Can someone recommend me a monitor?

Resident (49)

24-04-2015, 04:43

I'm sitting long enough in front my TV with my MSX now and I'd really like to put it on my desk with a proper screen.
Though the problem is, I have an NTSC machine. Most monitors I've seen around are mostly PAL only or cost a small fortune. I could still look for small old TVs but even then it's questionable if they can handle NTSC/60Hz properly. Also, you gotta admit, it just doesn't look nearly as cool with a normal TV as with proper homecomputer screen, though I think if it's small enough I could live with it.
I wouldn't mind to hook some of my other consoles on it, so RGB-Scart and multinorm are more or less obligatory
I also considered just getting an NTSC screen, but shipping would be most likely way more expensive than the screen itself I suppose

If anyone has a recommendation for me, or any tips what I have to keep in mind with my search I'd be really happy

By Grauw

Ascended (10768)

24-04-2015, 11:33

When connected through RGB, most European monitors have no problem with 60Hz. (Composite won’t work though.) For example I used to have several Philips monitors and played games @ 60Hz on all of them, I usually preferred it because the screen flickered less, the scanlines looked nice, and the music/game would play at the intended speed in Japanese games.

So I would recommend a Philips monitor. One thing to look for is the resolution of the monitor; some will be quite blurry in 80 columns text mode and screen 7. I don’t recall the model numbers from memory right now (@ work) but I’m pretty sure others can provide them.

By DerZocker

Resident (49)

24-04-2015, 13:49

Thanks, this is already good to know. I have an RGB cable for my MSX, though it behaves strange. I don't get a picture with it on my CRT and on my LCD I get a crystal clear picture but it's totally out of snyc and runs from left to right (which is weird, usually I have V-Hold problems, not H-Hold)

By Grauw

Ascended (10768)

25-04-2015, 00:05

Here are some Philips monitor manuals:

Philips CM8802 / CM8832 / CM8833 / CM8852 manual (white)
Philips VS0060 / VS0080 manual (black)

The monitors with sufficient horizontal resolution for MSX2 high resolution modes are the CM8832, CM8833, CM8852, or VS0080. The CM8802 and VS0060 are not very suitable for 80 columns text mode. The VS0040 and BM75xx series are monochrome monitors so avoid those :).

I’ve got a VS0080 and CM8802 myself, also used to have a CM8833 (my favourite), but it broke. As for the CM8802 I can say it isn’t comfortable to read 80 columns text on, but on the other hand it’s fine for playing games. You may even find it gives a nice kind of smoothness to the pixels which I always kinda liked, so I wouldn’t recommend against the lower res monitors, just be aware of the limitations.

By mtn

Champion (269)

26-04-2015, 04:12

Let me increment CM8833 by one

By DerZocker

Resident (49)

26-04-2015, 13:41

Thanks a lot. I suppose this is the screen to go with for me
Now I just have to find one^^
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Commodore-Amiga-A-500-Monitor-Philips... This version would be really cool, but I already have hardly space for my current consoles, where would I put the Amiga?^^'
Well, I'll keep waiting and watching for now

By Grauw

Ascended (10768)

26-04-2015, 14:08

Personally, I like the looks of the CM8833 without the II best :).

I don’t know how far you live from the Netherlands, but may also be worth keeping an eye on www.marktplaats.nl, quite a lot of Philips stuff pops up there. Or post an ad in the trade section of this forum.

By meits

Scribe (6542)

26-04-2015, 14:55

Those are nice indeed. Quite sharp video output and a 3.5mm jack audio output on the left side.
Got one stashed here in case of personal needs...

By DerZocker

Resident (49)

26-04-2015, 15:35

Germany, so shipping could still be reasonable. I haven't seen the backside yet. Does it have a proper SCART plug or do I have to get one of those adapter cables too?

By Grauw

Ascended (10768)

26-04-2015, 15:45

You can check the manuals I linked to above, but afaik they all have proper SCART plugs.

By meits

Scribe (6542)

26-04-2015, 16:15

It has scart indeed