Difference between revisions of "Dreamcast VGA Box"

From Sega Retro

(New page: 200px|right A first and third party peripheral for the Sega Dreamcast, the '''Sega Dreamcast VGA Adapter''' allowed the Dreamcast to be connected to a computer...)
 
m (Text replacement - "| alsoworks= " to "")
 
(45 intermediate revisions by 10 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
[[Image:Dcvgacable.JPG|200px|right]]
+
{{AccessoryBob
−
A first and third party peripheral for the [[Sega Dreamcast]], the '''Sega Dreamcast VGA Adapter''' allowed the Dreamcast to be connected to a computer monitor. In this way the Dreamcast could achieve the benefit of running games at 480p, allowing it to compete with competitors [[Sony PlayStation 2]], [[Microsoft Xbox]] and [[Nintendo GameCube]] when it came to HD/ progressive scan graphics. There were a variety of 3rd party versions made, which were essentially identical in functionality to Sega's model.  Some third party adapter were known to have problems when it came to the case, i.e., the monitor cord would not fit in the VGA slot since there was too much surrounding plastic.  Other problems included the visual quality.  Dreamcast adapters are cheaper because the connector is a VGA to AV cable, making a VGA signal output natural, while other consoles did not have the direct signal to use and instead used [[RGB]] cables.  Although these problems have been easily fixed by future consoles on VGA compatible high definition televisions, no other flaws were reported.  
+
| accessoryimage=Dcvgacable.JPG
 +
| accessoryprogramscreen=
 +
| title=
 +
| maker=[[Sega]]
 +
| type=Video cable
 +
| madefor=[[Sega Dreamcast]]
 +
| releases={{releasesDC
 +
| dc_date_jp=1999-01-14{{fileref|DreamInformation Vol01.pdf|page=12}}
 +
| dc_code_jp=HKT-8100
 +
| dc_rrp_jp=7,000e{{fileref|DreamInformation Vol01.pdf|page=12}}{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20200304194516/https://virtual-on.sega.jp/oratan/hotstart/manual/peri.html}}
 +
| dc_date_pt=1999
 +
| dc_code_pt=DCAFI2027
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' (ドリームキャストVGA ボックス) is a peripheral for the [[Sega Dreamcast]] which allows the system to connect to a monitor supporting the VGA video standard.
  
−
Although the accessory was produced in great quantity an official VGA box can go for around $50US on eBay, while 3rd party boxes are often sold for under $20US on eBay and other websites.
+
==Hardware==
 +
Using a VGA box is considered by enthusiasts to be the definitive way of playing a Dreamcast, as it allows the system to output a 480p video signal without any graphical compromises. Though VGA support has been a feature of the Dreamcast since 1998, the standard was at the time, somewhat impractical, as most televisions lacked a VGA port to interface with the console. This means all Dreamcasts shipped with [[cdn:RF connector|RF]] or [[cdn:composite video|composite video]] cables, which, although functional in sending a picture to a screen, are unable to deliver the clearest possible picture.
  
−
==Component Video==
+
Today, televisions and computer monitors have converged, meaning the use of VGA is no longer as uncommon. The Dreamcast's support for VGA is often considered ahead of its time, as many models of the [[PlayStation 2]] and [[Nintendo GameCube]] cannot output a comparable video signal (without modifications).
−
VGA adapters are a parallel alternative connector to display high end resolutions. [[Component video]] connectors found on sixth generation consoles can use 480p.  For instance, Playstation 2 works in component but the signal is worst because like its predecessor it displays its [[anti-aliasing]] problems unless on RGB or 720p compatible games.  The GameCube and Xbox do not have this problem.  The VGA adapter also permits a 480p function on a specialized HD-TV compatible monitor with a VGA connector, or with a 100 dollar plus video converter.  The video converter splits the signals sent from VGA to YPbPr colors.  Like with personal computers, these VGA connectors are usually only compatible with monitors and projectors.
 
  
−
==Trivia==
+
Not all Dreamcast games are compatible with the VGA Adapter, namely [[SNK]] games such as ''[[Garou: Mark of the Wolves]]''. The majority of games can be forced to use the VGA box by using software such as the ''[[DC-X]]''. Given these issues (and that on its own, VGA also only deals with video, not audio), the VGA box has extra ports, doubling up as a way of displaying composite audio/video and [[cdn:S-Video|S-Video]] should the need arise.
  
−
*Most official American [[Dreamcast]] releases were compatible with a VGA box.  There are a handful of games that did not include necessary code to use VGA mode. Many of the later SNK ports are good examples of this (eg. ''''Garou: Mark of the Wolves''.)
+
Despite hinting at a western release, Sega only released its official Dreamcast VGA Box in Japan, although the device is compatible with all versions of the Dreamcast worldwide. Third-party alternatives are therefore far more common in North America and Europe. An unofficial Dreamcast VGA Box was released in Portugal by [[Ecofilmes]] as being an official device in what looks to be official packaging.  
−
*Workarounds exist to trick all but a handful of games into working with a VGA adapter (like the software ''Dc-X'').
 
−
*Modders have been able to build an internal VGA port.
 
  
−
[[Category:Dreamcast Hardware]]
+
===Component video===
 +
The VGA adaptor is an equivalent to Component (YPrPb) cables in that it allows a higher resolution progressive scan video output, including 480p and, in some cases, 720p. Despite VGA being popular in computers, and while indeed computer monitors could be used in conjunction with the VGA adaptor, it was not a common standard on old HD TV sets compared to component, and although similar in nature the two standards are not compatible without conversion, which in turn could lead to quality loss. VGA is also arguably a higher quality output compared to component and other consoles at the time, although in a lot of cases it would be indistinguishable.
 +
 
 +
The Dreamcast did not have native YPrPb component output (although SCART/RGBS can sometimes be considered component output), with VGA being a byproduct of the shared platform between the Dreamcast and the [[NAOMI]] arcade system. It should also be noted that the GameCube did not have native component output, requiring a cable with active electronics to convert digital signals to the analogue YPrPb format.
 +
 
 +
==Compatibility==
 +
{{AccessoryCompatibilityList|Dreamcast VGA Box}}
 +
 
 +
==Magazine articles==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
 +
 
 +
==Gallery==
 +
<gallery>
 +
VGABox DC PT PCB Front.jpg|[[Ecofilmes]] Dreamcast VGA Box PCB (front)
 +
VGABox DC PT PCB Back.jpg|[[Ecofilmes]] Dreamcast VGA Box PCB (back)
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
===Official photographs===
 +
<gallery>
 +
DreamcastPressDisc4 Hardware VGA BOX.jpg
 +
DreamcastPressDisc4 Hardware vga-box.jpg
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
==Physical scans==
 +
{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Dreamcast
 +
| region=JP
 +
| front=VGABox DC JP Box Front.jpg
 +
| back=
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Dreamcast
 +
| region=PT
 +
| front=VGABox DC PT Box Front.jpg
 +
| back=VGABox DC PT Box Back.jpg
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==References==
 +
<references/>
 +
 
 +
{{Dreamcast}}

Latest revision as of 13:33, 3 October 2022

Dcvgacable.JPG
Dreamcast VGA Box
Made for: Sega Dreamcast
Manufacturer: Sega
Type: Video cable
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Dreamcast
JP 		¥7,000 (7,350)7,000e[1][2] HKT-8100
Sega Dreamcast
PT 		DCAFI2027

The Dreamcast VGA Box (ドリームキャストVGA ボックス) is a peripheral for the Sega Dreamcast which allows the system to connect to a monitor supporting the VGA video standard.

Hardware

Using a VGA box is considered by enthusiasts to be the definitive way of playing a Dreamcast, as it allows the system to output a 480p video signal without any graphical compromises. Though VGA support has been a feature of the Dreamcast since 1998, the standard was at the time, somewhat impractical, as most televisions lacked a VGA port to interface with the console. This means all Dreamcasts shipped with RF or composite video cables, which, although functional in sending a picture to a screen, are unable to deliver the clearest possible picture.

Today, televisions and computer monitors have converged, meaning the use of VGA is no longer as uncommon. The Dreamcast's support for VGA is often considered ahead of its time, as many models of the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube cannot output a comparable video signal (without modifications).

Not all Dreamcast games are compatible with the VGA Adapter, namely SNK games such as Garou: Mark of the Wolves. The majority of games can be forced to use the VGA box by using software such as the DC-X. Given these issues (and that on its own, VGA also only deals with video, not audio), the VGA box has extra ports, doubling up as a way of displaying composite audio/video and S-Video should the need arise.

Despite hinting at a western release, Sega only released its official Dreamcast VGA Box in Japan, although the device is compatible with all versions of the Dreamcast worldwide. Third-party alternatives are therefore far more common in North America and Europe. An unofficial Dreamcast VGA Box was released in Portugal by Ecofilmes as being an official device in what looks to be official packaging.

Component video

The VGA adaptor is an equivalent to Component (YPrPb) cables in that it allows a higher resolution progressive scan video output, including 480p and, in some cases, 720p. Despite VGA being popular in computers, and while indeed computer monitors could be used in conjunction with the VGA adaptor, it was not a common standard on old HD TV sets compared to component, and although similar in nature the two standards are not compatible without conversion, which in turn could lead to quality loss. VGA is also arguably a higher quality output compared to component and other consoles at the time, although in a lot of cases it would be indistinguishable.

The Dreamcast did not have native YPrPb component output (although SCART/RGBS can sometimes be considered component output), with VGA being a byproduct of the shared platform between the Dreamcast and the NAOMI arcade system. It should also be noted that the GameCube did not have native component output, requiring a cable with active electronics to convert digital signals to the analogue YPrPb format.

Compatibility

Magazine articles

Main article: Dreamcast VGA Box/Magazine articles.

Gallery

Official photographs

  • DreamcastPressDisc4 Hardware VGA BOX.jpg
  • DreamcastPressDisc4 Hardware vga-box.jpg

Physical scans

Dreamcast, JP
VGABox DC JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
Dreamcast, PT
VGABox DC PT Box Back.jpgVGABox DC PT Box Front.jpg
Cover

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Dream Information Vol. 1, January 1999, page 12
  2. ↑ https://virtual-on.sega.jp/oratan/hotstart/manual/peri.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-03-04 19:45)


Sega Dreamcast
Topics Technical specifications (Hardware comparison) | History (Development | Release | Decline and legacy | Internet) | List of games | Magazine articles | Promotional material | Merchandise
Hardware Japan (Special) | Western Europe | Eastern Europe | North America | Asia | South America | Australasia | Africa
Add-ons Dreamcast Karaoke | Dreameye
Controllers Controller | Arcade Stick | Fishing Controller | Gun (Dream Blaster) | Race Controller | Maracas Controller (Third-party) | Twin Stick | Keyboard | Mouse | Third-party
Controller Add-ons Jump Pack (Third-party) | Microphone | VMU (4x Memory Card | Third-party)
Development Hardware Dev.Box | Controller Box | Controller Function Checker | Sound Box | GD-Writer | C1/C2 Checker | Dev.Cas | GD-ROM Duplicator
Online Services/Add-ons Dreamarena | SegaNet | WebTV for Dreamcast | Modem | Modular Cable | Modular Extension Cable | Broadband Adapter | Dreamphone
Connector Cables Onsei Setsuzoku Cable | RF Adapter | Scart Cable | S Tanshi Cable | Stereo AV Cable | VGA Box

Dreamcast MIDI Interface Cable | Neo Geo Pocket/Dreamcast Setsuzoku Cable | Taisen Cable

Misc. Hardware Action Replay CDX | Code Breaker | Kiosk | MP3 DC | MP3 DC Audio Player | Official Case | Treamcast
Third-party accessories Controllers | Controller converters | Miscellaneous
Unreleased Accessories DVD Player | Zip Drive | Swatch Access for Dreamcast | VMU MP3 Player
Arcade Variants NAOMI | Atomiswave | Sega Aurora
Retrieved from "https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=Dreamcast_VGA_Box&oldid=816948"