17 or 19" monitor for barcade

[Arcade1980]

Ok, I'm jumping onto the barcade wagon and looking into building one and need some recommendations on what size of monitor would work best for one.  I like a barcade nothing too large and was leaning towards a 17" 4:3 aspect ratio type monitor.  Would this size be ok?

Thanks

[Drnick]

I would say a 15" would be big enough What games are you looking to play?  Are you going with Single Player panel or two player panel, If I was building another bartop/barcade then I would go with Single player layout and a 17" In vertical orientation (But that is mostly because it would be used for classic vertical games only)

[javeryh]

17" seems way too big to me for a bartop.  I have a 10" 4:3 and it's a good size.  15" would probably be OK but still a little on the big side for my tastes.  I mean at 19" why not just build an upright - it takes up same amount of space.

[leapinlew]

My bartops almost always featured a 17" panel and I rarely used bezel artwork. I always thought it was important to keep the cabinets fairly thin. In my signature you can see some of my bartops to see the proportions I used.

My little Galaga had bezel artwork had a 10" CRT. The Widowmaker is a mess. I built it for my brother and he had some requirements I bet he wishes he could take back - the control deck is too big.

[thomashenry]

There's not a right answer. I made a bartop with a 17" 4:3 CRT but the screen looks a bit small inside a 60cm wide 2 player cab. 19" fills out the space more. So I swapped it out for a 20" 35kg monster!. When I make a bartop, I don't want a shrunk down miniturised version of a full cab - I just want the full sized top half of one.

If I was making a single player cab - 17" would be perfect.

[thomashenry]

17" seems way too big to me for a bartop.  I have a 10" 4:3 and it's a good size.  15" would probably be OK but still a little on the big side for my tastes. I mean at 19" why not just build an upright - it takes up same amount of space.

Lots of reasons. Portability. Takes up less space. Can stored away more easily.

[Arcade1980]

Thanks folks for all the replies!  I think I'll likely build 2, so a 17 inch version is likely what I'll use based on your opinions here.  However, I also like a smaller version and didn't even consider a 15 inch or a 10 inch....but those would be difficult to get I suppose.  I can't even find a 17" 4:3 ratio monitor as it is locally.

i'm assuming I should keep the aspect ratio to 4:3 - too many widescreen monitors than anything I see.

[javeryh]

17" seems way too big to me for a bartop.  I have a 10" 4:3 and it's a good size.  15" would probably be OK but still a little on the big side for my tastes. I mean at 19" why not just build an upright - it takes up same amount of space.

Lots of reasons. Portability. Takes up less space. Can stored away more easily.

Honestly, a bartop with a 19" monitor is huge and isn't really that portable and almost certainly doesn't get stored away (will it even fit in a closet?). The footprint is the same as an upright and with a bartop you have to waste valuable counter or table space.  I don't know... at the end of the day build what makes you happy.  Just throwing it out there for OP to consider.

[vertexguy]

If you're having trouble finding the right sized 4:3 monitor, take a look at the x-men 4 player project thread http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,162864.0.html.  He oriented his monitor vertically but then covers it up to make it a 4:3  hiding some below in the control panel.  Maybe a similar solution would work with a smaller monitor?

[thomashenry]

17" seems way too big to me for a bartop.  I have a 10" 4:3 and it's a good size.  15" would probably be OK but still a little on the big side for my tastes. I mean at 19" why not just build an upright - it takes up same amount of space.

Lots of reasons. Portability. Takes up less space. Can stored away more easily.

Honestly, a bartop with a 19" monitor is huge and isn't really that portable and almost certainly doesn't get stored away (will it even fit in a closet?). The footprint is the same as an upright and with a bartop you have to waste valuable counter or table space.  I don't know... at the end of the day build what makes you happy.  Just throwing it out there for OP to consider.

Yes, everyone has different desires/needs/requirements when making their own cab. But there are valid reasons why someone might want only the top half of a full size 19" cab. Another thing to note is that if you make a bartop, it's a pretty trivial job to make a knock-down plinth to stand it on - then you have a knock-down full size cab.

[Jimbo]

Just putting this out there...

My Videotron bartop (see link in sig) uses a 19" non-widescreen monitor.  For me and my kids it's perfect, although I admit I shouldn't really call it a bartop.  Perhaps we should coin a new name for this type of cab?  "Portacab" ? ;-)

I have managed fit controls for 2 players on there including spinners and a trackball, and it doesn't look or feel cramped.  It's also small enough to be moved by one person.  A small screened bartop isn't good for 2 players, not enough room.

I've ended up with a small-ish 2-player arcade cab that is portable.  It's already been taken to a few friends houses, work's arcade night, and been in various rooms in my house.

[thomashenry]

Just putting this out there...

My Videotron bartop (see link in sig) uses a 19" non-widescreen monitor.  For me and my kids it's perfect, although I admit I shouldn't really call it a bartop.  Perhaps we should coin a new name for this type of cab?  "Portacab" ? ;-)

I have managed fit controls for 2 players on there including spinners and a trackball, and it doesn't look or feel cramped.  It's also small enough to be moved by one person.  A small screened bartop isn't good for 2 players, not enough room.

I've ended up with a small-ish 2-player arcade cab that is portable.  It's already been taken to a few friends houses, work's arcade night, and been in various rooms in my house.

Exactly the sort of thing I mean. Mine is a fair bit bulkier than this (contains a 36kg 20" CRT), but it's still (just about) something that one person can carry around, up/down stairs, pop in the car, etc.

[keilmillerjr]

I have a 13" wells Gardner crt in my bartop.

[javeryh]

You guys are crazy... in a good way.  Jimbo making me see the light.  I freaking love that cab you built.

[Jimbo]

You guys are crazy... in a good way.  Jimbo making me see the light.  I freaking love that cab you built.

   For the record, it's a really good monitor too.  It's a Dell 1908FP 19" (£30 GBP on ebay). It's 5:4 aspect with 1280x1024 res and the games run really smooth - even scrolling seems smoother than I've seen on other newer LCDs. 4ms response time and seems to have very little input lag.  High enough res that you can get vector games looking great too.  I did also try another high-spec Benq gaming monitor at the time which absolutely sucked (very choppy scrolling) compared to this old beauty.  My guess is that the Dell is fairly lenient on the 60Hz vertical refresh, and kinda allows things slightly above or below no problem.

[thomashenry]

You guys are crazy... in a good way.  Jimbo making me see the light.  I freaking love that cab you built.

   For the record, it's a really good monitor too.  It's a Dell 1908FP 19" (£30 GBP on ebay). It's 5:4 aspect with 1280x1024 res and the games run really smooth - even scrolling seems smoother than I've seen on other newer LCDs. 4ms response time and seems to have very little input lag.  High enough res that you can get vector games looking great too.  I did also try another high-spec Benq gaming monitor at the time which absolutely sucked (very choppy scrolling) compared to this old beauty.  My guess is that the Dell is fairly lenient on the 60Hz vertical refresh, and kinda allows things slightly above or below no problem.

Good info. I'm pretty much a CRT purist but always helpful to know of viable LCD alternatives.

[Jimbo]

You guys are crazy... in a good way.  Jimbo making me see the light.  I freaking love that cab you built.

   For the record, it's a really good monitor too.  It's a Dell 1908FP 19" (£30 GBP on ebay). It's 5:4 aspect with 1280x1024 res and the games run really smooth - even scrolling seems smoother than I've seen on other newer LCDs. 4ms response time and seems to have very little input lag.  High enough res that you can get vector games looking great too.  I did also try another high-spec Benq gaming monitor at the time which absolutely sucked (very choppy scrolling) compared to this old beauty.  My guess is that the Dell is fairly lenient on the 60Hz vertical refresh, and kinda allows things slightly above or below no problem.

Good info. I'm pretty much a CRT purist but always helpful to know of viable LCD alternatives.

Yeah me too.  Videotron is the only LCD project I've ever done.  I only chose LCD because it wasn't for me, it was for the kids, and they wouldn't care - plus the lighter weight would be easier to move it around.  CRTs ftw.

[Arcade1980]

Fantastic build Jimbo!!  Thanks for sharing the video....

For the trackball, just to confirm you used a HAPP 2 1/4"

Cheers

[Jimbo]

Thanks.  Yep a happ 2 1/4".  I have the sketchup plans for the entire cab if anyone wants them.

[Arcade1980]

Jimbo:  Thanks!  I think your build is inspiring indeed!    Would welcome the plans if you care to share - much appreciated!  Of course, can't take credit for it if and when I do get it done, but I'll for sure mentioned it was from you

Cheers

[Arcade1980]

By the way, how did you mount the trackball, so that the mounting plate doesn't show from the top?   

Thanks.  Yep a happ 2 1/4".  I have the sketchup plans for the entire cab if anyone wants them.

[Jimbo]

By the way, how did you mount the trackball, so that the mounting plate doesn't show from the top?   

There's no mounting plate.  I cut a hole for the ball directly into the metal panel, then cut smaller holes for the 4 bolts.

[Arcade1980]

Hmm, if the control panel was made of MDF or plywood, do you think that it can be mounted the same way that you used for your metal CP?

By the way, how did you mount the trackball, so that the mounting plate doesn't show from the top?   

There's no mounting plate.  I cut a hole for the ball directly into the metal panel, then cut smaller holes for the 4 bolts.

[Jimbo]

Hmm, if the control panel was made of MDF or plywood, do you think that it can be mounted the same way that you used for your metal CP?

By the way, how did you mount the trackball, so that the mounting plate doesn't show from the top?   

There's no mounting plate.  I cut a hole for the ball directly into the metal panel, then cut smaller holes for the 4 bolts.

Not easily, no. I think you'd need some kind of mounting plate.

[leapinlew]

I'd recommend using plexiglass and then cutting out a hole for the entire trackball housing to mount in, or recessing the trackball plate. Those are the normal methods.