what display?

[dcninja]

Outside of an arcade monitor as that's not an option... what display should I use in my cab?

I've done lcd before but found it too blurry, but with these new scanline generator things that might help, but they only make widescreen lcd which sucks because I'm not getting full screen real estate then and it won't look good being widescreen in a 4:3 cab.

I have a tv to use and that should work with component, but how good is a crt for these projects? I've heard complaints, but it's the closest I'm going to come to a real arcade monitor and I have it already so it makes it cost effective.

[lilshawn]

yyyyyyyyyes? 

to be quite honest, use whatever you can. CRT's are becoming harder and harder to find. If you have, and can use somehow, a CRT TV...By all means, use it. by the sounds of it, you'll probably be happier with the picture anyways over LCD.

4:3 LCD monitors are hard to find as well. At the same time that CRT died out, 16:9 started to become prevalent. so the crossover wasn't really there. you can buy 4:3 LCD's in large 25" and 27" sizes but they are ridiculously expensive and only offered by a select few companies. Mainly I think because they have to have them custom made.

as far as your component input goes, perhaps this would work for you it's not cheap, but it does what you need:
http://www.audioauthority.com/product_details/9A60

or a videocard that has an HD dongle with Y-Pb-Pr Output

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125039&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=6146852&SID=31ez3ci1eqh7

[rCadeGaming]

A CRT will give you the best picture with these old games by far.  A real arcade monitor would be great, but that will cost you...  BUT, a cheap CRT tv can rival the picture quality of an arcade monitor if set up correctly.

This is a good place to start looking into that route:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,121491.msg1288832.html#msg1288832

[the720k]

I opted for a 27" Trinitron in a MAME project I'm doing for my son.  Looks AWESOME.  If you want to get a tube TV, Trinitron is the best by far, IMO, especially with S-video.  A little fuzzier than regular arcade monitors, but a pretty suitable replacement
  The only thing about Trinitron tubes is that they tend to be flat, so you won't get the classic arcade monitor curve.  Small price to pay, though, especially if you can get one for cheap or free.  My sister in law gave me her old one and she had no idea I had been searching for a long time for a free one.  That was a very good day. 

[rCadeGaming]

If you're using s-video, you should do some more research.  You'll get a lot more out of a Trinitron running MAME in native res, VGA to component.

[the720k]

Ah, thanks for the advice!  I saw that I had component in on the TV, but didn't realize I could run it through a VGA cable in.  I'm sure native res on that Triniton would be amazing.  Just read up on it and looks like it can be accomplished by making a breakout cable on my VGA cable and running PowerStrip?  Or possibly going through an converter box, though I think that would defeat the purpose of native res.  Interesting.  Will research further tonight.

[rCadeGaming]

Exactly what model Trinitron are you using?

You can't input VGA directly into the component input.  VGA and component use different colorspace formats, so you need to run it through a VGA to component transcoder to make the conversion.  VGA and component are basically equivalent in quality, so there's no loss in quality as long as you have a transcoder that translates colorspace only and leaves the resolution alone.

Powerstrip is pretty poor for low-res use.  I'd recommend CRT_Emudriver with a compatible graphics card.

See the second link in my signature for lots of info on this.

[the720k]

It is a KV-27FS17 CTR - very similar to yours; only difference I am aware of is the bottom mounted speakers instead of the side-mounted.  Using a transcoder makes more sense, as VGA carries RGB and component is YpBpr.  Wondered about how the colors would be handled.  Any recommendations on a somewhat inexpensive transcoder that would leave the resolution in place and only convert the colorspace?  I actually ran across your thread about your analog setup earlier today, and have to say it looks incredible.  I'll dig through your information some more - I hate to occupy this poor guy's thread for too long, as I do try not to hijack. 

OP, listen to what rCadeGaming has to say on this subject.  Can't go wrong with his advice.

I've got to get some sleep for now, but I really appreciate your chiming in on the subject.  I'd love to squeeze every bit of clarity and overall good picture quality out of this TV as possible.  I never quite realized I could get component out and have native resolution - previously I had looked into dicey-looking RGB mods for Trinitron TVs and opted for the safer composite S-Video connector instead of hacking this beauty.  It's great to know I can get a more authentic picture without resorting to barbarism.

[rCadeGaming]

That should be a great TV for this.  I think it's just one generation before mine (chassis BA-5 vs. BA-6).  Here's the service manual, you'll need that to use the service menu:

http://elektrotanya.com/sony_kv-27fs13_27fs17_32fs13_32fs17_34fs13c_34fs17_sm.pdf/download.html

See here for the current availability of transcoders:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,121491.msg1392896.html#msg1392896

No problem on the info.  You can post in that thread if you don't want to further derail here.