Dreamcast VGA Box

From Sega Retro

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A first and third party peripheral for the Sega Dreamcast, the Sega Dreamcast VGA Adapter allowes 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 adapters 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.

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.

Component Video

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.

Compatible Games

Trivia

  • 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.)
  • 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.
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