There is no such thing as a 5:4 TV in Pal land. all CRT TV's and CRT monitors were 4:3, aside from some wide screen models at the very end of crt production. So all resolutions regardless of square or non square pixels filled a 4:3 aspect ratio.
5:4 was a LCD monitor thing only, probably the reason i never bought one until 16:10 came along.
720x576 fills a 4:3 screen as does all other resolutions like 320x200, 320x240, 640x400, 640x480, 720x400, 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x960, also 1280x1024 except where used on 5:4 LCD monitors.

To be honest, I don't mind 5:4 at all whether stretched on a CRT or square pixel on a flat panel. If this was, say, 2560x2048 that'd be pretty cool, as I'm someone where 90% of the things I do on computers is vertically scrolling. I would even like a 4:5 or 3:4 display. 2:3 is pushing it a little but could still work.

But something about this particular display, probabably the focus on "retro cool wowww haha #nostalgia #retro #90s", just gives off a certain Bad Vibe around it. I understand the economic incentives around the panel they used, and I have no issue with that, it's more the branding of it. If I were going to make a product like this, I'd probably ask Prysm a quote to get around to miniaturizing laser phosphor displays and crowdfund that. I'd then put three 16-bit DACs onto the monitor for each color and have the whole video port come off, Macintosh LC style, to switch which connector is used.

Update: after a re-read, I guess it's not quite fair to say that; no cash grab would target an Apple II. Still, it's present, or they would have made it more along the lines of the flat panels that did exist in 1999.

I just use what ever I can get my grubby hands on. Costs zero to around 15NZ pesos.

Nostalgia Nerd just published a video about this monitor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUKQhCGUHWc

Looks like they are close to funding. That Nostalgia Nerd video seems to have generated a bit more interested in the past 24 hours.

I'm a bit on the fence with this myself. Though I'm tempted to fund it just to see it exist.

schmatzler wrote on 2022-11-24, 21:39:

I'm probably in a minority here, but why does it have to be so big? It's not as deep as a real CRT and not as thin as a modern LCD panel.

It's due to the modular nature of the add-in boards. Similar to how PC cases are bigger than they need to be when they're mostly empty space.

And do we really need crappy PC speakers inside of a monitor? I think not.

Depends on use case. I have an old Commodore 1702 monitor with built-in speaker I use for NES/SNES gaming. I actually prefer it over using external speakers.

Look like it got funded, so likely if you don't want to jump in now it will be available later.

The speakers are definitely not the simple cardboard PC speaker modules. The ones chosen appear to be at least decent.

As to why speakers at all, keep in mind that this is meant to be an 80s CRT analogue device. Monitors of the time often had at least a mono speaker in the chassis.

- Alex

Nice to see this got funded. Looks like they have now hit the first stretch goal as well (inclusion of basic monitor stand). Will be interested to see if they can hit the next level (adjustable stand).

Curious to know more about the Arcooda panel as an option. Seems like it's an extremely low latency option which could be especially nice for console gaming.

Coupled with the inclusion of both component and composite inputs, this could make for a nice display for using with older consoles.

Shponglefan wrote:

Seems like it's an extremely low latency option which could be especially nice for console gaming.

Still would be somewhat blurry without black frame insertion and/or high refresh modes. Although noticeably better than old crusty 5:4 IPS panels with slow response and low contrast.

But then again, Arcooda is already a complete package (minus casing) - it has internal controller with very customisable scaler. Might as well buy it directly. But it's targeted for arcade machines, so no guarantee that it can accept 70Hz correctly. Or well, any other high refresh rates, which could be very useful for DOS/9x machine.

The Serpent Rider wrote on 2022-12-17, 03:17:

Shponglefan wrote:

Seems like it's an extremely low latency option which could be especially nice for console gaming.

Still would be somewhat blurry without black frame insertion and/or high refresh modes. Although noticeably better than old crusty 5:4 IPS panels with slow response and low contrast.

But then again, Arcooda is already a complete package (minus casing) - it has internal controller with very customisable scaler. Might as well buy it directly. But it's targeted for arcade machines, so no guarantee that it can accept 70Hz correctly. Or well, any other high refresh rates, which could be very useful for DOS/9x machine.

This is why I'm thinking it could potentially by good for console gaming or even as a desktop arcade setup. Even if it doesn't work well for a DOS/Win9x PC, there are other use cases for it.

At any rate, we'll find out how it works in a year! 😁

Did anyone else back this monitor on Kickstarter?

They opened up the finalization of the orders for backers, so I'm curious if anyone else here is getting one and which options people are choosing.

Updating on this project, it looks like the first batch of monitors is likely to ship around September of this year. I suspect I'm probably the only one on VOGONS who backed this project, so once the monitors arrive I'll post my thoughts on them.

There was also a recent video that went over the development of the monitor and various add-in boards: Checkmate Display Kickstarter to production Journey

In addition to the boards already developed, there are a couple more in development including a Pandora board and a Minimig Amiga 3k board (see video at 16:00 onward).

As someone who has been thinking about getting into an Amiga setup but put off by the ever-increasing prices of actual Amiga computers, this might be a good entry point, imho.

There was a recent (non-public) video released which went into a lot of details about the monitor and its capabilities.

During the video, it was mentioned the panel supports 50, 60 and 75 Hz refresh rates. It's not clear to me whether this means the panel itself has a native refresh rate of 75 Hz, or if this is a case where it "supports" 75 Hz via frame skipping and the native refresh rate is lower. It was also mentioned that the screen draws frames every ~13ms which would imply a 75 Hz refresh rate.

I've asked for clarification, but haven't received a response yet. I also searched on panelook.com and can't find any 1280x1024 panels listed with 75 Hz refresh rates. They're either 60Hz or the refresh rate info isn't listed at all.

I suppose this doesn't completely rule out the existence of a 75Hz 1280x1024 panel, but I can't confirm they exist either.

If it turns out this monitor does natively support 75Hz, this could mean good things for DOS VGA support. I'm not super hopeful, but if I can get confirmation one way or another, I'll share.

I received a response back confirming that it apparently refreshes at 13ms, which again implies a native refresh rate of 75Hz.

Now I'm cautiously optimistic this monitor may be able to properly support DOS VGA resolution @ 70Hz. Though I suppose it still depends on if/how that resolution has been implemented.

Guess I'll find out in a few months.

I found some additional details. Apparently the 19" panel being used is the BOE DV190E0M-N11.

According to the specs on panelook.com, it's listed as a 60Hz panel: https://www.panelook.com/DV190E0M-N11_BOE_19_ … view_45762.html

I dug up the datasheet and they list it as having min 50Hz and max of 75Hz. I guess the details on panelook is just listing the 'typical' refresh rate.

This is promising. Still need to see how standard VGA is implemented in this monitor. But the panel does look like it could support 70Hz.

They just published a sheet detailing the various I/O on this monitor:

mihai wrote on 2022-11-19, 22:31:

I like the concept, they are trying to provide an all-in-one LED monitor for retro purposes, without needing several adapters / monitors.

My only question mark is the panel used - ie only 1280x1024, but I guess it is for cost reasons, as such panels are still widely available.

A panel with 1600x1200, with very good integer scaling could be really interesting, of course at a reasonable price.

This is my primary issue I can still get and have at my desk 20” 1600x1200 4:3 Dell LCDs and you can still technically buy 20” 4:3 LCDs new at a very high price.

Unless we make CRTs, many markets need a 25” high resolution 4:3 LCD with a very low response time and multisync along with a variety of analog and digital inputs. Ideally 2048x1536 Native resolution (1280 is too low for modern use, 1600x1200 is barely adequate)

Having a screen with an acceptable resolution and size means not only specialty markets like arcades and machinery can get a good nearly universal 25” lcd for crt replacements but hobbyists who lack the room can actually use the stylish screen as both a modern and retro use display.

Analog was able to make a custom 1600x1440 lcd for their pocket in low volumes at around $20 cost. Yes it’s a small screen but large or small r&d is the same and most of the expense.
One would hope a larger 4:3 screen using modern panel tech (not 20 year old stuff as we have otherwise seen)
could be custom manufactured without being a $10,000 unit.

rmay635703 wrote on 2024-09-29, 02:37:

Unless we make CRTs, many markets need a 25” high resolution 4:3 LCD with a very low response time and multisync along with a variety of analog and digital inputs. Ideally 2048x1536 Native resolution (1280 is too low for modern use, 1600x1200 is barely adequate)

Having a screen with an acceptable resolution and size means not only specialty markets like arcades and machinery can get a good nearly universal 25” lcd for crt replacements but hobbyists who lack the room can actually use the stylish screen as both a modern and retro use display.

For arcade stuff I can see ~25" being fine or maybe home console. But for standard desktop usage, 25" would be way too large. 20" is probably the max size most people would run for something like a desktop setup.

One would hope a larger 4:3 screen using modern panel tech (not 20 year old stuff as we have otherwise seen)
could be custom manufactured without being a $10,000 unit.

Having followed the development of these monitors, the idea of custom panels (esp. OLED) has come up. The problem isn't just cost, it's needing to make them in high enough volumes to make it economically viable. We're probably talking selling tens of thousands of units at a minimum, and even then it's still going to be a premium price product.

rmay635703 wrote on 2024-09-29, 02:37:

Ideally 2048x1536 Native resolution (1280 is too low for modern use, 1600x1200 is barely adequate)

2048x1536 is bad for scaling.

Yeah, 1600x1200 is probably the most ideal unless you get into 4k or 8k or something.

1280x960 isn't too bad either since it scales into 640x480 and 320x240.