I don't want to take the thread OT... just comment on LCDs.
This has been a debate of mine as well. I'm looking for a larger display for my cab, especially since being introduced to Artwork!
There used to be tons of over sized CRT monitors, presentation monitors, and even 4:3 EDTV's would work (basically a presentation monitor). Now these are getting harder and harder to find and I suspect unfortunately more of these end up in a landfill than any of us would want to see. Actually... one working 27" CRT display ending up in a landfill is more than I want to see there!
Case in point as to the move from CRT to LCD/Flat panels- I just picked up a 20" Dell Trinitron for $10! We have a local store that the only way I can describe it is it's like a Salvation Army but only for furniture, building supplies, and electronics. Sometimes they have some good deals, a lot of times they have junk. (Also picked up a couple PC joysticks for $2 each when I got the monitor, the Wingman digital works like a champ!)
I know some people say CRT will be around for a long long time... I personally would drop one of those 'long's' and say they will be around for a long time, but they are going away. I'm not saying this is any kind of 'proof', but we are seeing a new light gun sonic sensor tech being tested right now, and this is an industry device, not something made just for us consumers. In a couple of years I can see it becoming harder and harder to support CRT bases systems, and even some repair shops could possibly raise their rates if they realize they are the only ones in a local nitch market.
Even on the sites of arcade monitor manufacturers I see sections now for LCD displays. Right now it's a small section and selection, but this is normal for anything new that's replacing extisting tech.
Anyone remember the day when Block Buster only rented VHS tapes? Remember when DVDs were introduced? DVDs only had one small display (actually even smaller than the Bluray displays in Block Buster now). Eventually it expanded to a full isle... and within two years all the VHS tapes were gone. I'm
not saying CRTs will be gone in two years, but I definitely can see them becoming a thing of the past quicker than some want to admit.
Hopefully by then though they will have LCD tech refined to the point black levels and contrast match (or are very close) to what we get with CRTs, and also It would be fantastic to see 27" LCD's in the sub $200 range like most 27" CRT TVs are now!
Oh... almost forgot... My cab has a CRT in it, but I also have systems upstairs that I test bed things on like new games and I am playing around with front ends... and one of my systems is a 27" LCD HDTV with a PC input... so I'm lucky in the sense I can look at both right in the same room!
I also think it's a lot of personal preference too. Me? I don't care that much, my main thing is getting a light gun system and I don't want to go with a CRT based system only to have to swap it out, and the all-in-one IR solutions are still a bit buggy in my opinion. My TopGun is already showing signs it's going to break on me, and that's with very causual use. If this new sonic technology ends up working and works as well as some of the claims... I might just opt for an LCD over a big CRT.
As far as being 'authentic'... Well there are some purists that will never give up their arcade monitors. I do have to smile though when I see someone vehemetly post about how everyone should only use original arcade monitors and then they have a U.S.S Enterprise aircraft carrier size cp hanging off the front of their cab! Honestly, and this takes me out of the realm of a purist, but I don't see any problem at all with my 21" Trinitron in my cab, and even the LCD HDTV looks fine. Vector games look clean and crisp on both, and if there is a major difference between the look of the games on my cab as to how they looked on the original arcade, it's none that I noticed or anyone that's played the cab has commented on. It's just fun playing the games! (Just broke a million on Major Havok!
)
Sorry about the OT... just my thoughts on LCD... I really do think there will be a day when CRTs will be a thing of the past, just like Beta max, VHS, and 8 Track... The one upside is, when that day comes if anyone can find a large CRT monitor they'll be able to get a great deal on it if not for free just to take it away!