Large Size LCD PC Monitor (Mame + Movies)

[whynotpizza]

Hi all,

Anyone have good experience using large sized PC LCD Monitors for -both- MAME game play as well as MOVIE watching off DVD on the PC?

I am thinking getting one of these lower priced large sized monitors, but am concerned about viewing angle, both of which are 160 degrees horizontal. (probably the same monitor just repackaged)

My control panel is ~44" wide, and like I said above am interested in doing both MOVIE view (from across the room) and MAME game play.

I'd hate to buy one of these, ship it and have it not work on the angles and send it back.

Any thoughts?

  David

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254026

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3326540&CatId=3774

[Ginsu Victim]

If I recall correctly, Hans-G and I-Inc are the same. (On newegg, it says Free Shipping)

[Blanka]

If you want big and excellent viewing angles, go for a LG2600HP (not the LG2600H). It has less then 1 frame input lag too, so that's great for a non TN panel.

The control panel is 44 inch? WOW
Is it not Pac Matt by chance? 
http://www.wickedretarded.com/~crapmame/4.html

[u_rebelscum]

Not much help, but my 2 cents anyway...

160/160 H/V viewing angles & 3ms do hint toward TN panels, which have the worst viewing angles.  Although TN has gotten better at it over the years, I too would be worried about good viewing angles on these panels.  "Across the room" movie viewing probably will be okay, as long as the monitor is not tilted back much (or you don't have very low seats or sit on ground + high cab).  TN below view IMO is the worst, because the colors "go negative" from this direction long before it reaches the "viewing angle limit".  TN above view fades out, as does side to side.  If you play mame close to the monitor, you could get either above or below fades if it's not close to the right height & angle (which might not be good for movie viewing).  In the reviews of the monitor I skimmed there was no comments on the viewing angle.

Times like this I wish I could see the monitor in use in person.  I'm very picky about the viewing angle, and what's fine for some people I wouldn't be happy with at all.  I'm not sure how picky you are.  I still haven't seen a TN panel in person I would buy if there was a PVA,  IPS, or MVA panel for twice the price.  I've heard people say there are some good enough now, but I heard that before and they weren't good enough for me.

If you're not as picky as me, they might be good enough, but I wouldn't buy 'em without trying them first.

[BobA]

Times like this I wish I could see the monitor in use in person.  I'm very picky about the viewing angle, and what's fine for some people I wouldn't be happy with at all.  I'm not sure how picky you are. 

If you're not as picky as me, they might be good enough, but I wouldn't buy 'em without trying them first.

I agree 100%. You should have a look at the monitor you are buying especially if shipping charges make it hard to return.  Apparently the viewing angle claims of some manufacturers are subject to varying interpretation.  The best way to see how a monitor performs from side view or up/down view is to check it out in person.

[Turnarcades]

Yeah it does tend to be the up/down viewing angle that is poor on cheaper LCD's, with that 'negative effect' appearing as low as 45 degrees up/down on some, despite the claimed viewing angle.

[whynotpizza]

Thanks guys for the info.

This is a good link for those of us just starting to understand all of this TN stuff.

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TFT_LCD

Maybe I will take a trip to Best Buy on the way home and see what they have to offer. Problem with these retailers (or I should say the remaining retailer of its class) is that what they sell in the store and on their website are different. More specifically, in the area of the US where I live, there is not a Best Buy in 100+ miles which has the 28" unit I want to get. Go figure. At least I can check them out to see what the have in other sizes and see first-hand the H/V angles.

Ok, so my 44" panel is definitely not a frankenstein. It sounds wide, but the cabinet itself is a remake of "Mechanized Attack 4" which has a cabinet width of nearly 30", so the extend of 44" works quite nice (IMHO). P1 station on left, P2 station on right, and main P1 station in the center.

Thanks again for some thoughts to consider.

I currently have a 22" CRT tube, but would sure like to fill up the space 30"x 17" behind the smokey glass with all CRT flat panel.

Funny thing is, I would pay twice the lower price if I could find something which would work.

I am less concerned about the money and more concerned about being 100% happy with the end result. If nothing meets the criteria, life will hold on the replacement CRT.

  David

[whynotpizza]

Ok, I broke down yesterday and purchased a Sony XBR6 -- 32" LCD HDTV 1080p.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665378963

Running at 1920x1080 is just absolutely amazing!

Serving up DVD ISO movies from the PC, running Mame (of course), standard PC stuff, watching TV or  playing XBOX.

All of it together in one package.

Wow. 

Now the task of integrating this into the cabinet begins...

  David

[TOK]

I have the 52" version of this TV... Don't use it for MAME, but it's incredible for movies and PS3. 

[ViciousXUSMC]

My computer monitor is a Westinghouse 37LVM-W3 at the time it was the cheapest good HD LCD and its just woderfull for movies and games.

To this day almost 2 years later I can very easily say it was the best investment I made for my computer, more so than going form a P3 w/ a Geforce 5700 to a Intel Quad w dual 4850's

No matter how good or fast the computer is the monitor is the interface that lets you interact with and enjoy all that power.  So a good monitor is a must.

Next thing on my list when I have more room is to actually downgrade my 37" into 3x22" monitors for a surround setup and a HD projector to go on the back wall instead for the movies.  HD projectors are simply amazing and can give you a bigger screen than any LCD can for a fraction of the cost once you get past about 40"

Here are two good links for you to check out.

My review of the Westinghouse (I saw it for $700 shipped this year around X-Max) - http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10105

and a friends review of the Optoma HD65 (one of the best HD projectors that has a good price) - http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13766

My setup goal in the future is 3 monitors on a Matrox TripleHead2Go for surround gaming and a on wall screen above/behind the monitors for the projector with about a 70" screen size for games that do not work in ultra wide surround or for movies.