Thinking about getting a PVM

[jperryss]

Hey folks, I'm thinking about ditching my Trinitron TV setup for a smaller PVM. I'll be running a Famicom AV, SFC, PCE briefcase, and a Wii into it.

Do I need to mod these older systems to get component out? Will I see drastic improvements with a PVM over a decent CRT if I stick to composite out?

The 14" models seem to be the most common and the spot I have in mind won't fit a 20". Think I can get away with a 14" for single-player gaming?

Thanks!

[Jibbajaba]

A PVM is only going to be an upgrade over a consumer-grade Trinitron if you're going to play your games in RGB.  Composite will look about the same as it would on a nice-quality TV like a Trinitron.  The Famicom and PCE will both need to be modded (not cheap).  SFC does RGB out-of-the-box unless it's the mini version.  For the Wii, you would just need to make sure to buy a newer PVM that is capable of component video as well as RGB.  I have 2 14" PVMs and I think they're great.  You just want to have it up at eye level, and not be sitting too far away.  So it's great for desktop use. 

[crazydean]

The Famicom is a pain to mod for RGB, but the others aren't too bad. The Wii is actually capable of doing RGB out through a software hack, at least that's what Phonedork says. I use a 20" BVM, and I think that a 14" would be too small, but it's up to you. As Jibba says, if you are up close to it, then it's plenty big enough.

I recommend checking out Phonedork on YT and retrorgb.com

[SignOfZeta]

I use a 19" JVC. I disagree that you need RGB. These displays cost a grand more than a regular TV for good reasons. Composite will be the "worst" but it will still be good. Y/C gets you about %80 of the way to RGB and of course RGB or YPBPr is best. Mine takes any of these signals looks flawless and cost $40. In short, I totally support your decision.

[Jibbajaba]

I'm not saying that you *need* RGB.  But if you already have a nice Trinitron display and all you want is composite and s-video, then tracking down a PVM is a waste of time and money.  The word is out on RGB and PVMs, so finding one cheap is not as easy as it once was. 

[wildfruit]

I would say the composite on nec hardware is actually very decent. These are the consoles I've noticed that rgb makes a real difference.
Ps1
Wii
Dreamcast
Mega drive.

[Arkhan]

Waste of time and money.  All of the systems you listed look fine with composite, and you won't see a drastically amazing improvement.

You'll just see a dent in your wallet, and then the f*cker will break or need maintenance, and you won't be able to replace it with another 10$ TV from the thrift store.



Besides, PVMs are overrated pieces of shit.  The forward thinking route would be to buy an upscaler from Micomsoft (XRGB3 or Framemeister), and use

1) Any new TV
2) *bonus!* any VGA monitor.

You know all those old CRT monitors that thriftstores have for like, nothing?  You can jam upscalers into them.   Boom.  You get scanlines/etc.


They make cheap ass RGB cables for SFC.  Cheap component for Wii.  Famicom will look whatever-ok-sorta-whatever in composite, and PCE composite is pretty much the best composite that has ever existed.

but, you can RGB mod a PCE and shove it in there too.

[jperryss]

Thanks for all the input, guys.

The driver for this change is physical space, so sticking with my Trinitron TV is the least-reasonable option, and spending $300+ for an upscaler and running a chunky VGA monitor is only slightly more reasonable. PVMs look a little more compact and don't seem to be TOO expensive right now. I don't plan on using a switcher or anything, I just want to be able to plop it on the desk, plug a system into it, and playing. And I could easily tuck away a 15" cube when not in use.

It looks like it'd be simple enough to run composite for starters and eventually upgrade them to RGB-out. Except for the Wii which I'll need to do some reading up on since it's already softmodded and might be free and/or relatively easy. I'd probably start with the SFC since it doesn't require any crazy mod work.

I recommend checking out Phonedork on YT and retrorgb.com

This site is great, thanks for the recommendation!

[Black Tiger]

My 32" Wega is much better of a gaming screen than my small RGB monitor, but it's nice to play arcade and misc on the RGB monitor from time to time.

[Jibbajaba]

If you just want a small gaming monitor, a Commodore 1702 is also a good option.  It has composite and s-video inputs and an excellent picture.

[bartre]

It's worth noting that many, if not most PVM/BVM monitors don't have speakers built in, and many of those don't do stereo for whatever reason.
so you know, if you're gonna go the PVM route (which I honestly think is just for the purists) account for that too.

I really love my PVM, but when it's dead dead DEAD, I'm probably done with CRTs.
already got the Framemeister, and it's pretty dope.

[crazydean]

A cheaper option is the Olypus OEV143 and OEV203. They're medical endoscopy monitors which are simply re-branded Sony PVM20M2MDU and PVM14M2MDU. I had an OEV203 which actually looked damn good. I think I got mine for around $125 shipped on ebay. The reason they are cheaper is that they don't say "SONY PVM" on them. If you open up the case, you can see Sony and Trinitron all over the internals.

Also, as with most PVM's, they output mono only. While BVM's have no speaker at all. I just use a pair of $30 computer speakers for stereo.

[Jibbajaba]

It's worth noting that many, if not most PVM/BVM monitors don't have speakers built in, and many of those don't do stereo for whatever reason.
so you know, if you're gonna go the PVM route (which I honestly think is just for the purists) account for that too.

I really love my PVM, but when it's dead dead DEAD, I'm probably done with CRTs.
already got the Framemeister, and it's pretty dope.

That's a very good point.

[geise]

I have one pvm that now has discoloration on the side like speakers were sitting next to it for a long time.  The degaussing coil to a shit and now I am stuck with it.  There is a place near me that still fixes tube tv's but I'm sure it's $$$$.  I got a 2nd pvm and it works awesome.  However now the S-Video makes (for some reason) two of my arcade pcb's black and white. EVERYTHING else through that S-Video port shows color.  Just not two of my pcb's.  On my other pvm those two pcb's show in color fine through S-Video.  It's little shit like that you can run into.  Even though a Framemeister is more than a pvm, in the long run it might be the best route to go.  I do hear certain games like on Genesis have issues.  Sonic is one I believe.  Tons of good videos on youtube talk about that stuff.  With all that said I do love my current pvm though, just sometimes it can be a pain with the little minor shit I mentioned.

[SignOfZeta]

Unless you are dealing within an arcade system (CPS, MVS, etc) then that kind of weird shit is common from one arcade PCB to the next. It has nothing to do with PVMs in general. Note the compatibility modes on XRGBs through the years. None of them are perfect. No PVM is perfect and no arcade board is either. Only HMDI is perfect but only cheap modern garbage has this feature so...life in general is yet to be perfected.

Not having color from the s-video is kinda strange though. Does your monitor have an impedance switch? It would say 75 Ohm or "open".