CRTs vs Flatscreens

[Rhetro]

Hello folks,
It's been a while...

Looking for some information on what people are doing these days regarding the use of a CRT monitor. I have a Wells Gardner D9200 30'', and it looks like it's going on the blink.. It's about 10 years old now, and from what I can tell, Wells Gardner doesn't even make the CRTs anymore -like anything else, everything is going flatscreen.  But what about here in gaming? I still prefer the CRT for authenticity, but there may not be a point anymore since they're becoming obsolete. Also concerned about the light-gun issue with flatscreens.
What's the consensus on this? What would be a good replacement for what I have? I'm looking for a CRT manufacturer, but I have a feeling they don't exist.

Thanks for reading.

[Amra]

If you can gather up a few of the common failure parts for CRTs (especially if you know the weaknesses of your own CRT), you should be able to keep it running for a good long while (vertical deflection IC, horizontal output transistor, certain zeners, a couple cap kits, etc).  Of course, some failures may put the cost beyond reasonable economic repair, but that's true for LCDs too.  With the right parts you can usually keep a halfway decent CRT running for a decades. I know people with CRTs from the 70s and 80s that still work.

CRT's offer a more authentic arcade experience, as well as having softer edges, a kind of inherent anti-aliasing. This is why, in my opinion, CRTs are usually the better choice for a home arcade machine.

However, LCD's do offer a smaller profile, lighter weight, easier connectivity, and great color reproduction which makes them a viable option if you don't mind the added pixelation.

In other words, I would suggest repair over replacement.

[mgb]

I agree. Id give it a shot at repairing the 9200.
I'm trying to hold onto my kortek trisync for as long as I can.
But you're right, it is becoming near impossible to find crts.

Not sure about now but a little over a year ago I was tslking to Betson about getting a 25" crt for a customer (24.8")
And they were wiped out of them but they still had a stock of 27" trisyncs.

Those 9200 seemed to be buggy. One of my customers had one and it was nothing but problems but then again it was also in a mobile game trailer so it took a lot of bouncing.

[Rhetro]

Amra and MGB,
Thanks for the input!
It's decided, then. I'm hanging onto it!!! My cabinet was basically built around the darn thing, and I think it should stay there. But yes, having it fixed could be and ordeal of sorts. But it's worth it to me. I'd rather do that and spend the money and be happy. I'm waiting to hear back from Wells Gardner to see where i need to start. I'm not too bad with soldering etc, and if it's not a big deal, I may opt to give it a go. Or, I could just pull it out of the cab, and take it to someone who really knows what's up -probably plan B.

Thanks again, gentlemen !
cheers!

[mgb]

Out of curiosity, what is the problem it's giving you?

[bulbousbeard]

The only way to get LCDs to acceptable levels of quality is via G-Sync (or possibly AMD Adaptive Sync) monitors, so you're basically looking at an $800 monitor.

If you can't swing that, just go CRT + HD4000 card + Windows 7 + GroovyMAME.

Playing games at FOREIGN refresh rates just sucks. Stuttering, hiccups. I don't even consider it playable. NATIVE refresh rate or don't even get out of bed.™