Sony PVM Series Monitor Questions..

[abbzer0]

Hello All - I wanted to pose this question:    I have an opportunity to purchase a few Sony PVM-series monitors locally for cheap.  There are a few Sony 25" PVM-2530's available, and one Sony 32" PVM-3230.  I was thinking about using the 2530 for my Mame cabinet I will be constructing.  Does anyone know if there are any Cabs that could be able to handle the 3230?  Additionally, for those who are already using the 2530 monitor, what types of cabs fit these monitors inside of them well?  Just looking for thoughts/feedback.  I believe these are supposed to be really good displays to run Mame on via the RGB inputs.  I am somewhat of a newbie when it comes to the arcade cabinets.  Thanks so much.

[abbzer0]

update:  I think I may just go with the two 25" Monitors.  It would seem that they are much easier to move around than that uber-heavy 32", and then I'd have a spare sitting around incase the screen in my cab breaks.  Just wondering if there might be any awesome benefits to purchasing the 32".  (No showcase cabinets in my future I don't think.  However, it would appear that the arcade/mame scene becomes quite addictive!) 

[Jack Burton]

Believe it or not, but you will probably want to go with the smaller monitor.  For most cab designs, 32" is just too big to be looking at from that close, it will hurt your eyes a little bit.  Also, In my experience, CRTs over 27" tend to be more prone to malfunction or suffer in image quality.  My big monitors have significantly worse convergence and contrast from my 25" and smaller stuff, which usually have nearly perfect convergence.

But definitely get at least one of these.  They can do arcade resolutions and the picture quality is out of this world.

[abbzer0]

Thanks for your input.  I think I'm definitely going to just go w/ the two 25" ones.  The better convergence & contrast, coupled with the fact that it doesn't way as much as Toyota may be determining factors.    Thanks again!   

[Ummon]

Make sure you look at this and this.

[abbzer0]

Thank you!!!  That is some VERY worth while information I needed, and didn't even know it!   


edit:  As far as cabinet wise..  I am in the process of finding the cabinet that is right for me.  Any thoughts/feedback on whether the majority of upright cabs can handle one of these monitors?  Obviously I could measure some that I find in person, but wanted to rely on previous experience of others.  Thanks again!! 

[BASS!]

I've got a 2530 and its awesome. Once i throw some caps in it, it will be amazing. Does anyone know if there is a cap kit available?

[Zebidee]

As far as cabinet wise..  I am in the process of finding the cabinet that is right for me.  Any thoughts/feedback on whether the majority of upright cabs can handle one of these monitors?  Obviously I could measure some that I find in person, but wanted to rely on previous experience of others.  Thanks again!! 

The Sony PVMs have a fair bit of "stuff" around them, even once you have taken the cases off.  You should look for a cab that was designed for at least a 25" monitor, or around 60cm wide at the monitor bay.

Also, Sony PVMs use Sony's patented "Trinitron" screens rather than the usual types of CRT screens.  The difference? Triniton's don't use a "shadow mask" like most CRTs, but rather an "aperture grill", which means that the screen is up to 20% brighter & colours much clearer than other types of CRTs. This is good   

The drawback if that the Trinitron screen MUST be curved in one plane, like the side of a cylinder, rather than like other screens which are more like the side of a ball.  This is because the wires forming the aperture grill are stretched taut from top to bottom - that is, in a straight line rather than a curve.

What this means is that while it looks GREAT in horizontal mode, it doesn't look as good in vertical mode.  Vertically, it feels like you are playing a game on the side of a barrel.  So plan a HORIZONTAL cab around a Sony PVM screen. 

This is difficult to explain, so before you start asking me lots of questions try googling "trinitron screen" and "aperture grill" first.  If you own a Sony PVM Trinitron screen, have a close look at it and imagine it as the side of a cylinder.  Then compare that to a normal CRT screen, which is more "rounded" like a ball.

[abbzer0]

Just picked up the monitors this morning.  When I have time I'll go ahead and hook them up via the S-Video (for now until I get a cable built to run via the RGB) and run a vertical game to see how it looks.  Thanks so much for your detailed response!   

[abbzer0]

UPDATE:   HOLY $H!T!!!!   THOSE MONITORS ARE HEAVY!!!! WHEN YOU CARRY THEM DOWNSTAIRS INTO YOUR BASEMENT!!

lol...  Good thing I put on my back brace before I did it...

A plug here.  I am in Columbus, OH, and the guy has several monitors left.  He also has some of the 32" Models.  Those might be perfect for a Showcase setup..  (gasp, as I am still catching my breath from carrying them... whew...)

[Zebidee]

UPDATE:   HOLY $H!T!!!!   THOSE MONITORS ARE HEAVY!!!! WHEN YOU CARRY THEM DOWNSTAIRS INTO YOUR BASEMENT!!

Heh!  I've gotten used to lugging the bulky 27" versions around.  47kg of sheer madness .....

Because they are 'cubic' monitors, ie in a box shape, if you are moving them any distance then you can easily put them onto a fridge trolley.  I recommend this to save your back - I bought mine at supercheap auto for $27.95, best money I've ever spent.

Nonetheless, I've managed to deadlift a de-cased 27" into the monitor bay on several of the large uprights pictured in my sig .... many times.  Guess being built solidly and an experienced weightlifter helps too  (pls excuse my shameless self-promotion ... I've also got a spare tyre to tote around as well!)

[Zebidee]

I'm keen to know how you go with connecting RGB to this monitor!  I guess that you'll be doing it through the 25-pin D connector?  I've always been lucky enough to have SCART or RGB BNC connectors available, but I think your model only has the 25 pin for RGB.

Here is some sheer guesswork from looking at the manuals:

3-composite sync (negative H+V twisted together)
4-Blue
5-Green
6-red
15-24 Ground

If this doesn't work, try connecting pin 9 to ground. 

[alexred]

I hope this is not too inappropriate.  I have 2 PVM monitors for sale cheap in Atlanta if anyone is looking, check the forsale section.

[abbzer0]

.... threadjacker!!   LOL   

[abbzer0]

Would something like this work to interface thru to the D-SUB 25 pin connector?

http://www.nmia.com/~cavlon/fseqpt/FS%20WEB/computer/lan/Extron%20SY25%2025%20PIN%20D%20to%20BNC.htm

[Zebidee]

Would something like this work to interface thru to the D-SUB 25 pin connector?

Doesn't your monitor have a female 25-pin D as well?  Looks like this unit you're looking at is for the opposite of what you want - it would convert video input from 25-pin male to BNC RGB+sync, which many monitors want.  Probably wouldn't work the other way around.

Your Sony PVM monitor would probably have been designed to take input from an IBM 5150 or similar PC.  Very old stuff.  I can't remember if they had a 9-pin video out or just vga-15 pin.  if the former, then perhaps a 9-15 pin converter cable would do the trick.  But aren't they for serial ports ... ?

I think you'll have to hack something.

[abbzer0]

I have the bookmark on my work PC, I'll have to post it.  I found a used cable for sale from a professional video rental place for sale.  It mentioned that it connects RGB to SONY PVM-2530 monitors and 2030's.  I'll post that tonight/tomorrow.  Thanks again for your response...  Although yes, I probably will end up having to hack this..  sigh..

[BASS!]

Hey guys not to worry, I've been meaning to do a full writeup about the solder job. all you need is a db25 solder end and a vga to 5bnc cable. Once you get that, its just about sitting around and doing it. I've made some mistakes but I'll pass what I know on to ya to make it easier:-)

That box is not going to work. Its for ethernet over db25, and I guarantee it is set up weird. I'm sure you could hack the box it plugs into but I would just make a cable and be done with it:-)

[Ummon]

This is difficult to explain, so before you start asking me lots of questions try googling "trinitron screen" and "aperture grill" first.  If you own a Sony PVM Trinitron screen, have a close look at it and imagine it as the side of a cylinder.  Then compare that to a normal CRT screen, which is more "rounded" like a ball.

Na. Makes perfect sense. Anywone who's looked the lable on a can or jar of food has had this experience.


upright: why are you using bnc? Wouldn't it be d-sub 15 to d-sub 25?

[Zebidee]

Anywone who's looked the lable on a can or jar of food has had this experience.

Yes, they are cylinders.

upright: why are you using bnc? Wouldn't it be d-sub 15 to d-sub 25?

Because that is the kind of cable we are making!

Hey guys not to worry, I've been meaning to do a full writeup about the solder job. all you need is a db25 solder end and a vga to 5bnc cable. Once you get that, its just about sitting around and doing it. I've made some mistakes but I'll pass what I know on to ya to make it easier:-)

Thanks heaps for that - I think what we really need is to know the pinout you used (at the DB25 end).  Was it just RGB+sync+ground, or was there something more complicated involved (like grounding pin 9)?

You should be fine with almost any VGA cable, just hack the head off and break out the wires.  I've used old VGA monitor cables for this.  Worth noting though that you should check resistance on signal wires with an ohmmeter (DMM on diode test setting should do).  If it is more than 1-2 ohms, then find another cable, as this can cause problems with the picture (especially the sync).

[abbzer0]

Hey guys not to worry, I've been meaning to do a full writeup about the solder job. all you need is a db25 solder end and a vga to 5bnc cable. Once you get that, its just about sitting around and doing it. I've made some mistakes but I'll pass what I know on to ya to make it easier:-)

That box is not going to work. Its for ethernet over db25, and I guarantee it is set up weird. I'm sure you could hack the box it plugs into but I would just make a cable and be done with it:-)

I would be VERY interested to see a brief writeup on that as well.  Any pictures would be nice.  ;-)  I haven't made any DB25 cables since about 1992 when I made a bunch of custom cables for the TI-85 calculator.  I think they used to charge about $90 for them, so I build tons for about $5/ea. and sold them to my friends for $20/ea.    Unfortunately, my skills seem to have gone by the wayside not using them in ages..   

I definitely think I will just custom make a cable for this. 

[kagaden]

What are the specs on the 32" PVM? Max resolution must importantly.

I'd be interested in a purchase for my showcase cab. (Finding an appropriate monitor for this thing is a b*****)

[Zebidee]

What are the specs on the 32" PVM? Max resolution must importantly.

800x600 theoretical maximum for the PVM-2730QM.  I've run it at this res, and it looks great, although you lose a bit at the edges.  Should be the same for the 32" version.

[BASS!]

What are the specs on the 32" PVM? Max resolution must importantly.

I'd be interested in a purchase for my showcase cab. (Finding an appropriate monitor for this thing is a b*****)

I've run 800x600 great but over that you start getting all sorts of overscanning. more like 4-5 inches off the picture

[abbzer0]

What are the specs on the 32" PVM? Max resolution must importantly.

I'd be interested in a purchase for my showcase cab. (Finding an appropriate monitor for this thing is a b*****)

If you live in the Columbus, OH area, I can get you one for about $100.  A Sony PVM-3230.  There may be two of them available.  if you (or anybody) is interested, let me know.  They have very low hours on them as well.  They were in an Editing bay from NBC.  They got rid of all of them and replaced with flat screens. 

[abbzer0]

What are the specs on the 32" PVM? Max resolution must importantly.

I'd be interested in a purchase for my showcase cab. (Finding an appropriate monitor for this thing is a b*****)

I've run 800x600 great but over that you start getting all sorts of overscanning. more like 4-5 inches off the picture

Wow - if we can run at something like 800x600, I bet even medium/high res games would look pretty good on this too!!  Golden Tee 200x would probably look nice.   

[BASS!]

What are the specs on the 32" PVM? Max resolution must importantly.

I'd be interested in a purchase for my showcase cab. (Finding an appropriate monitor for this thing is a b*****)

I've run 800x600 great but over that you start getting all sorts of overscanning. more like 4-5 inches off the picture

Wow - if we can run at something like 800x600, I bet even medium/high res games would look pretty good on this too!!  Golden Tee 200x would probably look nice.   

Yeah the only caveat is that it will take 640x480i and 800x600i (with a bit of screen flicker and you have to tweak your overscan) and 720x480 (gets really bad image distortion) I have now seen 2 other pvms that do similar things but it looks like results may vary. This monitor really shines when you pump 640x240 and below. They all look fantastic.

[kagaden]

What are the specs on the 32" PVM? Max resolution must importantly.

I'd be interested in a purchase for my showcase cab. (Finding an appropriate monitor for this thing is a b*****)

I've run 800x600 great but over that you start getting all sorts of overscanning. more like 4-5 inches off the picture

Wow - if we can run at something like 800x600, I bet even medium/high res games would look pretty good on this too!!  Golden Tee 200x would probably look nice.   

Yeah the only caveat is that it will take 640x480i and 800x600i (with a bit of screen flicker and you have to tweak your overscan) and 720x480 (gets really bad image distortion) I have now seen 2 other pvms that do similar things but it looks like results may vary. This monitor really shines when you pump 640x240 and below. They all look fantastic.

Not enough. I'm in california and I'm looking for the holy grail of monitors One that I'll be able to hook up everything from Street Fighter III (15KHz) to Street Fighter IV (720p?). Megaview 29" appears to be the best bet so far with 1600x1200 max resolution. I think the 33" Megaview only does 800x600. I'd rather lose 4 inches and gain double resolution.

[BASS!]

If you haven't been here, check out the master list.

http://www.neo-geo.com/forums/showpost.php?p=140066&postcount=1

[Zebidee]

Not enough. I'm in california and I'm looking for the holy grail of monitors One that I'll be able to hook up everything from Street Fighter III (15KHz) to Street Fighter IV (720p?).

CGA monitors can only realistically go up to 600 vertical lines at best.  If you want a monitor capable of greater res than 800x600, then you should go for a LCD or one of the multisyncs (eg Betsons) raved on about elsewhere in this forum.  Be prepared to pay unless you are feeling lucky.

[kagaden]

If you haven't been here, check out the master list.

http://www.neo-geo.com/forums/showpost.php?p=140066&postcount=1

I haven't seen that! You rule, thanks bass! 

[BASS!]

If you haven't been here, check out the master list.

http://www.neo-geo.com/forums/showpost.php?p=140066&postcount=1

I haven't seen that! You rule, thanks bass! 

No problem. I think I'm going to throw this in here so it doesn't get lost.

[mike boss]

Guys forgive me because i am such a NOOB! My skills are weak and my knowledge even weaker. I just picked up three Sony PVM-2530's for a great price (CDN) delivered.
My goal was to take these monitors and use them in PC based MAME machines.
The machine i have now has a simple motherboard with only monitor support.
I was hoping i could find a cable that would simply go from the 15pin connector on the back of the PC into the 25 pin connector on the back of the PVM.
is this not the case ? there isnt a wire i can buy retail that would simply allow plug n' play ? again i dont have the ability to do any sort of modification.

lastly, are the cases easily removed from these monitors ? as is i am unsure if it will fit into my Dynamo cabinet.

[Zebidee]

These Sony PVMs are pretty easy to de-case. I have done many (about 5 or so) of the PVM2730QMs, which are just the same as the 2530sexcept a bit bigger.

They make fantastic arcade/mame monitors.  With the super-trinitron screen, the colours are brighter and the picture is sharper than a normal arcade monitor.

Cheers, Zebidee

Guys forgive me because i am such a NOOB! My skills are weak and my knowledge even weaker. I just picked up three Sony PVM-2530's for a great price (CDN) delivered.
My goal was to take these monitors and use them in PC based MAME machines.
The machine i have now has a simple motherboard with only monitor support.
I was hoping i could find a cable that would simply go from the 15pin connector on the back of the PC into the 25 pin connector on the back of the PVM.
is this not the case ? there isnt a wire i can buy retail that would simply allow plug n' play ? again i dont have the ability to do any sort of modification.

lastly, are the cases easily removed from these monitors ? as is i am unsure if it will fit into my Dynamo cabinet.

[BASS!]

Guys forgive me because i am such a NOOB! My skills are weak and my knowledge even weaker. I just picked up three Sony PVM-2530's for a great price (CDN) delivered.
My goal was to take these monitors and use them in PC based MAME machines.
The machine i have now has a simple motherboard with only monitor support.
I was hoping i could find a cable that would simply go from the 15pin connector on the back of the PC into the 25 pin connector on the back of the PVM.
is this not the case ? there isnt a wire i can buy retail that would simply allow plug n' play ? again i dont have the ability to do any sort of modification.

lastly, are the cases easily removed from these monitors ? as is i am unsure if it will fit into my Dynamo cabinet.

When I originally bought one, I got into looking around at parts to see if there was any cables professionally available and ended up only finding one site that looked like they were out of business. Their price was 200. I have no Idea why, but I know that all you need to do is get a rgb to 5bnc cable, cut the ends off the bnc cables, and solder them into a db25 plug.



You will want to get a db25 female end, and a db25 cable hood. The one in the picture is a male connector.

[BASS!]

Here is the full pinout of all of the connections on the db25 cable.

[BASS!]

On seccond thought, I have been needing to do a writeup on how to wire these things. I guess I could wire you three of em. The only issue is the cable that I have to hack is 10 to 20 alone, and I have to buy the hoods and connectors. I could probably do three for 90 or so.

[mike boss]

Havent had the time as of late to POP back on here ! I thank you all for the info.
My monitors were delivered, and one of three brought down to the basement.
However when I hooked it up with the s-video the picture quality is poor. I contacted the seller and am waiting on a response. Tonight im  going to go thru the instructions and make sure the monitor is set up the way it should be. Im also going to try and hook up a VCR to test another input. There are a few things I think I will need to do. At a glance I would bet this needs to be re-capped (if thats even possible).

I'm in Ajax, Ontario Canada ......... ill need to find some local places perhaps. I dont want to invest a ton into these monitors. If needed I will see it as is for what I paid.

[mike boss]

Well it would appear im F**T! aka FU*KED!
I brought in monitor number two of three today and began to test it. Simply put it worked without a hitch!
Hooked it up via the s-video and away it went. Had to change the font size in MAME, but over and above that im fine. Now monitor number two.....well thats different. Like a projection TV that is out of line, everything seems to have a green outline. And the menu options dont work in the + direction. (if that makes sense)
so i can only do adjustments by using the - button in any of the three options.
As is right now the picture is black and white

[BASS!]

There is actually a convergence board on the back of the unit that controls your crt allignment. The caps on that board do go out, because for some reason they run a ton of voltage through it. I tossed about 6 in on a new board, and the alignment is spot on now. To do this fix you will have to remove the back of the unit, and it will be on the top right as you look at it from the back. There are also a bunch of pots on the board, that can be adjusted to fine tune your alignment.

ps Im gonna reply to your email in a little bit here.