cheapest Lcd replacement monitors??

rabidewok

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I realize that this may be an unpopular thread but im tired of messing with monitor problems:( I think i may try the dark side and order my first replacement lcd monitor. Where are the cheapest monitors at? I saw a 19 inch on ebay for a little over 200 shipped. anyone have any experiences??
 
I realize that this may be an unpopular thread but im tired of messing with monitor problems:( I think i may try the dark side and order my first replacement lcd monitor. Where are the cheapest monitors at? I saw a 19 inch on ebay for a little over 200 shipped. anyone have any experiences??

i'm throwing a computer 19 inch LCD in my super pac man that i'm doing the 60 in 1 in for now...looks "OK" so far in testing....you can get a good used one for $30 or so if you look around on craigslist or yard sales...in my case i had an extra laying around.
 
You can find cheap LCD monitors at Micro Center or Fry's they usually have them on sale for $90-$130. CRT's look better and can be had for less though.
 
yah but how do you mount them if they are built for a stand? Im talking about the kind of monitors that are direct bolt in replacement.

You cut some wood and mount them. You have to be a bit creative in this hobby and learn to think on your feet.
 
i understand that, i guess im just looking for a clean factory look. I have some very nice cabinets that i want to keep somewhat of an original look. thanks
 
i understand that, i guess im just looking for a clean factory look. I have some very nice cabinets that i want to keep somewhat of an original look. thanks

on mine i just took the outer covering off, which will get rid of the stand and it will pretty much look like those arcade LCD's at that point...and used two wooden rails to mount it...was pretty simple actually.
 
You're better off buying a CRT VGA monitor. It will look a lot better and you can get them for $10 or free. Mounting them requires some creativity but I think Computer CRT monitors are more accepted as a replacement than LCD.
 
You're better off buying a CRT VGA monitor. It will look a lot better and you can get them for $10 or free. Mounting them requires some creativity but I think Computer CRT monitors are more accepted as a replacement than LCD.

what size would you think is good for 19 inch replacement in a CRT..i know they dont exactly size up so that a 19 inch is really a 19 inch...i think they measure to the edge of the housing right? so 19 inch is probably a 17 inch tube? or am i wrong? i have a HP CRT down there I could use but i dont think its big enough.
 
i understand that, i guess im just looking for a clean factory look. I have some very nice cabinets that i want to keep somewhat of an original look. thanks
That's a contradiction, going with a mountable LCD to keep the look original. :/

I believe the VGA CRT's have mounting holes when you remove them from the case. I haven't checked but I have about 3 at the office I can play around with.
 
I have a LCD in my mame cab, i just built a tilted wall in the cab, then bought a cheap LCD wall mount and installed it. Then throw some matting board over the LCD.
 
what size would you think is good for 19 inch replacement in a CRT..i know they dont exactly size up so that a 19 inch is really a 19 inch...i think they measure to the edge of the housing right? so 19 inch is probably a 17 inch tube? or am i wrong? i have a HP CRT down there I could use but i dont think its big enough.

Yes you're right the viewable area is usually about 2" less than the monitor size. I just picked up a 22" NEC CRT and the viewable area is a little over 20"
 
so a 21 inch would be a good fit...but, i dont remember seeing many 21 inch crt's...is a 22 inch too big for a Midway install? I'm going to consider doing this with my super pac man.
 
Pac/Galaga cabinets are nice and roomy. Here I mounted a 19" inside a Super Pac, no decasing required.

http://arturosarcadelab.blogspot.com/2010/01/monitor-mounting-in-pacman-style.html

I have also mounted 21s in Galaga cabinets. You should have enough room for a 22" in there if you can find one. Either way, a 19" or a 21" will look great in there and are easier to find.

that is cool! Do you have any pics of what it looks like from the front while working? I'm trying to keep it looking clean...can you see the outside edge of the case under the glass or what did you use to mask it?
 
I'm missing a step here. Once you've got your computer CRT in the cab, how does it hook up to the game board? Is there a recommended converter board? Are the results better then LCD? I would guess that they are.
 
I'm missing a step here. Once you've got your computer CRT in the cab, how does it hook up to the game board? Is there a recommended converter board? Are the results better then LCD? I would guess that they are.

well i'm using a 60 in 1 board so it has the plug for the monitor built in...if you have ever ran mame on a computer with LCD and one with CRT then thats exactly what you are looking at...not as good as an arcade monitor but better than LCD...so...for me I dont have the extra $$$ to blow on a legit arcade monitor right now when I can use the CRT for a while...have other games i'm looking to buy right now.
 
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