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Jabba:
This is a question I have from a felloe MAMER. I am really not that familiar with subject as I have gone with a monitor. Does Anyone have anything to add? Thanks in advance...

"I'm a computer guy by profession, so the technology aspects of building
a MAME cabinet aren't too intimidating, but
one aspect of the job which I've had some trouble finding information on
is how best to decide between an arcade monitor,
TV or computer monitor for the cabinet. I've found many sites which seem
to indicate that, depending on the display chosen, you
must use specific software (ie. MAME vs AdvanceMAME .... DOS vs Windows,
etc). More confusing to me are all the
descriptions of resolution settings and MAME configuration options which
must be applied to achieve that 'perfect balance' for
the majority of games to be played. I'm leaning towards using a TV for
my cabinet, but I'm still not sure if this is the best option. I guess I'm not looking for an answer so much as perhaps your
recommendation and if your knowof any web sites which might help explain this aspect of the build."
Stingray:

--- Quote from: jabba on February 26, 2004, 02:23:00 pm ---if your knowof any web sites which might help explain this aspect of the build."


--- End quote ---

Send him the url for the monitor forum on this site.

-S
TalkingOctopus:
If you can afford it go the arcade moniter route with arcadeVGA.  It is the most authentic and best looking display.  The arcadeVGA card makes setup really easy, and you can use windows XP with it as well.

I went with a TV and S-video only because it was cheaper ($190 vs ~$450 for a 27" wells gardner).  I am happy with it but wish I could have gotten an arcade monitor instead
StephenH:
Depends on how much you want to spend, how much skill you have at assembly, and how authentic you want to be.  I will illistrate the pros and cons of all three:

Using a TV

Pros:

* Easy to connect to PC with TV-Out Video Card
* Come pre-assembled
* Low-Priced
* Decent Picture for Low-Res Games when S-Video is used
Cons:

* Can be slightly hard to configure software
* S-Video is needed for a decent Picture
* Picture quality is not as good as an arcade monitor
* Non-Game Apps can be difficult to read
* Some TV Outs do not work in DOS


PC Monitor:

Pros:

* Can run both PC Apps and Games, with a decent picture
* Can be cost effective
* Easiest to Configure
* Non-Game Apps very easy to read in most cases

Cons:

* Cannot run low-res games at native resolution
* Picture is "too good a resolution" compared to the arcade, and scanlines would be needed


Standard Res Arcade Monitors:

Pros:

* Very Authentic Picture for most MAME games
* Low-Res games can be run at their native resolution
* Looks like the real thing!

Cons:

* Can be difficult to Set-up, as you must run at 15Khz
* Does not simply Non-Emulation Apps well
* Can be difficult to mount and install
* Can be damaged by if a 31Khz signal is feed by accident


Full Range 15Khz - 31Khz Arcade Monitors:

Pros:

* Very Nice - allows all games to run at native resolution
* Authentic Arcade Picture

Cons:

* Expensive
* Can be difficult to get all games at native resolution
NoOne=NBA=:
If the cabinet is going to be a "dedicated" cabinet, the arcade monitor offers the most authentic picture.
As mentioned above, they can be somewhat difficult to configure though.

If it will not be dedicated, I would (and did) go with a good sized PC monitor.
I got a 21" for about $200, and have never looked back.
The nice thing about the PC monitor option is that it will let you display 1600x1200 resolution for other programs (PC games, graphics programs, etc...), but can still be "uglied down" to display a relatively authentic picture for arcade stuff.

I tried the TV option, and found it the least preferable because the picture tends to be fuzzy on them, the coloration is spotty (especially in the menus), and the sizing is problematic on some games.
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