Showcase Cabinet - 42" or 50"

[csnow]

I am converting a Capcom Xmen vs SF showcase cabinet to a PS3/PC based unit.  I am looking at either Panasonic 42" or 50" plasma units.  It is 4' feet from behind the control panel to the TV.  I think the 42" would be better suited; however, Panasonic only makes a 720p in the 42", while the 50" comes in 1080p.  Do you think the 50" would be too big at that distance?

Chris

[Strokemouth]

I think the 50" would be too big. At 4 feet, the 42 is probably as big as I would go. I wouldn't get hung up on 720p vs 1080p. The display in Xmen vs SF is 384x224...nowhere near even 720p.

EDIT: I completely missed the point you mentioned the PC/PS3. 720p/1080p is a factor. I still say 50" is too big at that distance though.

[Justin Z]

It'll depend on how much importance you place in this chart:

http://www.hdforindies.com/uploaded_images/resolution_chart-790251.jpg

According to it, you're definitely going to see a difference at four feet on either screen size.  In fact, a hypothetical 1440p would also look significantly sharper.  It's unfortunate that the 42" model is not offered in 1080p, as that would be about the "perfect" resolution at that distance.

[csnow]

I can get a 1080p in 42 but I would have to move to LCD. I will have to do some research on LCD models and their input delays. The plasma just looks so much better with the deep blacks

[Justin Z]

I wish I had seen this post sooner because TigerDirect had a very well-reviewed TCL 39" LED TV (blacks tend to be better on those than pure LCDs) for $300 last week--but now it's back up to $429.  I know that's not quite 42 but I had to grab one as I'm basically going to be doing the same thing as you.  Let us know how the search for a good 42 incher goes.

[csnow]

Thanks for the feedback.  I am going to go with the 50.  If I go 42, I will always wonder if the 50 would have worked.  If it is too big, then my wife gets a new TV in the bedroom, and I will go with the 42.  I got my PC/PS3 Cthulhu boards ordered today.  I also got my new buttons and new Euro IL controllers and IL Comp buttons.  I know the fad is the Japanese controllers, but I just like the feel of the US type stick/buttons.

[SNAAKE]

most new fighting games are native 720p anyway so you want a 720p tv.

and 50" would be too big for a cabinet. 42" is already huge but I can see it work for a cabinet.

[Justin Z]

Keeping in mind that Showcase cabinets often featured 4:3 monitors of over 30", a 42" LCD (which would translate to about a 34" 4:3 TV) would actually be pretty reasonable.

[csnow]

After pricing everything out, I bought the 42" 720p Panasonic plasma yesterday.  It was half the cost of the 50" so I went cheap  

[kahlid74]

 Glad you got the 42".  I think I posted about this in your project thread but the 50" would have been too big at that distance.

[Peja]

csnow, do you have a project announcement thread on this conversion?  I am interested in seeing what you are doing.

I also have a showcase cab and wanted to put a big flat screen on it but wasn't sure on how I should go about it.  Are you going to keep the marquee and and extend the top and bottom or just mount the screen on a wall and keep the pedestal?

I remember seeing PinballJim's setup in a pic he posted.....I believe he had it mounted on the wall, but could be wrong since the lights were off.  PBJ, is this the case?

Thanks,
Peja

[MTPPC]

You'll see no advantage to 1080p. Why do you think so many people want CGA CRTs in their cabinets? Native resolutions are what you want to play your games at.

[csnow]

csnow, do you have a project announcement thread on this conversion?  I am interested in seeing what you are doing.

I also have a showcase cab and wanted to put a big flat screen on it but wasn't sure on how I should go about it.  Are you going to keep the marquee and and extend the top and bottom or just mount the screen on a wall and keep the pedestal?

I remember seeing PinballJim's setup in a pic he posted.....I believe he had it mounted on the wall, but could be wrong since the lights were off.  PBJ, is this the case?

Thanks,
Peja

Once I get the cabinet finished, I will post a thread on it.  I have cut out the center of the cabinet because there wasnt room to fit a larger TV inside the cabinet.  There are two boards that run the entire length of the cabinet from top to bottom.  They are the sides of the box that contained the 4:3 CRT.  Since they were part of the structure, you couldnt squeeze a flat panel in there.  I made an assumption that there was room behind the speakers.  I thought it was hollow back there but it wasnt.  The CRT is essential encased with plywood, which makes sense in retrospect due to the weight of the CRT. I was kinda bummed when I realized that but I had already started the deassembly, so the party was on so to speak.  There was no turning back  .  I wasnt about to build a cabinet from scratch, so I decided to remove the top board and cut out the center.  I will replace the top board of the cabinet on the two boards just like it was but it will now be a shelf that the TV will sit on. Essentially, the cabinet will look like a TV stand with a small section for the PS3 and a shelf above it for the plasma.  I basically just cut out a section of about 2 1/2 feet where the CRT used to be.

[Peja]

Sounds good csnow........it's hard for me to visualize it exactly how you are describing but make sure you take some pictures.  It should be interesting for sure.

Thanks, Peja