Hardware for someone out of touch for a while

[Jobst]

Hi All,

I used to be a fairly avid player of shooters a number of years ago, though life got in the way and haven't had much of a chance since then. Now I find myself with the desire to get back into it. The problem is I have no idea where the current state of technology stands and am boggled at the amount of information out there. Luckily I have more in the way of financial resources this time around so I think I can do better than a dodgy old CRT on it's side with cobbled together adaptors, switches, and hacked up arcade sticks (not that these cannot deliver a satisfactory experience!).

So that being said can any kind person throw out information, links to information, recommendations, etc for:
1) A monitor, preferably IPS LCD, 27", at least 1920x1200 (or 1920x1080 if the former is too difficult), that will play nicely with PS2, Gamecube, and PC inputs. Also ideally some of the newer consoles, though I imagine these are easier to deal with. Bonus points for ability to handle both NTSC and PAL inputs!
2) An upscaler/converter that will work well with the above (if needed or desirable).
3) Prebuilt arcade stick, preferably with Sanwa hardware (from memory I think a LS-32 with octagonal gate was my preferred stick back in the day).

I used to play mainly vertical shooters: Ikaruga, DoDonPachi, Gigawing, and Raiden II being particular favourites.

I'm willing to spend $5-600 USD on a monitor, maybe up to $700 if it'll get me significantly more flexibility or performance. It'll be doing double-duty at a home office workstation, but that doesn't have any specific requirements other than playing nice with PC inputs.

Thanks in advance for any help!

[blank964]

1) 27" are in 1080p or 1440p. LED IPS is the recommended shmup route for vertical orientation. I think ASUS/BenQ tend to be tops, but you'll have to see for yourself
2) http://retrogaming.hazard-city.de/ you'll need to parse the options
3) LS-32 is standard seimitsu, I don't think it has an octo. You were maybe thinking of the JLF with octo which is sanwa. You probably need something like toodles cthulhu http://www.focusattack.com/toodles-cthu ... nsole-pcb/ if you want that kind of console compatibility. You could grab an HRAP/TE and mod it to your liking.

[beatsgo]

3) I recommend giving Hori sticks a good look. Dunno if you're planning to play different types of systems, but blank recommended a good pcb you can install in a Hori stick.

[Xyga]

1) A monitor, preferably IPS LCD, 27", at least 1920x1200 (or 1920x1080 if the former is too difficult)

Best adviser I know on the net is the guy 'NCX', check his advice thread here;
http://wecravegamestoo.com/forums/monit ... ssage.html
24" 16:10 are the best on a desk, but some people report difficulties with aspect ratio control (a commonly badly documented thing, even by manufacturers themselves who don't seem to care).

The VA monitors aren't necessarily too slow for shmups (they are too slow for FPS, okay, but that's it) check this thread here for recommendations;
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1803228
The Iiyama in that list is technically the best 60Hz AMVA available, I know some shmuppers who are very happy with it.

Regarding IPS if you got the money, the LG 27MB85R is the best 1440 IPS 60Hz monitor available.
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1811482 (just be careful where you buy it, as always with monitors anyway)
Otherwise there's plenty of affordable 1080p IPS (LG being the most interesting again with their 27MP65HQ and 27MP75HM, after all they're the only AH-IPS manufacturers and naturally use their own panels to make monitors).

[Ed Oscuro]

Regarding IPS if you got the money, the LG 27MB85R is the best 1440 IPS 60Hz monitor available.
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1811482 (just be careful where you buy it, as always with monitors anyway)
Otherwise there's plenty of affordable 1080p IPS (LG being the most interesting again with their 27MP65HQ and 27MP75HM, after all they're the only AH-IPS manufacturers and naturally use their own panels to make monitors).

But no 120Hz or special sync technology? Seems quite good otherwise.

[Xyga]

Nope, just the best of the 60Hz world, which is okay for consoles.

120Hz or whatever hacked motion enhancement method is available from dodgy single-input Korean IPS monitors that aren't compatible with scalers and consoles anyway, so they're only for PC use.

If one desires superb high frequency and sync adaptive, there's the fantastic Asus ROG Swift, but it's got a TN panel, and this sucks.

That LG is the best all-rounder, multi-purpose monitor one can get at the moment, and it's a rare kind (low-lag, low-glow 1440p).
If we're lucky we'll see better stuff in 2015 with the upcoming AUO 144Hz panels.

And that's it...

[Jobst]

Thanks a lot for all the input -- these are some great starting points and I'll go do some reading.

[Ed Oscuro]

If you're thinking about getting something for the long run, better do as much in-person testing as you can.

A lot is in flux right now: CRT's dead, plasma's retired, OLED is still apparently some years from affordability, and all the different LCD technologies are in flux too. If you're likely to get a LCD, look closely at motion blur elimination technologies, and flicker-free / low glow might be of interest also.

[Xyga]

I think most recent monitors are flicker-free, and when it comes to blur reduction for consoles there's nothing going beyond the unbearable 60Hz strobing (AFAIK available only from the ugly BenQ Z series, or nice TV sets like the Sony W series).
Other motion compensation features like found on high-end TV's are more bearable, but add significant lag.

Low-glow IPS panels are extremely rare and subject to panel lottery, people who absolutely loathe IPS glow should be ready for a difficult and expensive quest, or forget it and go VA.

The only thing I would imagine as a real progress for console gaming would be forced 120Hz strobing with added luminosity boost, and no additional lag. On an IPS or VA (or better) of course.
(if that exists already and we've missed it, please let the world know!)

Until then there's no 'future-proof' purchase for consoles, only getting the best possible Full-HD 1080p display (or other 16:9 in higher resolution if you're going double-use with pc, but you'll need the best possible built-in scaler to stand the interpolation).

Now of course if you're talking pc-only gaming and emulators, it's okay to look at much-beyond 60Hz capable monitors.
Just keep in mind those won't be of any use for your consoles.