Which Monitor

[CHRIS-F]

Hi Guys,

I have a jamma cabinet with a real monitor in (mtc 9000 I think), a while ago I bought a jpac and an arcade vga, but I was having psu problems (noise/interference on the monitor) I never got to the bottom of it and decided to get my cabinet working with a real arcade board (city connection) before I tried the mame route. my cabinet has been on hold gathering dust for a few years now and I just want to get it running properly, I do like the real lo-res monitor, but my electronics are not that good and I think I'd prefer to taske the monitor out and psu and use some kind of vga monitor, I am familiar with mamewah and have an old set of mame roms 078.

So what would be my best route? I have seen people using a raspberry pi recently, does mamewah work with a pi or am I best sticking with a pc? my main concern though is the monitor, assuming I'm using a pc what is the best picture I can get using a vga type monitor, will the arcade vga still work with a vga or is that pointless, most games look ok on my pc monitor, but wonderboy doesn't scroll too well, I think I already have wait vsinc set and triple buffer etc as I previously had screen tearing.

I don't mind paying upto around £150 for a monitor are there any that use vga straight from the computer but can handle the low resolutions?

Regards,
Chris.

[lilshawn]

at this point, you take what you can get. CRT monitors are dead like the dinosaurs. You won't likely find a new one unless someone is hording them in a warehouse, and you can convince them to sell you one...

If by chance you do, you are looking at about 2 to 3 times the price you are willing to pay for one.

there are a fair amount of VGA compatible monitors... really depends what size you need... but most common ones are 27 inches.

for a first timer though i'd recommend just picking up a cheap LCD that fits in your cabinet and start with that.. once you have your feet wet with working with the hardware and software and you are looking for a more "authentic" experience, then start your search for a CRT for your build. Who knows, maybe an LCD will work just fine with what you want to do.

[keilmillerjr]

Don't swap to an LCD because your crt has some interference. You might just need a new isolation transformer? Could be literally a 30 second fix. Crt may be a dinosaur, but your emulating dinosaur hardware. You wouldn't buy a 67 Camaro and retrofit new bumpers and fenders on it, would you?

[grantspain]

if you have a jamma switch mode supply link the common and earth together,that tends to sort out interference issues

[CHRIS-F]

Thanks Shawn, as you say I think I'd like to just get an lcd for now and get mame up and running, I can always re fit the monitor at a later date, but as you say I might be happy with the lcd, I just want it running for the kids mainly anyway, what I would like to know though is should I just get a cheap lcd or is there any vga monitors that can do lo res 15khz so I can still use my arcade VGA or shal Il just put that to one side and just use pc with a built in card and a normal monitor, ill measure the monitor tomorrow and see what size I'm looking for.

[keilmillerjr]

Thanks Shawn, as you say I think I'd like to just get an lcd for now and get mame up and running, I can always re fit the monitor at a later date, but as you say I might be happy with the lcd, I just want it running for the kids mainly anyway, what I would like to know though is should I just get a cheap lcd or is there any vga monitors that can do lo res 15khz so I can still use my arcade VGA or shal Il just put that to one side and just use pc with a built in card and a normal monitor, ill measure the monitor tomorrow and see what size I'm looking for.

Lol it would probably be easier to fix your monitor than removing it... but whatever.

[CHRIS-F]

Thanks Shawn, as you say I think I'd like to just get an lcd for now and get mame up and running, I can always re fit the monitor at a later date, but as you say I might be happy with the lcd, I just want it running for the kids mainly anyway, what I would like to know though is should I just get a cheap lcd or is there any vga monitors that can do lo res 15khz so I can still use my arcade VGA or shal Il just put that to one side and just use pc with a built in card and a normal monitor, ill measure the monitor tomorrow and see what size I'm looking for.

Lol it would probably be easier to fix your monitor than removing it... but whatever.

Keilmiller, I don't wish to appear rude, but how would it be easier, firstly I am a novice with electronics, and a few years ago I fixed my monitor and PSU with the help of Shawn & Ed12, but I still have problems with interference on my monitor, Secondly mains electricity scares the ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- out of me, I do not like working with monitors and transformers that can kill me. I'm sure it would be way easier for me to unbolt the monitor (storing it for when I am confident enough to get it running properly) and just throwing an tft in its place. My kids have an arcade machine in their room that they cant play on at present, I just want a quick way to get it working fo red them they wont car wee about tft/lcd they just care if its got bible bobble wonderboy or bombjack etc. I'm just asking what is the best (authentic looking) picture I can get with tft  is there a cheapish tft that can do 15khz? Or am I just going to put a regular computer monitor in? I do understand why people are so passionate about leaving monitors in, but my half finished machine has been this wayfor ages, I just want to paint it, fit new t molding, throw a pc in with monitor and add a marquee and change the logo on the front screen.

[CHRIS-F]

I know monitors are measured diagonally, but are they measured from the inside of the black rim or to the outside of the glass? My monitor is 19" from the inside of the black rim diagonally or about 20.5 from the end of the glass.

[Mike A]

Do what you like. You don't have to defend your choices. Take the advice you think is useful and ignore the stuff that is not. If you don't engage in the argument it usually goes away.

[CHRIS-F]

Thanks Mike,
I know what you mean, but I understand why people want to keep monitors in cabinets, I hope one day I can get it running properly, but untill that time, I just want to know what is my best choice for a replacement monitor, I have an arcade VGA pcie card from ultimatc, so if there is a tft that can make use of that and its 15khz  lowres modes then all the better, but if not I'm just looking for advice on getting the best fit/quality picture I can with a tfy, I think my monito red is 19" measured diagonally from the black rim to the black rim its about 21½" from the outside of the glass to the other side diagonally.

Anyone know of a good replacement for this monitor that doesn't cost the earth and will run straight from the pc card o red via the arcade VGA?

Regards,
Chris.

[behrmr]

Where do you live? Availability of CGA monitors will be dependent on the collector community near you.

[apfelanni]

if ur on the emulation road already , why dont u go for a crt tv ?? it shouldnt be so hard to find one with scart rgb in the uk . u may find em anywhere for a couple of bucks at most and it gets close to the original arcade screen as it can be .  replaced a broken 20 inch hantarex screen in my royal video cab with a grundig tv 2 weeks ago . the picture is a lot better with the grundig - toshiba compared to the the hantarex thomson tube combo .


so u may try to repair the hantarex chassis or buy an rgb capable scart tv , soldier a fitting cable or buy arcadeforges umsa device plus a quality scart cable ,  set up ur mame config , 15 k drivers and ur good to go .