4K vpin monitors - how to chose best TV for your virtual pinball machine

[@carlo1132]

If I build down the road Id go with a kit, that will save alot of time for me, I dont want to cut the wood. 2k sounds great but how many hundreds of hour in labor to build, then configure, I just want to play at this point. When 3d screens come out, then I will be really looking hard at self build but I will document how many hours it takes for sure. I got my order in for ALP 4KP, adding to my other ALP's I got 3 and thats plenty for me.

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

That's what's crazy - the surface has just been scratched for vpin. Unreal 5 + 3D = will be incredible (in 5-10 years).

[@stevematix]

One day will make one 😀

[@ironmaiden5658]

I got an LG C1 48" to use as my daily TV with the plans to upgrade to something else in the near future and moving this C1 to a virtual pinball build. As you say, OLED is out of this world.

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

Yeah, I think if I had to do it all over again I would have gone for the 48" too.... but it's still pretty sweet.

[@Son37Lumiere]

@@evilgeniusentertainment I wouldn't go OLED myself because of burn in. Lots of static images in pinball games, especially if you leave it on a single table for a long time. I know it looks amazing but the price is steep. QLED TVs, while certainly not as good as OLED, are pretty decent.

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

You know, I've been worried about burn-in too, but 1 year into this current build, it has not been an issue. That said, I do "baby" it as much as I can (turning off the screen if I know I'm leaving the room for any length of time; hitting the nudge button even when I don't need to to "jiggle" the screen. Toying with building a 48" inch screen cab - if I do, OLED waaay out of my price range, so QLED the next best thing.

[@dylanross06]

Where is the video for installing the OLED, Back Glass, and computer? Really want to learn from you.

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

Nothing to the OLED install - just put some wood braces on either side at the angle you like and then put in a couple of wood slats to support the back of the TV (make sure you place the slats where the wall mount brackets would attach too). I suppose I should do a back box video though... Far the PC goes, I'm currently running an older i5 motherboard with a 3060 Nvidia GPU and 64 gbs of ram. And that runs virtually everything with the settings a couple of notches below maximum. The only table that gets juttery with this setup is MONSTER BASH on VPX.

[@dylanross06]

@@evilgeniusentertainment Thank you for taking time to reply! I’m a little intimidated by the software portion of the Vpin. In your experience, was the downloading Vpin software, virtual tables, and mapping them to the buttons/OLED/back glass/DMD pretty straight forward or did you have some struggles? Again, thank you.

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

Nothing but trouble Dylan! I still learn something just about every week (this week I learned how to map sounds to various speakers). But it is doable. I'd say either install ballerinstaller or get a (much frowned upon) pre-built solution that comes with tables, back-glasses, and wheel art (try famcave arcade or retro arcade gaming). Generally speaking, Future Pinball is easier to install (it'll either work or it won't); Terry Red just uploaded the very lasted all-in-one install at vpuniverse), but VPX has the more photo-real tables. email me if you have a specific problem!

[@raymondschechinger8164]

@@evilgeniusentertainment I'm glad I found this comment because I was wondering if you ever made a video on building the back box because if you did I am not finding it within the videos on your channel. I am interested in making a virtual pinball machine as a project with my family and I have found lots of great information from your channel.

[@raymondschechinger8164]

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[@pocketfullofsouls]

That helped me a lot. Thank you. The Atgames 4k is 2500eur un Europe. Crazy...

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

Hey, glad it helped!

[@RetroGameRarities]

Great vid! That oled looks gorgeous in there. Also love your game shack photo at the end, pure gold.

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

Thank you! And the shack will soon again be snow covered - dropping into the 30's this weekend in Michigan....

[@RetroGameRarities]

@@evilgeniusentertainment I'm Milwaukee area, very familiar with a snowy roof. 🫡

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

Winter's going to drop like an anvil on us this year... which means there should be good opportunities to get some gaming in!

[@RetroGameRarities]

@@evilgeniusentertainment 😆

[@rushmore3927]

Be careful leaving that on, since can leave burn in for any semi bright static pattern. I'd set a screen saver or have turn off if over two hours.

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

Oh, I mind it very closely. And I'm cheap, so if I know I'll be gone 20 minutes, I turn it off. All that said, I haven't had any problems yet.

[@metalsoso5460]

I think the most important thing is viewing angle. Now that we are talking about it, That is what keeps me from playing my ALP HD. I tend to stand and lean over it, because sitting down is not the ideal viewing angle.

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

Yeah, the angle is too steep on the ALP, a problem made worse b/c you can't change the angle or dimensions of the tables on a individual basis. Of course, this is somewhat subjective, but I tried to have my build replicate the angle of real pinball games which again isn't as steep as the ALP.

[@metalsoso5460]

@@evilgeniusentertainment What I want to do is sit and play, but something is off about the screen. I really notice it standing vs sitting. So right, I measured it. My standing vs sitting is a difference of about 10 inches of height. The angle to the screen Front, Mid, Back is 40, 50 75. And the sitting angles are 30, 40, 60 degrees respectively. It is a BOE panel, but I don't know the specs yet. This has not been a problem in my other builds, but I never built one this shape. It could be that there is glare off the screen or the glass but I feel like going past 45 degrees and back is the difference.

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

Screen angle is a big deal for sure - I had to re-do my current machine a couple of times before I got it right... and honestly, I'll probably change one more time!

[@metalsoso5460]

You probably heard this before @@evilgeniusentertainment, but I turned off the lit marque on the backbox. It was causing a glare on the screen right in the middle when I was sitting down. Then when I stood up, the glare moved to a less noticeable area. A lot better now, even though glare is still somewhat of an issue.

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

They actually make pretty sweet anti-glafe pinball glass, although I don't know if it comes in 32" size.... I'd check out Marco's Pinball if you're interested.

[@HB-mj2jz]

I actually am the other way around about the playfield size. I went to a shop last week, they had machines with 42, 48 and 49 inh playfields. Within 5 seconds i stept away from the 49 inch one. The machine is just much to wide. I own 3 original pinball machines and it just felt wrong from muscle memory alone. But is also looked bloated and the balls to large. i think 42 / 43 is the sweet spot

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

Yeah, I've seen builds where the they're using a 48/49" screen for the added width, but they crop off the top part of the screen to be closer to a 42" vertical playfield. I've heard there's a 42" extra-wide screen that might be perfect, but I can't find it anywhere...

[@HB-mj2jz]

@@evilgeniusentertainment Yeah a 42 extra wide would be best. This week i will get my 42 inch cabinet. Only thing i am going to change is the screen in 1 or two years for the 42 oled. But to each his own. I think for people who don't own an actually pinball machine the experience will be awesome, but for us it just doesnt feel right

[@stuartsherman5975]

Thank you for the great video. I totally agree, i love my oled. I recommend to be careful when you use 48" oled, since half of the screen is unsupported in the back of the tv. You just need to ensure the back of the screen is fully supprted or it will start to warp. Ask me how I know. 😊 the good thing about using the 42" lg oled is the back of 5he screen is almost ful,y supported. Thus, no potential warping issues. I had a question. You said you just installed the new Attack from Mars table. Is the Attack from Mars table using vpx 10, future pinball, or FX3 emulator? That is one of my favorite tables. Any light you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

Thanks for the kind words! It's vpx, works on 10.7... I'll go out tonight and write down the name of the table!

[@stuartsherman5975]

Awesome! Thank you very much for the quick response.

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

Here you go: vpuniverse.com/files/file/16113-attack-from-mars-bally-1995-g5k-1311vpx/

[@tomxle6278]

Hey i build a little vpin (27"😂) and i look forward to install first of all a DMD. I didnt find out, which cable comes with a real DMD for virtual pinball.. but i read that i have to connect it to a controller and this one to my pc ? And that i need to programm the controller aswell. So comparing to the solution of installing an real normal monitor of like 15" i can just connect it to my pc as a 2. Screen and set it up in the game? How is it rly working with a real pin2dmd ? I just want to avoid some big challenges.. thanks

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

Tomxie - lot to unpack there! Let's start with which vpin program you're looking to use: VPX/FP or Zen? In any event, all the monitors will out to be plugged into your video car via HDMI or Display port....

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

If were thinking of building your, does the ALP 4K change your mind? Do you think the OLED is worth the extra expense?

[@stevematix]

Will spend the extra money for the 48 inch

[@QuadGuyCy]

Nice build, DMD seems cut off at the bottom, whats up with that?

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

Thanks! Don't know, it looks fine in real life... might be the camera angle, or that particular game.

[@robwalker2937]

Nice video explaining the OLED difference. What did you do about the sensor notch on the bottom of the OLED tv? Did you route some the cab or did you remove the sensor somehow?

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

Thanks Rob - nope, surprisingly I didn't have to do a thing. No de-casing or the like. Just point the remote at the TV and turn it on like normal.

[@robwalker2937]

Ok thanks. I thought you might have wanted to cover the sensor and keep the illusion. Did you find a way to have the C2 power on when the PC is powered on? That would be a deal breaker for me as my older LG does that and no remotes are needed.

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

No, I have to use the remote to turn it on. It's not that big a deal to me, but I can understand why you feel the way you do - it's a pain in the butt.

[@Jebusisblatantidolatry]

So what is the best oled that fit the standard cabinet without hacking up the cabinet?? Decasing is an option as well.

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

Pretty hard to beat the one I use... If they made it in a wide-screen version, I'd get that. It should be noted that the Zen/Steam games do seem to be optimized for 16:9 sets, meaning stock 42" inch is pretty much perfect.

[@Jebusisblatantidolatry]

@evilgeniusentertainment this fits decased in a standard cab?? Do you know the width with the case?? I know they fit in a wide body

[@Jebusisblatantidolatry]

@@evilgeniusentertainment I don't think there is one that beats the LG c3 42inch. I haven't seen one post anywhere that states there is one.

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

They're pretty amazing - so much better then a normal LED. Makes the Zen games look so good.

[@Jebusisblatantidolatry]

@@evilgeniusentertainment zen games??

[@soundz9992]

why is the screen blinking somtimes? i.e. 10:58

[@mcdmofr]

great video 👍🏻 what is the reference of your ledbar ?

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

Hey thanks! And hear ya go: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09BN8J9Y8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@sclawrenc]

Thanks for the video. I noticed you went for a 32” 720p back box monitor instead of a 1080p. Think the 720p is sufficient after using it for a while? I can get a 1080p 32” for about the same price.

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

You know, I had intended on replacing the backbox monitor with a OLED... but I'm still rocking it because it looks OK. I'd say having a 1080 vs a 720 is a good thing, but the biggest thing is how much contrast the monitor is capable of. I'm using a 5 year old $99 Walmart TV, so I turn the black contrast up to a 100%. Which is just barely adequate. All that said, I'd spend the money to make sure your playfield is OLED over anything else.

[@sclawrenc]

Thanks for the update and advice. I was going to try for a 42 or 43” Samsung g7 odyssey or maybe a Sony a85k, but between you and others swearing by the oled for the playfield, I might just have to splurge on a c3 42”. Thanks again.

[@sundancekid22]

Where did you get your cabinet from? Did you build it from a kit?

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

From scratch: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3i5ooCdi6aWg9Ufeature=shared

[@PhillipBoyd-z8k]

Does your LG auto detect HDMI or do you have to use the remote to select on power up?

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

It "sees" it right off the bat once I've powered the PC/TV up. I've had it for over a year now, and it's still performing wonderfully. It's a lot of money, but a OLED screen is, by far, the best/easiest way to "super-charge" the vpin experience IMO.

[@PhillipBoyd-z8k]

I bought a LG C3 for my build and it looks like HDMI-CEC (SimpLife) was disabled by default. I enabled it but still doesn’t just switch to HDMI when powering everything on. I am using a DisplayPort to HDMI cable though and need to see if changing the cable might make the difference. Love your content!

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

Hey thanks for watching! I'd definitely try a "true" hi-speed HDMI cord to see if that helps.

[@lorenzkockaerts]

bud a nrml tv do you set it up that the tv jumps on whit the machien or just use the remote for put the tv on ?

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

I just turn on the TV(s) before I start the PC. The DMD turns on with the computer....

[@pete.n.]

Why is that jerking of the gamefield happening?

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

That's the nudge function.

[@jonarsenal]

Really good video just come across this one. Im from England so things in europe cost a little bit more. The ALP has been great but their new 4k will be pound to dollar once it comes here plus having to rebuy the tables is a scam for me so im out. Will flog it for whatever i can get and put it towards a 120hz build. 60fps is a waste as other than the sharpness it will still move the same.

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

The older tables - particularly Magic Pixel tables - will likely be closer then you'd like. But of course you can't play those Zen tables at on the HD ALP. I wonder how the Gottlieb tables will look in 4K....

[@EyeDudez]

dang i might be to early video is only 360p lol

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

Probably were! Thanks for jumping early!

[@paulcleary8088]

What are you running for a gpu?

[@evilgeniusentertainment]

Here you go: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B097YW4FW9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1