Tri sync monitor and Xbox 360

[Mark Thomas]

Hi folks

Need some advice regarding a monitor to use with an Xbox 360.

I currently have a 25" Hantarex monitor in my cab and have set it up with an Xbox 360 using a a uvc as per this guide

http://www.emphatic.se/ultracade.html

Although the results are ok I'm not 100% happy as I will be using the cab for Mortal Kombat 9 and because it can't output at higher resolutions I was thinking another option could be to find an old CRT PC monitor or use a HD tv and use a HDMI lead.

After much research I have found that the largest CRT I can find is a 20" one and this just looks dwarfed inside the cab I can't find a 25" PC monitor other than the LCD ones but I don't like the look of those and as I have discovered like my final option a HD tv they all come in widescreen sizes 4:3 is a thing of the past.

My thought now are using a Tri Sync monitor in the cab but not knowing anything about it I was wondering if my assumptions are correct If not I am open to suggestions folks.

1. Tri Sync would display a higher resolution than my current arcade monitor and help me get a HD look possibly 1080 or 720.
2. Would have a VGA in port on the back like a PC monitor and not require an adaptor like my current method
3. Would work with an XBox 360 via VGA lead

Any views and advice/ education very much appreciated

[mgb]

The typical tri syncs that I know of would only go to 600x480 or 800x600.
Have you thought about going with an HDTV?

[mgb]

Never mind about the HDTV comment, I just rerelease your post

[Mark Thomas]

Thanks for the reply mate it's a shame I can't find a bigger CRT PC monitor or even a HD TV that isn't widescreen.

[mgb]

Not sure what kind of resolutions they can handle but have you looked into presentation monitors?

[MonMotha]

Many popular 25-27" presentation CRTs could handle up to 1024x768 progressive, which would let you do 720p or 1080i (but not 1080p).  These typically use TV tubes with coarse dot pitch, so details at 720p or 1080i may be a bit blurrier than you're used to on a modern LCD or plasma TV or PC monitor.  They were also often available with YPbPr component inputs which may be handy for your application.

Also look for a Sony GDM-F900 (NOT a -FW900, that's widescreen).  It's a 24" professional workstation grade monster.  I'll do 1080p without breaking a sweat.  The dot pitch is a bit fine for 480p and lower resolutions - the scanlines will be quite pronounced, but if you want high res, it's tough to beat.

[Mark Thomas]

Sounds amazing slight problem I can't seem to find anything on the Internet about it. Im in the uk and all websites iv tried don't seem to stock it. Any suggestions where to look? Thanks

[MonMotha]

The GDM-F900 hasn't been made in about a decade.  You're certainly not going to find one new.  They were also pretty rare.  I suspect far more GDM-FW900s (the widescreen version) were made.  I'm not even 100% sure the -F900 exists, but I've seen enough references to it specifically to suspect it probably does.

Also bear in mind that, if you do find it, it's not likely to be cheap.  I paid ~$75 each (yes, for a CRT) for my FW900s from a surplus shop in "it works, nothing more known" condition, with scratches and dents to the case back in the depths of the recession in 2009.  I regularly see them listed at $200-400 nowadays.  These things topped $2000 when new.   They're kinda the end-all, be-all of CRT PC monitors.

You'll probably do far better to look for a presentation monitor.  Several popular models were made in the late 1990s and even early 2000s that could do 1024x768, though higher was not common.  I don't remember any models off the top of my head.