Display: TV Vs. Monitor

[CMIVXX]

If you had a choice between a 21" computer monitor and a 25" TV, which would you choose?

I have a 21" Viewsonic monitor at my disposal, but I'm curious as to if anyone thinks a 25" TV would be better.

[DougHillman]

This isn't a black and white question.  The choice depends on alot of factors.

What sort of cabinet are you building?  A normal sized cocktail cab will look fine with a 21" in it.  A larger 4-player cab is gonna dwarf a 21" monitor and look sorta foolish, either having HUGE bezel space around the monitor or having the CP extend WAY past the edges of the cabinet.  Either option is aesthetically unappealing.

What are your favorite games?  If you're a huge fan of vector games, even a component video input TV isn't really gonna do them justice.  OTOH, raster games look a little more authentic (in most people's opinions) on a quality TV.  A monitor (even tweaked with scanlines and such) is just too sharp.

Along those lines, are your favorite games horizontal or vertical?  A 21" monitor will display one type of game or the other at a slightly smaller-than-original size, depending on how you mount it.  A 25" TV will be able to display both orientations at essentially their original size.  

Personally, I'd just build a coupla cabinets to house each.    Dedicate the monitor one to vector games, and the TV to everything else.  Though, since at least one of the absolute classic vector games is vertical, while the rest are horizontal you may need to build 2 vector cabs.  It never ends!  


OK, ok.  For general all-around use, I'd choose a high quality 25" TV.  Looks better in the cab and gives more size for the $$$.

D

 

[Minwah]

Also, do you already have a cabinet or are you planning to buy/build one?  Many classic and classic-ish style cabs just wouldn't fit a 25" screen in.

Personally I don't like screens >21" (showcase cabs excluded) - they do my head in.  I'm probably in the minority there tho  

[simplygriff]

Also think about the ease of connection.  A monitor is going to just connect right up to the computer.  Unless you have the proper video card interfacing to a TV could be difficult or at least require more money for a new card.
-G

[mahuti]

If I had something sitting around, I'd use it.

I didn't and so chose a 21" tv, and would do so again in a heartbeat.

[etumor]

If you had a choice between a 21" computer monitor and a 25" TV, which would you choose?

I have a 21" Viewsonic monitor at my disposal, but I'm curious as to if anyone thinks a 25" TV would be better.

Assuming you have the video hardware to interface with the TV, I'd hook it up and see how you like the visual quality (use S-Video if available, it S-Video isn't available, then I'd recommend not using the TV).  If the TV looks good to you and it fits in well with your cabinet design, then use it.

If, on the other hand, you are building a smaller, more traditional (early 80s) style cab, then I'd recommend going with the monitor.  Some of the Direct3D effects in MAME look really interesting, but they really only work if you are using a computer monitor.

-Jeff "etumor"

[telengard]

This isn't a black and white question.  The choice depends on alot of factors.

What sort of cabinet are you building?  A normal sized cocktail cab will look fine with a 21" in it.  A larger 4-player cab is gonna dwarf a 21" monitor and look sorta foolish, either having HUGE bezel space around the monitor or having the CP extend WAY past the edges of the cabinet.  Either option is aesthetically unappealing.

What are your favorite games?  If you're a huge fan of vector games, even a component video input TV isn't really gonna do them justice.  OTOH, raster games look a little more authentic (in most people's opinions) on a quality TV.  A monitor (even tweaked with scanlines and such) is just too sharp.

Along those lines, are your favorite games horizontal or vertical?  A 21" monitor will display one type of game or the other at a slightly smaller-than-original size, depending on how you mount it.  A 25" TV will be able to display both orientations at essentially their original size.  

Personally, I'd just build a coupla cabinets to house each.    Dedicate the monitor one to vector games, and the TV to everything else.  Though, since at least one of the absolute classic vector games is vertical, while the rest are horizontal you may need to build 2 vector cabs.  It never ends!  

Very true, although you could use a rotating monitor.  I'm considering building a vector only cabinet so I can use a real arcade monitor in my current cab.  There doesn't seem to be a "multisync-mode" 19" arcade monitor available that can do 800x600 for vector games.  

I have to go on eBay and see what vector monitors are going for.  I bet they aren't cheap on top of needing the Zektor board.

The larger monitors are hard for me to play games on.  Too much area to cover with your eyes.  I have horrible games of Galaga on those reunion cabs for that reason.  The sprites are as big as an entire 19" screen.  Too big.    

OK, ok.  For general all-around use, I'd choose a high quality 25" TV.  Looks better in the cab and gives more size for the $$$.

D

[telengard]

Also, do you already have a cabinet or are you planning to buy/build one?  Many classic and classic-ish style cabs just wouldn't fit a 25" screen in.

Personally I don't like screens >21" (showcase cabs excluded) - they do my head in.  I'm probably in the minority there tho  

I'd have to agree with you on this one.  I like the 19" monitor size personally.

[CMIVXX]

Thanks for all the info guys..   I think I'm gonna stick with the monitor.  I rigged up a simple monitor shelf earlier just to see how it looks, and it fits fairly well.   I am planning on putting a bezel together for the outskirts anyway.  The monitor fits with about 1.5" on either side to spare.  Which combined with the 2" plastic rim on the monitor will make perfect room for bezel art as well.

I'm also gonna do the smoked plexi / clear glass sandwich idea as well so I doubt I'll really notice the diff.

The main reason I was asking was if anyone has any mention of MAJOR display differences between a TV and a monitor.  Mostly people are saying it's a preference, and while the TV give's more of a Nintendo NES feel from when I was a kid, but I think that behind smoked glass, that effect would be gone anyway.

Thanks for the help guys.