Sony PVM-20M2MDU

Both the PVM and BVM range (which Sony sell to this day) switched from CRT a while back, now they're OLED/LCD. The BVMs are essentially the next bracket up in terms of features and price, as you can see when new they're not cheap (don't forget to add VAT!). I might be interested in a big CRT one as they can support higher resolutions, though honestly I've not put any real effort into investigating the matter as they're still miles off in terms of price (unless you want a 9" screen). They might not be suitable at all.

Except that they'll have a lower build quality than a broadcast monitor and they won't have RGB unless you're very lucky (or live somewhere that got SCART), which is what this is all about. Keep up

 

Indeed, this is the absolute truth. My brother has an early 2000s Trinitron that has beautiful image quality - and it was great, really great, for the Dreamcast and PS2.

I have, in my retro room, a 1985 model 29 inch Trinitron, and it still works like a charm and looks pretty good with anything up to N64 (though I do need RF converters - it has no RCA input).

I got very, VERY nice images out of Sony VEGA and Samsung Tantus CRT TVs, too.

I owned a Tantus, and I really wish I hadn't sold it, as my non-HD consoles looked fucking fantastic on it, and it had component input that looked sweet.

 

used to use these monitors all the time at college for video editing etc

 

For my PVM I got a BNC to VGA breakout cable. Then I got a small project box and stuck a VGA port and two RCA phono plugs in it and soldered them to a hacked off end of a 2 way SCART switcher box. Turned out pretty nice. PVMs are awesome. I wish mine supported more than RGB and Composite though. It would be handy to have S-Video.

I think people underrate Composite and S-Video these days cause they look like shit on HDTVs. But on a high quality CRT they don't look near as bad. The NES actually looks just fine on Composite. No need for crazy mods.

 

It never gets less weird hearing you say that. I've never seen a single composite video connection that could hold a candle to RGB.

 

The Sony Wega line in Japan and the UK are a great (and super cheap) alternative to a PVM. The PVMs are great in their own right, but are not w/o their pitfalls. They have TATE issues, and you have to take off their casing to adjust them. The clarity is crazy though.

W/ the Wega's (and I believe Trinitron) you will have some clipping on certain PCBs. Cave's later SH3 games come to mind, where no matter how much you adjust, half your score will be cut off.

 

I had a 27" Daewoo CRT that was pretty good. Not quite as good as this PVM, but still pretty good, especially on component.

I played my Super Famicom on the PVM last night, and today I tried out a couple arcade boards on it - Blazing Star (MVS) and Die Hard Arcade (Dynamite Deka). They look awesome.

Also, because this thing is basically a cube, you could definitely TATE it. The only issue is it's really heavy, but that's not that big of a deal.

 

I'm curious if the 20" model has the same issue as the 25" and 27". Even after degaussing, you may see a "splotch" in the upper left-hand corner that doesn't handle reds so well.

 

My parents have a Sony Trinitron 29-31" or so that took a dive during an earthquake screen first onto the floor (which was carpet on top of plywood). The casing got cracked but it fired right up and worked just fine with one caveat. The edges of the screen turn green/purple and such as if you put a magnet near it. Over time they have faded a bit but to correct it I used some silicone sealant meant for aquariums to hold specially placed magnets to the side.

Over time they have become unnecessary but some remain and have to be reoriented from time to time. Overall a hell of a workhorse, just wish I could find another and it could conveniently be modified to work with RGB.

 

A couple pictures.

The cable I built for the PVM - female SCART on one side and 6 male RCA connectors on the other.



The opening screen of Die Hard Arcade.



I may take a video of something running on it, if anyone's interested.

 

Yea, but the X-Radiation is not good for you :S

 

Whatever man. Go hack dem PS1 bioseseses.

 

Does anyone know if this monitor is compatible with 24/31khz RGB? I ask because I'd like to get a Virtua Fighter 3 board one day.

 

You've sold me on one. I had no idea they were so cheap now. Ebay confirms I could get one with a short drive for about $80!

 

Good choice, you won't be disappointed. Just keep in mind that you'll have to build or buy a cable like the one I made if you want to use RGB.

 

I am looking into getting one of these monitors. is 210 a good price now a days? of course not including shipping.

 

I got one a few months ago for 100$ on craigslist, but I just kept the number long after the person's ad was taken off and some how luckily had it in my phone still and snagged it at the price. From noticing the usual prices, yeah I'd say that's probably the best you're gonna get for that online. Anything else you'd have to be insanely lucky for.

 

Thanks for the reply Kokonoe. I managed to find a BVM similarly priced so I went with that instead. It is my first time owning one of these displays so I am reading up threads to get an idea before it arrives.