Considering how horrible my LCD TV's composite inputs are, I'm thinking about VGA for the Dreamcast. Only issue is there's a few options here for it. I did a quick search on eBay for Dreamcast VGA and this cable popped up. Has anyone used it before and able to tell me it's output quality? I've had bad experiences with 3rd party cables in the past, and before I throw money at one I'd like some feedback.
never had the official cable, but i do have a svga box, is third-party, haven't gone wrong by it! housing is a transparent box showing interior/pcb, bright as fuck industrial grade red led (cover that up in darkness, unless you like psycho red glowing corners in the dark) and lastly, has dual audio out and CVBS/s-video out as phono/rca (the other audio as 3.5mm socket) svga quality can't be faulted, no regrets getting it, crisp and sharp on all screens tested that properly catered for svga/dvi. ... the down side (not happened to me yet, i take serious care to...) the small tab like bar switch, (for monitor/tv selection) at top seam of the svga pcb housing is quite fragile. a lot have suffered it breaking, if online forum post reading is to be believed?! (i don't doubt for a sec really, switch is shit build) could easily be repaired/REPLACED with something more robust, aside that, been a fantastic upgrade in all! ... if you can source an official item, do that. it would've been my first move, if the prices/availability wasn't so bollocks... do as you will... :witless: ^^
Most of the vga cables/boxes are pretty much more or less the same, the main difference would be build quality. Have you thought about getting the HANZO vga box at all? Not sure if this is the same cable, http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?49726-Cheap-and-easy-Dreamcast-VGA
You're good with either the official VGA box, beharius' Hanzo or cabou's cables. I have one from cabou and it's very well made, you can choose the length and type of connectors. Its main advantage is that it's simply a cable, no box, no converter; just a cable from the DC to the monitor (and one for the speakers). Lifetime warranty and never heard a single complaint from customers, since 2008. beharius' Hanzo seems very good too and it adds scanlines which is very nice. I don't own it but everyone I know that did are happy and the support seems good too. Bottomline, these three choices will give you the same image quality. The one from cabou is less bulky but has no scanlines, the one from beharius is more bulky but has scanlines and the one from Sega is bulky and has no scanlines. [EDIT] BEWARE of cheap VGA cables from china: http://www.dreamcast-scene.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=4372
Thanks guys, I might just save up for the Hanzo. Don't think it's worth the hassle of a questionable cable.
I got mine from Racketboy.com a few years ago. I don't think they sell them any more, though. I don't know what company makes it, but it's the one that has a small box rather than a normal sized box. The only text on it says, "DC VGA Cable". It was pretty cheap, and the image quality is amazing.
I'd rather get a VGA BOX, considering they have the other outputs worth a damn in North America, S-Video and composite. Maybe somebody can crack open these $18 VGA cables and tell us exactly what inside these things and verify that they do have some kind of circuit with surface mount capacitors or something. It's probably highly doubtful. But if you have the money and don't want to open up your Dreamcast, get the Hanzo.
The VGA mod is the way to go. Shadows over at Neo-Geo sells a VGA PCB kit for $5. http://www.neo-geo.com/forums/showthread.php?247935-FS-Dreamcast-VGA-pcb-kit If you want a scanliner that's only for Dreamcast get the Hanzo.
Speaking of Dreamcast output, i've recently got my old Sega out and when I set it all up, the initial screen loads up - what should be a white screen with the blue Dreamcast logo, however the screen has a yellow tint. I'm using an unofficial scart lead, and have tried another scart lead but keep having the same problem. It's not just the start up screen what is affected, it carries on into my games which is a real pain. Does anyone know what may be causing this or how I can fix it? Thanks
One of the pins in the cable is touching to the metal pin or broken, try to inspect and clean the av port too ...
