Is a 21" monitor big enough for vertical games?

[rupedog]

I have been searching the forums and the web trying to find out what the "best" monitor size is for an all purpose MAME arcade and I have heard a couple of different things:

1. Too big of a screen (25"+) is not good for playability, but 21" "is perfect". (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=14644.0)
2. You need at least a 25" screen for vertical games.

This makes me wonder - which size is best for an all purpose standard arcade where I want to play both horizontal and vertical games with a horizontally mounted monitor?

I was planning on using a TV and the cabinet has to fit between a 29.5" door frame if that makes a difference.

Thanks!

[HaRuMaN]

If you're going to play vert games on a horiz screen, I would say go with the 25".

[Jack Burton]

I've been playing games on my cab with a 20" monitor for a while now.  Vertical games look fine usually, about the same size as they would on a cocktail cab.  But I do wish the monitor was larger. 

I agree, go with a 25" monitor. 

[rupedog]

Thanks guys! I'll go with the 25".

[Blanka]

Most vertical classics had a 19 inch screen. The 25 inch has the same heigth as a vertical mounted 19 inch. So it is perfect for a combination of modern horizontal with classic vertical games.

[IG-88]

I got an old 25" Zenith in my vert cab, games look great. How are interfacing the PC to the TV?

[rupedog]

I was planning on using the TV-out of a video card (which I still have to pick up) using S-video, unless you've got a better idea

[HaRuMaN]

I was planning on using the TV-out of a video card (which I still have to pick up) using S-video, unless you've got a better idea

That should work just fine.

[IG-88]

I agree, that should work. Tell us tho what you think of the quality when you get it running. Some don't like the whole S-Vid thing...

[rupedog]

I agree, that should work. Tell us tho what you think of the quality when you get it running. Some don't like the whole S-Vid thing...

Well I haven't bought the video card or TV yet (looking for them now). Is there a better alternative that isn't very expensive? TV's are real cheap now that everyone is going HD and so are basic video cards with S-video out, so it is an attractive option for me

[Ummon]

I've seen some pictures of S-vid that SEEM to look pretty good. However, in my own experience, I haven't found anything that I could live with, and the pictures I've taken of those look pretty decent, too. ??