What is a good monitor choice...

[CSprunger]

I am planning a scratch built MAME machine, and I have everthing nailed down except for the monitor...  Can someone make a suggestion for a good arcade monitor for this set-up?

Computer-
AMD 3800+ X2
1 gig of ram
ArcadeVGA PCIE version

Software-
Advanced MAME
gameEX or possibly MAMEwah

I would like around a 25" monitor

Thanks for any help!

[ahofle]

Rather than PC specs, you should list what types of games (ie resolutions) you are interested in.

[CSprunger]

I will probably be playing mostly 2D fighters, but would also like to add a pair of light guns later on.  I want to be able to run everything decently but I guess fighters would be the focus, Neo-Geo and Capcom are my favorites.

[ahofle]

Betson and Billlabs both have good 27" digital multisync monitors:
http://www.betson.com/products/IMP-44-4070-RT
http://www.billabs.com/crts.htm

There is a new Billabs 24.8 digital multisync that looks interesting, but it doesn't have much information on it: BL24C90T (it's on that page above, but with no product image).

Niemans has a very good reputation around here and they carry a 24.8" analog trisync monitor: http://www.niemandisplays.com/

Wells Gardner also has a 27" digital multisync:
http://wellsgardner.com/products/details.asp?iCat=2&iSubCat=36
I haven't seen many reviews of this one though, and its predecessor, the D9200 got a lot of bad press around here for reliability problems.

[CSprunger]

thanks for your help

[squirrellydw]

I just got this Billabs a week ago and I am very impressed BL27CB0P.  Everyone that has it says good things about it that I have seen.

[CSprunger]

looks like im going to go with the billabs, thanks for the suggestion squirrellydw

[shorthair]

Kinda late to the topic here, but there is one issue I've had with mine. The image has a strange bow in the center, top to bottom. 'Bow' affects the image horizontally. This is vertical, so there's no adjustment parametre for it. I haven't been able to get it to anyone in-person, but those I've explained the issue to, including the regional vendor for Billabs, have said they think it's a tube defect. (Otherwise, the unit works well...but it would be nice for the image to be 'straight'.)

Unfortunately, Billabs is basically a distributor, and it's been hard to co-ordinate with them. Then I have to travel 120 miles to the regional vendor for replacement. About two months ago, I told Billabs I was going to be up there for something else (this is three weeks advance notice) and that it'd be convenient if I could make the switch then. They blew me off.

[squirrellydw]

I have not seen that problem with mine.  Still very happy.

[Ken Layton]

Remember that all Billabs monitors are actually Wei-ya that have been rebranded.

[shorthair]

Remember that all Billabs monitors are actually Wei-ya that have been rebranded.

Exactly. Not that the guy, Bill, who owns and runs Billabs doesn't know his stuff about displays. Talking to him, it's apparent he's worked on them, at least. It's just that he does most everything in the company - his sister or wife runs the phones, and his brother...I don't know what he does, but he doesn't make any decisions - so gettting something like this taken care of can be problematic.

I've been trying to get this taken care of since I got it, but didn't say anything here cos I was giving them time to work it out. At one time I thought of selling it cos it looks like I won't be using it's main function, switching, but was hoping the replacement process would've happened before then. Though the monitor works in every way, there's just this small visual flaw, and I wouldn't try to pass that off to anyone.