Any recommendations for 19 or 20 inch PVMs?

[thegardentool]

Are there any recommended Sony PVM models in the 19 or 20 inch series over others? If so please inform me why they are more sought than others. I'm mainly looking for RGB compatibility and capability, along with being able to TATE while overall having a solid CRT for older consoles.

I've tried to search everywhere and can't find much on what I'm looking for other than general recommendations that all the PVMs are highly coveted. I have ran across posts that the larger models sometimes have color issues while in a TATE orientation.

More than likely I'll also need to order one online. While I haven't been constantly checking but in the past 3 years I've only seen 1 PVM on my local Craigslist. Shipping seems reasonable on these smaller sets so not too concerned except for the increased risk of damage.

[KBZ]

pvm 1910 rotates with no problem. I've had two 2030s that rotated just fine, but some mention a fair amount of discolouration in the top left corner.

[gray117]

If rgb is a want; make sure it comes with that capability. Some use the 'standard' svideo only. Others use additional module boards to add in that support.

[neorichieb1971]

RETRO CABLES uk supply an adapter for the PVM's that support RGB for a reasonable cost.

[Strider77]

Sony PVM-20L5

It can't be beat for a 20 inch monitor. Tate is fine and it will do 240p on up to 1080i natively. It has reference level color and can self calibrate if fed a color bar patter from the source connected.

I could go on and on, I love mine.

Here is a link:

http://www.broadcastbaron.com/infopvm20l5.htm

[mesmer]

Can you do > 15khz on the 20L5 without the special digital input expansion card?
How is the 15khz picture? darker scanlines than a low res monitor?

[Strider77]

No need for anything extra... it has handled everything I've thrown at it amazingly well. It'll take all hi res via the component input no problem (low res also).

I was really amazed at the results I got with interlaced material. The 360 ports of Ketsui, DDP DOJ BL, and MMP/PS all looked fantastic in 480i coming from the 360. Keep in mind I am REALLY finicky about scanlines ect for low res material but I was blown away and shocked how much they looked like they were in 240p.

240p and 480p look razor sharp and fantastic also... really, the monitor is a reference level monitor. Google and read the reviews.... no need to take my word for it. I bought 2 when I stumbled across it. I was so thrilled with it at 150.00 brand new, I wound up getting a back up with it sitting there at the same price. 2 friends of mine bought 1 each also.

I never use anything higher than 720p since it's 4x3 and not a 16x9 monitor. But I have tried them out just to see what they look like and again it looks great.

I don't know if the scanlines are darker. I have owned several PVMs and this one didn't seem to have any differences on 240p material as far as scanlines go. The only differences I noticed were the practically perfect geometry and spot on color.

When I first stumbled across it and researched it online I found a lot of the users of this monitor worked in video authoring or image mastering. It's suppose to provide VERY accurate color representation.

My ONLY complaint is it's not a 25 inch monitor. But I loved this one so much I ditched my 25 inch PVM (was low res only) and went with the 20L5.

Has a degauss button and a overscan/underscan button. If you go into the service menu there is alot of cool stuff u can do. Even without the service menu there is a ton of options in the user menu. The overscan/underscan button actually stores more than image size info. It can also store color, brightness, ect along with size and position. Can be used as an A and B button that stores a ton picture settings if you are familar with the service menu.

[mesmer]

Cool, I've been considering a Sony GDM-FW900 + HD Fury setup for lagless 720p out of my PS3. The 20L5 might be a better all-around option. It can compress the raster for full resolution 16:9, right?

[thegardentool]

What I've seen about the Sony PVM-20L5 looks good except it's still a bit more expensive than the rest. I'm going to assume it's because it supports the higher resolution and newer than most of the others.

I may not end up getting a smaller PVM right now as I found a lead on a larger NEC monitor.

[EllertMichael]

I was gifted a Sony PVM20N2U tonight! (Thanks, Ratikal!) Running the Saturn and PS1 through S-video on this thing looks fantastic. Love at first sight.

I'm a total RGB noob but I can't seem to find anything that looks like the plugs that it has:


hard to see in this picture but the RGB inputs have like thin slits where you plug into. All my RGB searches come up with SCART cables (obviously different plug). Can anyone shed some light on these mysterious RGB inputs? I'd like to take advantage of it if I can...

[SunJammer]

if it's anything like my PVM (which i reckon it is) those are BNC inputs, so you just need a custom breakout cable like this one:
http://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/sony ... vertor-bnc