Is it ok to use an LCD instead of a TV or Arcade Monitor on a MAME Cabinet?

[Gavica]

Of course it don't have scan lines, but I think it does look good on my pc screen.

I wonder if it would be any good on this:

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

[ratzz]

Of course it don't have scan lines, but I think it does look good on my pc screen.

I wonder if it would be any good on this:

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

Ahhh ...  the most asked question of the forum, and most hotly debated!

I feel its down to personal choice.

[LeedsFan]

It will great on that. Nothing wrong with an LCD at all in a cab. Makes installation easier with the reduced size/weight. Purists will still stick with a proper arcade monitor first. But it's a bit like the choice of wheels on a classic car.... personal preference. If you like it then go for it.

For me I really like the much clearer graphics on an LCD. But of course I know they didn't look that crisp or clear in the arcades. I was always put off with LCD monitors for years after I got one and the angle of view on it was crap. I returned it and stuck with CRT until just last week when I purchased another LCD for my Mame project. Things have improved tremendously with LCD technology since that first one I bought. I'm happy with it.

[Silas (son of Silas)]

I think an LCD is fine. So its not authentic? so what?

If you were restoring an original then an LCD would be a no-no.

[Gatsu]

It all comes down to personal choice and how authentic you want your cab to run the games.

If you think an LCD looks fine....use an LCD. If you want more authentic, go balls out and buy a true arcade monitor.

Both have their pros and cons.

[Malenko]

just to be redundant.....



is it ok to use an LCD? Yes

is it "authentic"? No


its your cab, do what you want with it. If you aren't raping a classic then no ones gonna say anything negative about the cab, unless they are an ---uvula--- like pinballjim

EDIT:spelling

[XeviouS]

You could look at it this way - if LCD technology had been available back in the 70's and 80's then the arcade machine makers would probably would have chosen to use them instead too.

[pinballwizard79]

LCD = dependable easy technology.

CRT = troublesome unreliable technology

I have a CRT, it will be LCD in 4-6 weeks I imagine.

[daywane]

I have no choice. My Nintendo Cab has 2 monitors. I am yanking them now.
for the room I must use at least 1 LCD.
If I come up with the $$$ I will buy 1 more if not eather a TV or CRT will be on 1 side and LCD on other

[Kevin Mullins]

LCD = dependable easy technology.

CRT = troublesome unreliable technology

Even that is debatable, as I see it the other way around. 

[Jack Burton]

LCD = dependable easy technology.

CRT = troublesome unreliable technology

I have a CRT, it will be LCD in 4-6 weeks I imagine.

I disagree.  A CRT PC monitor or television is more reliable than an LCD monitor and just as easy to install.  Now, if we're talking about arcade monitors then maybe, but that's not the discussion here.

As always I recommend making at least a token effort to find a 15khz capable studio or PC monitor.  IMO they combine the best of all worlds.

Something like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-PVM-20N6U-20-Trinitron-Color-Video-Monitor_W0QQitemZ370219688239QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5632d0212f&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1234|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

[daywane]

shortend link for ya. 

shorter link

sorry I could not help it. I just learned how to.
I will PM you the docks on it. Very simple
plus it is almost 4 am . I got bored

[XeviouS]

I disagree.  A CRT PC monitor or television is more reliable than an LCD monitor and just as easy to install.  Now, if we're talking about arcade monitors then maybe, but that's not the discussion here.

My experience has been different to this; I've had a CRT monitor where the screen size shrunk and couldn't be made bigger, one that lost one of it's primary colours, one that turned into a scrambled kaleidoscope of colours, one that stopped working just after a small mushroom cloud of smoke billowed out of the vents in the back, and the last one I had the screen started pulsating in rythm to a loud zapping sound which turned out to be a half inch long electrical arc coming from the wiring and earthing out on the metal chassis. Granted that all of these were no name brands, but even my Dad's 20" Philips unit died in a cloud of smoke too after about three years! 


In contrast I've had three different LCD monitors over the past six years, all of which I still own, and they are still as reliable as the day they came out of the box. The thought of my Mame cabinet burning down my house has put me off CRT monitors forever.

Low voltage rules

[Minwah]

CRT's are pretty reliable IMO. I still own my first computer monitor (Amstrad CTM644) from 20 years ago and it works great. I also still own my first TV (15 years old) and that works perfectly. I have my sisters old TV (15-20 years old) which works great too. I also have a Vectrex which works great. Arcade monitor of 6 years or so still going strong...

In fact the only CRT's in my family I know to have gone bad were my parents first TV (which was given to them) and their second one, which the tube went on after 10 or more years of every day use.

In answer to the question, no it isn't

[Blanka]

You could have a quick look at 26 inch IPS screens. They have a much nicer image than the HannsG TN one, but they cost a few bucks more (around 400$).

You could look at it this way - if LCD technology had been available back in the 70's and 80's then the arcade machine makers would probably would have chosen to use them instead too.

Totally true.

[Kevin Mullins]

One thing I see a lot of the folks that dislike CRT's is that they compare NEWER crt units to newer LCD's.
I will be the first to say if that's the case then no, I don't trust much of the newer crt products for diddly. Quality has just gone to the crapper all around like many other products.

My personal reference is to older crt equipment, whether it be televisions, pc monitors or arcade monitors, that is either still going strong or easily repaired and then will continue to go for another 20 years.

But, to each his own......just enjoy it.

[whynotpizza]

Tough decision, especially when it is very difficult these days to see the display (in working condition setup with a PC connection) directly in a store.

Beware you might not like the 160 degree view angle on LCD's, even 170 degree. This is what I found to be the issue with LCD's .... some out there might work just fine and view ok from wider angles, but since manufacturers do not use standard view angles in their specs, you might buy something online and get it home and not like it.

In my case, I decided to drive with a full 1080p HDTV 32" Sony Bravia. Great on the angles, refresh rates (even at 60hz) is just fine for Mame and other game play, including XBOX and other systems.

My recommendation is to use HDTV.

This is certainly an interesting topic with many different opinions for sure.

Good luck in the decision.

  David

[kagaden]

I love the LCD in my showcase.

Pics here on my blog.

[severdhed]

i have an LCD, and i love it.   if you have played mame on an LCD monitor and are happy with the way it looks, then go for it.  i have never once had anyone complain about my monitor.  the only problem i could see with the one you posted is that it is a widescreen monitor, which means you will either have some weird stretching, or black bars.

this is the monitor i used in my cabinet, it works great...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254013

[Blanka]

My recommendation is to use HDTV.

How do you get it into a cab? As far as my research on this went, HDTV's only start to offer decent panels from 32 inch up. All below that is TN like crap with bad angles and bad black levels.

I love the LCD in my showcase.

Good you mention it's an LCD. Because it looks like those Last Mohican CRT 16:9 tubes that were giving you a backache with their 80kg. Guess something's wrong with the cushion-distortion on your camera

this is the monitor i used in my cabinet, it works great...

How long do you have it? I hear Hanns-G's die within 12 months.

[severdhed]

i've only had it for about 4 months or so...so i guess i'll see

[solid12345]

I'm curious what are the industrial grade LCD's like that do CGA/VGA timings? I can never seem to find any photos or decent reviews about their quality

[Ummon]

I disagree.  A CRT PC monitor or television is more reliable than an LCD monitor and just as easy to install.  Now, if we're talking about arcade monitors then maybe, but that's not the discussion here.

My experience has been different to this; I've had a CRT monitor where the screen size shrunk and couldn't be made bigger, one that lost one of it's primary colours, one that turned into a scrambled kaleidoscope of colours, one that stopped working just after a small mushroom cloud of smoke billowed out of the vents in the back, and the last one I had the screen started pulsating in rythm to a loud zapping sound which turned out to be a half inch long electrical arc coming from the wiring and earthing out on the metal chassis. Granted that all of these were no name brands, but even my Dad's 20" Philips unit died in a cloud of smoke too after about three years! 


In contrast I've had three different LCD monitors over the past six years, all of which I still own, and they are still as reliable as the day they came out of the box. The thought of my Mame cabinet burning down my house has put me off CRT monitors forever.

Low voltage rules

Cases like this affirm to me that some people's energy is just wonky. Kinda like that dude recently whose second arcade monitor in weeks or a couple months spontaneously crapped out on him. I kinda feel for blokes like that.

Anyways, echoing Malenko.....but also cautioning on the viewing angles element.....CRTs have similar viewing angles....the difference is that on a CRT a portion of the screen relative to the angle viewed is only dimmer. On an LCD, it ---smurfing--- becomes opaque. (My 21" PC CRT right here hardly dims, and it's uniform. My 27" arcade multisync is more like I described. Both are flat tubes.) Plus, we mustn't forget about the backlighting 'mist' of LCDs. That I just can't stomach.