TV advice... and SCART?

[AustinPowers]

I'm building a cabinet that can support a 27" or 33" screen (haven't decided which I'm doing). I figure my only feasiblely priced option is a TV, but can someone tell me if I'm setting myself up for a downside?

My ratio's would max out at 600x800, right? Is there any arcade game on Mame that I wouldn't be able to play?

Lastly, I've got a sufficient PC, but it currently runs with a Voodoo 3dfx graphics card, VGA out. I read a lot about SCART cards on other threads. Can't I just get a VGA to S-Video plug? What are the limitations?

Definitely a rookie here from the states and I'd appreciate any/all advice. Thanks!

[Silver]

Lots of people use a TV and are very happy. A huge percentage of games in mame worked on what is essentially a TV in reality anyway.

Lastly, I've got a sufficient PC, but it currently runs with a Voodoo 3dfx graphics card, VGA out. I read a lot about SCART cards on other threads. Can't I just get a VGA to S-Video plug? What are the limitations?

There is direct 'plug' for VGA to S-video. The signals are completely different. You can get a converter, which is basically a seperate box that converts the VGA to a S-video signal (and will cost money). However, a huge number of extremely cheap graphic cards have a "TV-out" connector. IE they convert from VGA to S-video or composite on the graphics card itself. ATI has typically had a good reputation for tv-out quality, although Nvidia has improved in recent time.

SCART connectors are found on almost every european TV set. I do not know about the US - a lot less, I think. The advantage of scart is that it has seperate RGB signals - unlike S-video/composite - but like VGA. The frequencies are completely different, but using software you can make your VGA graphics card send a RGB signal to the TV (through the scart socket) that it understands and displays.

The important factor here is quality. RGB signals are the best quality, better than S-video. S-video is MUCH better than composite/RCA. This is why people go for it.

I've missed out loads of info here - it can get quite confusing! - but should help you start. Have a look in the projects page for someone who has used s-video. Several people are perfectly happy with that.