What's a decent size monitor for a test bench?

Sectorseven

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I was thinking maybe a 13" monitor, but my concern is the amount of space it will consume. The smaller ~9" screens are much more compact of course (and cheaper), but at that size am I going to be squinting at all the sprites on screen?
 
For me 13" is optimal. I was a long time fan of the commodore 1084s monitor but with age they have become very unreliable. I spent more time repairing them then it has become worth it. The nice thing about them was that they had a case and no open frame like a standard arcade monitor where you could drop something into it or touch inside inadvertently if you were moving it.

I would suggest that you search for a 13" enclosed monitor that supports the 15.75 kHz horizontal scan rate of standard resolution arcade monitors. A standard VGA monitor does not. A little googling will lead you to some options then you can hit craigslist, ebay, etc.

I found a 13" studio monitor that supports 15.75 kHZ up to standard VGA as well and has two other inputs for NTSC and component video. I am going to hook up the cable box to it so I can watch programs on it when not fixing a board and when I am - keep the audio on the monitor to the cable box. It is nice since it is enclosed - you could put stuff on top of it and since it is studio quality it should be much more reliable.

I have a spare 13" open frame arcade monitor as a backup - if you do go this route make sure that you use an isolation transformer with it if necessary. I made a monitor test supply by gutting an old PC AT power supply metal case using the IEC AC connector for power, adding a switch, panel fuse holder and indicator light with the isolation transformer safely inside. The output is the standard 2 position power connector with a green grounding wire with spade lug to screw onto the monitor chassis. I have a huge label on this test box reminding the user that the green grounding wire must be attached to the CRT before use.

If you come up with an innovative solution, please share.

Bill
 
I use a 19" GO7. I have it hanging off the ceiling angled downwards. Its completely out of the way and easy to glance up and see.
 
I have two. A 7" LCD screen that accepts CGA for basic board work and a 19" monitor, I think it's a WG 4900, that I use for final testing and burn in tests.

An alternative to the 13" or 19" monitors is to find a secondhand LCD VGA monitor and a CGA to VGA adapter.

ken
 
For me 13" is optimal. I was a long time fan of the commodore 1084s monitor but with age they have become very unreliable. I spent more time repairing them then it has become worth it. The nice thing about them was that they had a case and no open frame like a standard arcade monitor where you could drop something into it or touch inside inadvertently if you were moving it.

I would suggest that you search for a 13" enclosed monitor that supports the 15.75 kHz horizontal scan rate of standard resolution arcade monitors. A standard VGA monitor does not. A little googling will lead you to some options then you can hit craigslist, ebay, etc.

I found a 13" studio monitor that supports 15.75 kHZ up to standard VGA as well and has two other inputs for NTSC and component video. I am going to hook up the cable box to it so I can watch programs on it when not fixing a board and when I am - keep the audio on the monitor to the cable box. It is nice since it is enclosed - you could put stuff on top of it and since it is studio quality it should be much more reliable.

I have a spare 13" open frame arcade monitor as a backup - if you do go this route make sure that you use an isolation transformer with it if necessary. I made a monitor test supply by gutting an old PC AT power supply metal case using the IEC AC connector for power, adding a switch, panel fuse holder and indicator light with the isolation transformer safely inside. The output is the standard 2 position power connector with a green grounding wire with spade lug to screw onto the monitor chassis. I have a huge label on this test box reminding the user that the green grounding wire must be attached to the CRT before use.

If you come up with an innovative solution, please share.

Bill

Do you have the pinouts for a 1084(I think -- its definitlely a commodore monitor) -- I have one of these but never got around to figuring out how to attach it
 
I was thinking maybe a 13" monitor, but my concern is the amount of space it will consume. The smaller ~9" screens are much more compact of course (and cheaper), but at that size am I going to be squinting at all the sprites on screen?

Couple of 13"s and you'll be fine.

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I've got a pair of 19" open frame LCD's that accept CGA and VGA inputs. They are up on a shelf so they are out of the way.
 
Do you have the pinouts for a 1084(I think -- its definitlely a commodore monitor) -- I have one of these but never got around to figuring out how to attach it


Round DIN or DB-9?

Bill
 
I have a 13", but I don't have it on the bench.

Since I rent, I don't have the luxury to build and modify the room in the way I'd prefer, so for now I have it on top of the filing cabinet (full of manuals) next to the bench. I have all my testing equipment off the bench (iso, switcher, test pcb, etc) but within easy reach so I can turn it on/off or make adjustments without sacrificing valuable bench space...
 
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