Question: "jamma in a box" style systems

[cluster]

Question regarding jamma in a box style systems.

ROM File size: 130 megs
Aspect Ratio is 4:3
Resolution:  320x240  (yikes....)
 
Compared to using an emulator with this game, would buying an actual jamma board & using jamma in a box style system provide a better visual output?
 
Right now I have an emulator game on my pc, but connected to my 22" LCD monitor, running at full screen it looks (1680x1050) looks absolutely horrible.  So would buying an actual jamma board for the game fix that and make the game look like the original on my LCD and/or Plasma TV?

At this stage I just want to get that same feel I had back in the day at the arcade, and after seeing this pic (see below), I can see it is in fact possible to have a quality screen resolution on a massive screen (this screen looks to be at least 42"), and the guy is using a jamma board rather then an emulator.

Thanks in advance
Cheers!

[Jack Burton]

"Compared to using an emulator with this game, would buying an actual jamma board & using jamma in a box style system provide a better visual output?"

The short answer: no.

The image that the original PCB and MAME output are indistinguishable from one another at native resolutions. 

I would recommend you read up on how to manipulate the screen settings in MAME and also read the monitor wiki on this site. 

A major problem you are going to run into running KI on a big LCD screen is that the image is going to be scaled up and look wrong, no matter if you are using a board or pc.

Also keep in mind that KI is 4:3 game, and you will need to pillarbox it to look correct on a widescreen lcd.

[Turnarcades]

a massage screen

I need one of these to work the unmentionables!

Thing is friend, if you don't yet understand the fundamentals of MAME and it's workings and how different hardware (arcade/PC) transmits video signals to a disply device, you shouldn't even be attempting an arcade project. It's nothing to do with rom sizes or the fact that it's emulated. The reason it looks gash is because a big-ass modern TV is worlds apart from the type of monitor arcade games were designed for. Unless you use some type of visual filter in MAME, set the display flags correctly in the settings and set your TV up correctly you will not get anywhere near the same visual reproduction the original had. Using a Jamma conversion kit inside a 'box arcade' type system just converts the video signal to something the TV will accept so will make no difference.

The display device is the key more so than the hardware running the game. If you want the same visual experience the original arcade gave, you need an arcade monitor.

[cluster]

I wonder how the guy got it to look so clear on his big screen then?
Or do you think the picture quality/flaws doesn't come through as it's just a photo?

Also assuming I decide to stick with the LCD, I'm guessing by "pillar box" you mean scale it so that it's a square window (therefore leaving the left and right side empty)?

Anyhow, I'll be sure to read up on how to manipulate the screen settings in MAME, and monitor wiki info.

Turnarcades;
hahahaha - massage screen, stupid spell check screwed me on that one!

I pretty much already knew all this, just though I would get some insight on people who may have found a work around.  Todays LCD screens are a completely different output, I do realize this.  I just hate the idea of having some ---smurfy--- looking CRT monitor sitting around the house when all my other equipment is top of the line, hdmi, optical outs etc etc.

Maybe one day Miscrosoft will take their sister company RARE, and develop Killer Instinct next gen.  I would buy the XBOX system just for this game alone if that ever happened, to play on my big screen in high def quality, along with the X ARCADE system.... oh man!

So in the end, you're saying buy a crt monitor, and then play with the screen settings in MAME?

Cheers!

[Jack Burton]

I wonder how the guy got it to look so clear on his big screen then?
Or do you think the picture quality/flaws doesn't come through as it's just a photo?

It's partially the photo, and partially MAME.  I could make MAME look as good as board good on that monitor, but both images would be a far cry from an arcade monitor.

[cluster]

I'm guessing you have better things to do with your time then help me Jack, but maybe you could help me along with getting my settings as good as they'll get with the 22" LCD I have now?

I also can't find this monitor wiki thread you're refering to.