Is anyone using an arcade monitor with their Xbox?

[markrvp]

I'm making an Xbox racing cabinet out of a gutted Pole Position cockpit cabinet.  My options are to buy a 20" TV with S-video input or use a 19" arcade monitor (with Ultimarc's adapter).  Assuming both monitors are of good quality, which would look better?  If I use the arcade monitor, do DVD movies still play on it through the Xbox?

[whatzcrackn]

good question!  I have not hooked mine up yet (xbox to arcade monitor)!!! does anyone have one hooked up and how do dvd's look?

[Vebbo]

haven't tried DVDs but i have tried http://www.xboxmediacenter.com/ and some avi files and it looked good.

Using XBOX ->J-PAC -> Wells-Gardner 7000 25"

[whatzcrackn]

anyone else

[djohng]

I've used a Wells U-3100 19" monitor (which includes a VGA input).  The video is awesome.  I've changed the dashboard to display in 480P, along with removing the "flubber", & replaced it with boXcade logo, and a "Arcade style" UnleashX menu (therefore you would never know its an xbox).

For the VGA output you can use any of the available x2vga type adaptors...very easy to setup.

-djohng
http://fp1.centurytel.net/retroarcade/

[whatzcrackn]

What about Ultimarc's adapter.  I am sitting on one of those and 19 Happs Pro.  Anyone know what that looks like?  I havent had a chance to hook mine up because I am still working on the outside.

[Nannuu]

I'm still going with a nice widscreen tv (biggest size that'll fit).  Don't use a PC monitor as they are 16x10 and not 16x9.  If you get a decent one with HDMI inputs as well, you'll be all set up for the next gen consoles as well.  Uh yeah, especially for a driving cabinet.  Widescreen is cooler, feels more like your looking out of a car.

[mairsil]

I don't know if it helps, but I am running an Xbox Debug through a Nextvision N6 to a Billabs 27" monitor. It looks really sharp, but just those three pieces cost over $1000. 

[daveg2000]

I'm sure either would look nice.
Never used an arcade monitor, but XBoxes play Beautifully on the PC monitor.
I've never seen anything clearer.

I run my 360 through one also.

That doesn't answer your question, but thought you'd like to know
incase you've neve tried it on a PC monitor.

[arcadegamefreak]

I have a modded xbox w/ultimarc jamma setup...Works great gave new life to a old coverted Street Fighter 2/ DarkStalkers cabinet. Added Custom artwork,Udon Street Fighter comics all over the control panel.Sheet metal added to give it a Tough as hell look. Added new all Black buttons,joysticks(going to get the Stainless Steel ones from SlikStik next)
 
 Love it!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope to post pics soon.. It works SOOOOOOOOOOO great on Xbox Live,just wish Marvel Vs Capcom 2 was online!!!!!! The only down side is the coin mechs are disabled. Took out the hoppers on one side for changing games. So open the coin door to see one side holding Samurai Showdown 5,Street Fighter Collection,Capcom Collection,midway arcade 1&2,Guilty Gear xx reloaded,Kof 2002&2003,Soul Cal 2,Snk vs Capcom Chaos,and Capcom Vs Snk 2.........
  Need a Harddrive upgrade to backup all the Xbox games so you wouldn't need to change games...

[96vette]

I'm in the process of converting a Cruis'n World to to a dedicated Xbox machine. I was originally planning on using the 25" Cruis'n monitor however it turns that monitor is not compatable with Andy's adapter.  I decided to go with a LCD TV


Pics show 20" LCD which is temporary, I have a 26" LCD going in soon
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL164/1353727/2574695/137072836.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL164/1353727/2574695/137072843.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL164/1353727/2574695/137072839.jpg

[daveg2000]

Wow! That looks sweet!
All you gotta do now is get a bezel to hide the grey TV!

 

[96vette]

Wow! That looks sweet!
All you gotta do now is get a bezel to hide the grey TV!

 

Thanks..it's almost finished...actually I need to find or make a bezel for this 26" Gateway TV. screen dimensions are 22"x13.5"

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL164/1353727/2574695/137098199.jpg

[markrvp]

Okay, I got around to working on my Xbox Cockpit racer (Pole Position conversion), and put a 19" Betson CGA monitor in it.  Betson is selling these for $149.95 right now, btw.

I hooked it up with Ultimarc's Xbox to arcade adapter and it looks great.  The text is certainly readable.  The color is good, but I would probably like a little more saturation.  It would probably be even nicer with a 20" LCD flatscreen TV, but the arcade monitor was half the price.

For me, there were four main benefits to using the arcade monitor:

1.)  It fit the opening in the cabinet.  I couldn't find a 20" TV that would fit without de-casing it. 
2.)  It can be powered off with a switch instead of a remote.  This was important because it's behind a bezel and glass.
3.)  It was more affordable than an LCD flatscreen
4.)  It is easy to mount in the cabinet with screws through the shelf-mount base.


I can highly recommend the Ultimarc Xbox to arcade monitor adapter.  It is a great value!!

[Frosty]

Looks sweet, man!  That's the same arcade monitor I'm using and it's great.  I'm gonna grab one of adapters for sure, now...