questions about using a TV as a monitor

[Timstuff]

For my cabinet, I want a screen that's at least 25" diagonally. On eBay it might be possible to get one for $160, but there's also shipping to consider, which can be somewhat of an unknown. If I bought from a website I'd have to spend around $400, which is way too pricey for me. But I was looking at Circuit City's website and I could probably get a 25-27" TV with S-Video input for under $200!

I know that a genuine arcade monitor would have slightly sharper picture quality, but if I use S-Video cables to connect it to my PC, would it be almost as good? Will things like text be readable on a 25" S-Video TV screen?

Also, I would like to know if it's possible to use a Happ monitor bezel over the screen even though the TV would have it's own case. Would that make any difference? An authentic arcade bezel would look much better than cutting one out of foam or *ick* posterboard. Can an arcade bezel be placed over the existing case?

Also, I would like to know if heat will be a bigger issue with a TV. Do TVs tend to heat up more inside of a cabinet? If so, would drilling/cutting some vents into the top of the cabinet and possibly mounting a fan inside help keep things cool inside?

My objective with my cabinet is to keep it affordable while still keeping things feeling authentic, so I know I'm gonna have to sacrifice some authenticity to keep the budget low. But if using a TV screen would be almost as good as using an authentic monitor, I could certainly live with it.

[arcadefan2005]

I just bought a Toshiba 27A34.....for some reason one Target store had it on clearance (I still don't understand that one) and I got it for $160. Everywhere else, I've seen them for $229, which still isn't a bad price.

Anyway, most say that you should use component (not composite) connectors for doing video, because they're supposedly better than s-video. But not everyone agrees.

I'm personally looking at using the XP Pro from GrandTec (www.grandtec.com) to run a VGA port to my TV. Then I should be able to use S-video or component.

Other people say that you should get an ATI Radeon card with DVI out and then use a DVI/component dongle/cable to connect it to the TV. Then you've gotta use Powerstrip software to get everything to work correctly. I like the XP Pro idea better because then it should work from any VGA port, and thus it should be easier to transfer between computers.

As far as using TVs in general, I've heard that sometimes text is hard to read, but I've also heard the opposite.

As for the bezel. I'm thinking about just using smoked plexiglass. Some say that it it's good enough, because all you see is what's lit up on the screen.

For overheating, I wouldn't think it'd be a problem as long as you have proper ventilation. I'm planning on installing a fan or two in the back/top.

FYI, you should check out some of the FAQ threads, and do a search. There are several lengthy discussions on s-video vs composite, etc.

[NoOne=NBA=]

If you like vector games, I wouldn't go with a TV.
A TV will do most raster games OK though.

An arcade monitor would be a better choice for raster games, but most of them aren't up to vector games either.

I opted for a PC monitor because alot of my favorites are vector games.
PC monitors tend to be a little too clear for most raster games; but I prefer that to fuzzy vector games.

[GameOver]

USE A TV!  They work just fine.  I use a 24" RCA via s-video, no problems, easy hook-up and affordable.  I've been playing my cabinet since Oct. 2004, IMO the biggest problems w/using a TV are

1)  VPinball/PinMame suffer the most.  Dark pinball playfields are difficult to see, brighter ones are ok. 
2)  Vector games aren't as crisp as a PC monitor, but are still quite good (you can adjust your TV and MAME settings to help)
3)  Raster games are just fine
4)  Small text in all of the above is difficult to read

I tried to play a PC game on my cab once (Star Wars Jedi Training Academy), didn't work so hot.  Too blurry.  Playing movies on the PC's DVD player works just great.

Overall, I am VERY satisfied with the results of using a TV via s-video.  It really re-created the arcade experience I was looking for at a reasonable price.

[Veinman]

I'm planning on going for a 24 or 25" tv as well. I've seen how S-video looks and it's passable. If I can get component then it will be even better.

My friend has a real Betson arcade monitor, and it does look better, but not 3 times the cost better.

[Timstuff]

My friend has a real Betson arcade monitor, and it does look better, but not 3 times the cost better.

Hehehe, knowing  that does make me feel a little better about going with a TV instead.

There's still the question of the bezel though. I'm pretty certain that a happ foam bezel would get the job done if placed behind a piece of plexiglass with a print, but I'd prefer a plastic bezel if it will work. Does anyone know if a plastic bezel can be used with a TV without taking the TV's case front off?

[Timstuff]

Hmm... Looks like foam bezels only come in 13" and 19" sizes. I could always make my own, but I'd much rather use a plastic one.

[Craig]

Also, I would like to know if heat will be a bigger issue with a TV. Do TVs tend to heat up more inside of a cabinet? If so, would drilling/cutting some vents into the top of the cabinet and possibly mounting a fan inside help keep things cool inside?

No. I think it would make things much hotter. 

[Timstuff]

lamlamlam.

Anyway, if I did put vents on the cab, I was thinking of putting them on the diagonal slant behind the marquee. I guess I should probably jigsaw them out and put actual vents on there to keep any large debris from falling in, and to keep the whole thing feeling enclosed.

Also, here's a TV that I'm strongly considering for my cab.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/ESA-27-TV-ET427E-/sem/rpsm/oid/92866/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Many of the reviews say that it's often avalible on sale for $140. If I can get it for that price, I'll definately go with this one.

[Craig]

If you were going to put fans in it, 80 or 90 mm fans are good and common run on 12V. Place them at the top or near the top as heat rises. They will keep the cabinet reasonably cool enough. 

[NinjaEpisode]

So back to the Happ Bezel question.  Will they fit a 25" or 27" TV or is it even worth going down that road and should one just opt for smoked plexi or building out a frame for the front of the TV?

[Veinman]

Wouldn't the smoked plex make the image on-screen darker, even if just a little?

[Hoopz]

I used the Happ bezel for my 27" tv and it fit like a glove.  Not like OJ and a glove though.... :-)

[GGKoul]

I have a 29" TV in my cab and I love it.  As I can play PS2, Xbox, Dreamcast, Genesis PLUS I can watch TV whenever something good is on. 

[Timstuff]

I used the Happ bezel for my 27" tv and it fit like a glove.  Not like OJ and a glove though.... :-)

Ah, thanks. that's a question that I really wanted answered.

[Joystick Jerk]

Each option obviously has it's pros and cons. When it comes to image quality, the true arcade monitor wins hands down. It has a sharper, and more importantly to some people, a more "authentic" arcade look to it. TV's can display great images though, and properly hooked up with a component or SVGA cable, most people will find a TV does a fine job of displaying arcade games. On the other hand, arcade monitor's can be finicky creatures, some requiring kludgy tweaking to run games at certain monitor frequencies, whereas a tv will simply accept all video output from your video card. The tv may have some "image issues" but these can usually be corrected through software, whereas an arcade monitor may just flatout refuse to display some games.

Price is always a consideration as well. While prices do fluctuate quite widly between tv and monitor options, in general a high-quality arcade monitor will cost you more than a high quality tv. Monitors are generally easier to mount in a cab, as they don't have the bulky plastic housing that a tv does. If you want to run console games in your cab, a tv is really the only option.

So basically there's no right or wrong choice. Find out what your budget is, decide whether you want great quality with a little hassle, or good quality with no hassle, and go from there.

[Timstuff]

A TV definately sounds like the right route for me, because I'm considering hooking up consoles to my cab on occassion in the future.

[AceTKK]

I faced the same dilemna (doesn't everyone?) and I decided to go arcade monitor.  Here's why:

27" t.v. - $220 approx.

vs.

27" t.v. tube in good condition - free from local t.v. repair shop
replacement chassis for arcade monitor - $95
AVGA card - $90

You can get superior image quality for a lower price if you use one of the universal replacement chassis from 8-liner or Alva Amusements.  All the games will run in their authentic frequency and resolution with no ugly RGB > NTSC conversion like on a television.   Mounting it is a bit of a pain b/c you don't get the bracket with a t.v. tube but making a wood frame is easy enough. 

-Ace-

[big_garryb]

i used a 25" tv with a happ bezel. which i cut to fit.
i also then covered with smoked glass.

i have to say that it looked great.
garry

[GameOver]

Besides, if you ever decide to 'move on' (i.e. da wife gives the ultimatum "me or the cab!") from your arcade cab, you can salvage a TV, or sell it pretty readily if you don't need or want it.  An arcade monitor on the other hand may not have much of an aftermarket and you have the potential of suffering a greater loss.

[Timstuff]

So, with the Happ Bezel, will I have to make any modifications to the actualy "hole" part that goes over the screen, or will I only have to cut the flat outer part so that it will be the right dimensions for my cab?

[stellarola]

Arcade monitor, all the way! I saw a great jump in raster games quality with an arcade monitor.

[rgecko]

I only had trim the flat area on the happ bezel to fit into the cab, the angled part lined up perfectly with the 27" area on my TV.  I drilled a small 1/4" hole in the plastic so I can change channels on the TV, and use it that way as well, as it sits in the bar in my basement, so no need for a TV there now, should I want to watch anything.

[RTSDaddy2]

Probably a day late and a dollar short with my thoughts...but we're using a TV in our cabinet for several reasons

1) budget
2) we own a couple of consoles
3) we bought a new TV, 32" HDTV ready when our old one burned out.

The S-video picture is good for most games, I think, if not downright excellent.  I have been told that if I get a new video card with a digital out, it will improve the picture to the TV. 

I would agree with a couple of these other guys though...ultimately, it's your call.  I personally prefer the TV - and we're planning to place a bezel around it to hide th silver casing of the TV....so far, no heating problems with it.

RTSDaddy2

[Veinman]

Has anyone had any problems with setting the tv at too much of an angle?

[rgecko]

I'm thinking the angle may be dependant on the games you plan on playing, I've seen uprights that have the display almost parallel to the player to almost a 45 degree angle for some golf games.  personally I find I like about 15 degree slope.

[Veinman]

I'm not really asking about trouble viewing it. I've read things on this board in places that implied that some televisions may suffer image quality issues if they are placed on an angled surface.  It doesn't sound very plausible to me, but my knowledge of things like this stops after I have plugged in the device and turned it on.

[rgecko]

Ah, from what I know of TV/Monitors is that usually a degaussing takes care of this, unless you really smack it around good and breaks something inside it, I remember an old TV we had could actually only face one direct because the earths natural magnetic field would cause a nice blue patch moving on it, plus a couple of family members are movers, and with TVs they sometimes need to degauss them when moving houses.  New TVs usually Degauss when they get powered on from a cold start (if they're CRTs, LCD should be fine at any angle, and I'm not sure about Plasmas) and monitors have Degaussing built into them which usually is good enough (not sure about Arcade Monitors if they have built in degaussing coils), plus if you look at the cocktails the TVs are actually laying completely on their backs with little Issue.