THE ULTIMATE CRT

WHY ARE PEOPLE TURNING TO PROFESSIONAL VIDEO MONITORS, AND WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW BEFORE YOU JOIN THEM?

There’s a good chance that if you’ve hung around the hardcore hardware enthusiasts of our community for a little while, you’ll have heard people talking about PVMS. Technically, the term refers to a range of professional video monitors by Sony, but the term is now generalised to include models by other manufacturers. These CRT monitors were designed to be used in broadcasting and other industries in which image quality was a necessity, but are now considered surplus to requirements. As a result, many professional monitors have found their way into the hands of retro gamers, who prize the precision and sharp scanlines of the displays – just look at the images from Darran’s own PVM at the top of the page.

Before you run out and buy one, there are some important things to bear in mind as professional monitors aren’t as simple as consumer models. Firstly, you should check to ensure that the monitor actually accepts video over RGB. Once you’ve determined that it does, you’ll need to do some research online to see if it will accept sync over composite video as used in many RGB SCART cables, or if you’ll need what is a ‘sync stripper’ – a circuit that extracts a suitable sync signal from composite video, which can be integrated into cables and switch boxes. You’ll need to purchase an adapter to convert SCART to the specialised BNC inputs found on these monitors, and since you’re unlikely to have many inputs available, you should probably look into getting a good SCART switcher too.

Even with the right knowledge, you should exercise caution when buying professional monitors as they are now quite expensive unless you get lucky. These are heavy, bulky devices that most people won’t send via post – you’ll likely need to find one for local pick‑up. When you do head out, it’s worth asking the seller to let you see the device in action, especially if you’re worried about compatibility with any of your hardware. Due to the age of the monitors, they may well need some service before long, so if you’re not confident in working with

CRT displays you should know who you’ll contact for repairs in advance.

» You’ll need to pick up a BNC adapter. Your consoles won’t just plug directly into a PVM like they would a regular TV.

» PVM owners also have to care about sync signals, a hassle not usually faced by gamers using other types of displays.