Dreamcast VGA
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The Dreamcast video game console is able to output VGA to a computer display or HDTV using a first- or third-party peripheral usually referred to as "VGA box", "VGA cable" or "VGA adapter".
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[edit] Functionality
If pin 6 and pin 7 on the Dreamcast's A/V out is connected to ground, the Dreamcast switches to VGA mode [1][2], displaying 640x480p60 (Progressive Scan, EDTV standard) at 31kHz in RGBHV which allows it to connect to a computer monitor or EDTV/HDTV with VGA in.
The VGA adapter itself consists of merely a plastic case providing space for the VGA port and AV out (Composite, S-Video, and audio via RCA and/or 3.5mm TRS).
[edit] Competitors
Competing consoles like the Sony PlayStation 2, Microsoft Xbox[3] and Nintendo GameCube[4] used Y'PbPr component video cables for progressive scan output on compatible games.
As none of these consoles were capable of producing a native RGBHV (VGA) signal, the various first and third-party "VGA boxes" available for these consoles converted the composite or S-Video signal to a VGA compatible format.[5]
[edit] HDMI conversion
It is possible to convert the VGA output of the Dreamcast to HDMI via a VGA to HDMI converter, allowing the Dreamcast to connect with HDTVs lacking a VGA port.
[edit] DVI compatibility
The VGA box can be connected to a HDTV or PC monitor's DVI (Digital Visual Interface) port with a simple converter cable. The DVI port has to be DVI-A or DVI-I compatible. DVI-D would not work.
[edit] Versions
Many third-party versions were identical to SEGA's model, with the exception of the VGA cable by Blaze, which lacked the additional A/V out.
Although the accessory was produced in great quantity, an official VGA box can go for around $50US on eBay, while third-party boxes are often sold for less than $20US on eBay and other websites.[6][7]
[edit] Compatibility
Most Dreamcast releases were officially VGA compatible. [8]
There are a handful of European and North-American games that did not include the necessary flag within the boot sector on the disc ('IP.BIN') thus preventing the Dreamcast from booting in VGA mode.
Unplugging the VGA box while booting a game, or boot discs like DC-X can be used as a workaround.
[edit] References
- ^ "VGA box shematic". gamesx.com. http://www.gamesx.com/grafx/dricas.gif. Retrieved on 2008-11-05.
- ^ "Dreamcast AV Connector". gamesx.com. http://www.gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=av:dreamcastav. Retrieved on 2008-11-05.
- ^ "Xbox AV pinout". gamesx.com. http://www.gamesx.com/avpinouts/xbox.htm. Retrieved on 2008-11-05.
- ^ "Nintendo GameCube Digital AV Connector". gamesx.com. http://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=av:nintendodigitalav. Retrieved on 2008-11-05.
- ^ "Micomsoft's XRGB-2 Review". nfggames.com/atarilabs. http://nfggames.com/atarilabs/meat/2001/0120_XRGB2.shtml. Retrieved on 2008-11-05.
- ^ "Fully compatible third-party VGA box/cable/adapters at Racketboy.com". Racketboy.com. http://www.racketboy.com/store/dreamcast-vga-cable-box.htm. Retrieved on 2008-11-05.
- ^ ""HD-Cast" - Article about third-party VGA cables and boxes from Racketboy.com". the-dreamcast-junkyard.blogspot.com. http://the-dreamcast-junkyard.blogspot.com/2008/10/hd-cast.html. Retrieved on 2008-11-05.
- ^ "VGA compatibility list". nephil.de. http://www.nephil.de/vga-comp.html. Retrieved on 2008-06-18.
[edit] External links
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