Newbie Alert...help me buy the right TV and video card

[hellothere123]

Ok,

I'm getting a 27" TV. Is Svideo better than my computer screen. And the jump to component, is it "just better" or is it really really worth it in term of quality.


Now for Svideo PC card, or a component PC card, what do I get...are there tons of cards out there, all about the same quality?

I'm sorry I'm really fresh on this and need a point in the right direction.

Thanks!

[TOK]

S-Video is worse than what you see on a computer monitor.
Component is noticeably better than S-video on my TV. Colors are a bit more vivid, and the blacks more solid. Hard to really pin it down in words, but when you see the images back-to-back, you don't want to use S-Video any more.

I went with one of the cheapest component out cards I could get, since I bought it specifically for the MAME cab and not 3D apps. It is an ATI Radeon 9550 w/DVI and the DVI to component adapter. Think the card was around 70 bucks, but they're cheaper now. The adapter was 20-something shipped via EBay.
 

[hellothere123]

I seem to get totally confused.

In other forums, I was told to not use a PC Monitor because it doesn't look right as far as quality...that I should use at least Svideo.

Now your saying that Svideo is way worse than a PC monitor?

I'm not sure if i should just get a PC Monitor or use a TV?

[TOK]

The people that were telling you a TV w/S-Video looked better, probably meant it looked better in the sense that the resolution was lower and looked more like an arcade monitor... A case of worse looking better, depending on what you're after. 

A computer monitor is capable of much higher resolutions than a TV, making most low resolution old games look a little bit too sharp and blocky. Component is a nice compromise between the two, since the color looks a bit more vivid than S-Video, but you don't have that ultra-sharp look of a PC monitor.

[TOK]

Not sure if this will help you decide or not, but here is the Dynamo cab I set up for vert games.
This uses a 27" Toshiba TV with the Radeon 9550 and component adapter.
Custom resolution of 640x420 keeps the image from being clipped at top and bottom (sides, if the TV was oriented normally). Also have a tinted plexi bezel on there, which I feel helps a great deal with the image quality on a TV.

[phishpac]

I know this is an old thread, but I find it very helpful.  Are there cards that have component video out on them?  Or, is getting a dvi->component adaptor the norm?

[phishpac]

bumpage

[TOK]

I think they all use a converter since DVI is pretty much the standard, and I don't ever recall seeing a tube TV with a DVI input. You should have no trouble getting setup info now that so many people have done it.

[phishpac]

Thanks TOK, I appreciate it.  Now to find the best deal on a video card that will work with an adapter.

[TOK]

Newegg has the card I'm using, the Radeon 9550 for 35 bucks before a 10 dollar rebate. I got mine a couple years ago when I was still a lower end card but cost almost $100. If you're only going to run MAME stuff and no newer PC games that use 3D, I've had no problems at all with it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161199

[phishpac]

thanks TOK, I will probably buy it this weekend.

[IG-88]

Newegg has the card I'm using, the Radeon 9550 for 35 bucks before a 10 dollar rebate. I got mine a couple years ago when I was still a lower end card but cost almost $100. If you're only going to run MAME stuff and no newer PC games that use 3D, I've had no problems at all with it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161199

Just curious but why not go with something even cheaper than that, say one of those ATI all-in-wonder 7500's or something?

[Justin Z]

Because as far as I'm aware anyway, the 7000 series ATI cards don't support component out.

Double check that if you're curious but that's my recollection.

[TOK]

Because as far as I'm aware anyway, the 7000 series ATI cards don't support component out.

Double check that if you're curious but that's my recollection.

Exactly right.

[nickynooch]

TOK I must say as a newbie myself I found this thread extremely useful and the picture on the cabinet you posted looks gorgeous.

I believe I will do this after a long debate on the TV vs. LCD vs. arcade monitor vs. CRT monitor debate.  Are there any tips on what to look for when purchasing a TV for a cabinet?  I'm pretty much going to buy the same video card you suggested with the same setup.

Like if plugged into a power strip and power is turned off and on, is there a feature to look for to find out that it comes back on without hitting the power button (probably a pain in the butt once it is already in the cabinet) and stays on the same channel?  Does the TV go on the Aux channel or channel 3?

Sorry completely new, I just don't want to waste too much money screwing up on my planning for my MAME cabinet.

Thanks for answering my questions which hopefully aren't too dumb!

[TOK]

I didn't actually select my Toshiba specifically for my cab. It was originally purchased to hook an XBox up to in my computer room. When that sat unplayed for about a year, I threw it in the closet and used the TV for the cabinet.

My TV does remember last input when unplugged. I did make a little hole in the black foamboard that I have behind the bezel for the TV's optical sensor. This lets me adjust settings or switch inputs with the remote if I need to. Its totally invisible when the tinted bezel is on. Honestly, the only time I really used it was when I was setting the cab up and switching between S-Video and Component, then tweaking the contrast for the tinted plastic.

There was a list of good cabinet TV's that I thought was stickied. The only thing with that is model numbers change so fast.
I do recall JVC TV's being highly recommended. Now that everyone seems to be getting LCD's, you might find your CRT options pretty limited. If you find a TV you like, make another post here. Chances are someone here has experience with that set.

[RoninEditor]

I wish I could use Component in on my tv, but it's just the regular three RCA jacks (1V, 2A), not even an S-Video option.  It's a 10 year old Sharp 27".  I even have a VGA to Component cable but I'm stuck with 'good enough' I guess!

[nickynooch]

I wish I could use Component in on my tv, but it's just the regular three RCA jacks (1V, 2A), not even an S-Video option.  It's a 10 year old Sharp 27".  I even have a VGA to Component cable but I'm stuck with 'good enough' I guess!

But from what I have been reading Component is better than S-video anyway right?

[TheManuel]

Does anyone know if a Radeon 9550 would work on a computer with AGP 2x or 4x?