BILLABS 1024x768 monitor

[MikeQ]

Hello,

I'm new to the forums but have been reading for a long time.

For those that haven't been following the  bilLABS BL27CA1K saga on Retroblast.com. 

http://www.retroblast.com/news.php

They did a review of the monitor and reported in being capable of 50khz horiz.  This of course meaning that the monitor supports 1024x768.  Well, soon after this, it was discovered that the monitor was discontinued.  It was then reported that a new monitor was available to take its place. It was the BL27CA1Q.  However, initial specs indicated that it only supported 800x600.  After talking to bilLabs, it was determined that an option was in fact available to get this monitor with support for 1024x768.  However, the monitor was a special order and only available in quantities of 1000.

I spoke to bilLabs about the quantity policy and mentioned that the MAME community would love this monitor.  They seemed surprised by this due to most games being VGA resolution.  I told them that like myself, many people run PC games on their cabinets and would like the support for the higher resolutions.

At this point, I'm trying to determine what interest there would be for this monitor from the MAME community.  We may not be able to round up 1000 orders to make a special order but if we do have enough interest, we might be able to piggy back a larger order that bilLabs will make for this monitor for another of its clients.

If people are interested, please respond to this thread and we will see what kind of dialog we can start with bilLabs.  I'm already in discussion with them on a piggy back order at the end of December so it may be necessary to act fast.

Also, I found that Alva Amusement International in Miami can order this monitor from overseas but it will take more than a month to get them.  The will send it on a container ship.  The price quoted for this monitor and method of delivery was $450.  I'd feel more comfortable dealing with bilLabs directly but thought I would mention the Alva route too.

Thanks,

Mike

[Barkuti]

Hi MikeQ, greetings from the author of that review.

First, I must say the monitor tested was the M2929DC-62, original Wei-Ya brand, you know. I know bilLABS is Wei-Ya's american branch, and that model they were showing on their website had the exact same specs as the M2929DC-62. So I supposed that monitor was a rebranded M2929DC-62 with cosmetic changes.
But I already stated in the review that there could be differences between both models.

Maybe bilLABS originally thought in offering the top model, but then decided to introduce the 38 KHz one to clear out some taiwanese stock  and for a direct match against the D9200/Betson Imperial (Kortek KT-2914) but with a flat screen. They will end up offering the 50 KHz model for sure, albeit possibly at a higher price point, though.
When I was dealing with Wei-Ya HQ to get my monitor, I was told the M2929DC-62 was a truly new model and they had not started production in heavy quantities yet. Limited supply at this moment may be the reason bilLABS isn't going to offer the 50 KHz display for the time being.

bilLABS' staff told you they were surprised due to the high interest for a low to high resolution capable monitor? They don't have a clue on what they are talking about. You can tell them why in the hell that device was designed and built first. Because if there's no demand for something then something will soon get extinct or just won't exist. Flexible devices are exactly what the MAME community looks for, and the M2929DC-62 excels in flexibility and quality. I find way more logical to think how surprising it would be if people were not interested, instead.

$450 at Alva? Great price. If the 38 KHz bilLABS unit carries a $475 pricetag, expect to pay at least 500 bucks for the 50 KHz model from them.
I ended up paying a lot more. A grand total of $745,55 to be more precise. Monitor ($280) + shipping ($330) + wire transfer fee ($21,70) + customs tax ($113,85). But hell, it is worth it!


Cheers

[MikeQ]

Hi Barkuti,

Good write up.

[Goobzilla]

Hi Mike,

I have also talked to Kristin at Billabs in the last few days about a BL27CA1Q monitor.

[MikeQ]

Hi Goobzilla,


So are you getting a BL27CA1Q or a BL27CB1P?

The 1P is the 1024x768 50khz model and is special order in quantities of 1000.

The 1Q is 800x600 and readily available.


Thanks for the info on shipping.  I'm in Florida, so I'm not that far from them.  I'll definitely deliever it to work though.

[Traintruction]

Why does the spec sheet on Billabs' site say the BL27CA0Q and BL27CA1Q models support 1024 x 768 if they don't? That seems a bit misleading, though I'll freely admit that I'm no expert on this subject.

http://billabs.com/monitor_27_specs.htm

[MikeQ]

I found this confusing too.  when I emailed them that is when they told me about the 1P.  You'll notice that the 1Q claims 15-38khz (which means 800x600) but then states there is an option to get 48khz (1024x768).  They don't however state that the max resoution of 1024x768 is only on the 48khz model.  I guess they assume that most people know that >48khz = 1024x768.

[Goobzilla]

Hi Goobzilla,


So are you getting a BL27CA1Q or a BL27CB1P?

The 1P is the 1024x768 50khz model and is special order in quantities of 1000.

The 1Q is 800x600 and readily available.


Thanks for the info on shipping.  I'm in Florida, so I'm not that far from them.  I'll definitely deliever it to work though.

Well, the Billabs 1Q is out.  $223 shipping to a business address, $283 to my door.   

Ron

[MikeQ]

Wow,

That is nuts!!!  How can they justify that?  I got a quote from Betson for $76.00.  They are as far from me as bilLabs is from you.

[Goobzilla]

Yeah, tell me about it!

The good news is the Betson sales rep in Portland e-mailed me today.  the 27" multisyncs are back in stock.  About an hours drive, $425 out the door.

[MikeQ]

Did they say how they were shipping it?

BTW, Kristin emailed me today and said we would be able to get the

BL27CB1P in about 6 weeks for $549.

Also,  have you read all the negative things people have to say about the Betsons when running at 15khz?  It seems to have a problem here. 

[TravistyOJ]

I plan on getting one of these soon, good thing im local

[MikeQ]

I get mine mid January.  Shipping was only $94.00.

[Circo]

I have a slikstik cabinet with a nasty betson monitor in it, any idea how the bezel will fit, since the screen is flat.  Thanks

[Major Rock Hardy]

Hi Barkuti,

Good write up.  Sounds like your happy with the monitor.  Do you run it at the 15khz modes?  Do you have any complaints at all about the monitor now that you've been using it a while or is it all good?

Barkuti, what is the scoop?  Is it glorious in low res modes for old-school games?

BTW, I got a quote on the 1Q for $475 + $95.80(shipping) from Kristin... I'm going to ping her on the 1P.

Cheers,
Rock

[TravistyOJ]

I got to see the monitor at an Atlanta auction this past weekend.  It was gorgeous.  Great looking monitor, very friendly ppl at BilLabs, Im planning on getting one when i get the money.

[carazy]

I was there at the show in atl what was with the scan lines that it was showing?

[TravistyOJ]

I dont know, I didnt see them.  I am still a bit of a newb, so I probably didnt notice.

[carazy]

I am too, I think it was probably just caused because they had what 3 monitors hooked up to the same source.  It was a very bright and very colorful monitor though.

[MikeQ]

Barkuti, what is the scoop?

[Circo]

Does this mean that they will sell the 1024 x 768 monitor one at a time instead of the minimum 1000 unit order?  If so I intend to get one on the way next week.  Yeah!

[orbeyonde]

Does anyone know if BilLabs sells a 33" version of the 1024x768 monitor?

[TravistyOJ]

I dont know, I didnt see one on their site, but the folks at BilLabs are pretty responsive to email, drop em a line and see if they have one planned.

[MikeQ]

Does this mean that they will sell the 1024 x 768 monitor one at a time instead of the minimum 1000 unit order?

[MikeQ]

Just put my order in today.  Hopefully get it some time in February.

[Major Rock Hardy]

quote from Barkuti, for your enjoyment...

Barkuti,

a couple of people (myself included) have asked for more details on how the billlabs monitor handles 15khz old games... care to comment?

thanks,
Rock

Hi Major Rock Hardy, anything interesting over the forums for the last 3 weeks? I've been so busy I haven't had time to remember taking a look at them even.

...

Onto the question, if you want it short, it's simply awesome, IMHO.

For a little explanation, the image has huge scanlines (the monitor is big with a sharp picture), so it calls for more viewing distance than a 21 incher, for example. But that's an obvious consequence of it's 27 true inches screen size and anything else. No surprises here.
A standard pitched CRT can't produce the kind of IQ a high resolution PC monitor gives you, so nothing to be feared here.
Get the thing with confidence; I myself love it. Plasmas and LCD's?

Umm, almost forgot, you'll notice the usual 15.7 KHz hum clearly when switching from hi to low scan rates. But that's also natural, 15.7 KHz is an audible frequency. All standard CGA TV's fare the same way.

Now, again onto that 1981's Coleco tabletop Donkey Kong cleaning & restoration for a gift . Not far from having 2 times the age of it's target lol.

Regards,

Salvador Barqueros Provencio


P.D.: Happy New Year!

[Barkuti]

*PLONCK!* ... just dropped by to say hello

A little off topic, but thanks for those links Major Rock Hardy. Nice new spinner on the block; pricey, but not many choices either. And that "crapmame" web is great for laughs, really. That guy is hard over the work of some fellas, and honestly some jobs need a bit of constructive criticism. But anyway, someone should tell him speaking is so much easier than doing the job, especially if you want to keep it cheap.
I wouldn't care less anyhow.

Seems the monitors are making you wait a bit... Hope you won't be dissapointed.

I'll try to keep an eye over here more often.


Cheers

[MikeQ]

Hey Barkuti,

Did you get a bezel for your Wei-Ya somewhere or did you make one?

Later,

Mike

[Major Rock Hardy]

Barkuti-

no problemo, mi amigo... necessito mucho dinero porque quiero una BL27CB0P de BilLabs. 

does anyone have any soft copy (pdfs) of the dimensions owners manuals, etc.?

Cheers,
Rock

[MikeQ]

I might have the specs in an email from BilLabs.  This is for the 1p correct?

I'll look when I get home tonight.

[Major Rock Hardy]

the part number Kristin gave me was BL27CB0P, here was what she said:

"the BL27CA1Q does not have the ability to do 1024x768.  Our brochures
for the BL27CA1Q monitor need to be modified because they should say
they do 15-38kHz only.  The optional 48kHZ is for the BL27CB1P and this
model number is actually going to change to BL27CB0P, because it's a
flat-screened monitor and not curved.  I know this is probably more
confusing now than before, I completely apologize.

So just to clarify, the only way to run 1024x768 at 48kHz is to
purchase the BL27CB0P.  There is a one-year warranty on all of our monitors."

---
in other news, I noticed this:
http://www.billabs.com/about%20us.htm

so I called my local Mtn. Coin distributor here in Denver and they said they could get the BL27CB0P for around $549 (approximate guess since it won't be available til next month - big surprise), and I would just pick it up.  That is the pick up price!  I will have to pay the local sales tax but that is about $90 less than having it shipped.

so it might behoove you to see if there's a local distributor.  Mike, aren't you just going to drive up to GA to save on shipping?  Oh, depending on where you are, that might cost you more in gas than it does for shipping.  Hmmm...

Cheers,
Rock

[MikeQ]

Here is a link with some info.

[MikeQ]

the part number Kristin gave me was BL27CB0P, here was what she said:

"the BL27CA1Q does not have the ability to do 1024x768.

[Circo]

Happs sells a 27" bezel for flat screen monitors, for under $20 if I remember right.  That is what I am planning to use.

Hey Barkuti,

Did you get a bezel for your Wei-Ya somewhere or did you make one?

Later,

Mike

[MikeQ]

I saw that on their site but wasn't sure if bezels are generic or if they needed to be fit to a specific manufacturer.

[Circo]

I have heard from others that they are generic, the edges are oversized so you can cut to fit any cabinet.

[barry.m.wolf]

I spoke yesterday with Bill Babs.  They confirmed that the information about the BL237CA1Q was indeed incorrect.  It will not display 1024x768.  If you are interested in that resolution, then you are indeed looking for the BL27CB0P not 1P.  Also, they will have more in stock approx mid February, but you can put your name on a list.  I also asked about having to buy in lots of 1000.  According to Bill Labs, this is not at all true.  They will definitely sell 1 monitor.  The price is $549 and it is a flat display.  Hopefully, this is helpful.

[Major Rock Hardy]

Anyone have this monitor and running advancemame w/ it to get all the correct resolutions?  Do we know how tightly spec'ed our 15kHz signal needs to be?

For instance, the d9200 can handle 15kHz +/- some tolerance - I know I've read it some where.  Oh, found it:  on desmatic's easymamecab site:

21. What is the D9200's horizontal clock range? Unfortunately, the listed specifications for the D9200 on Wellsgardner's web site are a little misleading / confusing. The D9200 supports arcade boards that operate between 15.75 - 31.5kHz, but it does not support the entire range 15.75 - 31.5kHz. The D9200 is really a fixed frequency monitor that supports hclocks at 15.75kHz, 25kHz, and 31.5kHz with a 1-2kHz error margin at each frequency.

This tolerance actually helps for some old arcade resolutions so they can be perfect.

Barkuti, or anyone else - have you tried lots of old resolutions with BilLabs monitors?

[DYNAGOD]

the 50,000$ question for me is it rotatable?
i sent an email to their tech. awaiting an answer..

[Major Rock Hardy]

the 50,000$ question for me is it rotatable?
i sent an email to their tech. awaiting an answer..

As in, horizontal OR vertical for an upright?  Or, as in, you can use it in a cocktail?  Or something else?

I think if you have $50000 to spend on a question you probably have enough to build several mame cabinets, each w/ a monitor in a different orientation.   haha