flat screen TV versus normal

[Steve Kaz]

Help is appreciated.  Here's my situation.

I have the plans for the UAII and am in the process of building it.  I figured that i'd better get straight which TV i was going to buy to put in it.  I decided to get one that had both S-video and component hookups (just for adaptability with my computer)

Anyway, i got a Magnavox at Circuit City for $210.  It was less than 27 inches wide, so that will be the width of my cabinet.  Circuit City had another flat screen TV that was almost identical feature wise (for like $15 more), it just had speakers on the side that would make the width of my cab 29 inches.

Is it worth it to get the flat panel?  I know that old arcade games weren't on flat screen, so i figured i'd go with the normal TV, but now i'm wondering which would be better.

Thanks in advance

[Veinman]

Personally, I would avoid side-speaker units just for size reasons.

As for flat vs curved, I would take flat any day. Less glare, and better viewing angles. Sure, the old ones weren't flat....but the pros outweigh the cons there, IMO.

[Steve Kaz]

The biggest advantages that i figured i'd get with flat panel would be anti-glare and the better viewing angles, but i couldn't find a flat panel that didn't have the speakers on the side.

Like i said, i could still fit it in the cabinet, but it would make me expand it 2 more inches, because of the speakers on the side.

I can't make up my mind which is more important.

[Veinman]

I guess you are right, I don't think I have ever seen a flat screen with speakers on the bottom.

If it helps, I have every intention of getting a curved tube, mainly for price considerations.

[Dire Radiant]

Wise choice I think. 29" might not sound like that much but that would be one huge cab. Personally I don't like the look of extra wide cabs.

[IntruderAlert]

If you want the classic look you've gotta go curved
I have a flat screen arcade machine that I was going to MAME but have decided against it largely because of this reason.