Marquee Idea

[SeaMonkey]

Are there any LCD monitors about the same size as a Marquee?

LCD is pretty old tech really. I mean i don't need anything that is 800X600 just enough to display the marquee of the game I am playing, in the marquee area of my cab.

It's just an idea.

Any thoughts?

[jarrett]

It seems to me that even a 16:9 display is going to be a lot less panoramic than most marquees.

I bet you could rig an LCD projector behind the marquee and have it zoom in to just show the center portion of the screen.  That would be an expensive setup, but I bet it would look cool!

[SeaMonkey]

LCD's come in some nonstandard sizes and shapes...I just need to find the right one.....right? Or no?

[JustMichael]

I am sure you can find one that would be just the right size BUT it may cost several thousand dollars.  What you may want to do instead is use several screens to make up the marquee instead.

[Trimoor]

There are several main types of LCDs.

First is character.  It can display anything, but the pixels are arranged in 5x7 groups.  It comes in several standard sizes, none of which are nearly big enough for a marquee.

Next is graphical.  They can either be serially controlled, usually fairly small (too small for a marquee), and are available fairly cheaply.

Next is video.  Often full color with video input, this is what you want for a marquee.  Unfortunately, they are almost always 4:3, some are 16:9.  They are also hideously expensive. (mostly because there is a huge market for them)

Last is custom/dedecated.  The type used in the old electronic games, it has line art graphics permanently shaped into the display.  Can be any size, very cheap in large quantities, but huge setup cost.

So to answer your question, there really isn't anything available for a marquee.   You could have one manufactued for you, if you have $10,000 to burn.

[Dartful Dodger]

This was my idea:

I was going to build a 'papercade' of the local arcade I hung out in with two inch tall versions of all the games that were in it and have it behind the marquee glass.

Using Photoshop to recreating the sign out in front of that arcade will be easier, and I don't have time or the steady fingers needed to create 2 dozen papercades.

[Trimoor]

If I understand right, you want to make a diorama of an arcade, and place it in the marquee chamber.
I like it.  I may have to steal it.

Print the cabinets on transparencies.  It will save you a lot of cutting, and give you a neat effect.
I once had the idea of making a printer that would also cut out the paper as it printed.  It would be great for this.