Best 19" Arcade Monitor-Easy To Connect??

[Demon-Seed]

Hi
I spoke with happs today and the 27" monitor is way to big.. so I have 2 options a large 21" pc monitor or arcade 19" if go with 19" it is authentic and no need to modify cabinet.. if i go pc monitor easy to connect but i gotta modify cabinet. My question is do they make a good quality 19" monitor, that can connect directly to a PC like the wg d9200?? also can i hook xbox up? I am newbie in regards to arcade monitors and need help!  best place to buy in canada??

thx
JIM

[daeven]

The Wells Gardner U3100 is a 19" VGA arcade monitor that would fit the bill.

<http://www.wellsgardner.com/wellsgardner31/finditem.cfm?itemid=687>

[whammoed]

Agreed, I used a 19" u3100 in a cocktail and it worked out really nice.  Doesn't do the true arcade 15K standard resolutions, but it hooks up easy via a vga cable...just plug it in and go.

[Demon-Seed]

KOOL
So it will do all that for me sweet..what about my current Actlabs gun? it works on my pc will it work? I noticed that the screens are very expensive... do they have a long life? how will consoles look?

[whammoed]

Yes, they are expensive.  Sometimes Wells have refurbished ones (which are sometimes brand new, just buy backs) for around $175.  You need to call to find out.
Don't know about the other questions.  I would assume the light gun would work since this is a vga/svga monitor.

[maraxle]

Agreed, I used a 19" u3100 in a cocktail and it worked out really nice.  Doesn't do the true arcade 15K standard resolutions, but it hooks up easy via a vga cable...just plug it in and go.

If it doesn't do the 15K resolutions, then how is it any better/different than a regular computer monitor?

[whammoed]

If it doesn't do the 15K resolutions, then how is it any better/different than a regular computer monitor?

Good question...1: It is an open frame monitor so it is easy to mount, especially for cocktail setup.  Not having to modify the cabinet for a computer monitor was a benifit demon-seed was looking for.
2:  Its tube has the same curve to it that any other arcade monitor (or tv) would have.  This means that the 19" plastic bezels will fit it nicely giving the cab a nice clean appearance.  Computer monitors have FST which stand for something like Flat Square Tube.  Even the non-flat-screen computer monitors are a lot flatter than an arcade or tv tube.  Having the correct tube adds some authenticity in my opinion.
3:  The u3100 tube does not have a real fine dot pitch like computer monitors do.  Its dot pitch is the same as a regular arcade tube.  This means you will get a more authentic looking display than you would on a computer monitor.  That is why some people use scanlines in mame on their computer monitors.  Its hard to remember sometimes if you haven't played an actual arcade game in a while, but you can actually see the individual pixels without looking too hard.  On a computer monitor everything is really smooth (too smooth for arcade games in some peoples opinion)  You have to look real hard and real close to make out the pixels.
4: A 19" arcade monitor (u3100 included) means 19" viewable area.  A 19" computer monitor has an 18" viewable area. (Suppose you could just buy a larger computer monitor to make up for this though)

If none of this or at least not much of it matters to you, then a pc monitor would do fine.

[maraxle]

If it doesn't do the 15K resolutions, then how is it any better/different than a regular computer monitor?

3:  The u3100 tube does not have a real fine dot pitch like computer monitors do.  Its dot pitch is the same as a regular arcade tube.  This means you will get a more authentic looking display than you would on a computer monitor.  That is why some people use scanlines in mame on their computer monitors.  Its hard to remember sometimes if you haven't played an actual arcade game in a while, but you can actually see the individual pixels without looking too hard.  On a computer monitor everything is really smooth (too smooth for arcade games in some peoples opinion)  You have to look real hard and real close to make out the pixels.

Ah, okay.  This one says it all.

[RayB]

Demon Seed: Contact Starburst in Toronto to see what they have. I imported a monitor to Canada from Happ, and it was barely worth it because of all the extra fees (UPS, broker, taxes)

~Ray B

[Strider x]

sup guys I would like to know if the 19 inch monitor has both molex & vga inputs if not which ones do?
also does the The Wells Gardner U3100 have the same problems like the d9200, (blowing out)

[fredster]

I bought a nice Kortek / Imperial from www.betson.com that didn't need an isolation transformer.  It was CGA, I don't recall what the range was, but it was higher than the old GO7's.

Last year in June it cost me $160 shipped with a 90 day warranty.  It came with the plugs and it had a switch for neg/positive sync.

I don't think they get any easier than that.

I had to call them on the phone, but I got the number off the website.

[Demon-Seed]

so really the only benefit an arcade monitor has is authentic look? its more money than a 21" pc monitor. what is so authentic?? whats the difference?

[Ken Layton]

An arcade monitor is made to last and also made to be repairable. Computer monitors are throw-away when they break (which is often).

[Demon-Seed]

ok good point, but where can i get a fair decent price? I contacted Starburst here in canada and they want 425!!! CAN$

[RayB]

ok good point, but where can i get a fair decent price? I contacted Starburst here in canada and they want 425!!! CAN$

Which model was that? I asked them about the 19" Happ Vision Pro II, and they quoted me $325.