19" monitor for a cocktail table?

[Nailz]

Ok guys, I need your help with a new project.  I am putting together a cocktail table from these guys because I want to spend less time cutting wood   and more time playing:

http://www.arcadedepot.com/

Anyways, this thing will hold a 19" monitor.  I have been looking at going the ArcadeVGA route and then getting an Arcade monitor.  

My questions:
1.  how many of you folks went this route and would do it again?

2.  what type of monitor should I get (recommendations)?

3.  where is going to be the best deal?  I looked at some ebay auctions and the negative feedback by some scare me, but I also don't want to spend a fortune.

4.  if it's cheaper to go with a VGA type monitor, what would be a good choice in that direction and would I be as happy with that in comparison to an actual Arcade monitor?

I have an EYGO VGA 27" in my upright MAME cab and I love it so I do know that would probably work for me as well.

Sorry for the long post, I am starting to put together my list of things to buy and the Monitor and video are obviously at the head of the list.

Thanks so much for the advice!

[OSCAR]

1.  I sort of went this route.  I have a brand new Galaga/Ms. Pac cocktail that never made it out of the warehouse before being damaged by a forktruck.  It was one of those "right-place, right-time" kind of things, and I got it for free...  Most of the damage was confined to the monitor panel, so I only need to replace one side.  Ignore the monitor sitting in the cab, that is my wife's efficient method of storing my crap.  

2.  Since the release of the ArcadeVGA, there is really only one answer... a real arcade monitor!  Perhaps my opinion is biased, but only because I'm a happy ArcadeVGA owner.  Any 15KHz monitor should do.  You can buy new 19" standard res arcade monitors for $199 at www.arcadeshop.com.  I have never used these monitors before, but I have seen them recommended on RGVAC.

3.  See #2.

4.  It would be cheaper to go with a PC monitor.  If you want to recreate classic raster games, then "No, you would not be happy".  In fact, a PC monitor is probably the least desireable way to go if you want the same look as an arcade monitor.  I have a few comparison photos at www.oscarcontrols.com/monitors.shtml.

It is only right that the monitor & video are at the top of your list.  In the end, that is ultimately what you are going to be looking at for hours at a time.  

[SirPoonga]

I have a 19" Eygo hybrid that I will be using for a cocktail monitor.

[Nailz]

Oscar, thanks for the link... a question about the arcade monitors in general, what does it mean when they say "standard resolution monitor"?  I notice they say it about the Well Gardner ones as well.  Will I be able to play most arcade games with the resolutions of these monitors or are there some that won't work?  Also, with an arcade monitor, what's the better OS to use, DOS or Windows?

Sorry to add more questions to this list, you just gave me a bunch of new ones, but I am now really leaning hard towards an arcade monitor.  

[OSCAR]

Standard resolution means it is a 15KHz monitor.  With the ArcadeVGA and a standard resolution arcade monitor, you will be able to play any game that MAME supports... most in native resolution, some will need borders (say the vertical games on a horizontal monitor), and perhaps a few may need hardware stretching enabled (I haven't needed it yet, though).

With the ArcadeVGA card you can use either DOS or Windows, it just depends on what you want to use.  My ArcadeVGA card is installed in a PC running Win98, and I happen to be using MAME32 with it.

[Nailz]

DAMMIT OSCAR.... you are da man!!!!  

You have sold me on the ArcadeVGA and an Arcade monitor.  Now all that's left if for me to fugure out what controls I need for my cocktail and where they will go....

Thanks again!

[CurmudgeonlyBastrd]

     Where are you located? I have an original Dig Dug cocktail in solid shape (needs cleaning and new plexi) that I will let go for cheap.

<<Ok guys, I need your help with a new project.  I am putting together a cocktail table from these guys because I want to spend less time cutting wood   and more time playing:
http://www.arcadedepot.com/>>