Rotating LCD monitor for use with XRGB2+

cl25 · Post by **cl25** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 8:44 pm

Can anyone recommend a good LCD rotating monitor for use with an XRGB2 plus? I currently have my XRGB2 plus connected to a standard 17 inch CRT VGA monitor, and the video looks fantastic when used with consoles that output RGB (i.e. PS1/PS2, Saturn, Dreamcast).

However, I'm looking to switch to a 19 inch LCD flatscreen monitor that can rotate (i.e. pivot 90 degrees for tate mode). I've read in some other threads that the XRGB2 units don't work as well with the LCD monitors. So.... does anyone have an actual model that they are satisfied with? I know that CRT monitors are always better for displaying RGB output, but if anyone here has a good recommendation for a fairly decent LCD model, I'd still be interested.

I've burned through two Commodore 1084's and one Sony PVM-1910. From now on, I'd like to stick with the XRGB2 and a good, rotating LCD monitor. Thanks!

Post by **Dave_K.** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 9:46 pm

There are no "compatibility" issues that I'm aware of with the XRGB2+. It should display on any LCD screen which can minimally do 480p (640x480). The only thing you may want to look out for is the "native resolution" of the LCD screen. The XRGB2+ can output 640x480, 800x600 or 1024x768. If the LCD screen has a native resolution of say 1280x1024, then its going to do some additional upscaling internally, which may make it look worse.

Post by **undamned** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 10:04 pm

Dave_K. wrote:If the LCD screen has a native resolution of say 1280x1024, then its going to do some additional upscaling internally, which may make it look worse.

Some will look worse, but not all. I have a Nice Dell 17" LCD monitor w/ 1280x1024 native rez. that will double scale the 640x480 source and then leave a black border around the image. Nice to know that some mfg. actually realize that things look like poo when you try and stretch them on an LCD

-ud

cl25 · Post by **cl25** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:46 am

Thanks for the information! With regards to the Dell 17 inch LCD monitor mentioned above - what is the model number? Also, does this monitor have the ability to rotate 90 degrees for tate? That would be a convenient feature, since you have to wait 5-10 minutes or degauss every time you flip a standard CRT monitor.

Another question about the Dell monitor - do you see noticeable ghosting when playing fast-paced shmups (I'm not sure what the response time is on your model)?

subcons · Post by **subcons** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 1:32 am

cl25 wrote:Thanks for the information! With regards to the Dell 17 inch LCD monitor mentioned above - what is the model number? Also, does this monitor have the ability to rotate 90 degrees for tate? That would be a convenient feature, since you have to wait 5-10 minutes or degauss every time you flip a standard CRT monitor.

Another question about the Dell monitor - do you see noticeable ghosting when playing fast-paced shmups (I'm not sure what the response time is on your model)?

Most Dell monitors have the ability to rotate. However, they usually turn the wrong way if the game you're playing doesn't flip both ways. I use an older Dell 20" (2001FP) and it had this problem when I got it. I just took the stand apart and drilled the piece of metal out that was keeping it from turning the other way. Viola. 360-degree rotation.

There is also the VESA mount solution. Check specs on LCDs you're looking at to see if it's VESA compliant. If it is, you can buy a wall mount for it and turn it any direction you want. I had an old 15" Mitsu I was using like this before I got the Dell.

Ghosting really depends on your perception any more. You're going to get some, but newer LCDs are definitely faster and make it less noticeable to the normal person that isn't a videophile. You're major problem with LCDs in conjunction with XRGB units is definitely native resolution. That feature that undamned's monitor has sounds quite useful.

Not only that, but in my experience, it comes down the system and particular port of the game you're playing too. Everything on Saturn looks awesome on my 20" with my XRGB3 hooked up to it. DDP on PS2 looks super crisp with the right settings, while Ibara looks completely horrid and is pretty much unplayable no matter what I do.

Post by **undamned** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 5:51 pm

cl25 wrote:With regards to the Dell 17 inch LCD monitor mentioned above - what is the model number?

1708 FP

Also, there appears to be a 19" equivalent, the Dell 1908 FP. I have no personal experience with this other model, but if it's what my monitor is + 2 inches, I'd say you have a real winner

By the way, these appear to be the top of 3 tiers of displays Dell offers featuring native 1280x1024 pixels resolution. You may be able to go with a cheaper ver., but I wanted 5ms response time and the best contrast ratio avail.

cl25 wrote:Also, does this monitor have the ability to rotate 90 degrees for tate?

Yes, but it's the wrong dir., as others have mentioned (unless you only play Psyvariar 2 on the DC, which has a feature to flip that way, or if you are running PCB's, most of them can flip the other way via switch settings or flash menuing).

cl25 wrote:Another question about the Dell monitor - do you see noticeable ghosting when playing fast-paced shmups (I'm not sure what the response time is on your model)?

As mentioned in the specs, these monitors feature 5ms response, which means that if you were playing a game at 60fps, the screen is updating at least 3 times per frame.

So far I've played these games, none of which suffered any form of blur:

Virtual On
Zero Gunner 2
Gigawing 2
-ud

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:44 pm

I've got a Syncmaster 204B at home, it pivots and looks decent-ish although you'll get some color distortion if you move side to side when it's vertical. No blur to speak of, though.

cl25 · Post by **cl25** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 5:36 pm

Undamned - I'm interested in getting a 1708FP / 1908FP monitor now. Have you found a way to modify the swivel stand to rotate the montor in the "right" orientation for tate? If so, how hard is it?

I can indeed change the vertical orientation on my RF1/RF2/RFJ/VP1 boards via the switches - but the vast majority of shmups, as you said, are console games which don't allow that. If the 1708 FP monitor is easy to modify out of the box so that it can rotate in the other direction (or both directions), I'd definitely be interested in getting one.

subcons · Post by **subcons** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:32 pm

cl25 wrote:If the 1708 FP monitor is easy to modify out of the box so that it can rotate in the other direction (or both directions), I'd definitely be interested in getting one.

I just looked at a stand for the 1708/1908FP on eBay. I can't guarantee you'll be able to modify it the same way I did my 2001FP, but I'd be willing to be you can. All I used was a screwdriver and a drill. There's a small cylinder piece of metal that stops it from going the other direction. Drill that out and you're in business.

Even if there's the small chance you can't modify it, that monitor looks to be VESA compatible, meaning you can buy a wall mount for it if you have too.