GC on HDTV + PSO + freeloader + etc

I've been wanting to buy this little box since the PSO came out for it. However I didn't get the chance at the time, but now since there's and used GC at my local store for 35€ I guess, I shall buy it.

Though, I got a few questions:

1-Portuguese people treat games/ consoles like $%@! trash. Do you think I still might give this GC a chance?

2-I wanna buy original NTSC/ PAL games for this PAL console on ebay, or from someone here in the forums. Between getting a modchip or freeloader, which should I go for? (those games are: Sonic Adventure DX/ SA Battle 2/ PSO Ep 1 and 2 plus/ PSO ep 3)

3-At last but not least, I want to play on my HDtv, displaying the best quality possible. It seems that there is a custom vga cale around, altough I don't know if any retailers still sell them or not... I also hear about component cables... I don't know what's the best option to chose from. Taking into consideration that I may play NTSC games on a PAL GC, will them display in a nice resolution using the freeloader/ modchip?

Thanks in advance.

 

1) Gamecubes can take one HELL of a beating and keep working. Some Latin American show had a special where they compared how long the 3 consoles of the time held up to extreme abuse. Gamecube was last to die.

2/3) I don't know for sure but iirc the NTSC U/J were the only ones to have a digital out for the componant cable. Thus I would try to find a ntsc DOL-100 (DOL-101 removes it). Be prepared to spend some $ on the componant cable tho, I paid $45 for mine earlier this year. NTSC consoles are only about $30usd around by where I live (and I'm willing to get you one at exact cost+ship) and they would negate the need for a freeloader unless you want pal games.

Also vga cable, haven't heard of one, but am curious.

 

Gamecubes really can take a thrashing, so no worries there. PAL Cubes do have the digital out port (obviously not the DOL-101 models), the real issue is that most PAL games don't support progressive scan (480p) iirc. It's been a while since I've had to deal with all this so I might be a bit sketchy on details, but kholdfusion's advice (NTSC Cube with component cable) is essentially sound.

 

Alchy it's kholdfuzion not kholdfusion

As for NTSC games supporting Progressive Scan, not even all of them do. About 40% of all games do (at least that I can think of in my collection).

 

Thank you, thank you all for your advices guys!
kholdfuzion, you mean you could get me a ntsc DOL-100, for 30$ plus shipping to Portugal? (OMFG, I mean..Wo00t!YAY aghh..ups sorry xD ^^)

Do ya guys know if PSO Plus/ PSO ep3/ SADX and SAB2 support 480p?
-Does the GC display at a better quality image with component cables than a Dreamcast using VGA box for Sonic adventure 2 battle for instance?

 

GC's max resolution is 480p some titles also support widescreen 480p. DC via vga was 640x480 so essentially 480p.
Just called a few local gamestore's (NOT gamestop... ugh) and for 29.99+tax you get 1 ntsc gc , 1 controler, one 59 memcard, one powercord, one composite av cable, and a random free pack-in game. The 2 places that I called are currently out of stock on DOL-100s, but will hold one on next trade-in. Also on my lunch break, I will call a few others, but I can't guarentee the free memcard/game from them.

edit: Depending on where I end up getting from, I get choice on the free game, he said any $10 or less game. I guess use gamestop site to get an idea of possible games, and I'll get one from your list if he has it in stock.

edit2: http://www.mobygames.com/attribute/sheet/attributeId,275/p,14/ list of games supporting 480p both PSO 1/2+ and PSO3 are on the list, so is SADX

 

Great, thanks for the effort dude. But, you sure the shipping is included? I hope so, cause if not maybe it would be more expensive than buying here...

Hmm, including free stuff also.. =D neat! However, if ya can't find the DOL-100s, without the free stuff, don't worry! A seperate mem card, shouldn't be that expensive. And normally the random game they throw in is crap, I suppose?

(rolf, you gonna have the same nº of posts as me xD)

 

Hellz yeah. Good luck dude!

Edit:
I have last contacted the user
Micjohvan by 05-03-08, where I asked him if he still had PSO Plus + Modem, for sale.

I now contacted him again, and so I am waiting for a reply.
Let's wait and see...

 

IDK what shipping costs would be, but pm me your info and I'll get an estimate.

edit: same number of posts but I've been here around 2 years longer. I just don't tend to post unless it's usefull info

 

Modem or BBA ? MODEM is useless on Gamecube. BBA is most suitable for online \ LAN gaming.

Moreover, don't forget that some Japanese game have glitch on PAL Gamecube (and NTSC GC with US BIOS) for unknow reason.

 

BBA was useless for online gaming as well last I checked, even with the fan-created Warp Pipe thing I think the days of finding anyone else with their Gamecube online are over. 8-player MKD over LAN could be nice, though...

 

I wanted to say BBA. PSO GC still runs on Schthaks private server.

 

indeed and i hope he will keep it up for a looong time

 

I am not too sure if it really is worth or not spending ~50 buck in a component cable for the GC...

Could anyone post a picture of an HDtv running with a component cable, a composite or s-video cables?

 

You do NOT want to be running composite or S-Video on a HDTV, not unless you're using a decent upscaler.

 

You are right dude. Today I tried hooking my Treamcast with s-video instead of my vga box, and it was horrible... damn those #$%& cables..OH:

 

Yes it was cut in half and it still worked.

 

Worked is a relative term. The BIOS loaded, but of course with no optical drive the system couldn't really do much. Still, the same requirements were placed on the PS2 and XBox they "tested", and they failed.

It would be interesting to see a more scientific approach to how much punishment consoles can handle.

For the Gamecube's optimal output to a TV, you'll want to still with the component cable. The VGA cable is a home-made solution that only works in certain situations. You'll have no video output through VGA until you are in a game and that game has switched on progressive-scan mode. Even at that, the image quality will not be any better than using the component cables in progressive-scan mode. Stick to component and you'll be fine.

As for playing out-of-region games, the freeloader works great (at least it does here). Modchips are also an option, and using one is personal preference. If you feel confident installing one go ahead, but in my experience they were more trouble than they were worth.

 

Thank you for your advice mr. Gamecube Connoisseur.
Since I am going to buy PSO ep I and II+ and ep 3 NTSC U, it would be better to get an NTSC U console with digital out, so it can support the component cable. According to moby games list, these two games are progressive scan compatible!
kholdfuzion offered me help, however he's still searching. If anybody else could contact any local stores or know anywhere I could get one of these GCs, I would appreciate.

 

I can confirm that these two agmes are progressive-scan (480p) compatible as well. Moby games is a great resource for this information, but you should use caution. Many games that are indeed compatible with this feature do not label it on the package and therefore are seldom mentioned in the mobygames database. I've taken the time to sift through some of my collection and manually test them to update mobygames appropriately, but its a long process. So far only ~10% of my collection isn't compatible, even though only ~50% of my games list this as a feature. That means 40% of my games support 480p but don't list it on the box.

Also, if you get a DOL-001 (the GC model with digital output) and a component cable, you must remember this: To change the GC into progressive-scan mode, you must start the console holding down the B button. Once you've chosen to start one game in progressive-scan mode, you no longer have to hold down the B button - the option is always there from this point forward. You'll see what I mean.

Good luck!