my first resto... ms. pac-man...

[otg]

So I bought an original Ms. Pac-Man upright cabinet and would like to restore it.  I found that the previous owner had the wrong fuses in it.  With new fuses I was able to get it to power up!  However, the original CRT monitor in it has significant burn-in and the colors, contrast, and formatting are all off.  I suppose I am going to need to replace the monitor.  Is there a consensus on what type of replacement monitor I should go with?  Should I be looking for a new CRT, or is it acceptable to go with an LCD?  Thanks for your guidance, as this is my first arcade machine project.

[Harakiri]

A cap kit will resolve a lot of problems regarding image brightness and correct the colour tones although the burn-in is permanent. I wouldn't suggest a LCD, it just doesn't fit the purpose.

[otg]

thank... well, I'd prefer to NOT attempt recapping it as I have no experience doing that type of work  Hmm, if the burn-in is permanent I suppose I will just replace the monitor rather than repair it.  Do people buy these original monitors in this condition, or is it destined for the trash once it has burn-in?   

[opt2not]

First thing you should do is read the manual on your cabinet. There are two monitors listed in there that may help you find a replacement.

Also, if you can find a decent tube to replace the burned in one, you could probably keep the original chassis intact. I don't know how deep into the rabbit hole you wanna go with this restoration.

Oh wait, just read you are gutting it. Poor ms.pacman  

[otg]

Thanks for the link to the manual... I do have the original manual... and I've read every word in it. lol.  

"Gutting?"  Not exactly.  Yes, we will be replacing the monitor with one that does not have burn-in. And yes, we plan to replace the working pcb with something that will allow us to play additional games here in our home (games we already own copies of).  But, please don't imply something savage here... We love our machine, every bit as much as you love yours, regardless of how we approach the replacement of its components.  No need for sadness or weeping... Ms. Pac-Man is well-loved and cared for here in our home.  

This is a forum for technical advice, right?  Certainly we understand that there are purists who consider ANY modifications to these classic machines to be sacrilege, but that takes the point of this thread beyond what technical options are ahead of us and instead turns the focus into an issue about the ethical rightness or wrongness of how we choose to proceed with this project.  Please, let's keep this thread centered on the technology, and not on whether we are doing the right thing. 

[opt2not]

Thanks for the link to the manual... I do have the original manual... and I've read every word in it. lol.  

Ah, so you read which two monitors could go into the machine then.

"Gutting?"  Not exactly.  Yes, we will be replacing the monitor with one that does not have burn-in. And yes, we plan to replace the working pcb with something that will allow us to play additional games here in our home (games we already own copies of).  But, please don't imply something savage here... We love our machine, every bit as much as you love yours, regardless of how we approach the replacement of its components.  No need for sadness or weeping... Ms. Pac-Man is well-loved and cared for here in our home.  

This is a forum for technical advice, right?  Certainly we understand that there are purists who consider ANY modifications to these classic machines to be sacrilege, but that takes the point of this thread beyond what technical options are ahead of us and instead turns the focus into an issue about the ethical rightness or wrongness of how we choose to proceed with this project.  Please, let's keep this thread centered on the technology, and not on whether we are doing the right thing.  

That's all great, but to dismantle a working original and sell off its guts is still called "gutting", in anyway you sweet-talk it. Also, if you're maming or 60in1'ing it then you've posted this in the wrong forum. This forum is for restoring originals back to their formal glory. From the sounds of it, this should probably be in project announcements, where more people can probably give you advice on additional game options like Mame, or 60in1 boards. The monitor forum is a good place to go for monitor questions too.

*edit: Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying what you're doing isn't the right thing, it's just a shame to alter a working original. Especially for a classic game. If it were some random Street Fighter 2 cabinet, I wouldn't care much.

[RayB]

Uh i think you're misunderstsanding what he meant. He was asking if the old monitor has any re-sale value to people or if it's something he'll have to throw away, after replacing with a better monitor. That's not "gutting".

to OTG: Show us pics, sometimes burn-in is tolerable, sometimes it's SO BAD it's distracting.

If you have any familiarity with electronics, a cap kit costs about $10. Otherwise you're looking at $50-100 for a decent used monitor, or $200 for a brand new one from www.ArcadeShop.com

[opt2not]

Uh i think you're misunderstsanding what he meant. He was asking if the old monitor has any re-sale value to people or if it's something he'll have to throw away, after replacing with a better monitor. That's not "gutting".

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=107737.0

Really?  Sounds like gutting to me...just sayin'. 

[otg]

Uh i think you're misunderstsanding what he meant. He was asking if the old monitor has any re-sale value to people or if it's something he'll have to throw away, after replacing with a better monitor. That's not "gutting".

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=107737.0

Really?  Sounds like gutting to me...just sayin'. 

No, you're not just sayin'... you're pushing your values and beliefs about what is right on others who haven't asked what you think about the matter.  You say if it was another game, you wouldn't care so much... Dude, it's not your cabinet and it is just plane rude of you to start pressuring people about what YOU think should or shouldn't be done.  Did I post to the wrong forum... perhaps... if so, sorry... but hell, if this is the way you guys treat new members... I'm out!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!!

[opt2not]

Uh i think you're misunderstsanding what he meant. He was asking if the old monitor has any re-sale value to people or if it's something he'll have to throw away, after replacing with a better monitor. That's not "gutting".

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=107737.0

Really?  Sounds like gutting to me...just sayin'.  

No, you're not just sayin'... you're pushing your values and beliefs about what is right on others who haven't asked what you think about the matter.  You say if it was another game, you wouldn't care so much... Dude, it's not your cabinet and it is just plane rude of you to start pressuring people about what YOU think should or shouldn't be done.  Did I post to the wrong forum... perhaps... if so, sorry... but hell, if this is the way you guys treat new members... I'm out!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!!

Hey now, take it easy, there's no need to get defensive. I didn't say what you should be doing to the cabinet, its your cabinet do what ever you want with it.

Did you even read what I wrote?

I gave you some clear advice:
1. Read the manual -- you did that, good, now you know what monitors you could replace the one in there with -- yes, you can find a replacement, either CRT or LCD, which leads to my second piece of advice...
2. The monitor forum is a good place to look and ask for monitor information since it's dedicated to that.
3. This is probably the wrong forum area to get tips on putting in --additional game options-- as this is the Restorations forum that deals with cabinets being brought back to their "former glory".  

All I said was "poor ms.pacman" AND "it's a shame you're gutting a working original", which are just statements of opinion.
Then I defined why I used the word "gutting" by linking to your BST post.  Which, by that post shows that you're getting rid of the original parts inside (original monitor, bezel, and PCB -- probably the Power supply board as well since you probably wont need it). This is also known as gutting.
Let me clarify the SF2 comment, there were a lot of cabinets that have been converted using a SF2 kit, even an "original SF2" machine really only uses a Dynamo cabinet that's commonly swapped with different game-kits throughout it's lifespan. That's the reason I don't care for those cabinets, as they weren't dedicated originals.
 

We are a helpful bunch of people arcade enthusiasts here, and of course welcome new members. There is a deep well of information that we can share, but you gotta fully read what is being said, and not get so defensive off a couple of benign comments.
Be easy dude.

 

[RayB]

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=107737.0

Really?  Sounds like gutting to me...just sayin'. 

No, you're not just sayin'... you're pushing your values and beliefs about what is right on others who haven't asked what you think about the matter.  You say if it was another game, you wouldn't care so much... Dude, it's not your cabinet and it is just plane rude of you to start pressuring people about what YOU think should or shouldn't be done.  Did I post to the wrong forum... perhaps... if so, sorry... but hell, if this is the way you guys treat new members... I'm out!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!!

Hey now, read this:
http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_manifesto.shtml

Some of us feel it is our duty to help preserve the past. Ultimately it's your decision, but... read the manifesto first.

[RayB]

Looks like he took his ball and went home.

[opt2not]

Awww...  :'(
I guess people are just too sensitive sometimes. 

[venkman]

glad that dude left.

sounded like he was going to put a multigame pcb inside an MS Pacman. 

[THE POKER BRAT]

AND THEN,......THIS HAPPENS WHEN HIS MS PACMAN IS READY TO PLAY???!!!!