Test Bench Monitor Options

Oryk Zinyo

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I am traveling to Virginia again and this time I plan to bring parts for a test bench. The one part I don't intend to ship is a monitor. I know I can buy a Jamma cab (or maybe just a monitor) but I don't want to pick anything up that I will have to get rid of before I come home.

Are there any good alternatives? I will have two TVs in my room, so I could use one if there is a good converter and I will have my laptop but I like to keep it readily available for quick a quick reference to manuals.
 
I am traveling to Virginia again and this time I plan to bring parts for a test bench. The one part I don't intend to ship is a monitor. I know I can buy a Jamma cab (or maybe just a monitor) but I don't want to pick anything up that I will have to get rid of before I come home.

Are there any good alternatives? I will have two TVs in my room, so I could use one if there is a good converter and I will have my laptop but I like to keep it readily available for quick a quick reference to manuals.

For a test bench? Can't you use one of those old PSone LCD monitors for pretty much anything with a little modification. That and a project box, power supply, and a few switches and you should have a pretty snazzy mobile test bench.
 
For a test bench? Can't you use one of those old PSone LCD monitors for pretty much anything with a little modification. That and a project box, power supply, and a few switches and you should have a pretty snazzy mobile test bench.


I looked at that and it appears that the LCD only syncs to VGA.


Any other ideas?
 
Add one of the $40 CGA to VGA converters. They are not great, but they are workable.

ken
 
Add one of the $40 CGA to VGA converters. They are not great, but they are workable.

ken


I was leaning towards buying one of these and an old PC monitor. I wouldn't feel bad about throwing away the PC monitor before I fly back.

I have an old commodore monitor I plan to use on the bench at home I just don't want to ship it cross-country twice.
 
JROK board does CGA to TV, probably better compatibility then those CGA converters
PSONE LCD does do 15kHz
 
You don't want to use any of these for a test bench...

None of those setups are compatible with all CGA boards. If space is a concern, you are best off getting an 8liner monitor.

Note: I hear that the PSone LCD's are probably the most compatible. But you need to do a trick to use it with some boards (Neo Geo for one)
 
Space is not a concern, portability and sturdiness are my two primary concerns. I'd mainly use the bench to verify or repair pre-Jamma boards using adaptors. The PSone LCD looks like a good option, if it is sturdy and I can pick one up fairly cheap.
 
apple II monitor - small and does CGA signals. I have a bunch of extra ones if you are near me (Holly Springs, NC)
http://thebrokenjoystick.com/pictures/testrig/MVC_008F

I bought every one i could find at thrift stores. I think I have 6 now.

You say Apple //, but that looks more like a Commodore monitor in your pic.. ;)

The Apple //gs monitor is the one to get for arcade testing. The PSOne LCD should work fine too. Or if you can find one of the little 7" LCDs that Yellowdog was selling, those work well too.
 
You say Apple //, but that looks more like a Commodore monitor in your pic.. ;)

The Apple //gs monitor is the one to get for arcade testing. The PSOne LCD should work fine too. Or if you can find one of the little 7" LCDs that Yellowdog was selling, those work well too.

Ha - you're right. I always thought that was a pic of my apple IIgs monitor - you're right - it's not. Maybe I should take a pic of all my apple IIGS monitors side by side :)
 
You say Apple //, but that looks more like a Commodore monitor in your pic.. ;)

Hehe. Looks more like an Atari monitor to me, actually. The slanted power LED gives it away :D

In any event, all those monitors do work well for arcade boards. I use an Apple IIgs monitor myself.

-Ian
 
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