Computer Monitor - How to make it look good in a cab?

[Oldskool]

I've read the arguments for and against the use of PC monitors, and have concluded that it is the way to go for me.

I like the clarity (even though I'm Oldskool) and need the resolution for Windows.

How can I make a PC monitor look good in a cab?

Remove it from it's case and use a bezel?

Paint the case black and frame it in with MDF?

I'm spending some good coin on this project, and appearance matters.

Please post links to examples if you have them.

BTW: Thanks everyone, these forums are fantastic.

[Oldskool]

I may go with a flatscreen monitor.

19" or bigger........

[Harakiri]

Sorry to disapoint ya but most of the people here besides their "old-school" level, decide to choose a arcade mon. , specially the multisync "expensive" ones!

There's no way of making a PC mon. look good in a cab. because it wasn't meant to! See what i mean...

Well, consult the MAMEframe page from Kev. , he painted the "monitor front frame" black and  it looked very nice, that's what i would have done if i'd choose a PC mon. to my "future cab".

Have fun!

[Oldskool]

Sorry to disapoint ya but most of the people here besides their "old-school" level, decide to choose a arcade mon.

Since discovering MAME and, well originally Sparcade many moons ago, I'be been playing arcade games on a PC monitor.

It's gotten to the point that I prefer the clean look.

It seems kind of ironic to me to spend more $$$ on a arcade monitor to intentionally "degrade" the images.

But, to each his own. Personal preference rules.

Is it a good idea to pull the PC monitor from its casing? With a convex tube, can I use a bezel on it?  

[Minwah]

I once considered using my 21" Sony PC monitor in my cab so I took the plastic case off.  This looked good, as the monitor had a metal frame around it similar to an arcade monitor.  You could then make your own bezel to cover the metal frame - it could look almost the same as an arcade monitor I suspect.

Then I woke up and got an arcade monitor!  

[RandyT]

How can I make a PC monitor look good in a cab?

Search up the posts about using dark plexi for a front window in a cabinet.

If your monitor has enough range in the brightness control (PC monitors tend to limit this more than other types), you can just leave it in the case, turn up the brightness a little and put it behind the dark plexi. No need to worry about a bezel.

I think you might like the way it looks.

RandyT

[Harakiri]

Search up the posts about using dark plexi for a front window in a cabinet.

If your monitor has enough range in the brightness control (PC monitors tend to limit this more than other types), you can just leave it in the case, turn up the brightness a little and put it behind the dark plexi. No need to worry about a bezel.

I think you might like the way it looks.

RandyT

That must be great, i might be seriously interested, can you point me a few links please?  

[Stingray]

I think a combination of dark plexi and painting the case black would produce nice results.

-S

[Lilwolf]

Plexi will be the way to go... It will degrade your pc monitor nicely..

but that IS what you want.  Get a real arcade next to a PC running the same game and you see a HUGE difference... and the PC does look worse...

but all in all... many don't know the difference until they see them next to eachother... so it's not really a big deal.

So look at a smoked plexi will probably help... Then look at some of the d3d effects and get some scanlines going.  

But don't spend too much on a new monitor and plexi... because then you might as well go with a SVid TV (better) or a true arcade monitor (best)..

btw, a true arcade monitor 19" can be bought for about $200... they aren't that much.... but tag another 90 for an arcadeVGA if you want windows... Thats where the svid tv starts looking better.

[Minwah]

Plexi will be the way to go... It will degrade your pc monitor nicely..

but that IS what you want.  Get a real arcade next to a PC running the same game and you see a HUGE difference... and the PC does look worse...

but all in all... many don't know the difference until they see them next to eachother... so it's not really a big deal.

So look at a smoked plexi will probably help... Then look at some of the d3d effects and get some scanlines going.  

But don't spend too much on a new monitor and plexi... because then you might as well go with a SVid TV (better) or a true arcade monitor (best)..

btw, a true arcade monitor 19" can be bought for about $200... they aren't that much.... but tag another 90 for an arcadeVGA if you want windows... Thats where the svid tv starts looking better.

Using effects usually has a hit on your FPS - something to consider if you are using a relatively low-spec PC...

[Oldskool]

Tigerdirect.ca has Dell M992 - 19" flat screen "factory recertified" monitors for $205.99 Canadian.

I think I'll pick one up.

You "hardcore" fellows can stick to your used burnt-in WGs for that authentic look, or take out a second mortgage to buy a new one.  

Again, it's personal preference.  

[dhansen]

You can get a brand new arcade monitor for $189 (US) from http://www.arcadeshop.com/.  No burn in, authentic look, and no separate isolation transformer.  Let's be true to your name and keep it "Oldskool"  

Actually, you can do whatever you want...it is your cab!

Doug

[Minwah]

You can get a brand new arcade monitor for $189 (US) from http://www.arcadeshop.com/.  No burn in, authentic look, and no separate isolation transformer.  Let's be true to your name and keep it "Oldskool"  

Actually, you can do whatever you want...it is your cab!

Doug

Yeah I hear a lot new arcade monitors can be found for less than PC screens...just the cost of the ArcadeVGA (if required) to think about.  Having tried it I would pick the AVGA+arcade monitor every time now, even at twice the price...

[Pipercub]

I hope that I may actually be of some help here.

I have three arcade machines running MAME setups and I have a PC monitor in each. The monitor I use is a AOC 19 in. that sells for $159. What you want to do is remove the monitor from the case all together. This monitor is great for that because all the controls are run from a single rotory input on a small PCB that can be remoted via 4 wires.  Once you remove the case from the monitor you will have the metal band around the tube with the mounting lugs on each corner. Each time, I have seen these lugs line up with the original ones on the arcade cabinet. What you end up with is a naked tube mounted in the original fashion and it is identical to the arcade monitor in appearance and fit. Whatever bezels, plates etc. that fit over the original monitor fit over the PC tube exactly the same. Being a cheaper monitor this one has a more old school rounded screen and not the flatter more modern type.

Of course the picture quality will be different than the CGA but this monitor can be adjusted to look allot closer than you would think.

[mushmouth]

I too wanna see lots of pictures of the different approaches and how they turned out...

I'm doing this same thing right now. I'll post some in-progress pics later today to show what I'm thinking about/trying to do. I'd like some feedback as well...

[Stingray]

I too wanna see lots of pictures of the different approaches and how they turned out...

So do I. I'm still undecided on what I intend to do about a monitor on my cab, but am leaning heavilly toward an svid tv.

-S

[Oldskool]

Let's be true to your name and keep it "Oldskool"  

Well, if it makes you feel any better, I do like scanlines.  

[rampy]

Old threads about smoke plexi

oscar picks of smoked plexi thread

another thread

more thoughts in a second.

EDIT:  My cabinet uses a 21" PC monitor that I decased, and put behind smoked plexi... looks pretty good, especially for vector based games (one weak point of standard resolution arcade monitors...)
I do use the new d3d scanlines as I miss the scanlines...  I prefer a real arcade monitor coupled with an AVGA myself -- but that's for another project.

I think if you are gonna do it right (you've already invested so much into it, right?) look into one of those "combination" hybrid monitors.  They take a VGA signal/cable... they mount like a real arcade monitor... you can use a real arcade monitor bezel... it even has scanlines and a high dotpitch reminiscent of an arcadee monitor... and depending on which one you get you can go from standard resolution (15khz) pacman style up to 1024X780 PC games (I think... if not... for sure 800 x 600)

IMHO a flat screen PC monitor is a poor choice... although I can't articulate why... I think a pc monitor that is convex instead of concave would be better *Shrug*

Good luck!

rampy

[slicer_d]

Personally I think if you are playing older games a real arcade monitor looks much better (play PACMAN on a real arcade machine and then a PC monitor the arcade just looks better) but I like to play newer games like shumps and fighters on a pc monitor I just think that it looks better and clearer.  

Also a used 19" (18" viewable) pc monitors are way cheaper than arcade monitors.  I got mine locally for 55 bucks.

[Violineb]

ok just wanted to ask a quick question but I didn't want to bother anyone by making a thread, so here goes. For me an Arcade mon. is out of the question so it comes down to...... a TV or a monitor. Now here's the thing. I just found a Viewsonic 21PS monitor for......$90. SHould I get that and just forget the TV that I could get maybe a 25 inch? I appreciate the feedback. I checked up on the internet about this monitor and it appears to be a quite old model that came out around 1996 I think, and when it first came out it was around $2000. I have no idea if it's a flat screen or curved. Would it even matter? Well tell me what you think. Thanks....