Square LCD?

[Tzakiel]

I am thinking about building a bartop system for my daughter and want to use an LCD screen for a mix of vertical and horizontal games. I was thinking for this purpose wouldn't a square (truly 1x1 ratio) LCD monitor actually be the best way? Then both horizontal and vertical games would be the same size on the screen. But does such a thing even exist? If not, is it at least still possible to get 4:3 screens?

I don't know how It would work doing widescreen LCDs. That seems like a waste of space/ratio because nothing would ever be full width or height.

[JDFan]

There are a couple 1:1 ratio monitors but they are ridiculously expensive so not really ever used ( ie. the Eizio Flexscan 26.5 inch - ( http://www.eizoglobal.com/press/releases/htmls/ev2730q.html ) retails for about $1450 !!

So most people would instead use a 4:3 as mentioned or use a larger size widescreen and block of a square area with the bezel. If looking for a decent price on a 4:3 and located in the US - try ArrowDirect.com they sell refurbished off lease monitors and usually have some 20" 4:3 IPS panel monitors for around $50 +/- shipped. Right now they have a discount code ( Bonus13 ) which gives an additional 13% off (not much but covers the Tax if you live in a state they charge tax in.

Just looked and they do have an "A" grade - Samsung 214T ( http://arrowdirect.com/samsung-syncmaster-214t-23.html ) in stock for $58.68 + Tax with Free shipping after the code which is a 21.6 inch 4:3 1600x1200 IPS panel monitor (which is about the largest 4:3 readily available) which is a pretty good price. THeir stock changes so if you look and don't find something just check back a couple days later and they might have something then.

[P.H.U.]

Samsung 204B is a good choice as well. Lowest lag of 4x3 LCD displays. You'll have to head to Craigslist or eBay.

[lilshawn]

some LG branded 19 inch monitors where 10:9 which is about as close to 1:1 as you can get without being 1:1.

5:4 ratio on some ACER branded monitors (v193) is pretty close too.

honestly any 4:3 monitor will look fine.

even widescreen monitors look okay if you don't mind it being stretched a little or have some unused black areas.