Best arcade monitor substitute

[patm95]

Hi all,

I plan on building an arcade in a couple of months and have been doing some researching.  In researching monitors, it seems like the best option to get the true intended picture is to get an arcade monitor.  Of most of the links that i have found on here, it seems like most if not all of them no longer sell the old CRT arcade monitors.  I have done searches on google and ebay and have gotten limited results.  I assume that most companies are straying away from CRT anymore?  If so, what would be the best alternative?  I would like something like a 25" display.  I would prefer a CRT because I hear that light guns will not work on LCDs at all.  Also I think that since most LCDs are wide screen, that it wouldn't look great playing the older games.  I have read about the arcade VGA video card.  Is there an advantage with using these with old computer CRT monitors?  Or do they work best with the original arcade monitors? 

Sorry for all the questions.  Just trying to get my planning and research done

[Donkbaca]

I think they sell the CRT ones at Xgaming, and at Happ still.

I am getting ready to build mine, I am just going to use an old CRT television.  If you don't already have one, you can get one for free, if you set it up well enough, nobody will ever know the difference but you.

A big trend here is the "Slim" style cabinet which is a skinny cab with an LCD screen.  After playing a few games on my LCD monitor and a few on my TV, I can tell you I prefer my tv.  Remember that arcade games were played on old low res CRT screens, a lot of them look really pixelated and grainy on high res screens.  Some people like this though.  I guess its up to personal taste.

My advice is this: set-up mame on your desktop and see if you like the way it looks on an LCD monitor.  Then get an ATI radeon 9200 or 9600 on ebay.  I got mine for 10 bucks.  You just need any old video card with S video or component out and from what I have read, (and I have read a LOT) ati cards are the best for TV out.  I suggest you stick that card in and just hook the pc up to a TV an play a few games and see which one you like better.  IF you don't like the TV look, you are out like 20 bucks, or better yet, just ebay that thing and you will probably get all your money back minus maybe a buck or two.

If you like the way the TV looks, then just get yourself a used 35 or 27" tv with s Video and power return.  Like I said, if you don't have one of these you can probably get one for cheap, if not free.  Get a monitor bezel from Happ, viola, nobody knows its a tv except for you.

If you are determined to use an arcade monitor, here is the link:
http://www.xgaming.com/store/arcade-parts-and-accessories/product/wells-gardner-27-d9400-monitor/

it'll set you back 600 bucks. 

The arcade vga thing you mentioned is a card from www.ultimarc.com, its a video card that you need if you are going to plug an arcade monitor into your computer to avoid damaging the monitor. 

Alternatively, check your local craigslist.  In my town, a guy is selling an old Cowboys of Moo Mesa 4 player cabinet with a working 24" monitor in it for 250 bucks.  IF you can find a used cab with a working monitor for cheap, you can go that route too.

I want a custom cabinet and I have a free TV so that's the route I am going.  Let me know if that answers your questions!

[patm95]

That answers my questions exactly!  Thank you very much!  I will give the tv route some thought.  Much cheaper than an arcade monitor!

[Donkbaca]

I would seriously consider it!  much cheaper and easier to install.  Just make sure you get one with S Video and power return which is a feature that sets the tv to the right channel after the tv has been unplugged.

Get one of these:
http://bit.ly/csWBvT

make sure you get the right one, curved for a curved screen, flat for one of those flat screens, and bingo, you hide the tv.

An alternative is to get plexiglass the size of your monitor opening, mask off the screen area and then paint the edges black.  Hides the TV.  Nobody will ever know the difference

[BurgerKingDiamond]

definitely get a tv with s video and you'll be set. I got one with s video on component for only $40. you can do mame with it if your video card has s video out, and you can even hook up jamma boards through s video with a $40 converter. plus xbox through component.

In my opinion LCD's don't look right with arcade games. They take away from the illusion that you are trying to create when you build a cabinet for yourself.