What size monitor are you using?

[ElKootcho]

I'm just wondering what the most common size is being used in full-size MAME cabinets (either PC monitor or arcade monitor). Please vote and then leave a comment letting us know how many players your machine is set up for and if you feel that your montior size is too small, too large, or just right!

Thanks!!

[paigeoliver]

Currently owned cabinets.

19" arcade monitor (VGA type).

42" SVGA plasma (showcase setup).

21" computer monitor.

Have a 27" D9200 sitting around that will go into something eventually.

In the past I have used at least a dozen 21" computer monitors for 19" cabinets and a half-dozen 15" computer monitors (these replace 13" arcade monitors in machines that came with those). I have also used a couple 19" computer monitors and one 17" computer monitor.

[Chris G]

25" horizontal WG (Zenith made).  Love the size.

[leapinlew]

Depends -

17" LCD in a bartop


32" TV in a showcase


21" CRT in a driver


19" CRT in a 4 way vertical

[NoOne=NBA=]

I think screen size should be dictated by cabinet size/style, and games to be played.

If you look at nearly vertical monitors, Robotron had a 19", and alot of the fighting games had 25".
This is perfectly acceptable because you don't need to see the entire screen at once on a fighting game.
Trying to play Robotron with a 25" monitor right in your face would be very difficult because you have to pan your vision to play.
Also, if you get too close to a large monitor, you start to see the individual dots from the aperture grill, rather than the overall picture.

I'm sure there are people on here who have done it, and will tell you how great it is, but my personal experience has been that my scores increase as the visible monitor size goes down (by decreasing monitor size, or increasing distance from the monitor).

As far as playing setups go, I have had setups that have used everything from a 10" laptop screen up to a 57" wide-screen TV.
All of them are fine as long as you pay attention to the player distance as the monitor size increases.

[paigeoliver]

Also, when replacing arcade monitors with computer monitors you have to be aware of the size differences if you want to get the same size tube.

13" arcade monitor equals 14-15" computer monitor (14 is usually slightly smaller, 15 is slightly larger).
19" arcade monitor equals 21" computer monitor (which is a fraction of an inch larger, or a 20" model is a fraction smaller).

Also, oddball size arcade monitors are usually actually the next most common size down, they are just labeled using the more liberal (non-US), method of tube sizing. A 20" is usually really a 19", those Japanese spec cocktails with 14" monitors usually really have 13" ones, and those 29" candy cabinet monitors are really 27".

Computer monitors are usually measured using the same liberal standards, which is why you usually have to jump 2" in size to get the same size monitor tube.

[MovingTarget]

I've got a 2 player cab w/a 21" computer monitor.  When I built it I orginally thought I would replace it with a larger size when it eventually dies and would "suffer" with only a 21" monitor but having built and been using it for over a year now I've got to say I'm actually very happy with this size and if it died today I would most likely just find another one to replace it with.

[Havok]

Not listed, but - 20.1" LCD...

[notaburger]

31" gateway destination monitor
it can only do 640x480 but that's good for mame (not so good for surfing the web)

i did build my arcade with a 27" tv in mind so this guy doesn't even really fit that well (i had to cut a tiny hole the back)

they usually run about 100 bucks

[Jeff AMN]

I'm using a 27" Samsung TV set through a component connection.

[squirrellydw]

Going to have a 27" billlabs for my cocktail table

[Aurich]

25" (well, 24.8") arcade monitor, vertical, modified Galaga design.

[Jake]

Have a 27" D9200 sitting around that will go into something eventually.

Hey, that should go in my cabinet.   

[danny_galaga]

15" PC monitor in my cocktail

[FrizzleFried]

I use a 19" Electrohome G07 in my Horizontal cabinet,  a 19" G07 Replacement in my Vertical,  a 19" Wells Gardner in my Joust,  a 19" Sanyo 20EZ in my DKJr Cabinet,  and a 15" PC Monitor in my cocktail cabinet.  I am REALLY itching to get a 25" for my horizontal cabinet as 19" is a bit small.  19" in vertical orientation is plenty large enough though.