The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls
Main => Everything Else => Topic started by: Slippyblade on February 19, 2016, 07:46:46 pm
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So, just as a heads up for folks that might not know. I've found a source of CRT monitors dirt cheap. I started calling around town (Phoenix, AZ) to places that took in recycled electronics and found a place that about freaked when I mentioned I was looking for 19" CRTs. Lady I talked to said they had pallets full of them, many of the recycling places charge to take them in so they've been sitting in storage. She even said they had a bunch new, still in box. I'll be going by tomorrow to look at them and will report back.
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So, just as a heads up for folks that might not know. I've found a source of CRT monitors dirt cheap. I started calling around town (Phoenix, AZ) to places that took in recycled electronics and found a place that about freaked when I mentioned I was looking for 19" CRTs. Lady I talked to said they had pallets full of them, many of the recycling places charge to take them in so they've been sitting in storage. She even said they had a bunch new, still in box. I'll be going by tomorrow to look at them and will report back.
Keep me updated, bro!
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If it's like the motherload, Sony's or actual arcade monitors I'm interested in pics!
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I kind of want something to play NES zapper games on so let us know.
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I'd be interested in 1-2 if there ends up being enough. Thanks.
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Im guessing they are talking about PC monitors... not arcade monitors.
Plenty of recycling places have tube tvs and pc monitors. I doubt they have arcade monitors... Though... you might be lucky and score a presentation or RGB broadcast monitor. (the later being the better option)
Obviously, the Pc CRTs looks isnt going to be the same as an arcade monitor.. as pc monitors have much higher dot pitch. (compared to standard res monitors)
A standard tv running svideo, will look more authentic, than a pc monitor.
That said, I still prefer any CRT tubes for pc display ... as they have faster refresh speeds, look better in any resolution (rather than lcds non-native issues), and have better color accuracy. They also last about 3x longer, without any issues.
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I'm pretty sure they're PC CRTs, but that's fine. I'd rather use those than an LCD or TV for ease of use.
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I have no issues with it being a pc monitor either. Anything can be converted to rgb with an inexpensive adaptor. I've actually got a pair of like-new 14 inchers lying around, but other than a cabaret (which I hate) wtf would you do with a 14 inch monitor?
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So, just as a heads up for folks that might not know. I've found a source of CRT monitors dirt cheap. I started calling around town (Phoenix, AZ) to places that took in recycled electronics and found a place that about freaked when I mentioned I was looking for 19" CRTs. Lady I talked to said they had pallets full of them, many of the recycling places charge to take them in so they've been sitting in storage. She even said they had a bunch new, still in box. I'll be going by tomorrow to look at them and will report back.
So what did you find out?
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I found out that they are closed on Saturdays. I'm feeling stupid, sorry. I'll have to go out on Monday. Update then.
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That said, I still prefer any CRT tubes for pc display ... as they have faster refresh speeds, look better in any resolution (rather than lcds non-native issues), and have better color accuracy. They also last about 3x longer, without any issues.
4 years ago maybe, but now with 144hz refresh rates and QHD / UHD displays this is no longer the case. Even on win7 you can scale and get non-native accuracy that is close to perfect and every bit as good as even the best CRT's. As HDR makes it's way to the scene you will gain color accuracy that was simply not even available in the best CRT's.
Of course, for arcade it would be a waste to buy top end monitors, but for PC use, I wouldn't go back to my old 1600x1200 21" CRT for anything.. 75 lbs of pain in the ass.. I can't imagine that even with an adapter, a super fine dot pitch hi res CRT would come close to accurately emulating the old arcade monitors any more than a crappy LCD would, but I am far from an expert on arcade monitors.
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I broke down and drove by the 'Order of the Purple Heart' donation trailer to see if that mountain of CRTs was still there. (they won't even accept them as donations)
Sorry, gents, but someone finally hauled off that garbage.
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Place was pretty much a bust. If I was looking to buy a pallet of monitors at a time, sure. But even then, they'd be random monitors. No guarantee of size, model, make, or condition. I did manage to finagle a 19" Sony Trinitron flat-screen CRT monitor out of them for $8 though. So it wasn't a totally wasted trip.
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What the hell did you expect? How much were the pallets of monitors?
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One of my former jobs was inside a Recycling company like this.
I was testing monitors and printers that came in, and sorting other pallets of odd junk.
I remember we had to grade the display and case, by certain criteria.
I believe they were shipping them to overseas buyers, in mass quantities.
I think they tried to sell some of the A grades individually... but there was mountains of these things. An entire warehouse filled with pallets of monitors that I think we ended up stacking about 4 monitors high with cardboard separation, and plastic stretch wrap.
The main company that fed them was huge... so it seemed endless.. but eventually they burned bridges with them, due to not Zeroing out Hard drives, as was a critical requirement of their contractual agreement.
Im pretty sure that anyone can find CRTs locally with little effort. A lot of pack-rats keep them in a pile, but local e-cycle / recycling places should also have masses of them, much like this same place does.
Also, check into local "Surplus" shops... as some might carry some interesting and reasonably priced misc. stuff.
I once picked up some cheap heavy duty casters for a few dollars each. Another time, a guy let me take apart a unit made of that
precision Extruded Aluminum railing. I think its called 80/20. (but this stuff is actually thicker and more robust) I think I paid under 100$ for it all, with all the hardware and angle connectors. He said that I probably had over a thousand dollars worth... if it were brand new. If I ever get myself stable... I want to make a highly accurate panel-saw out of it.
A CNC would be another great use... but Im not sure I have the skill, time, and money ...to attempt it.
Junkywards / Recycling yards are cool too. Ive only ever dropped off scrap materials, but Im sure you can get parts and pieces pretty easily from them.. for very little money (and or taken off the money you would have gotten for a scrap load drop off). Just bring some heavy duty gloves, and some tools... to take things apart.
Im sure I could get hold of CRTs here.. but shipping them would be a real challenge, and quite an expense.
You would need a lot of heavy duty foam, to try to keep them from breaking apart, on the journey.
And of course.. there is never any warranties. It could die in two days... or last another 10 years.
You never know how long its been kept on, if it has an intermittent problem already, and if it was/wasnt made with high quality components.
I bought 2 Pixeltouch CRT Kiosk Monitors on some deal that someone linked here... ages ago. Ones picture wasnt that good... and trying to repair it myself (re-flows), I think Id made it worse. The other was great! It was as big as a std. arcade monitor, with a heavy metal frame.. and it had a high resolution that was unheard of (over 2000 pixels horizontally, if I recall). Literally unusable in its max-res.. as windows text would be so small that you would need a magnifying glass to be able to read it. Very impressive though... and a great picture.
It lasted maybe 5 years of constant use, before it finally pooped out on me. I seriously thought about having it professionally repaired... but didnt have the money nor the time. (had to move)
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I just picked up an arcade CRT on Sunday for $20. You need to know people.