Differences between vector/raster?

[ChadTower]

I didn't see it in the FAQ... what are the actualy physical differences between raster and vector monitors?  What makes them different?  Why are there no more vectors being produced?  What could we do to change that?  This dwindling supply of vector monitors is troubling... we need to do something about this.  I'd like to make my first step a true understanding of the vector monitor.

[Ken Layton]

Raster monitors are most like conventional tv sets minus the tuner, remote control, sleeptimer and all that other horsesh*t you don't need. They have builtin horizontal and vertical oscillators so when you power it up it can display a blank raster even with no signal input.

Vector monitors are special. They are more like a giant oscilloscope. They don't have any builtin horizontal or vertical oscillator. They rely on an external video source in order to do anything. With no video signal applied they either just sit there with a center dot displayed or they just shut down. There were a limited number of vector style games manufactured. The external video sources needed are horiz, vert, and brightness (intensity). There were only two major vector (a.k.a. "X-Y") monitors: Electrohome and Wells-Gardner. With so few vector games produced the monitor makers would lose tons of money on making new vector monitors. Arcadeshop.com has manufactured new circuit boards to repair these old monitors and brand new picture tubes are available.

[ChadTower]

Gotcha.  So it is physically different, not just input or pcb difference.  

You say there are new circuit boards and tubes available... what else would be needed to construct a vector monitor from new parts?  

I guess I need to back up a bit.  Where would I find a good detailed tutorial on the anatomy of a monitor?

[Ken Layton]

Vector monitors also have picture tubes with shorter necks which is why some vector game cabinets have shallower depth (like Gravitar) than conventional raster type game cabinets.

Your best bet is to buy a used non-working vector monitor on ebay and buy the arcadeshop.com replacement new boards to fix it. The original circuitry of the vector monitors was very unreliable which caused many game operators to abandon/convert/junk many vector games. Since these new replacement monitor boards have come out these old monitors are now very reliable and games like Tempest are being reborn to new life and some actually going on routes again.

[ChadTower]

Well that's good to hear.  Basically, I'm trying to learn everything I can about them.  Sounds like the cheapest way to get a good working one is to get a broken one and replace the PCBs with new ones.  That's a good route but it still depends on the finite supply of 20 year old monitors.  The new tubes you spoke of... how are they?  And in the absence (which will eventually be the case) of an original, could one combine a new tube and PCB set to make a working vector monitor?

[Ken Layton]

Richardson Electronics (www.rell.com) has brand new picture tubes. The only things NOT reproduced for these old monitors are the neckboard and the Yoke which are essential to operation.

Suggest you read the vector monitor stuff at www.ionpool.net for more info.

[ChadTower]

Excellent link!  By tomorrow I'll probably have read everything there.  Thanks!

Sounds like the final piece of the puzzle is the neckboard and yoke.  I seem to recall in buying and selling a few weeks ago there was someone interested in possibly reproducing one of these if they could be sent an example.  Did anyone ever send them that example?  I'd definitely be willing to organize it and chip in some cash if it meant a source of reproduction boards we can't get anywhere else.

[Ken Layton]

The yoke would likely cost more than the neckboard to reproduce. I'm thinking reproduction yokes would sell in the neighborhood of $75 to $85. The neckboards would probably go for around $55 to $65.

The Yoke and the neckboards could be made by one of the millions of electronics manufacturers in China.

Currently Arcadeshop.com has the high voltage circuit board and the main deflection circuit board reproduced.