LCD Monitor

Hacking a [insert console name here] but don't see a "[insert console name here] Hacking" forum? Come on in and post your [insert console name here] questions and build logs!

Moderator:Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
Super Cameraman
Posts:1123
Joined:Mon Feb 27, 2006 6:25 pm
LCD Monitor

Post by Super Cameraman » Thu Aug 02, 2007 6:51 am

I have a MAME with a CRT monitor. It's working fine (except that vector games don't work. That's a story for a different thread) but most of the games I have are vertical games. This means that originally, the monitor in the arcade cabinet was on it's side. This is for games like Pacman or Galaga or Donkey Kong, or almost any good retro arcade game.

I have a spare LCD monitor that I want to use, and somehow make it so it spins if I need a game vertical or horizontal. Has anyone ever built one of these? I know I can buy one, but it's more expensive then it should be. Also, I have two unused buttons on the MAME. Is there an easy way to motorize the spinning so one button is counter-clockwise, and the other clockwise?

Thanks!
SCM
If you're looking at this post and it was made before 2008, just ignore it.

User avatar
dj-spuddy
Posts:298
Joined:Thu Jul 28, 2005 12:49 pm
Location:Luton, England
Contact:

Post by dj-spuddy » Thu Aug 02, 2007 8:33 am

I havent personnally done it but it is completely possible and has been done quite a lot. Try some of the arcade sites in the sticky. I'm sure they'll show you how to do it. My JAMMA cab has a rotating screen. You pull it out of it's clips and rotate it then lock it back into position. It involves opening the back but it's allright.
Meh... So I don't post much?

Me =
Here

User avatar
Super Cameraman
Posts:1123
Joined:Mon Feb 27, 2006 6:25 pm

Post by Super Cameraman » Thu Aug 02, 2007 9:04 am

I found a few, but they are all for CRTs. Should I just use a CRT? I would think using an LCD screen would be way easier, but then it wouldn't look like an arcade screen.

SCM
If you're looking at this post and it was made before 2008, just ignore it.

User avatar
bicostp
Moderator
Posts:10491
Joined:Mon Mar 07, 2005 5:47 pm
Steam ID:bicostp
Location:Spamalot
Contact:

Post by bicostp » Thu Aug 02, 2007 10:32 am

If you don't mind losing the authenticity, use the LCD. You can probably make a spinning frame for it out of plywood. (Besides, CRTs usually need to be degaussed when you turn them.)

User avatar
arfink
Posts:500
Joined:Wed Oct 19, 2005 8:12 pm
Location:Minnesota

Post by arfink » Sun Aug 19, 2007 12:55 pm

Well, the LCD would present some problems for rotating it, mainly because of a limited viewing angle. I have a brand new LCD monitor here on my desk, but if I tip it sideways, I really have a hard time seeing anything on it. With a CRT, there really is no problem at all. Just my 2 cents :P
Emulation isn't accurate. There is no substitute for real hardware!

User avatar
Super Cameraman
Posts:1123
Joined:Mon Feb 27, 2006 6:25 pm

Post by Super Cameraman » Sun Aug 19, 2007 4:10 pm

Why would that be a problem? I thought the viewing angle only matters when you actually tilt it, not rotate it like I'm talking about. I used my second LCD monitor vertically, and it looked exactly the same, but vertical games looked bigger.

As for losing authenticity, it's not like a CRT computer monitor looks anything like an arcade monitor anyway, and with MAME, you can choose overlays to make it look more like an old monitor, and it actually looks really cool. That and blurring the game a little to get rid of the hard edges of the pixels looks great.

SCM
If you're looking at this post and it was made before 2008, just ignore it.

dailydriver
Posts:1
Joined:Tue Dec 25, 2007 9:43 am

Post by dailydriver » Thu Jan 03, 2008 9:23 pm

It would not be a problem. I'm using a 17" 4x3 monitor for my Mame Cabinet and it works flawlessly.

It always surprise people when I'm playing a game and then I switch to Galaga and then I grab the two nob's that I put on the side and spin it clockwise 90 degree. Now it's vertically and still looks great. I love playing Raiden and all those airplane games also.

I'll try to get some pictures posted this weekend.

User avatar
Bibin
Posts:1127
Joined:Sun Mar 04, 2007 2:14 am
Location:Brooklyn, NY
Contact:

Post by Bibin » Thu Jan 03, 2008 10:22 pm

Super Cameraman wrote:As for losing authenticity, it's not like a CRT computer monitor looks anything like an arcade monitor anyway, and with MAME, you can choose overlays to make it look more like an old monitor, and it actually looks really cool. That and blurring the game a little to get rid of the hard edges of the pixels looks great.

SCM
What? Arcade monitors ARE CRT.

User avatar
Krepticor
Senior Member
Posts:1567
Joined:Sun Jan 01, 2006 8:06 pm
Location:Shadow Hearts

Post by Krepticor » Thu Jan 03, 2008 10:36 pm

actually some of the sega naomi's use a lcd as the monitors
I refuse to dignify myself with an intelligent and witty signature

tom61
Senior Member
Posts:1517
Joined:Fri Mar 25, 2005 6:51 pm

Post by tom61 » Thu Jan 03, 2008 11:25 pm

Bibin wrote:
Super Cameraman wrote:As for losing authenticity, it's not like a CRT computer monitor looks anything like an arcade monitor anyway, and with MAME, you can choose overlays to make it look more like an old monitor, and it actually looks really cool. That and blurring the game a little to get rid of the hard edges of the pixels looks great.

SCM
What? Arcade monitors ARE CRT.
Yes, they are, but arcade monitors have much lower resolution, and so look different.

User avatar
Negative_Creep
Posts:1093
Joined:Mon Dec 31, 2007 3:04 pm
Location:New Crack City
Contact:

Post by Negative_Creep » Fri Jan 04, 2008 11:17 am

Arcade monitors are NOT Computer monitors, and MAME games look loads different when scaled to the resolution of CRT monitors anyway (I think MAME does that), it looks much closer when I use my Xbox (with MAMEoX) on my CRT SD TV

navratilova
Posts:1
Joined:Tue Nov 18, 2008 11:39 pm

Post by navratilova » Fri Nov 21, 2008 12:21 am

Ok, how much less energy does an LCD monitor use compared to a CRT? Just to be comparative, let's say a 19 inch LCD monitor vs. a 19 inch CRT monitor used for the same amount of time. How much less energy does the average LCD use and could that add up to any significant savings over a month's or year's time? I'm just curious, and if it really makes a difference, I'll factor that in to my purchase.

User avatar
bicostp
Moderator
Posts:10491
Joined:Mon Mar 07, 2005 5:47 pm
Steam ID:bicostp
Location:Spamalot
Contact:

Post by bicostp » Fri Nov 21, 2008 10:29 am

LCDs use far less power, especially if they're backlit by LEDs.

Post Reply