Glass in front of the monitor

[Gradius]

I've noticed some old cabinets have a glass in front of the monitor. Do you know what's the function of it? Is it a normal glass or tinted? Do you recommend installing it in MAME cabinets? What kind of glass should I look for? Doesn't tinted glass reduces too much brighness and detail from the display?

[REBIRTH]

If I understand your question, almost all cabinets had glass/plexi in front of the monitor.  I assume the funtion was to keep people from breaking the expensive monitor by not being able to touch it.  Most games also have their Bezel artwork around this glass, so it helps with the decoration value.

As for type of glass - a lot of diffeent opinions.  I went with clear glass, 1/4 inch thick.  It is very sturdy, you can use it as a table top.  Had it custom cut at a glass place, it is about 30"x25" (or so) and cost about $35.  Other people go with plexiglass or Lexan.  Similar result, maybe a bit cheaper.  Some people like the look of a slight tinted glass.  A tinted glass will help hide the guts of your cabinet if you don't have a bezel blocking that out.  Tinted glass would reduce the brightness/detail of the display, but some people find that more authentic.  A good number of arcade games had tinted glass.

[zaphod]

Glass, instead of lexan, is the way to go for a MAME cabinet.  The lexan can scratch easily and has a chance to slightly yellow over time.  I use standard 1/4" glass cut at a glass shop, with the back side painted black around the monitor tube.  Others have used 1/8" tempered with equal success but that tends to be a bit more expensive.  Tinted glass is also popular with many people and is a matter of personal taste as to whether it is for you.

[abrannan]

Tinting is also good for hiding any burn-in your monitor has.  

[Apollo]

Yeah smoked glass is the way to go.

[patrickl]

Hope you don't mind the "hijack" Gradius, but I have a question about tinted glass (and I think it's along the lines of your question).

I was thinking about tinted glass too, but I was wondering what to do with the bezel (bezel as in printed artwork around the screen). I guess the bezel should go behind the glass (to keep it from being smudged/damaged), but won't the bezel be hard to see then? I was thinking about putting the bezel sandwiched between a layer of clear glass and tinted glass, but that seems so complicated and it might be too weak perhaps?

[hunky_artist]

good question. And one that I've always wondered about, so I hope someone here can answer it.

Hopefully I'll be (finally) starting my cab this summer after years and years of thinking about it.

But that issue was always one that I had no experience of. I wonder if because the artwork is so close to the glass on the underside (stuck on) that the tint doesn't affect it.

I dunno... anyone?

[Tilzs]

Hope you don't mind the "hijack" Gradius, but I have a question about tinted glass (and I think it's along the lines of your question).

I was thinking about tinted glass too, but I was wondering what to do with the bezel (bezel as in printed artwork around the screen). I guess the bezel should go behind the glass (to keep it from being smudged/damaged), but won't the bezel be hard to see then? I was thinking about putting the bezel sandwiched between a layer of clear glass and tinted glass, but that seems so complicated and it might be too weak perhaps?

Smoked glass, although darker isn't really dark enough that you'd really notice much of a difference on your bezel.

[Stingray]

H
I was thinking about tinted glass too, but I was wondering what to do with the bezel (bezel as in printed artwork around the screen). I guess the bezel should go behind the glass (to keep it from being smudged/damaged), but won't the bezel be hard to see then? I was thinking about putting the bezel sandwiched between a layer of clear glass and tinted glass, but that seems so complicated and it might be too weak perhaps?

Sandwiched between clear and tinted is the way to go.

I love the way the monitor looks behind dark tinted plexi. There is no reduction in picture quality as far as I can tell. My monitor is about five inches behind the plexi, and the tint makes the picture look like it's sort of floating back there.

-S