29'' RGB Monitors

[Darknb]

Sorry if this topic has already come up, i did a few forum searches without any luck.

I have been drawn in by pretty pictures of you all playing your arcade games on gorgeous RGB screens and have a vicious case of the RGB bug. So I'm looking to find a 29'' rgb screen, but don't know which models are any good.

I did some research and here is what i know (or think i know =D ):
- 29'' seems like the standard size screen for arcade monitors: Egret, * City, Neo-geo.
- They aren't many RGB monitors in the US =(
- The Sony PVM line seems much enjoyed around here, but I hear that many are getting quite old and are not as good an investment anymore.
- That an ArcadeVGA card is the best way to connect your computer to an RGB monitor
- Dedicated low/medium res montiors are better (at displaying low res) than hi-res capable multi-sync monitors

Any suggestions on which models of RGB monitors I should aquire? Do I have something incredibly wrong? Has this question already been asked and answered elsewhere? I don't know anything about RGB unfortunately or even what the connectors look like. Nor do i have a firm grasp on the diffrence between RGB, Component, VGA, or S-Video. Right now i am looking at the Sony PVM 2950 as i might be able to obtain one locally.

- "The Dark Noob"

[Arasoi]

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[neorichieb1971]

PVM screens are adjustable from the inside PCB, there are pots to adjust screen height and such. You access them from the side of the monitor, once you get inside it. Be careful though, its dangerous in there.

I would not recommend one. Buy a proper arcade monitor instead if you don't mind having an open screen environment (without casing).

Wells Gardner still make them I think.

[neorichieb1971]

http://mail.xgaming.com/store/arcade-pa ... 0-monitor/

Get the Bezel and CGA graphics adapter, I think thats all you need.

You do need scart cables, a female scart adapter to RGB monitor cable. Thats it I think.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

In Japan, those 29" arcade RGB monitors like the 29" Nanao dual sync RGB monitor (15kHz & 24kHz formats) are measured as 27" arcade RGB monitors in the USA. Yes, if you want the true low-res 15kHz arcade PCBs like Donpachi, Dodonpachi, Dodonpachi-DOJ, and so on to look at their best, I'd recommend picking up a dedicated dual-sync arcade monitor such as the Nanao MS9 29" one.

But if you want the convenience of playing high-res 31kHz arcade PCBs in addition to playing both low-res & medium-res PCBs, then a tri-sync arcade monitor would be right up your alley.

If you do get a dual-sync arcade monitor, you can upgrade it to a tri-sync one with an optional tri-sync Wei-Ya produced monitor chassis PCB setup. But in the process, you'd be giving up the sharp defined look and clarity with going with a dual sync monitor chassis PCB setup which is best suited for them low-res 15kHz arcade PCBs.

Such is the the agonizing decision to go with a proper dual-sync one or a tri-sync one for ease of use and more robust versatility.

There are ways to play high-res 31kHz PCBs on a dual sync arcade monitor but would be presented in 480 interlaced mode (480i) instead of progressive mode (480p) as with a true tri-sync monitor. An Ultracade VGA to CGA adapter works wonders on a dual sync arcade monitor setup. An Extron produced Emotia downscaler device would work equally as well to enable a 31kHz signal to be presented in true 240p (15kHz sync rate signal) with proper scanline support as well. Just would have to build a proper custom-made BNC to "X" cable adapter for use with your low-res arcade monitor.

The only issues in dealing with arcade RGB monitors would be convergence and geometry issues. A properly adjusted one to the best of it's ability is the best it will be with proper scanlines included. Not to mention the cool visual warmth that only a CRT-based arcade monitor can provide. Of course, with LCD-based monitors, those issues (convergence & geometry) aren't an issue at all. What's interesting is that the LCD monitor manufacturers still haven't produced a dedicated 27" or 29" sized 4:3 aspect ratio LCD monitor as a direct drop-in replacement for them aging Taito Egret 29, Taito Egret II and many other classic candy cab configurations released in Japan. I'm sure they could be made but the initial manufacturing costs and the resulting overall MSRP price would be insane even for just a low production run.

You could pick up an 9", 12" or even an 14" RGB monitor that'd be perfect for them mini Mame cabinet setups. So cute being all diminutive with a proper small RGB monitor screen. Even using a comparable sized small CRT-based TV monitor with composite video or S-Video input at best really doesn't cut it compared to the razor sharp richness that is RGB.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Darknb]

Thank you all for getting back to me! My first priority is to get a Mame set-up going because i can't really afford a whole cab and those pricey Cave PCB's. My second order of business would probably be hooking up my xbox 360 to play the Ketsui and Mushihime Futari ports. The bare arcade monitor appears to be the best option, and a dual-sync at that. Reason being is that I would rather have a dedicated low-res screen that looks its best and I can always pick up a hi-res screen at a later date.

In Japan, those 29" arcade RGB monitors like the 29" Nanao dual sync RGB monitor (15kHz & 24kHz formats) are measured as 27" arcade RGB monitors in the USA. Yes, if you want the true low-res 15kHz arcade PCBs like Donpachi, Dodonpachi, Dodonpachi-DOJ, and so on to look at their best, I'd recommend picking up a dedicated dual-sync arcade monitor such as the Nanao MS9 29" one.

I think that the Nanao MS9 is my best bet here, but can you easily find one without a cab?

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Thank you all for getting back to me! My first priority is to get a Mame set-up going because i can't really afford a whole cab and those pricey Cave PCB's. My second order of business would probably be hooking up my xbox 360 to play the Ketsui and Mushihime Futari ports. The bare arcade monitor appears to be the best option, and a dual-sync at that. Reason being is that I would rather have a dedicated low-res screen that looks its best and I can always pick up a hi-res screen at a later date.

In Japan, those 29" arcade RGB monitors like the 29" Nanao dual sync RGB monitor (15kHz & 24kHz formats) are measured as 27" arcade RGB monitors in the USA. Yes, if you want the true low-res 15kHz arcade PCBs like Donpachi, Dodonpachi, Dodonpachi-DOJ, and so on to look at their best, I'd recommend picking up a dedicated dual-sync arcade monitor such as the Nanao MS9 29" one.

I think that the Nanao MS9 is my best bet here, but can you easily find one without a cab?

Just check on the Trading Section of shmups.org or arcade otaku.com sites. Or you could post a WTB thread for one.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[jonny5]

Thank you all for getting back to me! My first priority is to get a Mame set-up going because i can't really afford a whole cab and those pricey Cave PCB's. My second order of business would probably be hooking up my xbox 360 to play the Ketsui and Mushihime Futari ports. The bare arcade monitor appears to be the best option, and a dual-sync at that. Reason being is that I would rather have a dedicated low-res screen that looks its best and I can always pick up a hi-res screen at a later date.

In Japan, those 29" arcade RGB monitors like the 29" Nanao dual sync RGB monitor (15kHz & 24kHz formats) are measured as 27" arcade RGB monitors in the USA. Yes, if you want the true low-res 15kHz arcade PCBs like Donpachi, Dodonpachi, Dodonpachi-DOJ, and so on to look at their best, I'd recommend picking up a dedicated dual-sync arcade monitor such as the Nanao MS9 29" one.

I think that the Nanao MS9 is my best bet here, but can you easily find one without a cab?

where are you located?

[Darknb]

I live in Southern Connecticut, USA

[GaijinPunch]

I had a Nanao Trisync before and it displayed all 3 frequencies beuatiuflly. I'm on a not so fancy Chinese monitor now that I will admit, looks pretty nice although not quite as good. Having high res is worth any picture loss you allegedly lose, especially if you have recent systems (DC and up).

-Arcade VGA: YES YES YES

I would highly recommend finding someone who is handy w/ arcade parts, and perhap strapped for cash. Buy the monitor you want and offer them some money to stick it in a box and attach a panel. I don't think anyone in the US is doing this. There's a small business here that does, but they only have new monitors which are 63,000 yen, and they charge about 17,000 for the casing. It's VERY tight though, and has a panel on the front. Way better casing than my Nanano. Overall, I'm pleased.

So, as for quality you may lose, the monitor I had before this one was a Sony Wega. The Japanese models have AV-Multi, which is RGB. The trisync, is of course, way nicer than that.

[Darknb]

So an update here:

Thanks to a very helpful member here I was able to get a Nanao MS9 in excellent condition. I need to make a cable for it and if I stick 4 bnc connectors on the video wires I can hook it right up to an emotia extron and play my MAME/360 games easily.

But if I want to play older consoles on the monitor what would be the best way?
There is a ton of information on connecting consoles -> jamma but I don't need a jamma board here right? Would it be easiest (if expensive) to connect everything to an xrgb2+ and then run it through the extron?
And would there be any loss in quality (assuming all consoles are rgb modded) in doing so?

Thank you,
Darknb ^_-