What size TV?

[Dougmeister]

Acquired an old cabinet ("Space Duel").  Haven't measured it yet, but from what I gather, a 19" monitor is pretty standard.  Some folks talk about 25" tvs, and I'm not sure if that would fit or not.

Other than measuring it (don't have access to it at the moment), is there a way to know what size of tv I should be looking for?

[Jabone]

I have one of these cabinets that I converted to a MAME cabinet using a television for the monitor. If I remember correctly, the inside width from end-to-end is something like 23 and a half inches or so in the cabinet, more than sufficient for a 19 or 20" television but very little else.  This is a very narrow cabinet really, ideal for vertical monitors or 19" horizontals.

I've looked at 25" tv's for the cabinet but all of them are too wide.  I've bought an Apex flat-screen 20" TV that gave me a few more inches that looks awesome, and I've considered simply rotating this TV on it's side so at least vertical games could be played with very adequate height (I've experimented with having the TV on its side for days and days and have had no problems).  But a 19" TV, horizontally placed, looks great too.

[Ken Layton]

Space Duel was an X-Y (a.k.a. Vector) monitor game. It used a 19" horizontal monitor.

[Dougmeister]

I would *love* to hack one of those cabinets that you can rotate the monitor any way you want.  I found three sites so far that talk about it, but it sounds quite complicated.

Anyone know of a *simple* way to do this?

http://www.mrsalty.net/arcade/monitor/monitor.shtml
http://members.cox.net/mame1/rotate.htm
http://lillypad.4mg.com/lillypad/rotatepad.html

[Jabone]

Rotating a TV is more annoying / difficult than rotating an arcade monitor. Changing the center of gravity on a TV without first allowing it to rest and then degaussing creates discoloration and stuff (and will probably damage the tv). Plus the space issues - even a 19" TV is snug inside one of these cabs, where at least with an arcade monitor you have some breathing room. I'd only suggest trying to rotate an arcade monitor.

If you're going to place a tv vertically, expect to keep it that way.  

In fact, see it this way: if you wanted to play exclusively vertical-based games for your cab, you could actually put a 27" inch tv on it's side in the cabinet, allowing at least vertical games to be played very well.  

[Dougmeister]

Hmmm... interesting.

What about rotating a computer monitor?  Same issues as a tv set or more like an arcade monitor?

[Acids]

Hmmm... interesting.

What about rotating a computer monitor?  Same issues as a TV set or more like an arcade monitor?

As long as the monitor internals are held in place when rotating everything should be fine.
Arcade monitor, TV or PC monitor..

The only thing you will have to do once rotated is Degauss the tube, maybe many times if any discoloration occurs and that can be annoying as you cant constantly degauss so you will have to wait between each try..  
BUT in saying that...    Go for it!

[Dougmeister]

Hey guys, will this 21" work in my Space Duel cabinet?

Horizontally?  Vertically?

Dimensions: 19.9W X 19.1H X 20.7D

• 1600X1200 NI Resolution @ 85Hz
• 230MHz Bandwidth
• Horizontal Scan Frequency: 30-117Hz
• Vertical Scan Frequency: 50-160Hz
• Full edge to edge overscan
• DDC1/2B Plug-N-Play
• VESA DPMS Power Savings
• MPR 2 Low Ratiation
• Auto Degauss
• Voltage: 100-240, VAC, 50/60Hz
• Dimensions: 19.9W X 19.1H X 20.7D
• Comes with VGA cable and power cord
• Note: There is no power button or control buttons
• Metal case type enclosure
• Freight is between $50 & $75
• Note: This is not the touch screen version.
• Full color VGA

For butt-ugly picture, go here:

http://www.computersurplusoutlet.com/viewproduct.asp?ProductID=MON-KDS21