is betson the best deal for a tri-sync?

[scurvy]

$369 for a 27 inch

http://www.betson.com/products/IMP-44-4070-RT

[rockin_rick]

Also, will this work well with MAME using the 'high res' mode for windows/FE and CGA for games?  Specifically, does EACH resolution keep it's settings (such as screen position, size, pincushion, etc.) and automatically apply those changes each time the resolution changes?

Rick

[Scottk]

I just got my Betson yesterday.

(Using the exact deal listed!)

$110 bucks shipping, cuz it weighs in at 97 pounds!


Rick,
Yes, each resolution keeps its settings, and yes,
it automagically applies the changes when you switch
to that resolution.

I have to admit tho,
It was fun setting up the first few resolutions, but after say 5
of them, I got pretty bored with it. =)

I followed this guide here to a T:
http://www.retroblast.com/articles/monitor.html

And specifically used the Nokia Monitor Test Program they recommend.
I would recommend it as well.

Scott

[scurvy]

you know how long the deal will last? you talk to them on the phone?

[Pixelhugger]

I'm thinking of getting one while the deal lasts too. I was a little concerned about the sale model since it looks like it's meant for a specific game, "Raw Thrill" versus the full price model that's branded as "global" Anyone know the difference? Maybe they are just clearing out inventory with a certain barcode/model number in which case I'd guess the sale would run while supplies last. I called Betson but haven't heard back yet.

Scott- I'm assuming yours was item # IMP 44-4070-RT and not the IMP 44-4070-VR

Does it have the standard VGA connection cable? Does anyone know of a reason not to get the sale version if it is meant for a specific game? Does that matter?

[Scottk]

Hi all,

Scurvy,
Nope. I did it thru their web site.

I ordered it Saturday night, on Monday one of their sales people called me,
and wanted to verify my CC info.

Also, by default I think they wanted to ship Fedex COD.
Since I was getting it delivered to my work, I wanted to pay shipping ahead of time.
So she changed that as well.

Once we got that squared away, she placed the order at like noon on Monday.
And holy cow, the monitor was delivered on Tuesday about noon!

Apparently because of the size/weight, they ship "freight", and in my case
shipping freight from IL -> MN is a day drive.

Pixelhugger,
Yes, it is (from my order slip):

IMP  44-4070-RT :: IMP - 27"DIGITAL MULTI SYNC RAW THRL1      369.95   369.95   

Yes, it has a standard VGA cable connection, and I bought the Arcade VGA II (PCI Express)
last week.
So I was able to connect this puppy up literally as soon as I unpacked it!

BTW,
When running in 800x600 mode, it flickers really bad.

You *have* to install the Ultimarc "Tri-Sync" patch.
http://ultimarc.com/download.html

Once I installed that patch, 800x600 looks great.
Not as good as my 22inch LCD monitor, but for a arcade monitor, it looks fine.

I guess I didn't even catch "RAW THRL" meant "RAW THRILL".
But regardless, from what I can tell, thats an actual "brand" of arcade, and not a game.

If you go to:
http://www.betson.com/products/

You can see that "Raw Thrills" is listed in Amusement -> Game Parts, and have a few different games listed.

I definitely don't have any problems running any MAME game so far.

Scott

[rockin_rick]

I'm thinking of getting one while the deal lasts too. I was a little concerned about the sale model since it looks like it's meant for a specific game, "Raw Thrill" versus the full price model that's branded as "global" Anyone know the difference? Maybe they are just clearing out inventory with a certain barcode/model number in which case I'd guess the sale would run while supplies last. I called Betson but haven't heard back yet.

Scott- I'm assuming yours was item # IMP 44-4070-RT and not the IMP 44-4070-VR

Does it have the standard VGA connection cable? Does anyone know of a reason not to get the sale version if it is meant for a specific game? Does that matter?

I wonder if it is just the mounting brackets/method/hole locations....

Rick

[Pixelhugger]

Thanks for the thorough response Scott. I'll be picking one of these up with confidence now. 

[divemaster127]

I have had this monitor for 3 years with no issues
dm

[rockin_rick]

Well, I ordered one today and am picking it up tomorrow.  The sales rep was extremely helpful, and so far, service seems great.

Not sure if it's mentioned anywhere, but she said that it does have a 1 year warranty.

And FWIW - the rep said the box is 25" x 25" x 33" EDIT - a bit off, see below

Rick

[Pixelhugger]

Thats funny... I just emailed Scott asking about the box size to see if it'd fit in my car.

Synchronicity.

[rockin_rick]

That's why I noted it (as I'm picking it up in my car)...

See if he says the same thing...

Rick

[rockin_rick]

Yes, it has a standard VGA cable connection, and I bought the Arcade VGA II (PCI Express)
last week.
So I was able to connect this puppy up literally as soon as I unpacked it!

Thanks for all the info, Scott.

So this monitor doesn't need a video amp and can run (at full brightness) straight off an ArcadeVGA II?

How does the power connect?  Isolation transformer required/recommended?

Thanks,
Rick

[divemaster127]

no, you do not need a video amp, I'm running mine straight off of the vga II pci
dm

[MonMotha]

Power on this monitor is a SMPS, no iso required per the manual.   I've had it adjusted to accept signals ranging from PC outputs (0.7Vpp) to approx 3.3Vpp from a Konami S573.

Now, as to what the heck the connector is for the power, I have no idea.  It appears to be a standard connector used on many monitors for power and, with different spacing, for other things like the yoke and degauss coil.  I can't for the life of me figure out where to buy them (if anybody knows the connector series or a source for them, please let me know!), but you can easily take a couple 0.093" pin/socket connector female ends and crimp them down a little bit to fit snugly, then cover with heat shrink.

Betson may include a power cable - I got mine second hand.  I didn't even get a VGA cable with it as the owner had removed it.  If you need the connector on the monitor end for that, it's a 6pin Molex 2.5mm SPOX.  Mouser and Digi-Key both stock them.

[divemaster127]

betson includes the power cable just plug it in the wall, & the 15 pin connector
dm

[Scottk]

Hi all,

The shipping box dimensions are 26x24x23.
(I literally have the box in front of me right now)   

So the sales person was definitely wrong when they told you something else!

Scott

[Scottk]

Yup,

The monitor has a standard VGA connector on it, as well as a standard power plug as well.

Heck, if it wasn't for the fact there is no case around it and that we can get the 15Khz signals,
I would have suggested that this was just a standard TV or computer monitor!


The review here:
http://www.retroblast.com/reviews/betson.html

even comments about the fact that the cables aren't detachable.
They literally have both cables hard wired/connected.

Even though the review is 2+ years old now, everything the describe in there is exactly
the same as I saw.

Scott

[juggle50]

I'm thinking about getting th 19" version.  Anyone know the difference between the multi sync at Betson and the one at Billabs? I've heard the one at billabs has a higher resolution that 800x600.  However, I'm not sure if they have curved monitors.  I couldn't really tell from the website.

[WareWolF]

OT but FYI "Raw Thrills" is a new arcade game company started by Eugene Jarvis & some of the other ex-Williams programmers.

They have a website here...  http://www.rawthrills.com/

[scurvy]

hey scott i thought this monitor was supposed to run in 640x480, is 800x600 safe?

[Scottk]

Yes,

800x600 is safe with this monitor, and once you add the "Trimode" driver fix,
it even looks good too!
(Without the driver fix, the flickering is HORRIBLE at 800x600)

Just in case you are very paranoid,  , from here:

http://www.betson.com/products/parts/IMP-44-4070-RT

Resolution: 800x600 pixels

[rockin_rick]

Hi all,

The shipping box dimensions are 26x24x23.
(I literally have the box in front of me right now)   

So the sales person was definitely wrong when they told you something else!

Scott

I picked mine up today.  Yep, Scott's dimensions are pretty close.  I'm not sure if the rep told me wrong, or if I just heard wrong....  If she really said 25x25x23, then it would be pretty close...

Rick

[Scottk]

Big and heavy sucker, isn't it!   

Last night I built a "stand" for the monitor for my UA II cab.
(First bit of wood working I have done since HS!)

Still trying to find the right angle and depth that I want the monitor to be at...

Scott

[Pixelhugger]

Just picked mine up at Betson west. 3 hours of LA traffic for 30 miles and back. 

But well worth it.

Sale lasts until 5/31.

So Scott- how are you mounting this to the base? Are you going to drill holes in the bottom rails or use the front lip? Been trying to think of how I'm going to  mount it myself as my bezel wont be removable so it has to be free to come out the back. 

[dynamite]

anyone know of a Canadian distributor for these monitors specifically near the Toronto area?  The shipping and border tax to get one sent here would be ridiculous and so far my searches for local distributors haven't come up with any.   

[Scottk]

Pixelhugger,

I probably went the long way around, but it was kind of fun...

I built a "base platform" for the monitor, and then screwed the monitor into that.
The platform purposely put the monitor exact in the middle of space for the monitor.

I haven't done any woodworking, like since, never... 
So it was fun to play.

Scott

[Scottk]

dynamike,

I had the same problem here in Minnesota.
There was no local distro, so I punted and had them ship it to me from Illinois.
The shipping was a tad over $100.

[ahofle]

Hey Scott, could you possibly take a pic or two of your monitor stand?  I have a UAII also and I also want to use the mounting shelf to support the monitor instead of spending $50 on mounting brackets that require drilling holes on the sides of the cab.  Thanks for your feedback on this monitor BTW (or no thanks if you were to ask my wife ).

[shorthair]

dynamike: being in Canada, you might get a better deal from RickN (Nieman displays).

[rockin_rick]

dynamike: being in Canada, you might get a better deal from RickN (Nieman displays).

I was sold on the Nieman 25" tri-res until I read this thread:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=64850.0

Nothing against the Neiman, but rather analog tri-res's in general.  They don't hold their settings between 'low res' and 'high res' like digital ones do.  (That's why I asked that earlier in this thread...)  With the common MAME/emulation application, a multi-res monitor is expected to run low res for the games, and 'high' res for the FE.  A digital multi-res monitor is just better at this...

Rick