Main Restorations Software Audio/Jukebox/MP3 Everything Else Buy/Sell/Trade
Project Announcements Monitor/Video GroovyMAME Merit/JVL Touchscreen Meet Up Retail Vendors
Driving & Racing Woodworking Software Support Forums Consoles Project Arcade Reviews
Automated Projects Artwork Frontend Support Forums Pinball Forum Discussion Old Boards
Raspberry Pi & Dev Board controls.dat Linux Miscellaneous Arcade Wiki Discussion Old Archives
Lightguns Arcade1Up Try the site in https mode Site News

Unread posts | New Replies | Recent posts | Rules | Chatroom | Wiki | File Repository | RSS | Submit news

  

Author Topic: What should I choose for my monitor?  (Read 1540 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

dboz

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2
  • Last login:November 09, 2012, 08:12:04 pm
  • I want to build my own arcade controls!
What should I choose for my monitor?
« on: November 08, 2012, 02:30:02 pm »
What should I choose for my monitor?

OK, total noob here. I am looking to do a system for my kids for Christmas.

This will not be a cabinet setup but a stand with a double controller.

SO, I plan to mount the monitor on the wall.

I am NOT going to use CRT obviously.

SO, my question is this: Considering we will be standing about 3 feet from the screen, which is the better way to go?

I am going to either get an ACER 27" LED monitor with 6ms or a 32" LED HDTV. I also plan to have it so the screen can rotate between landscape and portrait for horizontal and vertical games (also why I did not want a cabinet).

The monitor has better resolution and the 32" is only 720p. Not sure it really matters considering the graphics the MAME will produce?

Help me to pick which one.

I am afraid the 32 will just be too big and require to look around to play. I just want to get the right thing that will have a good visual response. I saw some state that TV can lag with more modern type games, but not sure this applies to older MAME type output?

I figure there are plenty here with experience using both of these sizes?

HELP!

Thanks!
« Last Edit: November 08, 2012, 02:31:54 pm by dboz »

rCadeGaming

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1256
  • Last login:April 13, 2025, 12:14:40 pm
  • Just call me Rob!
Re: What should I choose for my monitor?
« Reply #1 on: November 08, 2012, 05:19:26 pm »
I'd recommend a CRT, but if you want it done by christmas, better keep it simple!  LCD it is, and it will be great with the rotating mount.  Very nice.  Do you have a project thread?

I am going to either get an ACER 27" LED monitor with 6ms or a 32" LED HDTV.

6ms, are you referring to input lag or response rate?  Not at all the same thing, and input lag is not generally listed on sales websites.  If the input lag is 6ms, that will be great for gaming.  Just be certain; input lag is very important.

http://shoryuken.com/forum/index.php?threads/sub-1-frame-hdtv-monitor-input-lag-database.145141/

You didn't list any model numbers, so I don't know if it's already something on that list.

The monitor has better resolution and the 32" is only 720p. Not sure it really matters considering the graphics the MAME will produce?

More resolution might help you when working with MAME's new HLSL effects, which will be very important in getting 240p graphics to look decent on an LCD.

I am afraid the 32 will just be too big and require to look around to play.

Probably.  Unless you're standing fairly far back, the 27" will probably be more comfortable.  Some people might even recommend smaller.  What's the viewing distance?

I saw some state that TV can lag with more modern type games, but not sure this applies to older MAME type output?

It does.

What aspect ratio is the monitor?  Keep in mind that most MAME games are meant to run in 4:3 and most new monitors are 16:9 or 16:10.  You'll be running letterboxed with one of those (or stretched, which will look awful).

Whatever you go with, use a computer with HDMI out and output the TV's native resolution.  If it can only do 720p, run MAME in 720p.  If it can do 1080p, run MAME in 1080p.

dboz

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2
  • Last login:November 09, 2012, 08:12:04 pm
  • I want to build my own arcade controls!
Re: What should I choose for my monitor?
« Reply #2 on: November 09, 2012, 08:12:04 pm »
Here are my considerations.

Sceptre 32" Class (31.5" Diag.) 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV X328BV-FHD

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009424  (got on sale for 239)

rCadeGaming

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1256
  • Last login:April 13, 2025, 12:14:40 pm
  • Just call me Rob!
Re: What should I choose for my monitor?
« Reply #3 on: November 10, 2012, 05:01:24 pm »
Yeah, that 6ms listed is response time.  I can't find an input lag measurement for that 27".

Are you married to those two for some reason?

Do your research.  Consider the things listed above.