6 replies to this topic

[bhampster94]

Hi,

 

I'm trying to build a cabinet based on wide body style. I'm looking for the playfield. 

 

I would like 43 inch, 120Hz, 4K and with CEC (HDMI control so that turning on and off is simplified.)

 

What I see in town for 43 inch TVs are all the same Roku or Google TV models at 60Hz with no CEC.

 

I would prefer it not to be OLED because of burn it but OLED in the right size with the right features is available. 

 

 

[Tesla]

Well, I have Smart-TVs (and others that just have a good personality) but I rarely have CEC turned-on anywhere (surely not in Home-Theater, but maybe one Bedroom).

They all have Apple-TV boxes, Windows computers (HTPC) running Kodi, or both.

All the TV's need to do turn-on and return to their last-used Input (which is HDMI-1). Can't say I've ever seen a TV not do that by default.

 

For my VPX pinball-cabinet, I use a LG 16:9 computer monitor (with 1440 res @ 75Hz) as the Playfield. I use Display-Port interface (native on both ends) ... this is after-all, "a computer setup". My Nvidia card seems to like it. My other 2 smaller monitors are connected to my GTX-1070 via HDMI.

 

All these 3 monitors get completely turned-off at the end of the night with the main power-strip (after my Windows computer is Shut-Down properly) or they can just sleep all night while I do. In the morning, I press the main power-strip button and they all come on for a few minutes. If I eventually turn-on/boot-up the gaming-computer (that runs it all) they start displaying something. However, if not ... they all just go into sleep-mode where they are using hardly any power and run-cool. If I eventually turn-on the pinball-cabinet's computer, they all wake-up and start working. It's all very similar to how the computer monitors on my office-desk work.

 

My point is, while I was also initially concerned about this power-button thing, it became a non-issue.

 

With a computer-monitor you can get it with Nvidia G-Sync or AMD FreeSync.  Some better ones Hz/FPS above 60. IPS LCD-tech is better than TN and some others for our purpose (color, brightness, viewing angles). Personally, I think Display-Port interface is better for "computer stuff". I use HDMI when I must (or as generic interface) but in HomeTheater-world it seems locked down with HDCP (I suppose a necessary-evil).

 

For TV's that big, you want 4K. If OLED is not your thing, I've heard good things about Mini-LED and Quantum-Dot. I try to get the tech I need while simultaneously watching my budget. Not sure about you, but it's hard for me to buy a new high-end TV and install it in a seldom played pinball cabinet if all the other TVs in the residence (that the whole family uses) aren't at least adequate. Not sure that I really need to budget this way any more, but it's a hard-habit to break. And what about everyone's computer-desk monitors (the list goes on).

 

There are also commercial versions of most of these displays (like for a bar or airport) and even never-cased panels (like for a kiosk). 

 

Hopefully, some users here will have some actual model recommendations for you. As it is an important component of the cabinet, I like seeing those.

Edited by Tesla, 09 October 2025 - 06:07 PM.

[bhampster94]

Thank you for your suggestions. 

 

Further research has led me to decide on an OLED screen. These are in the right size and have the 120Hz refresh rate. Costs more but it's better. 

[barneyrfd]

I use this TV and it works really well for a great price if you are budget limited.  Blacks are good, does up to 144hz naturally, not upscaled, no lag, good response time, good viewing angle.  Have run it for a year with no problems.  It's only $450 cdn at Ama right now.  Not gonna say it is a good as OLED but it's 1/3 of the price.

 

Philips Google TV 43" 4K Gaming Ultra HD Fast Response Panel 144Hz, Google TV, HDR10 (43PUG7674/F6), Dolby Atmos

[Tesla]

 

I use this TV and it works really well for a great price if you are budget limited.  Blacks are good, does up to 144hz naturally, not upscaled, no lag, good response time, good viewing angle.  Have run it for a year with no problems.  It's only $450 cdn at Ama right now.  Not gonna say it is a good as OLED but it's 1/3 of the price.

 

Philips Google TV 43" 4K Gaming Ultra HD Fast Response Panel 144Hz, Google TV, HDR10 (43PUG7674/F6), Dolby Atmos

 

 

Google says 4K VA-panel (which is also fine I've read) ... just look what a display this big can do for the price.

 

In addition to size, gaming-class speed, and low-cost ... HDMI-2.1 (for HDR and other), and AMD-FreeSync (a benefit from console-gamers using TVs). 

Edited by Tesla, 09 October 2025 - 06:37 PM.

[Tesla]

Thank you for your suggestions. 

 

Further research has led me to decide on an OLED screen. These are in the right size and have the 120Hz refresh rate. Costs more but it's better. 

 

Yeah, those are nice I've heard. I wouldn't mind having one. But in Home Theater, we still like our 1080p plasma during the day (backed up with an Epson 3LCD projector at night).

 

I mainly wanted to convey my ideas on CEC, and then why you don't need it, and it kinda grew from there. <smile>

And just so you know ... most consumer TVs still have CEC but each manufacturer tends to call it their own name and they tweak it a bit. However, the main operations should still be interoperable between brands.

Edited by Tesla, 10 October 2025 - 02:33 AM.

[Thalamus]

@bhampster : I think your reasoning is very valid from the start. But, like you said, getting what you want isn't really that easy. I ended up with a LG OLED myself 42" as it was on sale the day I decided ... 120Hz or better. NOW. VPW makes you do things like that

 

Yes, a TV is not the same as a monitor. I'm sure I could and some day I will look though the menus in order to make it start always on HDMI. I was so excited I just popped it in there. I kind of struggled a bit finding how to force it down to 1ms refresh rate since the TV as already laying there in the cab and I had that awful pointing device in hand. But, as a day to day monitor, needing to turn it of from time to time isn't that much of a issue really. When the TV starts to complain, your feet is already needing a 10 minute break for a beer or two. I'm very happy with my choice today, the picture is beyond what I hoped it to be and the cab now play like a dream. Actually my fault loosing those balls now

 

Good luck.