Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Monitor/Video Forum => Topic started by: tophatne1 on August 12, 2007, 11:33:20 pm
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Are they the same size as far as the curved CRT PC monitors and real 19" arcade monitors? I'm going to rework a Robotron cab project with mame and at the moment I don't have enough money for a real arcade monitor.
I can get a pc monitor from Craigslist for practically nothing.
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PC monitors are usually smaller than the advertised size. 19" monitors are usually around 18" or so viewable for example. But a 19" arcade monitor is actually 19 inches. :dunno
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I thought there was a difference. damn...
Ok thanks for the info!
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A 20" pc monitor would probably be close enough if you can find one. They are rarer than 19" and 21" versions but they are out there.
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I thought there was a difference. damn...
Ok thanks for the info!
Yep, definitely a difference. I just made the switch from 19" PC monitor to arcade 19". I had to cut a bigger hole in my rotating setup. I will say I wish I had made the switch a long time ago. It's so much better, but yeah they cost more than the PC monitor.
~telengard
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A 20" pc monitor would probably be close enough if you can find one. They are rarer than 19" and 21" versions but they are out there.
I've never seen a 20 inch PC monitor. Of course I haven't looked to hard for one either.
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:dunno :dizzy: I just tried to find some to show you they existed and realized what 20" in my head was all the newer 20.1" LCDs. I had basically no luck finding 20" CRTs. Of course I see them all the time on CraigsList, but that's because people are listing 21" monitors by their viewable image.
You could maybe try a 21", even if the image was a little to big and you wanted original look you could adjust the size down a bit, hidden behind a bezel you couldn't tell it was bigger. You would probably be able to tell it was PC and not arcade, but if it's all you can do then it doesn't seem too bad.
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There's a 21" on Craigslist right now for $15. If it's good i'm going to buy it. I do have the original robotron bezel so I can fit the image to that like you mentioned. I'll let you know how it goes.
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Sorry to dig up old threads, but at least I used the search function, huh!
My situation: building a cocktail cab. i have a 19" viewsonic flat CRT monitor. as far as viewing area is concerned, i'm not THAT worried about the subtle difference between a computer monitor and a PC monitor. My concern is this:
1) How is resolution gonna hold up on MAME thru a PC monitor? Will I run into any problems?
2) The casing of my monitor is pretty beefy. Am I going to electrocute/kill myself if I take the monitor casing off for this? I'm thinking it'll be a LOT easier to mount it in there if it's free from the confines of it's large, obnoxious casing. I actually have a "dummie" monitor I was going to "test" this with first.
Thanks for any help in advance!
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Sorry to dig up old threads, but at least I used the search function, huh!
My situation: building a cocktail cab. i have a 19" viewsonic flat CRT monitor. as far as viewing area is concerned, i'm not THAT worried about the subtle difference between a computer monitor and a PC monitor. My concern is this:
1) How is resolution gonna hold up on MAME thru a PC monitor? Will I run into any problems?
2) The casing of my monitor is pretty beefy. Am I going to electrocute/kill myself if I take the monitor casing off for this? I'm thinking it'll be a LOT easier to mount it in there if it's free from the confines of it's large, obnoxious casing. I actually have a "dummie" monitor I was going to "test" this with first.
Thanks for any help in advance!
The resolution will be fine w/ a 19" PC monitor that's what I used. I had no problems and MAME's effects make for some nice old school looks. Vector games w/ artwork look excellent on a PC monitor.
Having said that I just switch to an arcade monitor because I wanted authentic resolutions. Just my taste. I play mostly pre '84 games. I did have to sacrifice the look of vector games though.
Decasing my monitor was quite the pain and I had to build brackets to keep it somewhat in tact (the large PCB board on the back was held in place by the plastic). It was a pain. I wish I could give you some ideas on ideal monitors for decasing but mine wasn't.
HTH,
~telengard
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See, that's what I'm primarily loading up. Early 80's stuff; a certain game involving a gorilla, one involving a spaceship and flying insects, one involving burgers, little yellow dude who runs from ghosts....you get the idea.
;)
is it gonna look decent on a computer monitor? Any necessary tweaking?
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See, that's what I'm primarily loading up. Early 80's stuff; a certain game involving a gorilla, one involving a spaceship and flying insects, one involving burgers, little yellow dude who runs from ghosts....you get the idea.
;)
is it gonna look decent on a computer monitor? Any necessary tweaking?
Wow, those game descriptions sound WEIRD. hehe
So DK, Galaga, Burgertime, and Pac Man... all the oldies. All vertical too which brings up another thing (well for me anyway, stretching and/or wasting screen real estate).
With a PC monitor, very good video card, and some tweaking of the d3d effects you can get it looking close. For me, after 4 years or so of the PC monitor and going to funspot all the time I just really wanted the large dot pitch and grille mask of an arcade monitor. But I'm also extremely picky so I might not be the best guy to listen to. You might not notice or even care. :)
I bet for 90% of the DIY arcade cabinet population a regular PC CRT is fine. I went overboard on everything on my cabinet and the monitor was no exception. ;) I get all the juicy old school modes on my tri-sync 19".
Vectors look much nicer on a PC monitor for sure though.
Hope this doesn't muddy the waters too much for ya.
There are some older pictures of my decased monitor on my cabinet site (see my sig). If you are looking to see what's involved in decasing etc.
~telengard
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I'm assuming it boils down to preference...i'm not TOO picky on aesthetics. if it'll play, it works for me!
here's another question. What are the average viewing dimensions (vertically and horizontally) on a 19" crt ARCADE monitor? my computer monitor size in the ball park of 14.5" x 10.75" (or 11"). I didn't wanna risk purchasing a black bezel for an arcade monitor that won't come close to fitting my computer monitor...
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I'm assuming it boils down to preference...i'm not TOO picky on aesthetics. if it'll play, it works for me!
here's another question. What are the average viewing dimensions (vertically and horizontally) on a 19" crt ARCADE monitor? my computer monitor size in the ball park of 14.5" x 10.75" (or 11"). I didn't wanna risk purchasing a black bezel for an arcade monitor that won't come close to fitting my computer monitor...
Then it probably won't make a different to you. The PC monitor does look great so don't worry. :)
As for a bezel, the 19" arcade monitor bezels will not fit a 19" PC monitor. A 19" PC monitor is more like an 18". I ended up having to make my own.
With the 19" arcade the Happ's 19" bezel fits fine.
~telengard
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What'd you make yours out of (if you don't mind me asking)?
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What'd you make yours out of (if you don't mind me asking)?
I bought some black foamcore (maybe 1/4 thick) at a craft store. Be careful if you use this, when it bends it leaves these weird creases which you can't get rid of.
~telengard
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Decasing my monitor was quite the pain and I had to build brackets to keep it somewhat in tact (the large PCB board on the back was held in place by the plastic). It was a pain. I wish I could give you some ideas on ideal monitors for decasing but mine wasn't.
So I decased my monitor last night. It wasn't so much a pain to me as it was simply terrifying. Any advice on what parts of the monitor NOT to touch?
The PCB wasn't securly attached to the monitor, so I made a chain of industrial strength zip-ties and fashioned a crude "harness" that seems to hold up pretty well.
I just don't want the thing shocking me, or exploding in my face.