech. Once you start getting involved in this hobby, it can consume you. Look at Le Chuck, he wasn't satisfied building a normal sized cabinet he had to build one 1/6th scale, that actually works  . Looking forward to what you and your Dad come up with.

Thank you for the warning, it'll be a lot of hard work for me and my father, but it'll be worth it.

[Le Chuck]

One word of caution, If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will, sorry wrong speech. Once you start getting involved in this hobby, it can consume you. Look at Le Chuck, he wasn't satisfied building a normal sized cabinet he had to build one 1/6th scale, that actually works  . Looking forward to what you and your Dad come up with.

I think Le Chuck's next project will be to shrink himself down to 1/6 so he can play his cab as God intended.

Actually my next project is to practice up so I can join the Jabbawockeez dance crew. 

[DaOld Man]

Actually my next project is to practice up so I can join the Jabbawockeez dance crew. 

That has always been on my Bucket List.