Selecting a PC LCD Monitor for Original Galaga Cabinet

[GIjoe5589]

Hello All,

I'm currently in the process of MAME'ing an original Galaga Cabinet that I have that still has the original 19' CRT in it. While I've figured out most of my MAME project down to the product list, the monitor is the one thing I'm uncertain about so I wanted to pose the following questions to the community -

* Example Monitor I'm considering - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001773

1. Does a 19" LCD equate to the same amount of screen real estate as a 19" CRT? What I mean by this is that I've eye-balled what a 19" LCD looks like where I work and the 19" CRT in my Galaga just seems larger for some reason. While shopping on NewEgg, I filtered out any results that were "Widescreen" but I'm starting to think a Widescreen monitor mounted vertically would be the better way to go for a game like Galaga.

2. As far as mounting goes - can anyone include a URL for a 19" Vesa Mount solution that might work? My research thus far has shown that a good majority of people skip using an actual mounting product altogether and screw their monitor directly into a piece of wood or MDF using the (4) screw holes intended for VESA mounts.

Thanks!

- Joey

[bulbousbeard]

Why do you want to replace it? Is it broken?

[GIjoe5589]

The Screen itself has a great deal of burn-in and the monitor chassis has seen too many quick 'repairs' for my taste (some of which were likely performed prior to my existence in this world)

While I used to love spending hours trying to perfect CRT monitors back when I got into the Arcade Hobby when I was 15 - I'm now 25, married, and finishing College so I'm taking the lazy way out and would prefer the simplicity of a monitor meant for a PC.

Though I know using an original CRT Arcade monitor is technically possible with a PC, I want to make this project as plug-n-play as possible.

Do I know that TwoBits makes an LCD? Yes - I'm just interested in their mounting brackets rather than their $300-400 monitors 
Have I heard about 8Liners and Wei Yea Monitor chassis? Yes - I would absolutely go those routes if I were interested in continuing to use the CRT.

At this point, should I simply take a measuring tape to the original CRT in my Galaga and see if it's closer to a 20' or 21' inch monitor across? The only thing I'm worried about is mounting the 19' up only to have it look too small.

I just figured someone here on the forums has possibly retro-fitted a similar style Midway Cabinet like Ms. Pac or Galaga for a MAME project and had some advice on the proper monitor size.

[yotsuya]

I use PC CRTs if I can't use an original CRT.

[GIjoe5589]

Thanks for the suggestion yotsuya!

When you replace your CRT's with PC CRT's...do you replace them like for like (i.e 19' for 19') or do you find the size varies slightly?

I'd rather stick with an LCD if possible as I'm not really concerned about being a purist for this build and I'd prefer to use as much new technology as I can. Overall, the cabinet will produce less heat and weigh less when I eventually become a home owner one of these days and have to move the monstrosity that is any Arcade Cabinet. If needed, I can always tweak things a bit and artificially enable scan lines and the like.  I'm starting to get the feeling that the users in the BYOAC forums would rather not see me use an LCD at all as I haven't had any replies regarding my original post about the monitor sizing question. 

[yotsuya]

I like to go with 20" CRT monitors, but 19" work just as well.

If you do go LCD, try and get a 20" or even a 21.3" one. Try and buy it in person, so you can check the viewing angles, especially since you have to rotate it. 

[Malenko]

a 19" monitor that is 4:3 has the same viewing size no matter if its LCD or CRT    Some tubes tend to to be bigger than 19" but still only have 19" viewable.


As for a vesa mount, Haruman can prolly make you a Malenko Mount.

[GIjoe5589]

Thanks for the tips guys!

I feel comfortable now knowing that the 19" LCD will likely not look too out of place when it replaces the CRT.

A Malenko mount eh?! As in professional wrestler Dean Malenko will install it for me? 

I did a little 'googling' and came across this older thread: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,97260.0.html

Awesome MK Cab!

Can you provide some additional information on Haruman and this majestic mount you speak of? I'm more than willing to pay for someone to make a mount for me.

[Malenko]

I did a little 'googling' and came across this older thread: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,97260.0.html

Awesome MK Cab!

Can you provide some additional information on Haruman and this majestic mount you speak of? I'm more than willing to pay for someone to make a mount for me.

Well, you linked to my KI2 cab, not my MK :p   I have a link in my siggie to allt he projects I did that I could find.  I pointed Haruman to this thread for deets on the mount. But the gist is, I "invented" a mount to make it easy to center LCDs in his bartops, it can be applied to full sized cabs

[GIjoe5589]

Thank you so much for the push in the right direction Malenko!

Next to get too off-topic here but I've bookmarked your (Yet another Galaga Restoration) as mine also needs a new floor! I guess the original owner of mine had let the cabinet come into contact with water at some point -

You can sort of see it in one of my Cabinet Pics - http://1drv.ms/1BNNmJn

As I've never done any wood working before in my entire life...I was almost certain I'd have to hire a professional to replace the floor for me but I may try to pick your brain about the floor replacement process first.

Let me know if you hear anything back from Haruman and thanks again! 

- Joey