Should I get S-video or VGA for my Dreamcast.

[ATARI7800fan]

I am currently thinking of upgrading my video cables on my Dreamcast. I am also on a low budget and love to play 2D games such as fighters and platformers. So I was wondering should I get a S-Video cable for it(all modern tv's have those right,bring it to friends houses sometimes)or should I spend the extra money and get a VGA box or cable. Also which brands should I go with. I know there are some brands of S-video and VGA boxes that seem to be badly made. What are your thoughts and opinion. Thanks for your time.

[+wood_jl]

I don't know firsthand, because I've never been able to locate an affordable 1st-party VGA adapter, and I've never been able to choose a suitable 3rd party unit. However, I have just read (on forums) that many of the 3rd party VGA adapters are pretty much "generic VGA adapters" and don't give 1:1 corresponding pixels - or something like that. Apology for the lack of technical understanding to adequately explain this. What I believe I understand is they're some lame scaling involved, and not putting out clear, true Dreamcast VGA. At least that's what I've read.

 

Perhaps an experienced, superior intellect will chime in on this one, because I'm interested, myself. However, as cheap as S-video cables are, I'd grab one, just in case.

[0078265317]

I don't know firsthand, because I've never been able to locate an affordable 1st-party VGA adapter, and I've never been able to choose a suitable 3rd party unit. However, I have just read (on forums) that many of the 3rd party VGA adapters are pretty much "generic VGA adapters" and don't give 1:1 corresponding pixels - or something like that. Apology for the lack of technical understanding to adequately explain this. What I believe I understand is they're some lame scaling involved, and not putting out clear, true Dreamcast VGA. At least that's what I've read.

 

Perhaps an experienced, superior intellect will chime in on this one, because I'm interested, myself. However, as cheap as S-video cables are, I'd grab one, just in case.

 

I havce the s-video cables. Got them at amazon for 6 dollars I think. It was very cheap. But I notice no difference in pic quality.

[Reaperman]

It's worth noting that most of the VGA boxes, also have S-video on them.

The quality jump with VGA is significant, though I've noticed that "extra sharp" doesn't really help some games (especially 2d fighters). I just checked, and for some reason these boxes are now rather expensive...

 

I have a 3rd party one from Madness, and it's done well for me.

]Here's a link to the only one of those on ebay: eBay Auction -- Item Number: 320698227022

here's an old review of it.

[0078265317]

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 320705756011

[Reaperman]

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 320705756011

Not all dreamcast games support VGA officially. There is a trick involving the tv/vga switch on most devices which allows them to also display on a vga monitor. I can't help but notice that the racketboy device in the link lacks such a switch.

[0078265317]

Never knew that thanks. Anyhow found 2 more that do have the switch.

 

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 390311419829

 

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 140518864032

[ATARI7800fan]

Thanks for all the responses. I was thinking if I got a VGA box of getting one with S-video, so I could use that for my 2D games. Also might seem like a silly question but when people say S-video. I have checked stores such as walmart and the cables they sell are only one hookup. Does S-video just use the red and white from a component cable for the sound. are they seperate.

[ATARI7800fan]

Would these S-video cables work with a VGA box.

 

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Monster-Cable-4-Monster-Standard-THX-Certified-S-Video-And-Analog-Audio-A-V-Kit/11081085

 

 

http://www.walmart.com/ip/StarTech.com-PC2TVSVID10-S-Video-and-RCA-Stereo-Cable/13070241?findingMethod=rr#BVReviewsContainer

Edited May 30, 2011 by ATARI7800fan

[kgenthe]

Would these S-video cables work with a VGA box.

 

Yes.

 

I've never had any luck with S-Video on the Dreamcast. I always get an unstable picture. I did recently grab a VGA Box from Racketboy and a VGA -> HDMI converter from Monoprice and the picture quality is jaw-dropping, even on a 55" display:

 

http://implantgames.com/?p=961

[ATARI7800fan]

Would these S-video cables work with a VGA box.

 

Yes.

 

I've never had any luck with S-Video on the Dreamcast. I always get an unstable picture. I did recently grab a VGA Box from Racketboy and a VGA -> HDMI converter from Monoprice and the picture quality is jaw-dropping, even on a 55" display:

 

http://implantgames.com/?p=961

 

Thanks for the advice, the only problem is my TV does not have a HDMI hookup only red, blue , green, and a VGA hookup. That's why I was thinking of S-video through a VGA box seeing as the standalone S-video cable I have seen for sale for dreamcast most people say are junk. or just VGA and use the cables it came with for my 2D games.

Also are there any 2D fighters that look better with VGA instead of the same or worse.

Edited May 30, 2011 by ATARI7800fan

[ATARI7800fan]

Would these S-video cables work with a VGA box.

 

Yes.

 

I've never had any luck with S-Video on the Dreamcast. I always get an unstable picture. I did recently grab a VGA Box from Racketboy and a VGA -> HDMI converter from Monoprice and the picture quality is jaw-dropping, even on a 55" display:

 

http://implantgames.com/?p=961

 

Did you have any trouble with the VGA Box from racketboy working on the first try.

[kgenthe]

Would these S-video cables work with a VGA box.

 

Yes.

 

I've never had any luck with S-Video on the Dreamcast. I always get an unstable picture. I did recently grab a VGA Box from Racketboy and a VGA -> HDMI converter from Monoprice and the picture quality is jaw-dropping, even on a 55" display:

 

http://implantgames.com/?p=961

 

Thanks for the advice, the only problem is my TV does not have a HDMI hookup only red, blue , green, and a VGA hookup. That's why I was thinking of S-video through a VGA box seeing as the standalone S-video cable I have seen for sale for dreamcast most people say are junk. or just VGA and use the cables it came with for my 2D games.

Also are there any 2D fighters that look better with VGA instead of the same or worse.

 

I believe most 2D arcade games on the Dreamcast are rendered at 340x240 (rather than 640x480) and don't work with the VGA cable with-out using the above mentioned tricks. Some games do work fine, like Giga Wing (though it's obviously pixelated). The only game I own that doesn't work with the VGA box is Bangai-O. Your best bet then is to just test things out and report back

 

 

Did you have any trouble with the VGA Box from racketboy working on the first try.

 

I didn't have any problems with the Racketboy box. I did get the cheaper one though, without the S-Video pass-through.

Edited May 30, 2011 by kgenthe

[the.golden.ax]

While we are on the topic. What about scart rgb through a XRGB? Would that look better than directly from VGA to my projector (my projector takes VGA and is 1080p).

 

AX

[Lendorien]

I've always found Svideo to be significantly better than composite. I use it pretty much exclusively for my Dreamcast and I think the picture is really pretty good overall. Now I have not seen DC in VGA, but I do wonder is the expense is worth the effort.

[kgenthe]

I've always found Svideo to be significantly better than composite. I use it pretty much exclusively for my Dreamcast and I think the picture is really pretty good overall. Now I have not seen DC in VGA, but I do wonder is the expense is worth the effort.

 

Twice the pixels, twice the detail The Dreamcast VGA output is really really beautiful.

[+wood_jl]

I've never had any luck with S-Video on the Dreamcast. I always get an unstable picture. I did recently grab a VGA Box from Racketboy and a VGA -> HDMI converter from Monoprice and the picture quality is jaw-dropping, even on a 55" display:

 

My experience has been quite different. Dreamcast S-video has been perfect for me. I had excellent results with S-video on every system I could ever use it on. S-video cable is the first thing I buy.

 

I'm not saying not to do the VGA box and converter, but I'm saying the cheap-ass S-video cable is worth it. Here's one for 99-cents on Ebay.....

 

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 300518718010

 

.....so get one, get both. But don't be turned off on S-video because of one guy's experience. I've been using it on Dreamcast since launch day, perfectly, just like every other system. It's silly to compare a $6 cable with $50 worth of hardware.

Edited May 31, 2011 by wood_jl

[0078265317]

This is what I have.

[ATARI7800fan]

This is what I have.

Do you remember what brand it was. I have seen Komodo and Retro-bit brands so far, which one is better quality.

[0078265317]

This is what I have.

Do you remember what brand it was. I have seen Komodo and Retro-bit brands so far, which one is better quality.

 

It was from amazon. Don't remember the name brand. Probably generic.

[0078265317]

I found it. Logged into amazon. Bought almost 1 year ago.

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000K13H/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=atariage&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B00000K13H

 

except I paid 10 cents and 6 dollars and 50 cents for shipping. A little high for a cable but compared to ebay and every one else it was the best deal.

[ATARI7800fan]

I found it. Logged into amazon. Bought almost 1 year ago.

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000K13H/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=atariage&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B00000K13H

 

except I paid 10 cents and 6 dollars and 50 cents for shipping. A little high for a cable but compared to ebay and every one else it was the best deal.

 

what was the quality like on them.

[the.golden.ax]

Anyone want to weigh in on RGB scart?

 

AX

[+remowilliams]

Anyone want to weigh in on RGB scart?

 

I use SCART RGB with a SCART > component converter. Kick. Ass.

 

[+wood_jl]

I havce the s-video cables. Got them at amazon for 6 dollars I think. It was very cheap. But I notice no difference in pic quality.

It depends upon what you're looking for, in picture quality. S-video isn't going to make a GOOD composite connection look like sh*t. It's just going to be a sharper image. "How much sharper" is, I suppose, a subjective evaluation. Some screens look better than others with S-video.

 

On racing games - where instrument gauges are drawn on the screen (just a for-example) the little face markings on the gauges look significantly less-fuzzy with S-video. Once I got used to it, I always find myself missing this extra sharpness with standard RCA cables. The original Xbox - probably the high-water mark for graphics of non-HD consoles - looks absolutely smashing with S-video (if you don't have HD set).