New to BYOAC, first post, a few questions.

[Charlie97L]

Hey guys!

Well, after skulking about for a few days, looking at all the awesome projects here, I have decided to go ahead with my own MAME project.

I am totally new to this type of work, but not to building computers or wiring electronics.

I would like to build something that is very Ms Pac-man/Donkey Kong friendly, so I guess that would involve a vertical monitor?   Or would it be better to go with a square one?

Also, I think i want to start with a bartop.  Are there any kits you guys would recommend as really well done?  I have woodworking skills (from a previous job), but for my first build, I don't really want to get into it, and I have limited work space and tool access.

Also, I know the pros/cons to LCD vs CRT, but how dangerous is it to decase an old VGA monitor?  I have one laying around in my basement.  Will i get a good result with this?  I think it's 15".

Thanks, I look forward to being a party of this community!!

Charlie

[GaryMcT]

I don't have any experience with these guys, but they make a bartop kit that looks pretty good:

http://www.emdkay.net/

The LCD vs. CRT thing depends on how anal you are about the games looking like they originally did.  I personally land on the side of using a CRT so that they look right.  If you use your 15" VGA monitor, chances are that it won't actually run the original resolution of a lot of the classic games and you'll end up scaling the output like you would on an LCD.  It depends on what model monitor it is.

[dafelandry]

iv used both CRT and LCD in my first mame cab install and overall CRT looked very true to the original but i received a 21" lcd monitor for xmas and put that in my cab for weight reasons and i enjoy it a lot... the image looks pretty good its stretched yes but still appears true...

as for www.emdkay.net i have nothing to say but good words!! any further questions feel free to fire away!

[Charlie97L]

are decased crt vga monitors as dangerous as the arcade versions?

thanks!

i think it's an isync or whatever.  i'm going to test out how it looks this week.

[Charlie97L]

anybody?

i would just as soon not kill myself. 

[HaRuMaN]

Yes, they are just as dangerous.  Same basic technology, you need to take the same precautions while handling them.

[Charlie97L]

ok thanks!

i actually tested it out todya, and honestly it didn't look that great.  i'll probably go with the LCD i have layin around.