Help finding a good LCD screen.

[Dechene]

Hey guys,

I've just about finished a mame cab for a mate, when I plugged in his TV and it went BANG!

I've no idea why, but there's a possibility that my dog drooled on it while it was on the ground next to me...

So now I need a new screen, but after hearing the crack and seeing the sparks fly inside the old CRT, I've decided to switch to use newish LCD screens.

My display size on my cab is a 52cm TV which the screen then measures out to be 40cm X 30cm. It's perfect for what I play.

My 19in pc LCD measures out to 37cm X 30cm, pretty damn close.
But that leaves a far too big bezel, so I'm after a 21in or 22in screen.
All I can seem to find is widescreen models, but the height is just too small on them.

Can anyone help me out with a brand/model or size I should be looking at?

[DirkW]

I could be wrong, but with everything I have read, if you go bigger than 19" with an LCD, all you are going to find is the 16:9 (widescreen) ratios.  I wish this wasn't the case either, because I would love to locate a true LCD replacement for the u2000 (25"), but I think that's just the way it is

[nitz]

Actually, you can find a little bigger than 19 inch. Here's one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824002361

Unfortunately, it's not cheap.

16:10 is also still pretty common in 22" and 24" sizes, and this is better than 16:9 if you're concerned about the 4:3 viewing area. You could pick up a 24" 16:10 which is about as tall as a 21" 4:3 or maybe even slightly taller. You could probably find a decent one for a lot cheaper than the model I linked to above. Put a bezel around the unused screen space and no one will know it's not 4:3. You'd want to be sure it would fit in your cab though. These will probably be in the neighborhood of 22-23 inches wide, so it should fit your cab unless you've got something pretty slim.

Hope this helps.

[Dechene]

cheers guys, 

I'm going to go shopping over the next couple of days, think I'll even take my laptop along to plug in and see what mame looks like on each monitor.

[yaksplat]

Look into a 20″ Dell Ultrasharp 2001FP.

[drventure]

Look into a 20″ Dell Ultrasharp 2001FP.

+1 on the dells. I've got several 2405fpws, and several 2005fpws and they have been great monitors

[HaRuMaN]

Look into a 20″ Dell Ultrasharp 2001FP.

+1 on the dells. I've got several 2405fpws, and several 2005fpws and they have been great monitors

+3

I have a 2007fp at work, and a 2001fp at home.  Both great 20" 4:3 panels.

[fredster]

Here's one specifically designed for arcade machines.

http://www.hollandcomputers.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=6003&idcategory=2071

Free Shipping in that price (in the US)

[benll64]

Wow - that's a great price, especially with the free shipping.

Has anyone used one of these monitors? I've not seen them before, or heard of the manufacturer.

It says that it supports CGA, but only lists a resolution of 1024x768 Does anyone know if it supports true arcade resolutions? (i.e. 640x480 and lower at 15KHz)

[yaksplat]

I bought 3 refurbished Dell Ultrasharp 2001FP's on ebay for $80 each.  Rip the plastic off and you get something similar to that holland computers one.

Taking apart the 2001FP
http://yaksplat.wordpress.com/2011/10/26/monitor-dissection/

[fredster]

I was at an arcade auction that had them in the lobby.  They have a frame you can nail into a plywood holder, and the things take the cable right off the jamma with a wire lock plug.  They have that, an RGB plug, and they have the Din 15 pin connector.  

Some of the games at the auction had them in there for those 60 in 1's.  It's a good solution to replacing the old CRT's, but honestly the black level looks funky.  But they work fine right off the jamma cable. That's what they are designed for.  However, if you notice, the optional horizontal metal frame is pretty pricey.

You don't need the fame, just a piece of plywood.  A lot of arcade cabs are like that anyway.

[Blanka]

You can also search for HP LP2065's. These are sold by the millions to large office projects. Perfect 20 inch IPS display.

[malted]

Yeah, I've got the same problem.  I'm trying to decide on a display for a UAII prefab cabinet I've ordered.  To boot (does that sound Canadian?) I'm having a tougher time getting something in Canada.  So far I've heard:

Get the Makvision/Weiya digital CRT's that xgaming and happ sells.  For xgaming that's 450 for the unit which I can swallow but 150 for shipping and another 150 for duties/brokerage?  No thanks.  Next I tried to go Makvision direct (which is in Canada) but they only sell out of the US via happ.  I don't have a quote yet but I'm expecting more of the same.  You'd think that Makvision would sell out of Canada where they're from.

Next is a 26" LCD from Billabs or Nieman Displays.  Same US problem for Billabs and I'm trying to get into contact with Rick Nieman as they're based in Canada.  Only problem is the 16:9 orientation.  For the Billabs that results in 21.7" x 13.5".  That's a lot of dead space above and below the display.  Does anyone know the dimentions for the 26" from Nieman?  Rick mentioned it needs 25" of clearance across and I think the UAII I ordered is slightly under that so I'm worried that won't work either.  I thought maybe a vertical mount might work but it made me wonder if the display is IPS.  I'll have to get Rick to answer these questions so this may be a good option.

So.... the great advice here about a cheap 20" IPS Dell display seems to be winning.  At 21.6" x 17.5" its beating out the new 16:9 LCDs seemingly (at least from Billabs) and the price is right!

Any other sage advice for a Canadian?  I was really preparing myself to buy a CRT as there are a few last options out there but the extra costs in getting them to Canada is far too much.  

[Tatas]

If you're considering the makvision, why not go CRT TV.  I picked up a Sony Trinitron 27" TV from craigslist for $40.  It was in great shape, had Component Out, and Power Return!  You can use Groovymame paired with Calamity's custom ati drivers to achieve every resolution that's 640x480 and lower.  Obviously if you're looking at higher resolutions ( 800x600 and > ) this won't suffice.

[Dragonman73]

I have a 25" converted crt to arcade monitor and thought about replacing it with a LCD. I notice everyone talking about 20" or so monitors in this thread but is there an option for a good low cost 25" arcade replacement?

I can't throw a 20" monitor in my cabinet....it will look too small and out of place. I already have a 21" crt monitor sitting in my office that I used in the past and loved the picture..just too small.

I'm not totally opposed to wide screen if it looks good and fills the area. I measure some 27" widescreen computer monitors at the store yesterday and I think that is just a hair wider than my 25" tube screen.

[Blanka]

There are also 21.3 inch IPS and VA 4:3 panels made. They are in models like the NEC 2190, the Samsung 213T and 214T and some others as well. They are the biggest ever in LCD 4:3
I prefer the also no-longer-made 25.5 and 27 inch 16:10 models. They are even bigger for 4:3 images, yet not too wide. It still looks pleasant to the eye. This size was also available in IPS or VA, even with wide-gamut: it gives an image quality that is no longer made, sinds LED-backlight does not offer the awesome colours. Screens to look for: Dell 2707, Dell 2709, Samsung 275T, Eizo 2731sx, Acer 2623 or 2723, Nec 2690, Hazro 26w, Planar 26something, LG W2600HP. These 25.5 and 27 inch beauties are BTW mainly targeted at Europe. USA-ians did not care ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- about image quality, so they did not get most.