Monitor Size - Smallest that still looks good

[Iceberg802]

Im trying to figure out what size LCD (non widescreen is so hard to find!) I want to put in the arcade cab I will soon build. Semi budget conscience (up to $150?) and just wanna see what size will still play two player well! Just looking for opinions. Or should I just go widescreen?

Right now Im looking at a 19" 

Thanks!

[mini77]

19" definitely.  Anything smaller with two players and it's likely to get cosy.

[Blanka]

19 inch is the size of classic vertical cabs like DK, Pac-Man and Galaga. 24 inch 4:3 horizontal is a very decent size that also gives like 19 inch vertical space. As it does not exist, try to get a 26 inch 1920x1200 screen, not 1920x1080 as those lack serious vertical size. A 27 inch TV can be a good deal too. You can always cover some of the screen with your bezel, in a way you have a 24 inch 4:3 screen. 19 inch 5:4 LCD's might be still available, but they are yesteryears technology (no new types for 5 years now or so).

[SirPeale]

Easy: I would not put an LCD in a cab. 

[Beretta]

i agree, with the above, having problems with LCD? then dont use it right?

but if you must then you have the whole wide screen problem to deal with.. blah i hate wide screen monitors.. it makes no sense on a device you READ a lot of text on to wanna make the screen even shorter, unless you like reading very wide paragraphs.

fact is inch for inch the manufactures spend less to produce them, IE: a 4.3 aspect ratio lcd has more surface area then a 16:9 or 16:10 of any given size.. cause they messure corner to corner, so the wider it is the better it makes their bottom line look good, and some people like them because of movies.. WTF!.

bah anyway, id say for a 4.3 ratio display mounted horizonally 19inch is about as low as you wanna go.. say roughly 18 inchs viewable.. this aint bad.. but 25 inch is SO much nicer.

im currently in the situation with my project.. i have a 19inch monitor joust cabinet.. it's not bad but it looks like i could probably fit a 25 inch in it and 25 inch is really good size.. not to big for up close play but large enough you feel surrounded.

on a show case though i'd have say 27 as the min.. probably 33 be a good size.

now for vertical play a 19inch can be a really good size in most cases it's the largest practical.

although i do remember seeing a foot ball game once.. quarter back pass i think it was called.. it was a 25 inch vertical mount cabinet.. would'nt mind having one of those the screen looks huge on it.


hope i have'nt rambled to much.