Monitor brightness

What is the correct amount of brightness for an MVS monitor. I'd like for mine to be a little bit brighter. I think it's more or less about right. I was wondering if you can cause any damage or shorten the life of the monitor by having the monitor set too bright. I just replaced the chassis with another Wells Gardner, and I'd like to make it last as long as possible. I'm not talking about a major change....it looks great in low light.

As well as the actual brightness control, the screen pot (lower one on the lfbt) affects the brightness. Turn the brightness to min then turn the screen down(counter clock) then slowly rotate clockwise untill the phosphors begin to illuminate, if you go too far the retrace lines become noticable. then back it off slightly. You can then up the brightness to a level you are comfortable with.

ttooddddyy said:

As well as the actual brightness control, the screen pot (lower one on the lfbt) affects the brightness. Turn the brightness to min then turn the screen down(counter clock) then slowly rotate clockwise untill the phosphors begin to illuminate, if you go too far the retrace lines become noticable. then back it off slightly. You can then up the brightness to a level you are comfortable with.

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So drop the brightness on the flyback and turn up the contrast?

How long should I let the monitor warm-up before I start to adjust it?

drop it down (anti clock wise) then turn it clockwise untill the phosphors start to illuminate, then back off just a few degrees so you get good black level at low brightness. This is important as the sub brightness will not track correctly otherwise. Contrast is a different issue.

Leave the monitor run for say 10 mins before adjusting.

From what I heard first hand from a guy at an arcade distributor was that turning the constrast any higher than it's normal level will shorten the lifespan of your monitor.

lachlan said:

From what I heard first hand from a guy at an arcade distributor was that turning the constrast any higher than it's normal level will shorten the lifespan of your monitor.

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Can someone confirm this? I would think that cranking up the brightness all the way would be worse.

The monitor has been adjusted and looks perfect now. I was too excited to have the new chassis in, so I'm just getting around to these final adjustments. I tweaked the screen(brightness), focus, black level and contrast. I'm now getting a nice bright....but not too bright of course....picture. Everything is in focus and there is no bleeding/running of colors. I adjusted the contrast just enough to bring out the details of what is on screen....certainly not to the point of things looking washed-out or running/bleeding. I'd assume that this setting is fine....I'm just using common senses as to what I think looks right and how I remember the MVS cabs looking in the arcade.

Neo Ash said:

Can someone confirm this? I would think that cranking up the brightness all the way would be worse.

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Common electronics knowledge will tell you that basically. When a lighted source is pushed above it's recommend range the lifespan will shorten. Same with LEDS and light bulbs.