Centipede MAME - looking for some direction on my monitor...

[mmmPeanutButter]

It has been a while since I have been around. I bought a house and have spent countless hours renovating. I never quite finished my build – mostly on the software/computer side and I’m looking for some suggestions on my next steps. [Here is a post on the original build. link and I have attached a couple photos from this morning].

The cabinet was originally built with a manually rotating 21” computer monitor.

Option 1: Rotating Monitor (manual)
So I keep the monitor I have. I keep it as manual. Previously I had thought about making a static start-up screen like the below. Depending on the orientation of the monitor and what CP was on, it would load the appropriate game lists. I feel like this is a pretty no-nonsense solution (I mean, besides me not knowing how to do it).

Option 2: Rotating Monitor (automatic)
This was my original thought from day one. I really like the idea, but I have a feeling it is out of my technical capabilities. I had zero problem with the build thus far, but the electronics intimidate me a bit (I can solder and rewire a house, but that’s about it). The other issue is the weight of the monitor and the force to rotate it. I suppose I could check the force required with a luggage scale or something. I do not currently have a parallel port.

Option 3: Replace the monitor with a 24” Sony Wega TV
This is what I have been thinking about as of late. Not sure if it is a crazy idea or not. It doesn’t seem that I can fit a 27” in this cab (23.75” wide) which would have the same space as my rotated 21” monitor when running vertical games. So I would be taking about a 10% hit in size with a horizontal 24” (but would have the obvious increase in size on horizontal games). The main advantage I see is there is nothing to mess with. No software tweaks, no gears, no explaining to people what to do. I would need to redo my bezel artwork, but that’s not the end of the world.

As you might be able to tell, I’m leaning towards the TV. Does anybody think it is the wrong decision? Am I making a huge mistake? I look forward to your comments.

PS – If anybody has decased a 27” Sony Wega and can confirm the width, that would be helpful.

[edit: I attached the same photo twice]

[PL1]

For a great example of automated monitor rotation, check out Griffindodd's epic Marvel v Capcom Revolution build thread.

This post is where he goes through his setup.

Parts list in first post of that thread.

You might need a larger motor, but the rest should work.


Scott

[mmmPeanutButter]

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I saw that build. If I tried to make mine rotate I would need to gear it up since it is considerably heavier than an LCD monitor.

Does anybody know anything about this build:

Is it anybody on these boards?