Arcade monitor do vs PC or TV?

[vidmouse]

I can second that... was moving my Sony 27" by myself after acquiring it...
door stop slipped, and I caught the door but had to shift the
weight VERY quickly to one arm.  Tore my shoulder rotator cuff
and am still getting over it.  But at least I didn't drop the tv

[Zebidee]

>I mean, not to dis you or anything, really, just mentioning. Someone, whether I know them, comments >on something like the above about something I know


Well, actually you don't know.  And, well, actually you are dissing me, just a bit.  Dunno why though, so now I'm climbing on my

 
Shorthair, don't get me started on this macho ---That which is odiferous and causeth plants to grow---.  I've got another two 29" displays here that I have no problem throwing around - here catch!  Last week I had to load a large upright cab onto a trailer with no ramp by myself with nothing but a trolley for help.  I shoulder pressed two 9 year old boys at the same time a couple of days ago.

And of course I have moved and mounted my 27" PVMs by myself.  Anyway, enough dick waving.

Back to the issue:  These 27" sony PVMs weigh around 40-50% more than an equivalent sized TV.  They have steel shielding around the CRT tube, and a metal frame around them that makes it really easy for two people to carry, but by yourself it is really bloody difficult to get the centre of mass close to your body.  With most displays the weight is all in the front of the CRT tube/screen - just get it close to your chest. But the PVMs significant weight is more evenly distributed and therefore more difficult to manage for one person.  I can move them around the house by myself, but I'd use my trolley for anything more or get someone to help, especially for mounting it onto a cabinet because the positioning can be very tricky, especially if it is decased and the electronics are exposed.

[shorthair]

Actually, I do know Zeb. Going by what you said - "I lift serious weights, but I can only just heave these around by myself" - my conviction about lifting is further confirmed.  But what I meant is, say I know about lifting (which I do), and someone comes and says something about it that I'm not familiar with, and particularly, contrary to what I think I know about it. I listen, cos I'm always wanting something better. It's no reflection on me if what I'm doing is not as good as it could be for optimal health and function. It is a reflection on me (and my emotional state) if I don't listen. So, I'm not dissing you. I'm dissing lifting.  (And cardio, but that's another part of the story.)

Back on topic, of course it's just plain smarts to use a dolly/hand truck when moving things around places. Hell, if you had an overhead or cherry picker handy, almost regardless of how strong one is, it'd be a good idea to use one for installing a monitor. But, if you're familiar with Brooks Kubic, odd-object lifting is very functional. And if you absolutely happen to be alone when doing any of this stuff, it helps to have some experience in OOL.

[Zebidee]

  Whatever you reckon, shorthair.    , what are you talking about.

I'm just talking about using your brain and not your back.  not weightlifting, but ergonomics, common sense and experience.  I can do this stuff by myself because I'm smart and strong, but I'm a bloody legend now aren't I? (I'm being bit sarcastic about myself here).  But seriously, my just trying to say be smart about lifting heavy objects.  I don't want people hurting themselves.

[tommyinajar]

Zeb: I would say the weights aren't doing you any favour, as I'm average height at about 150 pounds (about 73 kee's?), and I can easily move my 29" Billabs around.

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Topic: Arcade monitor do vs PC or TV?

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[shorthair]

...But seriously, my just trying to say be smart about lifting heavy objects.  I don't want people hurting themselves.

Surely. Me, too. I also try to spread certain info so that like what happened to vidmouse doesn't happen to others. But they have to do a little of the right training. Speaking of, sorry I forgot about you there vidmouse...to fix your shoulder, look into isometrics (not with weights, mind) or PM me for details.

And tij, silly boy, I know how to get big if I wanted that. And it's mostly not what those guys are saying, although that can work. Body is mind...and vice-versa. But why would I want to be big? I'm more interested in being able to move, especially when I get older (except I don't plan on getting older, but only older).

[vidmouse]

Shorthair ... thanks for the tip, am already on a program
via physical therapy.  They're having me rebuild slowly using
ice and small resistance, based on my specific injury.
(I can pull in but can't rotate out so well).  It's actually
gotten a LOT better but there's still a difference arm-to-arm
(beyond just right/left handedness) and I can still feel
it "gel" after a long day.  At least I have my full range of
motion back... for awhile there I couldn't lift the arm above
chin-height in any direction.

[shorthair]

That's good. Actually, I'd say alternating heat (to loosen up the tissue) and cold (to reduce swelling). But, resistance with what? If you're using rubber cables, I'd say that's too much for right now. Immovable object iso's, though, you have a whole range from zero on to work within, and safely.

[Zebidee]

Vidmouse, I did forget about you as I climbed on my soapbox.  I suffered a torn rotator cuff before too.  Once from a roller blading accident, and once just from wear and tear (aggravating the old injury) from doing laps in the pool (back when I did 3km per day).  It is also a common injury for gym junkies that don't cross-train to build up support muscles.

Here is an exercise that really worked for me to relieve the pressure/pain, while simultaneously allowing more blood to flow to the area, is this:

- stand directly in front of a friend
- hold your arm straight out in front of you, at about waist height (but in a relaxed state), at mid-height.  Your arm must be relaxed.
- Ask your friend to *gently* and *slowly* lift the arm above your head, until your arm makes an angle of about 45 degrees (if comfort allows).  Keep your arm straight (but relaxed, not rigid) throughout.
- Ask your friend to gently lower the arm.
- repeat

Stop if it causes pain.

The key to this is moving your shoulder gently through normal motion without using your own muscles.  It relieves pressure in the injury site and allows new blood to flow in/old poisons to flow out.  I found the relieve from this exercise to be amazing, if done right. 

[vidmouse]

I am using rubber cables, at the direction of my phys therpaist...
but we did not start there, this is after a few weeks.  It has
been 7 weeks since the original injury, and we've been building
up in sessions over the last 4 weeks.  (it took me awhile to
realize the extent of injury for the first 3 weeks)

In reality, it's a partial-tear, not a full tear.

The PT did have me start slow with small movements similar to
Zeb's exercise, we've just been building from there.

Thanks for the support.

Back to on-topic ... last weekend I did get a chance to
start assembly on my cabinet -- very exciting.  I had to
trial-and-error the tv shelf, but at least I got the width
right.  Will post and submit project when I have photos.
http://www.freewebs.com/vidmouse

[shorthair]

Ah, another too-late case. Most of these things don't require surgery, but the allopathic establishment still doesn't recognise this. Well, most anyone over 30 in that system; the younger ones are experiencing alternative remedies, and though educated in allopathy, are merging homeopathy into it. A satisfying trojan, indeed.

On your cab: you're starting to come along. Cramped for a 4-py, though.

[Zebidee]

Wow, Vidmouse, I am always impressed by the dedication required to build a cabinet from scratch.  And I guess I'd do it too if that was the only choice.

When you talk about TV shelf, I guess that you're not planning to decase it and mount it directly to a wooden frame from the corners of the screen?  Takes a few deep breaths to start with, but is probably worth it.  Looks more professional.  Building a wooden frame to mount it in would be easy for your cab design.  This way you can have the screen at whatever angle you like, and it would be mounted rock-solid too.  Will also improve air flow around your monitor errr, TV ..?. 

[vidmouse]

Not too many cabs for sale around where I live.  I was looking at one off Ebay this last week but can't justify it with the cab I'm already building.

I updated my site... the tv fits fine as-is, angle's good, probably won't be changing it.

Something I probably WILL change, now that I've had a little help in testing it.
I finally see what all you guys have been warning me about with my 4-player cab with a 36" wide control panel.  The thing is, I haven't noticed it up until now because I'm left-handed and usually play the player 1 spot... when I've been side by side with right-handed player two, no problem.  I tried it out with my wife tonight... she's right handed and what we noticed was that our dominant arms swing to the side ever so slightly -- enough to cause a problem between players 1 and 3.

Will consider more options, esp now that I won a trackball off Ebay...

[Zebidee]

Fair call, the TV looks sweet enough in there.

That control panel is a little cramped.

Are you fitting an external volume control?

[vidmouse]

Good news:  I remeasured my basement/game room and moved furniture slightly so that I have more room for a larger panel now...  will put some thought into redesign today.  I bet I can accommodate a max 45" x 20" panel now.  Need to figure a way to do that and still have a comfortable width for pinball too...

I have a Neutac s821-107 computer speakers and subwoofer that I got off Ebay.  It comes with a wired remote with volume and bass control, and a headphone jack.  I plan to just run the remote and attach to the keyboard drawer somehow.  I still need audio extension cables for it (well, I have the cable, need the female/female adapter).

Thanks for the comment on the tv.  Check the site, I added a mockup of a marquee and an interesting way to mount using a plastic corner safety bracket.  www.freewebs.com/vidmouse

[shorthair]

I really like Mountain's admin panel, but for a volume knob, I decided to go with a Griffin usb deal.

[Zebidee]

Sick of keyboard drawers and cables caught in doors?  Try an external USB port!

This evening i made a decision.  I whipped the coin mech out of the 4 player galaxy cab, replaced the metal plate with a piece of craft wood cut to size.  Cut a hole for a large credit button (where the coins used to go!),
and another hole for a USB port (in the former coin return).  Painted it (first coat).  got my soldering iron and other stuff together and ready.  painted another coat.

While that was drying I got a new USB female end (you can buy from a hobby electronics store), and fixed it
to a small piece of plain unflashed PCB by pushing the connections through some pre-drilled holes in the PCB (I got this idea from an xbox USB hack).   I got my USB extension cable, hacked the female end off and
resoldered the wires to the new female end.  Tested it with PC (OK).  Painted third
coat on face plate.  Called girlfriend, went shopping.

Attached USB to faceplate (screwed PCB to small piece of wood, screwed wood to faceplate), fitted new faceplate (paint just dry!) to cabinet.  Very Happy!  Drank beer 

Can post photo when camera battery recharges ...

cheers, zeb.

[shorthair]

Sure, you can have the keyboard externally accessible, though you have to stash it somewhere. However, what I'm not understanding is, why change the female ends?

[Zebidee]

Really, it's up to you where you stash your keyboard.  You could keep it inside your cabinet (I do).  But when I need it, I just pull it out and plug it in.  I use a keyboard with two USB ports in it, and plug a marble mouse into one of those for windows.

You need to change the female end, because a normal USB cable end isn't easily mountable (actualy, I had it mounted with some gaffa tape previously, but this looks better).  Mine looks just like a USB port on a PC or other device.

[shorthair]

No, I don't at all understand what you're doing there. You have a port mounted. You have something you want to plug into it. What else would there be to do? Or are you implying the keyboard is PS/2 and you hacked a usb jack onto it?

[Zebidee]

Imply?  No, I leave that to sneaky lawyers.

I'm trying to say that it is really very easy and cheap to make a USB port for your cabinet.  I've answered this more fully on this thread:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=66297.msg670791#msg670791