12 replies to this topic

[Ph03nix89]

Greetings lads, I'm currently in the planning stages of a widebody build and I'm stumped trying to find a playfield monitor, so I was wondering what the experts on here would recommend? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I'm looking for a 1080p TV with good viewing angles, high refresh rate and low input lag. And to top it all off, I'd like it to be 46''(perfect for widebody I've been told).

If anyone can pull off the miracle of finding a TV that does all the above you deserve a medal 'cus god knows I've tried.

Secondly, for those of you with cabs, what made you choose the mounting angle for the panel in the cab? I've seen playfields mounted flush to the top of the cab, angled, fully recessed, flat etc. so I'd like to know what way you mounted yours and why?

Cheers in advance!

[Sneetch]

Monitors....well think you have done your research there. So good luck with your choice.

Playfield angle is a personal preference. I like space between the glass and playfield. I think it "feels" more real. So that is what I did. But others prefer the flush look as many tables already have an angle applied and can see the virtual walls of the cab on the playfield. So it is not doubling the sides (real/virtual) when playing.

My suggestion is to try both when you get to mounting your playfield. You will find what works best for your cab.

[allknowing2012]

Just something to think about .. by laying your tv down a bit in the back you could put flashers in there .. see some of the others that have done this. 

Really does come down to preference and viewing angles that your tv allows.

[Ph03nix89]

Cheers for the replies lads. Just realised my mistake, when I said monitor I just meant a TV screen. That's what I get for posting at 3 in the morning

I've been looking at TVs for the better part of the last two days (I've been researching this project a whole lot longer!) and it seems that I've a better chance of finding Jimmy Hoffa than a 46'' TV these days, especially with the required specs.

From my research, 46'' is perfect for a widebody as it's the closest to a real widebody playfield and when decased gives the nice flush look that I love.

mviars build is a great example of this:

 

http://www.vpforums....showtopic=31183

 

Unfortunately he couldn't give me too many details on the panel he used and I've been unsuccessful myself in discoving what it is. The panel I've seen randr use is an Lg 47 Ln5400 which would also be perfect but I've had no luck sourcing any of these. Guess I'll just have to keep looking. Or maybe randr can tell me about his secret stash?

 

Like I said I'm still in the planning stage so it's not that big a deal, just a little disconcerting that there seem to be none of the panels around. Will prob have to wait for someone to start manufacturing 46's again. But I'll definitely do a mock set up when I do source a playfield and try a few different angles and setups so cheers for the advice sneetch and allknowning.

Edited by Ph03nix89, 27 April 2016 - 09:10 PM.

[Sneetch]

Yeah. Monitor/Tv mean the same to me with this context.

And think you are right on waiting till 46" come around again. Likely in 4K is my bet. Tv model runs appear to be very short. The tv I bought last year is also no longer available.

If looking for now 43" May be your best bet. Yeah will have some space in front or back but with a led flasher/strobe across back could likely mitigate that. Cheers!

[DDH69]

Yes 46", now rare.  The last one I found was a new Samsung in a warehouse in Sydney.  I think it got pushed to the back of the shelf in a warehouse, then I found it via their on-line store - lucky!  If I was building a new cabinet (no no no - I've done two now) I think I'd look at a 47 or 48" and make the cabinet that tiny bit wider, then bite the bullet and get a custom lock bar made.  Are you making the cabinet or retro fitting an existing one?

 

As for mounting angle, personal preference, flashers / LEDs / hinge bolts (if you use backbox hinges - I did).  I mounted my TVs up tight at the front and a little down at the back.

[Ph03nix89]

Hey DDH69. After failing to find anything at 46'' I figured I'd look at Tvs between 47''-49'' TVs and if I found "the one", I'd just shell out for a custom lockdown bar when the time came, but suprisingly, I still didn't find anything that ticks all the boxes. I figure by now I'm just being too fussy. A lot of the Samsungs get great reviews except when it comes to viewing angles so I guess I have to make a compromise somewhere.

 

As for the cab I wish I had one to retro fit. I haven't seen a pin in Ireland in nearly 20 years! They're as hard to find as flippin 46'' TV's!

 

I'm going to make the cabinet based off the Williams widebody plans. The hope was to use the 46 panel and a standard widebody lockdown bar, easy job. Sadly that idea's long gone at this stage.

 

Unless the perfect TV emeges in the market in the near future I just might go for a standard cab build. Will have to see what happens. In the mean time, more research!

Edited by Ph03nix89, 28 April 2016 - 01:37 AM.

[DDH69]

Given that you're building the cabinet a slightly larger TV will be just fine then.  I'd suggest hunting for the TV you are happy with in the 47-49" range and sticking with the widebody build.  I've used a standard body virtual machine with a smaller TV and then I built two widebodies with 46" TVs.  I certainly prefer the wide body for virtual play.

 

One of my builds has a Samsung 46" (and a 30" Samsung in a slightly wider backbox) and it is my favourite (the other is a Teac and a 28" monitor).

 

If I can tell you anything about the Samsung just let me know .... I'm back off to do some more configuration and play some Monster Bash.

[randr]

I have a new never used 47" in stock if you can't find one. Remember with a 47" you need to route the sides but it's good as it provides seamless look.

[Ph03nix89]

Hey randr tried sending a pm but the site just hangs whenever I try. Might be interested. Could you let me know the model number of the 47 and what you'd be looking to get for it?

Edited by Ph03nix89, 29 April 2016 - 10:25 PM.

[randr]

Found some refurbed on eBay
https://www.ebay.com...tm/262387539502
That's what I have same model you may aswell just get that one is ask at least that much for mine so

Edited by randr, 29 April 2016 - 10:49 PM.

[Ph03nix89]

Gentleman and a scholar. Cheers randr

[jhelms89]

I used a 47" LG for my widebody.  I had to increase the size of the cabinet just a little bit and I had a custom lockdown bar made.  To figure out the best tv angle I used a shower tension rod to hold up the back of the television and just played the with different tv angles until I found one that I liked.