Suggestions for TV as monitor

[HeadRusch]

My Cab, after removing some supports which were left there for the use of a standard monitor, now has a little more internal space.  I think a 25" TV would fill it nicely, but I have to check the dimensions on the case...also, I need to find one whos back doesn't protrude out five feet

Any suggestions?

[CitznFish]

People tend to prefer Toshiba's. Stay away from Apex.  Use S-video.  bestbuy.com gives the dimensions of their TV's.

[Justin]

What's wrong with the Apex?  They're cheap...  and probably crappy construction quality and cheap components (true?)    Is the Video quality bad?

[Lilwolf]

The quality on some are MUCH better then others.

1st, I've heard that some TV's with SVid just have a SVid -> Composite converter inside.

But if you are going to try a TV, make sure there is a return policy.  So go to a store like best buy where the people in the return department don't care if you return something or not.  

Or if you go to a smaller local store.  Ask if you can bring a computer in and test it.  (some will)

Nothing like getting it home, installed, remove the cover and warranty... and find that it sucks

[Wienerdog]

Check out the Monitor/Video Forum:
http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=4
 
I have a JVC that works great with S-Video.  I'm working on getting component connections working at an acceptable resolution.  At 25", you probably wouldn't be able to find component, so you should go with S-Video.

One of the things you want is if you pull the power on the TV and then plug it back in, you want to make sure that the TV comes back on in S-Video mode.  The entire line of Apex TVs don't meet this requirement, so I stopped looking at them.  Toshiba and JVC both work good.

[Sasquatch!]

I have a JVC that works great with S-Video.

Seconded.

[paigeoliver]

If you get a TV with a tube the same size as common arcade monitors, than your tube will bolt right into a frame made for those montitors. My Artic Mini MAME originally had the tube bolted right into the cab (frameless). My 19" s-video monitor tube bolted right up to the same spot, and I put the monitor boards on the wall of the cab where the original ones were. It looks PERFECT. Exactly like the original monitor did.

[Cue-Ball]

What's wrong with the Apex?  They're cheap...  and probably crappy construction quality and cheap components (true?)    Is the Video quality bad?

Bad is not the right word.  i originally planned on using a 24-25" TV for my cab monitor.  I picked up one of the 24" Apex's from Circuit City for <$200 and put it in my cab.  I think i played Centipede for all of 3 minutes before i turned everything off and packed that sucker back up.  I was using the S-Vid input and it looked horrible.  Stay far, far away from Apex.

PS> I ended up using a 21" Viewsonic PC monitor for my cab instead and am very happy with my decision.

[Distortion]

What's wrong with the Apex?  They're cheap...  and probably crappy construction quality and cheap components (true?)    Is the Video quality bad?

they're cheap, yes, but don't last long.  the colors tend to fade and the tint gets all messed up in time...

also, stay away from KLH....Daewoo and Sansui would be alright, but I'd trust JVC, Panasonic, Sony and especially Toshiba much more than those two.  Mine's a Toshiba.

[JamesMolloy]

How are Black Diamond/Midsubishi TV's? They are pretty cheap where I've looked.

[caykroyd]

mitsubishi's are arguebly the best rear projection tv's on the market, but not sure about regular tube.  And inexpensive?  not sure about that either.

[CitznFish]

Also, with APEX if you shut the TV off and turn it back on it will not restart in S-video mode. This really sucks if you have a TV in your cab.  Toshiba's remember thei S-Video mode even if you pull the plug out of the wall while the TV is on, wait 20 minutes and plug it back in.   (BestBuy guys were giving me wierd looks when i did this)

[radiator]

I have a JVC that works great with S-Video.

Seconded.

thirded(?)...