UNICO 26 inch Arcade Monitor 4 3 Ratio LCD Gaming Monitor for HDMI VGA CGA EGA Arcade Machine

I am very happy there is finally a 4:3 aspect ratio flat screen monitor option for arcade machines in the 25inch or bigger category. This is easily the best option for actual arcade machines to replace CRT monitors with flat screens, for those who do not want to deal with arcade CRT monitors. At least until Unico releases their Pro model next year. Scaling may not be Retrotink5x/OSSC quality, but it is DEFINTIELY better than using a GBS-8200 on a standard PC monitor. Color is good, brightness and contrast is good. Viewing angles are decently good for an LCD, especially for an arcade cabinet where spectators like to watch from different angles. Definitely watch some youtube reviews on this before buying so you know what you are getting, cause there are issues. But despite the criticisms, there are work arounds for them (which Unico says they are fixing). I HIGHLY recommend you pick up one of those $13 CGA to VGA adapters off ebay. That way instead of plugging an arcade JAMMA board's RGBS signal directly into the monitor's RGBS input, you are plugging the signal into the monitor's VGA input. This monitor's VGA input will still read the RGBS 15khz signal, but through the VGA input will properly detect the signal's voltage correctly, and you wont have the contrast issues like many boards are having. This is how I get the monitor to look as good as it is on my Neo Geo. With Mortal Kombat games, the scaling does cut off some of the top and bottom of the screen, and it is not adjustable. But it is not a dealbreaker by any means. Gameplay area still good. Monitor powers up on its own when power is applied with no issues. None of that company logo pop up crap when turning on, which is my biggest beef when going the PC monitor/GBS8200 route (my Street Fighter 2 and MK1 currently dealing with this until I fix my spare CRTs or buy two more of these monitors). I do wish there was some mounting kit options for replacing standard 25 inch wells gardner monitors in Midway cabinets or things like that. But its not a heavy monitor by any means, and easy to buy some wood or metal and screws and rig something up, which is what I ended up doing for my Neo Geo. At a glance and even up close, looks like a factory install. Native resolution is 1204x768 fyi for those who plan on using this on a MAME device, or even as just a standard PC monitor. Unico talked on the 19kfox podcast that not only with the updated pro model that is coming out next year with the better resolution, that they are also going to sell upgraded circuit boards for this monitor here. So I am looking forward to that as well. I still plan on putting a CRT back in my Neo Geo as I prefer that in arcade machines (I'm a CRT purist for arcade hardware), but this Unico is growing on my and the best alternative, and I definitely will keep one of these around as a back up regardless. If I ever get tired of dealing with CRTs, and can't wait a year for the pro model, I'd definitely use these instead. Read more

To most arcade owners, and LCD swap is a downgrade. I have dozens of machines and some will never, ever get an LCD as long as I can still find tubes. But I have a Global VR Classics machine and the 25" tri-sync in it is absurdly expensive to fix. For the same price I upgraded to the LCD since the output is already VGA in that machine. I just had to make a custom wood frame for the LCD to sit in. Piece of cake. Colors look amazing and I didn't need to adjust a thing. Having the machine in a break room at the office means I don't have to worry about a tube monitor having issues over time. Much more reliable in this situation. Love it! Read more

The media could not be loaded. I am writing a review based on quality and functionality. I want to start off by saying how impressed I was with the fitment with replacing my 27” CRT that came in my Tokyo Drift arcade machines. These monitors will need some fabrication in order to fit properly*. Over all I am quite impressed with the picture quality after spending some time adjusting the settings to mimic the effect of the CRT. These met my expectations for replacing my monitors. Well worth the money if you want to keep the original aspect ratio of the CRT. Read more

Works beautifully and has a great picture. Aspect ratio auto adjusts just fine. But if not then it has setting to adjust to your needs on the back of the screen. Read more

It’s expensive for what it is, but if your arcade crt crapped out, there are not many options out there. Occasionally while playing, the monitor goes black and tries to switch inputs but then come back. The colors are also hard to dial in. I used it to replace the dead crt on my Outrun 2 SP. Read more

The media could not be loaded. This monitor is great once you get it dialed in to the game that you are trying to play. It's not a true 4:3 monitor but it doesn't great job providing a great experience in your arcade Read more

Bought this monitor about 6 months ago for my Hydro Thunder arcade machine. Part of the screen gets cut of and picture quality is very poor, with vertical lines of varying brightness. I contacted the company about these issues, and they told me that they were aware of them and that they would have a part available shortly to resolve the problem. Not only are they selling an item with known issues without disclosing them, they have pushed back the when I will be getting this replacement part several times. Last month I paid them an additional $20 so they would ship me the part to fix my faulty monitor, and I still have not received anything from them. Read more