Dreamcast - LCD Monitor Specs

[cabrando]

Looking to get a LCD monitor to use with my dreamcast. I was wondering if I should be looking for certain resolutions, refresh rates, etc..

[fox099]

Most LCDs will automatically scale the input to the native resolution. The dreamcast vga puts out a 640x480 signal at 60hz, meaning any lcd hdtv with a computer in port will do the work. otherwise, I think any 4x3 monitor will probably do the job.

[GrandMasterJimmy]

Actually you need to be careful with getting a monitor. The DC vga cables do not output 60hz, they output 59.3hz, unless you have the official cable and not the 3rd party ones. I had this issue when i tried it on multiple monitors(worked fine on another monitor that supported lower). Make sure whatever you buy can support below 60hz.

[cabrando]

Anyone else have the same issue as GrandMasterJimmy?

Also, I'm wanting to display some shmups vertically, will the DC do this w/o any problems?

Secondly how will a widescreen display output the 640x480, will it stretch it or does it letter box it on the side?

[BigTinz]

Get a honking big gateway crt.

[aw93053]

take the VGA Adapter / Dreamcast with you and test it out. I had the same problem and just tried different monitors in the store. Out of 6 that I tested, only 1 of them worked.

[GrandMasterJimmy]

Anyone else have the same issue as GrandMasterJimmy?

Also, I'm wanting to display some shmups vertically, will the DC do this w/o any problems?

Secondly how will a widescreen display output the 640x480, will it stretch it or does it letter box it on the side?

Depends the monitor. Most stretch it, but I've seen a few that will use borders.

[Hobie-wan]

take the VGA Adapter / Dreamcast with you and test it out. I had the same problem and just tried different monitors in the store. Out of 6 that I tested, only 1 of them worked.

Huh, guess I've been lucky. I have an orange Madness Gameware VGA box and its works fine with my HP LP2065 LCD, Samsung Syncmaster 931B LCD, and a few random cheap 15-17 inch LCDs at work when I took it there a while back. It also works on my plasma TV with no issues.

[Ramatut4001]

I tried it on my 22" 16:10 Acer and it stretched it, yuck. I recently got an older NEC 4:3 LCD and it seems fine so far though I've not used it too much. I do have a neat setup for it though. I'm using it as my second monitor on my PC with a switching VGA box. So as soon as I turn on my Dreamcast it takes over the second screen and my PC speakers.