Cheap alternative to 25" S-Video TV

[pmc]

I know this is a rehash but...

I'm building a Defender style cab out of 3/4" MDF and trying to keep dimensions true. Outside width is 26" so inside will be 24.5". I can mess with the dimensions to a certain degree to get a tube to fit (and inch or so). I have not cut the front panels yet because I'd rather have the tube figured out first in case I have to make modifications for it. I also want to be sure the unit can fit through a door without too much problem.

Cab will be used for MAME (I only have a 400MHz K6-2 for the inside) and PSX/Genny if I can do it. I don't expect to be playing stull like Unreal on this machine (ever).

I'd love to find a $100 used 25" TV that would fit. It would allow me to put my Sega Genny and PSX in the cab too. But of course, they are hard to come by new or used. I'm not too excited about paying $250 for a new set and having to shell it to get it to fit.

27" is too big for my tastes -- most of them would go flush from one side of the cabinet to the other. Too big. The refurb arcade displays are too much money for what I'm trying to do. I'm trying to keep it simple and inexpensive. I'd like to keep the tube budget under $200 and cheaper would be even better.

I don't have an s-video video card yet, so I could go with a standard monitor and either live with it forever, or swap for a TV when the set comes along by itself down the road. Not having to buy the video card (I have a 16MB SiS 305 card right now) allows me to spend a little more on a VGA monitor.

I see used 19" monitors for about $100 but I'd rather go bigger if possible. I've seen references in this forum for $75 21" displays. Can someone point me the way? Where's the cheapest place online to buy bigger (refurb/used/new) displays?

My other thought is to buy a new 19/20" TV and go S-video.

I figure I can always retrofit for a 25" TV later by removing either the VGA display or 19"/20" TVA and adding an eBay'd S-video card as required.

What are you folks that are stuck finding a 25" TV doing? I'd like to get off the mark on this and feel stuck trying to find the perfect tube...

Thanks in advance.

- pmc

[ahofle]

I would also be interested in these $75 21" PC monitors.  The cheapest ones I've been able to find are over $300 and are either missing 'non-essentials' like manuals and cables, or are refurbished:

www.pricewatch.com

[Sprucemoose]

check out your local used computer stores.  They usually have cheap VGA monitors.  I picked up a 21" monitor for $150 last week.  Good luck

[str1der]

Also there is always Ebay. I got a 21" on there for $65. I looked for auctions in my area so I could pick up and save on the shipping. It may take a while but just keep looking.

[pmc]

I would also be interested in these $75 21" PC monitors.  The cheapest ones I've been able to find are over $300 and are either missing 'non-essentials' like manuals and cables, or are refurbished:

www.pricewatch.com

I found the $75 21" monitor thread (KDS PixelTouch) in the "Buy/Sell" forum. The link is in there and there's lots of discussion on it. The big problem, it appears, is shipping.

Anyone considering 19 or 20" TVs in place of a monitor? I find it amusing that I'm going from a 25" TV to a 21" monitor and now considering a 20" TV as an alternative to the alternative. Anyway... I'm going to try some computer flea markets and other alternatives too. Glad I'm not alone with this...

[chuggy]

I've been considering a 19" tv with simple RCA a plugs, and an s vid to rca converter. It looks great in my initial testing....we'll see what happens!

[AceTKK]

I would use a 19" - 21" television if I could fine on with an S-Vid input.  The only ones that have them are flat screens, and are much too expensive.

-Ace-

[paigeoliver]

You can find a 19" with an s-video input if you look hard enough. My vertical cabinet has a 19" tv monitor with an s-video input (it is a tv monitor and not a TV, because it doesn't have a tuner).

Mine was made by Toshiba in 1998, and the tube bolts up to the exact same mounting points as an arcade tube.

[pmc]

I would use a 19" - 21" television if I could fine on with an S-Vid input.  The only ones that have them are flat screens, and are much too expensive.

-Ace-

I found a few over the weekend that have me interested. I'd be interested to hear what others think. I'm not really interested in anything over $170 (but I still look at 'em). No particular order here.

1) KMart Curtis Mathes CM19033S 19-inch Faux Flat TV (flat is a bummer, and there are speakers on the sides, but the whole set is small enough to fit into any cab). $129.

http://www.bluelight.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1168520&cp=784867.784872.784573&parentPage=family

2) KMart Curtis Mathes 25". $199. I didn't look at this one personally.

http://www.bluelight.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1123719&cp=784867.784872.784574&page=2&pageBucket=0&parentPage=family

3) Best Buy. KLH 24" TV with S-Video Input
Model: KT2406. $169. 25-5/8" wide (a bit wide for me, but I could make due by widening the cabinet). Anyone know how it's "remember S-Video" and "turn-on when plugged in" settings are for this set)?

http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=11209555&m=1&cat=24&scat=27

4) Circuit City. Philips 20" Stereo TV. PHL 20PS40S. $140.

5) Circuit City. Apex 24" TV. APX AT2402. $150.

6) Circuit City. Apex 20" Flat-Screen TV. APX PF2025. $179.

7) Best Buy. $150.  Daewoo 20" Stereo TV with Flat Picture Tube and Component Video Input
Model: DTQ20U4SC

http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=11209581&m=1&cat=24&scat=28

I keep seeing used 19" and 20" displays for $40-$120 so I'm likely to do that to get by until I find the perfect 25". I do think that a 21" VGA display would work for this, but I'm concerned that a 19 or 20" (18 and 19" viewable) is just a bit too small.

[HeadRusch]

I put a brand new (from best buy) Daewoo 20" Flatscreen in my cab (the flatscreen is great, the bezel sits flat against it)...it has a simple comb filter for composite, but also has svide AND component inputs.

$150 I think I paid......a few small geometry issues, but show me a 20" TV that doesn't have them.....it fits perfectly in my cab.....due to space limitations I just couldn't get a 25" TV in there.

For that matter, try FINDING a 25" TV that has svideo in but NO side speakers...they dont exist anymore!
Well, they do...Panasonic makes a 25" with svideo in and lower bottom speakers...its like $400 bucks and nobody carries it