Anyone using one: Wells-Gardner D9400

[Mark32]

I am finishing up my MAME Cabinet (Ultimate Arcade II cabinet kit from mameroom.com) and I am leaning to wards a Wells-Gardner D9400 (WGM2794-U0TS40E). For now I will be using the video card that came with my PC. I have read to get the best video I should buy an Arcade video card. I may down the line get one.

I was just wondering what everyone thinks about the D9400 and what the pros and cons are.

I guess I would be limited to running Windows (Vista) at 800x600.

http://www.wellsgardner.com/products/detai...&iSubCat=36

Info listed on web site:

WGM2794-U0TS40E

27" Model D9400 Digitally controlled monitor. RCA Curved CRT. Includes Power Cord and VGA Cable.

Used on: MAME cabinet curved CRT.

Resolution: Standard CGA-SVGA, 15.5 kHz-38.5 kHz

Frame Type: Universal (U0)

Games:

Misc/Standard 27", Global VR PGA Golf, Chicago Gaming Nicktoon Racing, Bounty Hunter, Vortek, Nickelodium

or

WGM2794-U0FS05S

27" Flat Model D9400 Digitally Controlled Monitor. RCA CRT. Includes VGA and Power Cables. Frame Type: Universal (UO)

Resolution: CGA-SVGA, 15 kHz-38 kHz

Used on: MAME cabinet flat CRT

Replaces: WGM2794-U0FS01Q

Games:

Raw Thrills, Super Bike and Fast & Furious Drift

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Tom Speirs]

  Mark32 said:

I am finishing up my MAME Cabinet (Ultimate Arcade II cabinet kit from mameroom.com) and I am leaning to wards a Wells-Gardner D9400 (WGM2794-U0TS40E). For now I will be using the video card that came with my PC. I have read to get the best video I should buy an Arcade video card. I may down the line get one.

I was just wondering what everyone thinks about the D9400 and what the pros and cons are.

I guess I would be limited to running Windows (Vista) at 800x600.

http://www.wellsgardner.com/products/detai...&iSubCat=36

Info listed on web site:

Resolution: CGA-SVGA, 15 kHz-38 kHz

Used on: MAME cabinet flat CRT

Replaces: WGM2794-U0FS01Q

Games:

Raw Thrills, Super Bike and Fast & Furious Drift

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

You absolutely need an ArcadeVGA card to get any benefit from an arcade monitor, so dont buy one without the other, or get a normal monitor.

[Mark32]

  TSpeirs said:

You absolutely need an ArcadeVGA card to get any benefit from an arcade monitor, so dont buy one without the other, or get a normal monitor.

Could someone recommend an Arcade video card that will work with Vista?

[shaunopp]

Betson used to be the top of the line monitor for an arcade cabinet but as of late received some really bad press on the byoac forums. The D9200 was plaqued with all kinds of problems. Search the byoac forums for more feedback.

Because of what I read over there when researching getting a monitor I went with a Betson Imperial it's been great. The price is better also and the sales people were very helpful.

http://www.betson.com/parts/Monitors/

Don't skip the card. It makes no sense to buy an arcade monitor and not have the ArcadeVGA to go along with it. For $87 it's well worth it.

Ultimarc ArcadeVGA

[chriss]

the arcadevga supports vista 32 bit

read here

http://www.ultimarc.com/avgainf.html

[Mark32]

Thanks for all the quick replies.

I decided to go with the WG D9400 and the Ultimarc ArcadeVGA PCI Express 16.

Once again, thanks.

[DJ Infinity]

  Mark32 said:

Thanks for all the quick replies.

I decided to go with the WG D9400 and the Ultimarc ArcadeVGA PCI Express 16.

Once again, thanks.

If it is not toolate cancel the order Wells are crap. Get a Nieman display. I love mine

[shaunopp]

  Mark32 said:

Thanks for all the quick replies.

I decided to go with the WG D9400 and the Ultimarc ArcadeVGA PCI Express 16.

Once again, thanks.

You'll be back...

Should be a great monitor! There's a couple tricks to calibrating and setting it up with the ArcadeVGA though. Be sure to download Gavin Bensons AVRes tool for auto-creating mame .ini files with the proper res for all your mame games.

Also, did you buy the $25 monitor mounting kit with your UAII? If not, don't expect the monitor to just fall into place, you'll have to build some kind of mounting for it which is a pain in the ass. I built 3 Ultimate Arcade II's from scratch from their plans and assumed the monitor was accounted for and so custom built them. Major pain. Also, it definitely takes 2 people to install, the monitors are beasts.

Good luck, PM me if you need help.

[shaunopp]

  DJ Infinity said:

If it is not toolate cancel the order Wells are crap. Get a Nieman display. I love mine

Whoa whoa whoa, thems fightin' words in these parts!

Seriously though, I have to disagree with you on the Nieman monitors DJ. I talked to Rick Nieman via email when I got my monitors back in Nov '07 and decided they weren't for me. Here's why:

1. The Betson sales rep was way more responsive (even though I was a Mame enthusiast) and Rick Nieman took awhile to get back to me.
   
2. When he did respond, the Betson price was still about $100 cheaper. Betson rep was even willing to haggle a bit to earn my biz.
   
3. The Nieman displays aren't digital trisync's (see RickN byoac forum comment link below) and when I asked Rick about this he never responded.
   
4. They're in Canada, higher shipping, Betson is in Chicago.
   
5. If I have a problem, I have to send it back to Canada, Betson is a bigger Co. with more distributing/shipping options
   
6. The Niemans are flat tubes which aren't as true to the arcade originals.
   

Here's a couple interesting threads from BYOAC.

So what are we supposed to do?

Building my first arcade cab and need advice for the display

See RickN comment in this one

As for the D9400 I still think it's a quality monitor. From all I've read they've really cleaned up their act since the bad D9200's, prior to which they were the defacto arcade monitor.

[Mark32]

  shaunopp said:

Also, did you buy the $25 monitor mounting kit with your UAII? If not, don't expect the monitor to just fall into place, you'll have to build some kind of mounting for it which is a pain in the ass. I built 3 Ultimate Arcade II's from scratch from their plans and assumed the monitor was accounted for and so custom built them. Major pain. Also, it definitely takes 2 people to install, the monitors are beasts.

Good luck, PM me if you need help.

I just placed an order for the mounting kit. I did not even think about it. I am glad you brought it up.

[Joe C]

Mark,

I just finished putting my arcade together and I have the same monitor. I have a standard ATI video card (no arcade vga) and the screen looks great. 800x600 looks a bit blurry around the edges but my computer will never be running higher than 640X480 so everything looks beautiful. You did say flat screen correct? What bezel are you using? Be advised that although the flat bezel sold from Happ will fit the screen, its noticeably smaller in overall dimensions and will not cover the whole opening.

[shaunopp]

  Joe C said:

I have a standard ATI video card (no arcade vga) and the screen looks great. 800x600 looks a bit blurry around the edges but my computer will never be running higher than 640X480 so everything looks beautiful.

Using a regular video card with an arcade monitor like the D9400 is worthless. You might as well just get a cheap 27" TV and save yourself the money as it's the same thing as using an arcade monitor without the card. The whole reason to get an arcade monitor is so you can play games in their native resolutions and refresh rates and the difference is night and day. Anyone who suggests otherwise just doesn't know better or hasn't seen the alternative. Mark, don't second guess your purchase, the card is vital and well worth the $87.

[Mark32]

  Joe C said:

Mark,

I just finished putting my arcade together and I have the same monitor. I have a standard ATI video card (no arcade vga) and the screen looks great. 800x600 looks a bit blurry around the edges but my computer will never be running higher than 640X480 so everything looks beautiful. You did say flat screen correct? What bezel are you using? Be advised that although the flat bezel sold from Happ will fit the screen, its noticeably smaller in overall dimensions and will not cover the whole opening.

Joe, I decided to go wit the rounded screen not the Flat.

[DJ Infinity]

  shaunopp said:

Whoa whoa whoa, thems fightin' words in these parts!

Seriously though, I have to disagree with you on the Nieman monitors DJ. I talked to Rick Nieman via email when I got my monitors back in Nov '07 and decided they weren't for me. Here's why:

1. The Betson sales rep was way more responsive (even though I was a Mame enthusiast) and Rick Nieman took awhile to get back to me.
   
2. When he did respond, the Betson price was still about $100 cheaper. Betson rep was even willing to haggle a bit to earn my biz.
   
3. The Nieman displays aren't digital trisync's (see RickN byoac forum comment link below) and when I asked Rick about this he never responded.
   
4. They're in Canada, higher shipping, Betson is in Chicago.
   
5. If I have a problem, I have to send it back to Canada, Betson is a bigger Co. with more distributing/shipping options
   
6. The Niemans are flat tubes which aren't as true to the arcade originals.
   

Here's a couple interesting threads from BYOAC.

So what are we supposed to do?

Building my first arcade cab and need advice for the display

See RickN comment in this one

As for the D9400 I still think it's a quality monitor. From all I've read they've really cleaned up their act since the bad D9200's, prior to which they were the defacto arcade monitor.

Ok,

If you chose to use crap so be it. While you are pointing out things in old BYOAC threads point out the thread as to why not buy a WG. Rick has always responded, I can pick up the phone and call and he always answered, custom built my monitor for no extra charge. As far as his displays not being true to arcade originals run a board on his. I challenge you to find a clearer crisper picture. I honestly did not know a 15k picture could look so good. I say Nieman displays are worth the $100.00 more. I will have nothing else in my machines. I don't know about Betson. I will say however I have not heard anywhere near the horror stories on them. My second choice is Makvision. If the poor fellow buys a WG I wish him the best of luck with both fingers crossed. If WG has cleaned up their act cool but as far as I am concerned they will NEVER make it to my house or in any of my machines. Matter of fact I am about to order another trisynch for my Blitz99 machine.

[shaunopp]

  DJ Infinity said:

Ok,

If you chose to use crap so be it.

'Crap' is a bit strong don't you think? The WG D9400's aren't crap. As I said, they were the standard before the bad run with (mainly) D9200's but Wells has apparently addressed the problem. ANY arcade monitor can have problems, including your Nieman!

  Quote

While you are pointing out things in old BYOAC threads point out the thread as to why not buy a WG.

Ok, I will. Before buying a Wells-Gardner monitor, read about their problems

Remember that this originated well over a year ago and was targeted mainly at the D9200's. Also note the last post about Wells addressing the issues.

  Quote

Rick has always responded, I can pick up the phone and call and he always answered, custom built my monitor for no extra charge. As far as his displays not being true to arcade originals run a board on his. I challenge you to find a clearer crisper picture. I honestly did not know a 15k picture could look so good. I say Nieman displays are worth the $100.00 more. I will have nothing else in my machines.

According to this thread (Which new monitor is the best?) you didn't think his website had enough info and thought the price was too high. Also, looks like you just got your monitor in April so it's not much in the way of a long standing track record for comparison. That thread also reiterates what I already stated about it not being a 'digital' trisync monitor...meaning if you use it with MAME and switch res often you have to manually adjust pots for different resolutions. This is a huge downside to a MAME user.

  Quote

I don't know about Betson. I will say however I have not heard anywhere near the horror stories on them. My second choice is Makvision.

Me either! That's why I don't make blanket 'it's the best ever' type statements. It's great, but I'm sure the D9400, Nieman and Makvision monitors are great too. If you don't have a true side-by-side comparison of a Nieman vs WG vs Betson it's pure speculation to say yours is the best. You seem to be saying it's the best because YOU have one and not based on any tangible fact or a true comparison. Even with a comparison you're bound to be biased since you just plunked down a lump of cash on it and want to believe it's the best, human nature.

I think it's important not skew a person's opinion of a very expensive piece of equipment based on speculation. Just dish the facts and let them research it a bit and find out what's best for them.

[DJ Infinity]

It's cool man. I didn't say he HAD to buy a Nieman but I wanted him to stay away from WG. Yes I have one, currently it is sitting in my basement. It was in my vertical mamecab. I was not impressed by it. I ended up putting a LCD in that cab. I'ma hafta pull it outta tha basement and fire it up before Tempest comes to pick up the cab.

[Joe C]

  shaunopp said:

Using a regular video card with an arcade monitor like the D9400 is worthless. You might as well just get a cheap 27" TV and save yourself the money as it's the same thing as using an arcade monitor without the card. The whole reason to get an arcade monitor is so you can play games in their native resolutions and refresh rates and the difference is night and day. Anyone who suggests otherwise just doesn't know better or hasn't seen the alternative. Mark, don't second guess your purchase, the card is vital and well worth the $87.

Chill Shaunopp. I never said the card wasn't "vital", its just something I don't have at the moment. True you don't get the full benefits of utilizing the lower resolutions; I was simply stating that the screen looks great without it.

[bkenobi]

I don't think Shaunopp was trying to make a cutting remark. I think he was just saying that if you are going to spend all the money on a large hi-res arcade monitor, you really should spend the extra money to get the interface to make it work as spec'ed. If you don't get the card, you will have a nice screen, but it will just display in TV resolutions (from my understanding...which is limited on arcade monitors).

Remember...Have Fun With It!!!!

[Tempest]

  DJ Infinity said:

It's cool man. I didn't say he HAD to buy a Nieman but I wanted him to stay away from WG. Yes I have one, currently it is sitting in my basement. It was in my vertical mamecab. I was not impressed by it. I ended up putting a LCD in that cab. I'ma hafta pull it outta tha basement and fire it up before Tempest comes to pick up the cab.

I picked up the cabinet... Here's a picture of the monitor. It's a wg 1931. The picture doesn't do it justice, this thing is clean! I got the cabinet,monitor, 2 lighted joysticks, 8 lighted buttons, 1 Ipac, 1 LED wiz, a 2.2 GHz Celeron computer with 80GB hard drive for $100. I'm telling you, DJ hates these monitors . I also got a look at his Nieman (don't go there ), it looks nice!

Thanks DJ!

[shaunopp]

  bkenobi said:

I don't think Shaunopp was trying to make a cutting remark. I think he was just saying that if you are going to spend all the money on a large hi-res arcade monitor, you really should spend the extra money to get the interface to make it work as spec'ed. If you don't get the card, you will have a nice screen, but it will just display in TV resolutions (from my understanding...which is limited on arcade monitors).

Remember...Have Fun With It!!!!

No insult meant Joe. When you said "I have a standard ATI ... and the screen looks great" and "my computer will never be running higher than 640X480 so everything looks beautiful" I assumed you didn't think the card was worth it. IMO the difference is night and day and the cost of the card is relatively low.

[shaunopp]

  Tempest said:

I picked up the cabinet... Here's a picture of the monitor. It's a wg 1931. The picture doesn't do it justice, this thing is clean! I got the cabinet,monitor, 2 lighted joysticks, 8 lighted buttons, 1 Ipac, 1 LED wiz, a 2.2 GHz Celeron computer with 80GB hard drive for $100. I'm telling you, DJ hates these monitors . I also got a look at his Nieman (don't go there ), it looks nice!

Thanks DJ!

$100, dang good deal for all that. Cool, now you can give us some feedback, although I think that model is pretty old school. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about hating POS hardware and their corresponding companies as long as it's based on something of merit. In the internet age it's too easy to read a few threads on a forum and take it as fact. Let's face it, every WG is probably not a POS, just yours Tempest. bwaahaha

Glad you like his Nieman btw. (couldn't resist)

[DJ Infinity]

  shaunopp said:

$100, dang good deal for all that. Cool, now you can give us some feedback, although I think that model is pretty old school. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about hating POS hardware and their corresponding companies as long as it's based on something of merit. In the internet age it's too easy to read a few threads on a forum and take it as fact. Let's face it, every WG is probably not a POS, just yours Tempest. bwaahaha

Glad you like his Nieman btw. (couldn't resist)

told ya take care