New build. Been out of it for 10 years or so

[mark6437]

So my daughter, who is now 23, grew up playing my MAMA cabinet I built. Back then I used a TV as a monitor. Things have changed alot. I need to know what LCD/LED monitors yall are using now? I dont wanna go CRT, not sure they even make them anymore.

What LCD/LED monitor would be the best for a MAME cabinet. Planning on using the Ultimarc Arcade VGA video card BTW.

Thanks!

Mark

[meyer980]

I'd be curious to see what other people say...but I just search ebay for used 4x3 lcd screens. That's assuming an older 80's style build that doesn't require amazing resolution or widescreen.

If you're building something for more modern gaming, I'd think any half-decent 16x9 1080p panel would do.

[yotsuya]

Search eBay for used Dell 4:3 screens.

[mark6437]

I'd be curious to see what other people say...but I just search ebay for used 4x3 lcd screens. That's assuming an older 80's style build that doesn't require amazing resolution or widescreen.

If you're building something for more modern gaming, I'd think any half-decent 16x9 1080p panel would do.

I really do not wanna go used. I am just gunna be playing 80's games. Nothing new.

I did alot of reading and the best I can come up with is some people are using 32" LCD TV's. Widescreen so I am not sure how that will play out.

[vertexguy]

I'd be curious to see what other people say...but I just search ebay for used 4x3 lcd screens. That's assuming an older 80's style build that doesn't require amazing resolution or widescreen.

If you're building something for more modern gaming, I'd think any half-decent 16x9 1080p panel would do.

I really do not wanna go used. I am just gunna be playing 80's games. Nothing new.

I did alot of reading and the best I can come up with is some people are using 32" LCD TV's. Widescreen so I am not sure how that will play out.

From my own research and testing I would generally recommend a modern LCD TV solution over a computer monitor.  You will typically get better viewing angles from this solution as computer monitors are geared around a single person looking perfectly at their center.  Given you're not looking at more modern games, refresh rates and ultra color accuracy shouldn't be a concern, which is where a computer monitor can start to have an advantage.

[pbj]

Get a 16:10 monitor.  The stretching is minimal when you play a 4:3 game and you can get them new.


https://www.newegg.com/p/pl?N=100160979%20600012951

[mark6437]

I'd be curious to see what other people say...but I just search ebay for used 4x3 lcd screens. That's assuming an older 80's style build that doesn't require amazing resolution or widescreen.

If you're building something for more modern gaming, I'd think any half-decent 16x9 1080p panel would do.

I really do not wanna go used. I am just gunna be playing 80's games. Nothing new.

I did alot of reading and the best I can come up with is some people are using 32" LCD TV's. Widescreen so I am not sure how that will play out.

From my own research and testing I would generally recommend a modern LCD TV solution over a computer monitor.  You will typically get better viewing angles from this solution as computer monitors are geared around a single person looking perfectly at their center.  Given you're not looking at more modern games, refresh rates and ultra color accuracy shouldn't be a concern, which is where a computer monitor can start to have an advantage.

Yea that is what I am gunna do. I am just not sure about the bezel, how that will play out. Do I build the beezle so that it turns the TV into 4:3? Or do I let the whole TV show?

[vertexguy]

Yea that is what I am gunna do. I am just not sure about the bezel, how that will play out. Do I build the beezle so that it turns the TV into 4:3? Or do I let the whole TV show?

That's up to you.  If you wanted a bezel with a design on it covering part of the tv you could definitely go that way.  Alternatively many front ends provide digital designs to fill in the space too on a per game basis.  Some games I don't mind a little stretch to go full screen (like TMNT or Simpsons) but for something like Galaga you probably won't like that and will want to stay 4:3.

[mark6437]

Yea that is what I am gunna do. I am just not sure about the bezel, how that will play out. Do I build the beezle so that it turns the TV into 4:3? Or do I let the whole TV show?

That's up to you.  If you wanted a bezel with a design on it covering part of the tv you could definitely go that way.  Alternatively many front ends provide digital designs to fill in the space too on a per game basis.  Some games I don't mind a little stretch to go full screen (like TMNT or Simpsons) but for something like Galaga you probably won't like that and will want to stay 4:3.

Ok. So if I let the whole TV (widescreen) show and then boot up galaga or a similar 4:3 game it will just be in a square in the middle of the TV right? This will be my first time using a WS monitor/tv.

[bperkins01]

I used a 32" in my MAME cabinet..  works fine..  You can add bezels to the  screens to fill in the black space..  looks nice.

[mark6437]

I used a 32" in my MAME cabinet..  works fine..  You can add bezels to the  screens to fill in the black space..  looks nice.

Can you send a build pic and a finished pic please?

[bperkins01]

clink on my signature..  you can read volumes on my cabinet and download the plans if you like...

[mark6437]

clink on my signature..  you can read volumes on my cabinet and download the plans if you like...

Thanks!

[mark6437]

I used a 32" in my MAME cabinet..  works fine..  You can add bezels to the  screens to fill in the black space..  looks nice.

Hey, did you use the Ultimarc Arcade VGA in your PC? If so how did you hook it to the TV? it only has VGA and DVI?

[bperkins01]

I'm running Mame on a PC - it has HDMI..

Its straight HDMI.. thats it..
HTH

[vertexguy]

Ok. So if I let the whole TV (widescreen) show and then boot up galaga or a similar 4:3 game it will just be in a square in the middle of the TV right? This will be my first time using a WS monitor/tv.

That's a MAME setting.  You can tell it to keep the original aspect ratio (typically 4:3) or stretch to fill the screen.  You can do this globally or per game.

[arfink]

Don't bother with the Arcade VGA, it's old and not well supported anymore, and if you're running an LCD there's literally no reason to use it.