Checkmate Retro LCD Monitor

[ClassicGuyPhilly]

Here's an interesting Kickstarter product. LCD in a CRT-inspired case with a wide variety of video inputs supporting many different vintage computer and gaming platforms. Unfortunately doesn't seem like there's a Mac DB15 input available yet, but could be added with an expansion pod.

Checkmate A1500 Plus

www.checkmate1500plus.com

@bigmessowires - seems like something that would interest you

 

[CircuitBored]

This is cool but I wish that it supported 75Hz refresh rates.

My real dream for retro Mac endeavors is a drop-in black and white OLED panel for compact Macs.

 

[Nixontheknight]

Here's an interesting Kickstarter product. LCD in a CRT-inspired case with a wide variety of video inputs supporting many different vintage computer and gaming platforms. Unfortunately doesn't seem like there's a Mac DB15 input available yet, but could be added with an expansion pod.
View attachment 66792

Checkmate A1500 Plus

www.checkmate1500plus.com

@bigmessowires - seems like something that would interest you

will it support 15KHz for Amigas?

 

[Daniël]

will it support 15KHz for Amigas?

Yes, but through a GBS-C based module (or "pod" as they're calling them).

 

[bigmessowires]

It needs curved glass.

 

[jmacz]

It needs curved glass.

All those new LCDs with a curved screen... yet we want it to curve the other way... haha.

 

[bigmessowires]

I wonder if you could add a curved glass front over the flat LCD. It would probably be too expensive to justify just for nostalgia's sake, and it might distort the image too.

 

[Phipli]

I wonder if you could add a curved glass front over the flat LCD. It would probably be too expensive to justify just for nostalgia's sake, and it might distort the image too.

It wouldn't be quite the same, but if you clamp a sheet of clear plastic in a frame, heat it, and lower it over over an old CRT tube, you'll get a sheet with float edges for mounting and a curved surface like a tube. Only issue is when you put it in front of an LCD you'll have the flat image behind the curved screen at a varying distance.

Truth be told though, I'm not very nostalgic about CRTs. I'd rather a 4:3 1024*768 LCD and a video card that can drive it at that resolution.

 

[LaPorta]

Didn't we see this in a thread quite some time ago?

 

[bigmessowires]

Truth be told though, I'm not very nostalgic about CRTs. I'd rather a 4:3 1024*768 LCD and a video card that can drive it at that resolution.

Yes I completely agree. But if you're purposely trying to design a CRT look-alike, as this Kickstarter is, then I think you need a solution for a faux curved surface. IMHO it just looks strange with a flat surface, but maybe I'm too picky.

 

[Phipli]

Yes I completely agree. But if you're purposely trying to design a CRT look-alike, as this Kickstarter is, then I think you need a solution for a faux curved surface. IMHO it just looks strange with a flat surface, but maybe I'm too picky.

Did you ever use a Flatron CRT screen back in the day? They were a little weird, but good monitors.

 

[LaPorta]

Wait....after reading a bit more....I don't see the purpose of this, outside of purposely taking up a foot or two of extra space behind an LCD for no reason. I thought it was an actual CRT!

 

[ClassicGuyPhilly]

I thought it was an actual CRT!

Then I think it actually achieved its purpose

 

[jmacz]

I wonder if you could add a curved glass front over the flat LCD. It would probably be too expensive to justify just for nostalgia's sake, and it might distort the image too.

Didn't we see this in a thread quite some time ago?

Yeah, I made my own curved acrylic for my LCD in this thread:

Apple Macintosh 16" Color Display + Modifications

In January I picked up an Apple Macintosh 16" Color Display from a junkyard. It powered up and displayed an image but there were a lot of gremlins causing issues ranging from strange artifacts on the screen, very visible noise, unexplained behavior. I ended up tearing it apart and recapping it...

68kmla.org

It's "ok" but not perfect. It's actually quite difficult to get a smooth curve with no distortions that perfectly matches the curve of the display.

 

[Phipli]

It's "ok" but not perfect. It's actually quite difficult to get a smooth curve with no distortions that perfectly matches the curve of the display.

It's pretty good to be fair, no need to be too modest

 

[Byte Knight]

I remember seeing this Kickstarter when it was live and these were not cheap - I think it was around $400 once you added your module...

 

[Daniël]

I remember seeing this Kickstarter when it was live and these were not cheap - I think it was around $400 once you added your module...

Checkmate is a fairly small scale operation from what I gathered (not too in touch with the Amiga side of things though ), so the price makes sense when considering how much everything going into this will cost, especially the monitor's custom enclosure. And honestly, I'd argue that'd be what you're paying for the most: The fitting aesthetics.

There are cheaper and arguably technically as good if not better options out there, but they almost always come in sleek modern black enclosures that do stick out from the retro machines attached to 'em. I'm still a big CRT nut, but I would lie if I'm at least not somewhat tempted by this just 'cus of the enclosure alone :-D

 

[CC_333]

Did you ever use a Flatron CRT screen back in the day? They were a little weird, but good monitors.

I had one for awhile. It was an eMachines 17-inch "flat panel" CRT that came as part of a package-deal Walmart special with a tower, keyboard/mouse, speakers, and some software (I stupidly gave it away years ago; I wish I had kept it). It was indeed flat. Also, there's the eMacs, which also use the same type of flat-faced tube. So there are some precedents for CRTs whose viable surfaces are relatively flat and LCD-like, rather than curvy, as is more typical and common.

c

 

[pizzigri]

@jmacz , doing the same for Trinitron tubes LCD replacement is much, much easier! And the effect is fantastic, until the mac is turned on it looks 100% original. did this on a Color Classic, however it can be done with any Trinitron based Mac or monitor….

 

[dankcomputing]

The Checkmate Amiga/ATX cases make some sense because new horizontal beige desktop ATX cases basically don't exist. Unfortunately they're a bit too costly, but there's no other options.

This monitor doesn't make nearly as much sense, there's plenty of other monitors out there that do what this does with slightly less attractive packaging. There's no attempt to try and do a custom LCD controller, it's just the same GBS-Control or OSSC you'd hook to the same 4:3 non-15k-capable monitor, but taped together in a pricey custom formfactor.