LCD in cab?

[helpmebuild]

So after 2 used monitors and a nightmare of problems and issues, I'm getting to the point of moving past the used monitor thing, and trying something else. I have an old LCD laying around but wasn't sure if it would be a good idea to use or not in terms of fit or look. I have a Midway cab that has a 25" WG in it now, but was curious if anyone has taken such a cab and managed to use an LCD effectively without looking corny and if so, what size and how? Maybe some pics? It might be a long shot but it would be worth it if I never need to tinker with another pain in the a$& WG again. Anyone have any pics or mentions of success in this area?

[milkit]

I use LCD's in every cab i make. They may not look 100% authentic but i dont care. they are 1000x easier to mount and work with. Ill never go back. I just mount them using the vesa mounts on a board across the machine, then cover with a sheet of plexi. I tape off around the monitor and spray paint the back side of the plexi to make a glossy finish around it.

I usually use a 20 or 21" 4:3 lcd.

these attachments are a 21" standup and 17" lcds in the bar top and cocktail

[Malenko]

you prolly used to have NHL Open Ice in that cab huh?

an LCD to fit that space would be very pricey, click my KI2MAME to see what I put in my midway cab.

[harryg]

So how exactly does someone mount a monitor in a cabinet and have it pressed against the Lexan front?  Does anyone have any pictures?

thank you

[milkit]

i just run a 1 x 6 across, drill holes in it, and put some bolts through that into the standard VESA mount that is on pretty much every lcd ever made

[Blanka]

but was curious if anyone has taken such a cab and managed to use an LCD effectively without looking corny and if so, what size and how?

I always have my emulators on blocky upscaling. With a 1920x1200 LCD you get 5x5 pixel blocks, but I think it looks fantastic, as it magnifies the retro pixel style brilliantly, yet matches the modern image quality of the LCD's. As long as there is no decent upscaling its great, and when good upscaling arrives, LCD is possible of giving near authentic CRT looks (with PS and modding some stills I come very close, but the upscaling options look nowhere near this).

Mounting is easy. Sheet of 18mm wood across, 10x10cm spaced holes, and some 25-30mm M4 bolts do the job. Decasing is an option, as the controls are always on a separate board, so you can adjust options from the back.

[helpmebuild]

What are we talking about in the way of size here though? As it stands with the 25" WG in there it is very well fitted obviously. If I go LCD and say turn it vertical to fit, what size LCD monitor/TV is ideal in a cab that was home to a 25" arcade monitor?

[Blanka]

the 26-27 inch 16:10 screens are great. They have 24 inch of 4:3 horizontal and 19 inch of 4:3 vertical space. Just like many of the 4:3 classic cabs had.

[jeff412]

Are you using these in MAME cabinets or JAMMA?  Where do you get your monitors.  I've looked everywhere for a decent price on 19" 4:3 LCD's.  You just can't find them anymore.  I like the idea of using the 26-27" monitor, but the price would seem to make that uneconomical. 

Jeff

[Blanka]

I've looked everywhere for a decent price on 19" 4:3 LCD's.  You just can't find them anymore.

They are never made! 19 inch was 5:4. For 4:3, check the HP LP 2065, as that one is still sold. There is a bunch of discontinued LCD's with the same great 20 inch IPS panel, try find one on Craigslist or something similar.

Dell 2007FP   16ms or 8ms G2G   20" LG.Philips S-IPS (LM201U05) or Samsung S-PVA (LTM201U1)
NEC LCD2090UXi   8ms G2G   20" LG.Philips S-IPS (LM201U05)
LG L2000C   8ms G2G   20" LG.Philips S-IPS (LM201U05)
BenQ FP2092   12ms G2G   20" LG.Philips S-IPS (LM201U05)
Philips 200P7   8ms G2G   20" LG.Philips S-IPS (LM201U05)
Philips 200P7ES   8ms G2G   20" LG.Philips S-IPS (LM201U05)
Philips 200P7EG   8ms G2G   20" LG.Philips S-IPS (LM201U05)
NEC LCD2090UXi-BK   8ms G2G   20" LG.Philips S-IPS (LM201U05)
HP LP2065   8ms G2G   20" LG.Display S-IPS (LM201U05) or AU Optronics AMVA (M201UN02 V6)
Philips 200P7EB   8ms G2G   20" LG.Philips S-IPS (LM201U05)
LG L2000CP   8ms G2G   20" LG.Display S-IPS (LM201U05)

[jeff412]

OK then I have looked for 5:4's and haven't found any at a reasonable price.
Jeff

[MonMotha]

Define "reasonable".  Just about anything with an IPS panel will still go for at least $400+ new in 19-24" sizes.  The high end NEC WUXGA/UXGA stuff tops $1000.  Those high end panels simply cost a lot more than your bargain basement TN panels with terrible viewing angles and low color depth.  I think most 19" 5:4s made were S-IPS panels (mine certainly is, and you won't get me to give it up).

[Blanka]

This is about the best deal for a new IPS screen:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B003D1ADUU/ref=dp_olp_new_map?ie=UTF8&qid=1272275765&sr=8-1&condition=new
I just bought some EOL 27 inch PVA panels for 380 euro, also a steal.

[jeff412]

Define "reasonable".  Just about anything with an IPS panel will still go for at least $400+ new in 19-24" sizes.  The high end NEC WUXGA/UXGA stuff tops $1000.  Those high end panels simply cost a lot more than your bargain basement TN panels with terrible viewing angles and low color depth.  I think most 19" 5:4s made were S-IPS panels (mine certainly is, and you won't get me to give it up).

I am wanting a monitor that I can put in a game and be able to sell it for a profit (labor not included in that calculation).  If I spend $400 on a monitor I'd go broke.  So I need the monitor to be < $100.  Preferably in the $50 to $75 range.  I have purchased refurbs for around $75 in the past.  They are just getting hard to find.

Jeff

[MonMotha]

That price range is pretty much going to limit you to low end TN panels, even used/refurb.  About the only thing good about these panels is that they usually don't have ghosting issues.  However, they can have input lag (to figure out how to do overdrive on the panels to get good response, though not as bad as PVA/MVA), the color depth is limited since the panels are often only 6 bits/channel (they are usually then dithered to 8 bits via PWM, but the effect isn't the same as a real 8 bit/channel panel), and the viewing angles are often really terrible, which is bad for an arcade cabinet.  Definitely forget mounting them vertically.  I wouldn't recommend them for use on a 4 player cabinet, either, due to the somewhat extreme angle the left and right most players will have to view at, but YMMV depending on the specific panel.

You're also going to have a hell of a time finding something 4:3.  Most of the cheap panels are 16:9 or sometimes 16:10.  I don't think I've ever seen a 4:3 new for less than $200 with any panel type.

[jeff412]

That's why I was interested in this thread.  I thought there might be a better, cheaper way.  The CRT's are getting extremely hard to find.

Jeff

[lilshawn]

i used a 22" 16:9 widescreen monitor... it doesn't look bad...

[jeff412]

Looks nice.  Did you get the 22" for a good price?

Jeff

[lilshawn]

was on sale. it's an acer X223W got it for 199 (canadian egh)

it looks okay, the color shifts a bit off axis to the left (bottom of monitor) but it would be okay for a 2 player.

this photo was taken just after we received the monitor back from acer under warranty. (no power) only 6 months old. oh well, stuff breaks down what can you do....
sent it off and received it back, repaired, in 5 days. (and i sent it standard parcel post. received it back express post.)

i just have a piece of 1/2" particle board (old cab back) attached to the old monitor brackets. started with a hole cut for the back of the monitor, used the piece to help add some thickness to get the back of the monitor far enough. i drilled 4 holes for the VESA mount in a metal plate and attached it to the back. the plate is screwed to the backside of the board.i just set the monitor in the hole, and bolt it down with the VESA. the old monitor plastic bezel fits right around it. it looks fine.