Difference between revisions of "Dreamcast VGA Box"

From Sega Retro
 
(31 intermediate revisions by 8 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{AccessoryBob
 
{{AccessoryBob
 
| accessoryimage=Dcvgacable.JPG
 
| accessoryimage=Dcvgacable.JPG
−
| imgwidth=320px
 
 
| accessoryprogramscreen=
 
| accessoryprogramscreen=
 
| title=
 
| title=
 
| maker=[[Sega]]
 
| maker=[[Sega]]
 +
| type=Video cable
 
| madefor=[[Sega Dreamcast]]
 
| madefor=[[Sega Dreamcast]]
−
| alsoworks=
+
| releases={{releasesDC
−
| romsize=
+
| dc_date_jp=1999-01-14{{fileref|DreamInformation Vol01.pdf|page=12}}
−
| europe=
+
| dc_code_jp=HKT-8100
−
| usa=
+
| 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}}
−
| japan=
+
| dc_date_pt=1999
−
| australia=
+
| dc_code_pt=DCAFI2027
−
| benelux=
 
−
| brazil=
 
−
| germany=
 
−
| scandinavia=
 
−
| southkorea=
 
−
| rrp_jp=
 
 
}}
 
}}
−
The '''Dreamcast VGA Adapter''' is a peripheral for the [[Sega Dreamcast]] which allows the system to connect to a computer monitor. The result is typically sharper, higher resolution graphics than that through the standard component output, and alllows the console to compete with its competitors, the [[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox]] and [[Nintendo GameCube]].
+
}}
 +
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.
 +
 
 +
==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.
 +
 
 +
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 [[cdn:S-Video|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.{{fileref|DreamcastNatal2000 PT Catalogue.pdf|page=4}}
 +
 
 +
===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.  
  
−
Sega's model of the VGA adapter is black, and is significantly more expensive than third-party alternatives ($50 USD vs. $20 USD). Some third party adapters were known to have design problems meaning not all VGA connectors will fit. Visual quality is also often worse than the official model.  
+
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.
  
−
Not all Dreamcast games are compatible with the VGA Adapter, namely [[SNK]] ports such as ''[[Garou: Mark of the Wolves]]''. The majority of games can be forced to use the VGA adapter by using software such as the [[DC-X]].
+
==Compatibility==
 +
{{AccessoryCompatibilityList|Dreamcast VGA Box}}
  
−
==Component Video==
+
==Magazine articles==
−
{{rewrite}}
+
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
−
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==
+
==Gallery==
−
{{multicol|
+
<gallery>
−
* ''[[18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker]]''
+
VGABox DC PT PCB Front.jpg|[[Ecofilmes]] Dreamcast VGA Box PCB (front)
−
* ''[[4x4 Evolution]]''
+
VGABox DC PT PCB Back.jpg|[[Ecofilmes]] Dreamcast VGA Box PCB (back)
−
* ''[[Alien Front Online]]''
+
</gallery>
−
* ''[[Bomber hehhe!]]''
+
 
−
* ''[[Bomberman Online]]''
+
===Official photographs===
−
* ''[[Border Down]]''
+
<gallery>
−
* ''[[Chaos Field]]''
+
DreamcastPressDisc4 Hardware VGA BOX.jpg
−
* ''[[ChuChu Rocket!]]''
+
DreamcastPressDisc4 Hardware vga-box.jpg
−
* ''[[Coaster Works]]''
+
</gallery>
−
* ''[[Confidential Mission]]''
+
 
−
* ''[[Cosmic Smash]]''
+
==Physical scans==
−
* ''[[Crazy Taxi]]''
+
{{Scanbox
−
* ''[[Crazy Taxi 2]]''
+
| console=Dreamcast
−
* ''[[Dead or Alive 2]]''
+
| region=JP
−
* ''[[Demolition Racer: No Exit]]''
+
| front=VGABox DC JP Box Front.jpg
−
* ''[[Densha De Go! 2]]''
+
| back=
−
* ''[[Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future]]''
+
}}{{Scanbox
−
* ''[[Evil Dead: Hail to the King]]''
+
| console=Dreamcast
−
* ''[[F355 Challenge]]''
+
| region=PT
−
* ''[[Fighting Force 2]]''
+
| front=VGABox DC PT Box Front.jpg
−
* ''[[Fire Pro Wrestling D]]''
+
| back=VGABox DC PT Box Back.jpg
−
* ''[[Fur Fighters]]''
 
−
* ''[[Giant Gram 2000: All Japan Pro Wrestling 3]]''
 
−
* ''[[Giga Wing]]''
 
−
* ''[[Godzilla Generations]]''
 
−
* ''[[Grand Theft Auto 2]]''
 
−
* ''[[Half Life]]
 
−
* ''[[The House of the Dead 2]]''
 
−
* ''[[Ikaruga]]''
 
−
* ''[[Jet Set Radio]]''
 
−
* ''[[JoJo's Bizarre Adventure]]''
 
−
* ''[[The King of Fighters 2002]]''
 
−
* ''[[Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver]]''
 
−
* ''[[Le Mans 24 Hours]]''
 
−
* ''[[Mars Matrix]]''
 
−
* ''[[Marvel vs. Capcom]]''
 
−
* ''[[Marvel vs. Capcom 2]]''
 
−
* ''[[Maximum Pool]]''
 
−
* ''[[MDK 2]]''
 
−
* ''[[Metropolis Street Racer]]''
 
−
* ''[[Monaco Grand Prix]]''
 
−
* ''[[Mr. Driller]]''
 
−
* ''[[Musapey's Choco Marker]]''
 
−
* ''[[Omikron: The Nomad Soul]]''
 
−
* ''[[Ooga Booga]]''
 
−
* ''[[Outtrigger]]''
 
−
* ''[[Phantasy Star Online]]''
 
−
* ''[[Phantasy Star Online v2]]''
 
−
* ''[[Plasma Sword]]''
 
−
* ''[[Power Stone]]''
 
−
* ''[[Power Stone 2]]''
 
−
* ''[[Project Justice: Rival Schools 2]]''
 
−
* ''[[Pro Pinball Trilogy]]''
 
−
* ''[[Psyvariar 2]]''
 
−
* ''[[Puyo Puyo 4]]''
 
−
* ''[[Puyo Puyo Da!]]''
 
−
* ''[[Puyo Puyo Fever]]''
 
−
* ''[[Quake III Arena]]''
 
−
* ''[[Quiz: Ah! My Goddess]]''
 
−
* ''[[Radirgy]]''
 
−
* ''[[Rainbow Cotton]]''
 
−
* ''[[Rayman 2]]''
 
−
* ''[[Ready 2 Rumble Boxing]]''
 
−
* ''[[Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2]]''
 
−
* ''[[Rent A Hero No.1]]''
 
−
* ''[[Resident Evil 3: Nemesis]]''
 
−
* ''[[Rez]]''
 
−
* ''[[Rippin' Riders]]''
 
−
* ''[[Rune Jade]]''
 
−
* ''[[Sakura Taisen]]''
 
−
* ''[[Sakura Taisen 3]]''
 
−
* ''[[Samba de Amigo]]''
 
−
* ''[[Samba de Amigo ver. 2000]]''
 
−
* ''[[Seaman]]''
 
−
* ''[[Sega Swirl]]''
 
−
* ''[[Sega Smash Pack Volume 1]]''
 
−
* ''[[Segagaga]]''
 
−
* ''[[Shenmue]]''
 
−
* ''[[Shenmue II]]''
 
−
* ''[[Shikigami no Shiro II]]''
 
−
* ''[[Skies of Arcadia]]''
 
−
* ''[[Sonic Adventure]]''
 
−
* ''[[Sonic Adventure 2]]''
 
−
* ''[[Sonic Shuffle]]''
 
−
* ''[[Soul Calibur]]''
 
−
* ''[[Soldier of Fortune]]''
 
−
* ''[[South Park Rally]]''
 
−
* ''[[Space Channel 5]]''
 
−
* ''[[Space Channel 5: Part 2]]''
 
−
* ''[[Suzuki Alstare Extreme Racing]]''
 
−
* ''[[Starlancer]]''
 
−
* ''[[Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike]]''
 
−
* ''[[Time Stalkers]]''
 
−
* ''[[Tokyo Bus Guide]]''
 
−
* ''[[Tokyo Bus Guide Beauty Attendance Pack]]''
 
−
* ''[[Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation]]''
 
−
* ''[[Tomb Raider Chronicles]]''
 
−
* ''[[Tony Hawk's Pro Skater]]''
 
−
* ''[[Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2]]''
 
−
* ''[[Toy Commander]]''
 
−
* ''[[Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue!]]''
 
−
* ''[[Trizeal]]''
 
−
* ''[[Typing of the Date]]''
 
−
* ''[[The Typing of the Dead]]''
 
−
* ''[[Under Defeat]]''
 
−
* ''[[Unreal Tournament]]''
 
−
* ''[[Virtua Tennis 2]]''
 
−
* ''[[Virtual-On: Oratorio Tangram]]''
 
−
* ''[[Worms Armageddon]]''
 
−
* ''[[Worms World Party]]''
 
−
* ''[[Zero Gunner 2]]''
 
−
* ''[[Zombie Revenge]]''
 
−
|cols=3
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
 
+
==References==
 +
<references/>
  
 
{{Dreamcast}}
 
{{Dreamcast}}
−
 
−
[[Category:Dreamcast accessories]]
 

Latest revision as of 09:57, 30 June 2024

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.[3]

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)
  3. ↑ File:DreamcastNatal2000 PT Catalogue.pdf, page 4


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=983537"