Arcade monitor Geometry settings

[Elbaid]

Hi all,
I'm thinking of upgrading my Sony PVM to a multi-sync arcade monitor, but before taking the plunge I'd like to know how the geometry settings work.

The PVM 20L2 remembers separate screen settings for 50hz and 60hz modelines and also separate settings for the overscan switch. So in effect, I have 4 different presets I can play with, particularly useful for fixing Amiga games which are squashed vertically without affecting other emulators etc.

If I get a multi-sync arcade monitor, what options do I have? Are there presets? Do these monitors remember individual screen settings for different resolutions, vertical syncs, horizontal syncs, or even an overscan switch like the PVM?

The monitor I have in mind is a Toshiba PF, but would consider others.

Thanks for any info!

[lilshawn]

AFAIK the toshiba PF doesn't have any geometry settings without hacking a connection to the OSD processor. trying to set up a monitor this way is going to be a major PITA.

arcade monitors are meant to be set up and run at one constant resolution for the game they are connected to. as such changing the input resolution or frequency will result in a bunch of fiddling with the controls... only to have to change them again when you change back.

the only real exception is tri-sync monitors between standard medium and high res. as those would likely be stored as 3 separate profiles in the monitor since the high voltage needs to be changed for each resolution.

if you are looking to do a pile of mode switches, you are going to need a presentation monitor or a computer monitor to do it, and do it automatically.

[Elbaid]

Thanks for your reply,

I only want to adjust the size and position of the image, depending on the software being used on the display, which can be done on-screen with the default controls on the Toshiba PF, it also switches modes automatically.
There seems to be plenty of people using this monitor for different generations of consoles and MAME.

I don't really see the issue with using it for my intended purposes, unless I'm missing something? Can regular mode switching reduce the life of arcade monitors? The Tosh seems like a pretty solid screen from what I've researched. One of, if not THE best ever manufactured by the sound of it.

[lilshawn]

Can regular mode switching reduce the life of arcade monitors?

that's kind have always been up in the air. I'm a solid maybe.

arcade and route operators buy an analog tri-sync monitor so it can work on any machine he has regardless of its resolution. so if it's going in a medium res game...it gets put in, adjusted, and runs that way...forever. if it goes into a VGA game... it runs THAT way...forever. and so on.

So unless you have a digitally controlled CRT (like the wells gardner D9200 or D9400 (or the like) where it stores the adjustments for the separate resolutions in memory) you will be forever tweaking horizontal and vertical pots every time you switch resolutions. Because the actual timing of the beam scan is directly affected by the resolution in which it's run. therefore a perfectly aligned and sized  horizontal picture at 15k will not be the same as it is at 31k because the monitor switches in and out capacitors (usually using relays) to change the tuned frequency of the raster scan. (while others have to have a plug physically disconnected and moved.)

[Elbaid]

I'm sure an analogue monitor would be a pain. The Toshiba is most definitely digital with control board, OSD etc.
It was manufactured post-2000.
My main concern is screen burn and convergence, but these are problems even presentation monitors face