25 vs 27" TV

[towlebooth]

Okay, I've made the tough decision.  I'm going to go with a TV & S-vid out.  I also have decided on what graphics card (thanks all who posted on this in the past).

I was going to us a 25" S-vid TV, but then I realized that my local shops and superstores no longer carry 25s with S-Vid!  A 27 will fit in my cab, but I'm wondering about quality of the image.  Is there a big difference between the image you get from a 25 vs a 27?  I know that I will not be able to change the resolution beyond a certain point so will the older games look too big?  Suggestions?

Thanks,
Chad

[Claw919]

 It really depends on the TV. You can buy those Electrohome 25" tubes (that have SVIDEO in, btw) that are absolutely PUTRID in quality (but cost only 3/5 of any other brand).

 I think there's a major OEM that's made a bunch of low-cost 25" tubes that all those offbrand companies buy.

 27s seem, on the other hand, to be large steps up in overall quality - but you can't buy them without paying for the extra stuff you'll never use (stereo, Guide+, etc, etc).

 As always, YMMV - and I can only speak to the Canadian market, not the American.

[Lilwolf]

If you look around you can find the 25" svidios.  Some people mentioned that they had to ask because they weren't on the floor being displayed.

I can't tell you what brand is good or bad, but you probably want to buy it from a 'super store' with a good return policy, just in case.  Make sure (I know, this is a duh statement) that you test it really well before you mount it.  Make sure that the quality is up to your requirements, that it works in all the games you want, that you can get it to boot to DOS if you plan on using it, ect.  IE, build your computer hardware before mounting anythig.  Because once you take it out of the case (the tv) it's off warranty

[Blake]

Good idea going with the 27" - you wont notice any degredation in quality.  I'm using a Toshiba 27A41 and absolutely love it.  As long as you stick with S-Video, your quality should be great.

[Barry]

As an alternative to a t.v., computer monitor and a standard res. monitor, after experimenting with various options myself, I would very highly recommend the great range of open-frame SVGA monitors out there. They aren't too expensive (but can be) and they hook up directly to your PC without any resolution worries.
The new models don't have any of the worries of needing isolation transformers etc. They just plug straight into the mains.
They have perfect output for windows applications, and also have the nice rounded look of a classic arcade monitor.
I'm going to get some photos of mine running in a cab. as soon as my camera has been delivered.
As mentioned, you're not going to be paying for anything you're not using either (Dolby Stereo, Automitic tuning etc.).
I hear Wells Gardner have a couple of models that are worth looking at, but I got mine from Hantarex.co.uk.
It's a hantarex Polo 19" (A full 19"), and cost me

[JLR2000]

I went with a Sharp 27" TV with S/Vid from Sam's Club (Warehouse Club in Chicago area) for @ $249.  I was very pleased with the results, not one guest has even noticed my home built cab was home built, so the resolution must be good enough!  If you want something that is an exact of the original, you will need a video monitor, but you already made the choice to go with TV, so I don't think you will notice a quality diff between 25" and 27".  Just my 2 cents.....

[towlebooth]

Sounds like we have a consensus.  Thanks all.

Chad