19" Digital multi-sync crt monitor recommendation

[disaac]

Hello Monitor Guru's!

I have been out of the game for awhile, but I am preparing a 19" cocktail cab build.

Does anyone make a decent 19" digital multi-sync crt?  I know wells gardner had one (not sure about the decent part there)  Are there any other options?

Thanks for any advice on the matter! F

Daniel

[qrz]

if ur planning multiple resolutions/games, i'd suggest just going with an lcd computer monitor.

   weight/pwr savings to be had, and should accept most modes.

if a restoration, then match the game's monitor specs .   likely standard 15.734khz h / 59.9hz v


qrz

[Ummon]

He's talking about the 19" multisyncs that are 15-48khz.

[TOK]

I don't even have an answer for your monitor choice, but I've been reading that Happ and Betson are pretty much sold out of 19" monitors of all types and say they're not stocking any more.

There is no way I'd use an LCD for a cocktail. Viewing angles are LCD's weakest area, and the last thing you need for a table that will be viewed at various angles.

Good luck!

[whammoed]

I don't think the wells is available anymore.
Try:
http://www.billabs.com/crts.htm

[Jack Burton]

Are you adding this monitor to an existing cabinet or building one from scratch?

If you are building one from scratch I would highly recommend finding a computer monitor that can accept arcade resolutions.

I have a Mitsubishi Diamond Scan 20m.

It looks identical to this monitor here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mitsubishi-HL6955setk-20-SVGA-Diamond-Scan-2_W0QQitemZ200255848897QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Cables_Adapters?hash=item200255848897&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

but it does lower resolutions.  I found it for one (!) dollar at University Auction.  It syncs a range of 15-38 khz.  That means it can do all arcade resolutions plus 800x600. 

It can also

-save resolutions
-has a built in degauss button
-digital screen controls
-accepts VGA input.
-Is in a case. 

It is by far the best looking CRT monitor I have ever seen. 

If you are interested in this I can probably help you find something identical very much like it.

[disaac]

I am planning a new from scratch build of a cocktail table.  I really like the idea of just dropping in a 19" multisync complete with VGA cord and AC.  Would make the build so much easier. 

I guess the popularity of these monitors has dropped like mad.  I am not sure why it is so hard to find one.  Does anyone know whether the Billabs crt utilizes a VGA connection?  Or a good place to source one?

Thanks for all the advice so far guys!

[Jack Burton]

Bilab's website says it uses a vga connector and doesn't require an isolation transformer.  It should be very easy to hook up. 

The only difference between this monitor and the others is the PC monitors come in a case and remember their resolution settings. 

Also, if you get lucky they can usually be found for a fraction of the cost, less than 50 dollars or even free.

Where are you located?  I saw in your earlier posts you mentioned Toronto.  I looked at the Toronto craigslist and there are a dozen or more 19" VGA monitors that would work very well in a MAME cocktail, but they wouldn't be able display native resolutions in 15khz modes.  They would be able to do them in 120 hz modes though,  BUT, the scanlines would be much more pronounced than with an arcade monitor.  If you could find an older one this wouldn't be so much of a problem.  Look for something with a dot pitch of .31 mm or greater.  Anyway, it's something to think about. 


Also remember that several of those VGA monitors can do 1600x1200, and with a high resolution like that and some nice filters for MAME you can get a very nice image that is close to an arcade monitor.  At the price of $0 I would find that very tempting. 

In addition to the VGA monitors on Craiglist, you might want to check out the monitors that look funky or have no description.  Those are often old CAD monitors and stuff that can do what we want, 15-38khz.   

Oh, and just for a laugh:  how bout THIS for you cocktail:

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/ele/1120648615.html

It's perfect for everything you want! except it's about 4 times bigger than you need.

[Ummon]

I didn't know those Diamond Scans were that scan range. Interesting. Makes sense the input is BNC, though.