Mini Arcade with PC Monitor and TV Tuner?

[melarky]

I am getting ready to make a mini Donkey Kong cabinet for our baby room (my wife is due in November).  She has given me the ok to build it, but she had a few requirements:

 - Can't be too huge (she wants a mini one, maybe 5' tall at most).
 - Must be able to double as a TV

I was trying to figure out how to keep it small and get a TV in it (the smallest TV I've seen with an s-video hookup is 20", and that is too big for a small arcade).

I found this TV Tuner box that turns your computer monitor into a TV, but I can't find any reviews of it:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1951868&CatId=1427

I like how it lets you watch TV without needing a computer (don't think the arcade will get that much play until the kid is older, so it will be nice not to have the computer on all the time), and the remote is another nice feature (not that specific remote, looks kinda cheap in the photo, but any remote will be nice).

I figure with that box, I can just shove a 15"-17" monitor in the arcade.  Has anyone had any experience with that particular tuner box or that company?  Does anyone know of a better/cheaper solution?

We have made mini arcades before (my brother-in-law made a 3/4 scale arcade based on lusids design a while ago, and it's probably going to be the same size as that, I'll attach a picture of that arcade for reference).

[SteveJ34]

I wou ld suggest just getting an ATI All in Wonder card...that's what I did to save on space in my daughters room so she could just have cable TV on the PC.

You can find used ones on Ebay for ~ $25ish as you dont need a very high end card to drive MAME....a 32 or 64mb card would be more than enough.

[melarky]

Do those cards have remotes with them?  Does it treat the computer like a TV, or does it just run the TV in a window on the screen?

[ahofle]

I believe you have to watch TV while booted into windows, although it can be full screen instead of a window.  The product you linked looks like a much better option IMO.

[SteveJ34]

Do those cards have remotes with them?  Does it treat the computer like a TV, or does it just run the TV in a window on the screen?

The PC must be booted to access the tuner in the card but ATI All in Wonder models (or at least the older model she has) come with a remote and a USB infrared sensor so she could control the TV startup and shutdown, channel change, volume control, all from the remote.

[crashwg]

Although it is a more expensive option, LCDs come in smaller sizes with S-Vid and component (not that I've seen a component out video card...)inputs along with the standard TV tuner so you wouln't have to have the PC up and running just to watch TV.

[BamBam]

If you have a video card that supports RCA video output and a Commodore 64 colour 13" monitor, you will be in luck.  This setup is also dependant on your T.V. in source.  If you have digital cable or satellite T.V. with RCA outputs, then you are in luck.  This little monitor costs about $10.00, has a great picture and has built in speakers.
Here is a clicker of a complete package, but all you neeed is the monitor.
Try your local salvation army for one.

[daywane]

I have a monitor like that. also 2 Atari 8 bit monitors, All will work.
I have had Mame on them

most game play is just fine , I have played a few games that had to much white in the back ground the the Comadore monitor would have BUZZ noise. still play but the hum was still there

you have to do a lot of adjustments on the fonts and size if icons to even get close to reading

If you do not find one for next to free , I would just buy a 15 inch flat screen PC monitor at Walmart there cheep now.

I have played with a TV in card once. ( Only would work with win 98 )
no remote or anything like that but I did like it.

gave it away when I switched to XP
PC monitor

[mccoy178]

That's very interesting.