Closest thing to arcade monitor, BVM or RGB Scart TV?

[MushiMaster]

I recently began the hunt for the perfect monitor for retro gaming, One that seemed to always top the list was the SONY-BVM/PVM Models, However a few people have noted that they are "Too perfect" And kind of look like an lcd with added scanlines, I am after the old school arcade monitor look but a high quality arcade monitor at that, I live in Europe so have access to RGB scart TV's and i was wondering if these would be better suited to the arcade monitor look over a B or PVM? has anybody here got experience with both types of monitors that could advise?

[Fudoh]

BVMs have strong scanlines, just like many tri-sync arcade monitors have when running in 15khz mode. If you're looking for lighter scanlines like on dual-chassis arcade cabs, then you're much closer by using a consumer CRT or a lower end PVM.

[kamiboy]

Get your hands on a SONY PVM 2530, or 2950.

[Monstermug]

"Too perfect"

I heard somewhere that the US president gets his shoes soiled on purpose just to give it that worn look. (sorry but that just reminded me of the subject)

Anyway, CM8833 or 1084S-D aren't that bad either if you don't mind the smallish screen.

[SGGG2]

I'm in the same position as the OP. I'm perfectly happy with my XRGB-3 setup for 240p, I'm looking for something to be mostly with 3D 480i PS2 games and maybe a second monitor for VGA Naomi games. Don't know too much about CRT's other than I don't like the strong scanlines of the BVM's either.

[julencin2000]

My noob's two cents is: look for it locally, get a console and try it before you buy. Maybe a BVM doesn't look "too much" for you, maybe yes. But have in mind that even it looks "arcade perfect", for me "arcade" involves many things apart from image quality, so are you looking for an arcade experience maybe?

[SGGG2]

I'm more concerned with it looking good, not nessicarily arcade accurate. Other than Philexile's BVM's, I haven't seen a CRT in person for years. They look good in YouTube videos for sure!

[Monstermug]

If it's that arcade monitor picture you want, why not just get an open frame arcade monitor. I will have a couple of spare 29" tri-syncs which I plan to use just for this purpose. For safety reasons, for normal consumer use, you may want to build a box for it though as they contain high voltages.

[kamiboy]

My recommendations are as follows: Before you make assumptions about the "look" of arcade monitors and BVM's try and take a look at one in person with your actual eyeballs. Digital pictures and the subjective observations of other people aren't really worth much in my experience.

I have access to a location with several Japanese cabs sporting a variety of different CRT monitor types and the scan lines on most of them are nice and thick.

[Ed Oscuro]

It's also worth mentioning that it's getting harder to find anything nice, and for your best chances at a working monitor you'll want to look at one in person and take it back with you, rather than hope for the best with a unit sold sight unseen.

[SGGG2]

Before you make assumptions about the "look" of arcade monitors and BVM's try and take a look at one in person with your actual eyeballs.

Other than Philexile's BVM's, I haven't seen a CRT in person for years.

Digital pictures and the subjective observations of other people aren't really worth much in my experience.
I have access to a location with several Japanese cabs sporting a variety of different CRT monitor types and the scan lines on most of them are nice and thick.

I don't think I'm at the point where I'm ready to house an open arcade monitor, I think I'd get a cab first. Thanks for the impressions everyone, it's between a PVM, SD or (possibly) an HD CRT consumer set with component. I'll be lugging my PS2 with me on scouting missions.

[MushiMaster]

If it's that arcade monitor picture you want, why not just get an open frame arcade monitor. I will have a couple of spare 29" tri-syncs which I plan to use just for this purpose. For safety reasons, for normal consumer use, you may want to build a box for it though as they contain high voltages.

Very interesting! Im not familiar with the wiring and connections with these but what exactly would be needed to power and connect one up to consoles via scart?

[cools]

In terms of closest - a curved screen SD TV with RGB. Assuming you can get access to a service menu for the required geometry adjustments found on an arcade monitor. 2nd, a PVM. The image isn't quite the same but from normal viewing distance you won't notice much of a difference, plus you (most of the time) get access to the adjustments easily. The differing curvature is the only major difference.

[kamiboy]

The PVM 2530 that I had was pretty curvy.

[Endymion]

That model is vertically flat. Horizontally, there is a curve, but not vertically, this was eliminated with the FD Trinitrons which were completely flat.