Project: My first cabinet - Mid 90s and before! [Complete]

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Lexiq:
If you do decide to use an LCD, consider the LG 28MQ780. This monitor is nearly square, which gives you a much bigger play field for the 4:3 (or similar) aspect ratio games of that era, compared to a 19:6 monitor of the same width.

Another advantage is that you can also play vertically oriented games at full size, without having to physically rotate the monitor.

I used an EIZO EV2730Q for my cabinet and I'm very happy with it, but the LG is better value for money (although still not cheap) - it just didn't exist when I was looking.

minorhero:

--- Quote from: Lexiq on October 13, 2023, 06:15:17 am ---If you do decide to use an LCD, consider the LG 28MQ780. This monitor is nearly square, which gives you a much bigger play field for the 4:3 (or similar) aspect ratio games of that era, compared to a 19:6 monitor of the same width.

Another advantage is that you can also play vertically oriented games at full size, without having to physically rotate the monitor.

I used an EIZO EV2730Q for my cabinet and I'm very happy with it, but the LG is better value for money (although still not cheap) - it just didn't exist when I was looking.

--- End quote ---

If I end up with an lcd it will almost certainly be a 16:9 aspect ratio. This is because that is the only aspect ratio being made for 'gaming', which is another way of saying it's the only one that has a fast response time, fast hertz, and either amd's freesync or nvidia's g-sync. I've looked a bunch but 16:10 aspect ratios in gaming monitors is just not a thing apparently. Le sigh, so it's either crt tv taken apart or 16:9 gaming monitor at this point. The good news is that I went and looked at some modern lcd monitors and even at 16:9 aspect, they are not exactly small.

Lexiq:
You're right - a high refresh gaming LCD with G-Sync / FreeSync will definitely get the best results (short of a CRT). They're definitely big enough too, but I found that I'd have to make my cabinet a lot wider than I wanted to get the same, or even close to the same 4:3 screen size. I feel your pain though - everything's a compromise. :)

I believe some people have mounted larger monitors vertically so the unused parts of the screen are hidden behind the bezel. I suspect that comes with its own set of challenges though.

Xiaou2:
One benefit of a Large LCD type display... is the ability to use full sized Arcade Bezel Artwork in mame / emulators.

My only gripe with this... is that most of the artwork is Vector based, and not photographic. It doesnt Look the same
as the actual arcade artwork.

I get why they chose Vectorization.. especially due to the massive space it would otherwise eat up... but on the opposite
end of the spectrum... I think the way it SHOULD look, should be how you experience it.

Xiaou2:
BTW - I recommend making each player 7 buttons.

This will allow you to play Ultimate Mortal Kombat much easier.. as that game has a RUN button, diagonally between the main
buttons and the joystick.

Also... I recommend making that "Run" button a long-travel Pinball Leafswitch button. This will allow you to play
Rapidfire games like Halleys Comet, Asterioid Deluxe, and even Galaga (long duration firing), to be FAR FASTER, AND FAR less fatiguing.

The thing about Leafs, is that they can be switched on/off with a mere papers width of distance. This allows you to do a special trick
called "Feathering"... which cant be done with Microswitch based buttons. You press the leaf button deep enough that the contacts
make connection... and then you just have to "VIBRATE" the button... and it will create the quickest and most effortless Rapidfire
that you can produce. You dont have to fully depress (bottom out) the button each time.

With Feathering, you can maintain long duration fire sessions... such as with Galaga... and or Maximum Rapidfire sessions, needed for
a game like Halleys Comet (it rewards you with more powerups, if you can maintain an insane rapidfire rate.. and trust me, you
need all the power you can get... as quickly as possible, for that game).

Now, they do make "modern" leaf buttons... that have a much shorter travel... but, from my experience with them, they are way too
soft (even with stretching the spring out)... and will tend to fire accidentally.. with the most mildest of pressure of your fingers
merely trying to rest on them. Also, because of the shorter travel, they will always Bottom Out... and as such, they do not feel
as good, and will produce more fatigue + more Noise.

Now... Leafs are not good for All game times. Particularly with fighting games, where you need that Tactile feedback, to know
when the button has connected... in order to get the precise timing for special moves. But leafs are especially good for a lot
of the older arcade games. Especially Shooters, or other games that require rapid fire. This includes a game like
"Track and Field" where you have to tap buttons quicker.. to run faster.

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