Main > Main Forum
Building my first cabinet
rubberpoultry:
Hi arcade junkies!
This is basically my first real post. I've been lurking for a while, and am finally ready to stick my neck out to see if I can get some help. I don't have the time, tools or skills to build someting on my own like so many of you have. So basically I'm going to go the prefab route. I've ordered the SlikStik Classic, and a UAII kit. With the help of my father, I'm building my first PC (I'm a Mac guy) and I'm trying to get everything nailed down to finish this thing within a couple of weeks. I have a few questions
1. Television. What 27" TVs are people using in their cabinets now? I want component in after reading about it, but I'm unclear about what exact settings I need the TV to have in place. Do I need one that I can access the service menu on? I bought a DVI to RGB dongle already (on it's way), but I still don't know what TV to buy. Any reccomendations? I don't have the money for a WG or Betson.
2. Monitor Bezel. I like the finished look of the Happ bezel and I'd like to order one. I've seen some nice pape ones, but that's just not for me. Is there someone here who sells them so I can avoid the gut wrentching Happ shipping fees I've been reading about? Also what TVs does the bezel fit? I've noticed several posts where people say that the TV bezel is sticking over the Happs bezel. I don't want to decase whatever I buy that's for sure.
3. Smoking or non? I've read about smoked glass. I like the idea, but I wonder if it's worth it. Also which is better, glass, or plexi/lexan?
Any help you could offer would be appreciated.
Thanks,
rubberpoultry
MaMeNnO:
Good step to dive into one. No matter it's prefab, I guess you still have your battles and challenges. About the questions, can't be much of help here. I'm using a computer monitor (22") and going to make the bezel my self. For the glass, I use a little tinted glass, not real smoked. Don't use plexi. You'll regret that after wipping it a few times and being left with scratches. I don't know about lexan. That's mostly used for CP's.
Good luck!
TOK:
I'm using a 27" Toshiba flat screen with component in. It was an expensive TV, not purchased specifically for the cabinet (bought it for XBox that I never play). I didn't use any service menu tweaks, or even Powerstrip to get my final setup working. I did experiment with Powerstrip before figuring out what worked best for me.
Using a Radeon 9550 with the DVI to component adapter, I just had to specify a custom resolution within MaLa (front end). I suppose if there is any drawback to this, it's that Windows is not running in this mode, so the image is overscanned until I'm actually into the front end. The monitor is vertical and the Windows desktop is sideways, so I use another PC to do most of the admin on it anyway.
If you want the custom resolution available all the time, Powerstrip may be a better solution for you.
640x432 sizes the image correctly for my TV in component mode.
I far prefer a tinted bezel over clear. It helps hide the surround around the TV, and also helps make the image not so "TV like". Component is far better than S-Video, but I still found the image a little harsh looking without the tinted bezel. Tempered glass is probably the best option, but I had tinted plexi readily available, so I went with that. Just have to be careful cleaning it to avoid scratching it up, as MaMeNnO alluded to. If it end up being a problem, at least I'll have something while I find a good source for tinted tempered glass.
Zeosstud:
I have a Happ 27" monitor Bezel I will sell for whatever it costs at happ and will charge EXACTLY what UPS does to ship, meaning not adding a penny for handleing or whatever. PM if interested.
Zeosstud
rubberpoultry:
PM sent!