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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..

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.

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.

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?

Get a honking big gateway crt.

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.

cabrando wrote: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.

aw93053 wrote: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.

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.