What do I need to do?

[Horsehead]

So I am planning on picking up a BVM-20F1U when I get a chance, as per the recommendation of a thread on this forum!

After I actually get the monitor, I am at a loss at what to do with it to get it the way I want... I am completely new to the hardware aspect of gaming. XD

What additional hardware besides the monitor do I need?

What consoles can the monitor properly support? Ideally I would want to be able to play everything from NES to Gamecube/PS2 with the thing. If that isn't an option, what would you suggest for the newer consoles?

I am hoping someone will give me step by step help, from when I get the monitor home to when it's all set. I'm hoping someone is feeling generous enough to do that (haha). If not, is there a guide someone could direct me to? It would have to be pretty specific, because like I said, I know nothing about monitors or the other hardware involved.

Thanks for your time!

[Fudoh]

You need a control unit and a serial cable to connect the control unit. Often the control units are included, but not always.

You can connect any COMPONENT source (PS2, Cube) by using three RCA to BNC adapter plugs.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Connecto-RCA-Ja ... 460f67402c

To connect a RGB Scart source you need a breakout adapter cable.
http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=43883

The monitor supports RGB and Component in 240p, 288p, 480i and 576i. Only the D20F1 and the A20F1 support 480p/576p as well.
To connect composite or s-video sources you need the proper decoder extension boards.

[panzeroceania]

Fudoh, is there a site anywhere that compares the specs and features of the BVM line of monitors?

BVM-20F1U
BVM-20E1U
BVM-D20F1
BVM-A20F1

etc.

[Fudoh]

yes, the Sony catalogues have all the specs and comparions. They've been posted elsewhere here on the board before.

BVM & BVM D Series: http://www.pmotions.com/Public/PDFs/SONY/Displ_00.pdf
BVM A Series: http://www.themobileunit.com/Brochures/ ... vm-a_2.pdf

20F1 and 20E1 are different quality levels from the same generation. D20 series is the successor and accepts 480p, 720p, 1080i as well. A20 is the successor to the D20 series. 20F1, E1 and D20 have standard RGB/Component boards, while the A series does not come with analogue standard inputs any longer.

A D20F1 would be my dream CRT, but over here the D and A Series are either impossible to get or extremely expensive. In the US it's rather easy to get a D series display.

[panzeroceania]

I'm assuming the A20F1 is still a CRT. Can you still install an analog board in it? Does it use the same boards from the BVM -20F1U ?

EDIT:

I found my answer, They are CRTs and can use analog boards such as the BKM-68X

I guess these should be able to handle mid res PCBs like certain Sega Model 2, Model 3, and Hikaru boards eh?

I wonder if there is really any downside to using a higher res monitor like this? I know I prefer my 15khz games at 15khz on my BVM, when I play it upscaled to 31khz VGA on a computer CRT monitor it doesn't look quite right.

I'm assuming though that these monitors would run 15khz content at 15khz and 31khz as 31khz, so you get the best of both words.

The real question is can they do mid res. I'm guessing yes.

[Fudoh]

I guess these should be able to handle mid res PCBs like certain Sega Model 2, Model 3, and Hikaru boards eh?

no. BVMs are no real multi-sync monitors, hence no 24khz support.

I know I prefer my 15khz games at 15khz on my BVM, when I play it upscaled to 31khz VGA on a computer CRT monitor it doesn't look quite right.

can't agree on this one. I have a FW900 with me right now and using it with a XRGB, it looks 100% like 15khz on a BVM. You can check the snapshots in my sales thread.

The real question is can they do mid res. I'm guessing yes.

they can't.

[panzeroceania]

If your ideal is the d series, what's the downside of the A series? Just the price? Having to buy an additional analog board, or is it actually worse at 240p content.

[Fudoh]

The 20" is the exact same tube, so I don't see any advantage and with the analogue inputs missing, it just gets more complicated (and expensive).