Replacing a failed arcade CRT can be difficult, particularly when a cabinet was designed around a 4:3 screen. Unico USA has entered that market with a 26-inch open-frame LCD designed to fit existing arcade and amusement cabinets.
The company is known for the Neo Geo MVSX home arcade cabinets, alongside several other products. Its new Phoenix Series monitor is aimed at operators, restorers and home arcade owners who want to retain the proportions of a classic cabinet without using a modern widescreen display.
A larger 4:3 replacement for arcade cabinets
Unico’s monitor measures 26 inches diagonally, with 25.7 inches of active screen area. That makes it six inches larger than Arcooda’s primary design and a suitable match for many 1990s games that originally used 25- to 27-inch CRTs. A 19-inch version is also available for cabinets requiring a smaller display.
As an open-frame unit, the panel is built to drop into an existing cabinet rather than serve as a finished consumer monitor. Its frame design and pre-installed mounting bracket are intended to simplify installation, although cabinet compatibility should still be checked before ordering. Further technical information is available on the product page.
Inputs and adjustment options
- Supports CGA, EGA, HDMI, VGA, SVGA and XGA resolutions.
- Rear connectors provide CGA/EGA, HDMI and DB15 VGA inputs.
- Popular CGA and EGA games can sync automatically, while some titles may need manual adjustment.
- An included OSD controller allows picture settings to be adjusted for CGA, EGA, HDMI and VGA sources.
- The monitor uses a 12-volt power supply.
- A pre-installed mounting bracket is included.
- Unico says the panel uses high-grade components and provides improved picture quality, balanced imaging, wider viewing angles and a longer service life than traditional CRTs, with no CRT-style burn-in.
US launch and availability
The monitor launched at US$299. At the time of reporting, it was available only in the United States, with no international shipping. The initial batch sold out almost immediately, and the product page was not accepting new pre-orders or purchases.
Unico has indicated that another order window is expected “soon”. Initial orders were scheduled to ship by the following month, while the next batch was anticipated to ship by August. Australian buyers should therefore treat availability and delivery as separate considerations rather than assuming the unit can be ordered locally.
The company’s Facebook update indicates that another order round is expected soon.
Why the 4:3 format matters
A 4:3 replacement avoids the stretched pixels and altered proportions that can result from fitting a standard widescreen LCD into a classic cabinet. For operators and restorers, that can produce a more natural-looking image while preserving the original screen shape.
Anyone considering a conversion should also account for signal compatibility, mounting dimensions, power requirements and possible input lag. Owners planning a broader restoration can compare available arcade parts or arrange professional arcade repairs and maintenance. For a complete replacement project, RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide and range of upright arcade cabinets may also help with planning.
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