Dreamcast VGA Cable/Box

Post by **Lythinca** » Sat May 31, 2008 5:07 pm

Hey guys. I'm in a perdiciment right now. I'm getting a 17inch non widescreen LCD monitor from my girlfriends dad. I don't know the brand but its about 2 years old.

Will the Dreamcast VGA Cable/Dreamcast VGA Box work with this?

(Some people say, that some LCD monitors dont support 640x480 and arent compatible with the dreamcast VGA. Is that true? If so, is there anyway that I could decrease the monitors resolution so it would work with the VGA? or increase the dreamcast resolution so it would work with the monitor?)

Thanks guys.

EDIT: Dang, I didn't see the question thread, due to slow internet. Can someone move this into it?

Thanks.

Post by **Droid party** » Sat May 31, 2008 7:53 pm

I don't see any reason it wouldn't. Best way to find out is to plug it in and try.

Post by **howardb** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 3:46 pm

I've got a VGA box (that I bought from Racketboy, no less), that works fine with my old non-widescreen CRT monitor, but won't work on my new HD telly - presumably it can't display the required 640x480. If your monitor can display the resolution it'll automatically switch to it, but I don't think you'll be able to adjust with what the VGA box is outputting.

Might be worth googling the model number of the monitor you're getting (once you know what it is) to see if it can display 640x480.

Post by **Lythinca** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 8:43 pm

Hmm. My monitor is a "Metro" 17inch non widescreen LCD. Metro is a no name brand, so I'm guessing its a prima/insignia/cheap LG.

if I force my computer into 640x480 resolution, it shows up on the monitor. Does that mean it will do the same for the Dreamcast?

Post by **marurun** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 10:28 pm

Probably. My LCD monitor works great with my Dreamcast. I suspect most LCD monitors will. HDTVs are much more likely to be troublesome than a standard LCD computer monitor.

Post by **Lythinca** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 11:22 pm

According to the manufacturers website:

Displayable Resolution: SXVGA, Vertical Frequency Response: 75hz Max. (It also says it can do 1280x1024 at 75hz. Yet I'm running it at 800x600, so I think that means when its on 75hz mode it can do a maximum of 1280x1024 if you need it to.)

Will that work with the Dreamcast VGA Adapter? This is a monitor from 2006. Its a Metro M 17SL.

Post by **marurun** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:43 am

Manufacturers usually just list the maximum res at the highest refresh rate. Modern monitors really need to be able to do 640 x 480. I have heard of occasional units that had trouble with Dreamcast VGA video feed, but those reports are rare. Chances are your monitor will work fine. Nobody here can guarantee it, but chances are very good.

Post by **racketboy** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:05 am

And I can work our a refund (minus shipping) if it doesn't work for you assuming it's still in new condition.

Post by **Lythinca** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 1:27 pm

Alright thanks guys.

Post by **howardb** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 1:56 pm

Anyone know if I'd have any more luck getting my DC working with a HDTV if I used a VGA cable as opposed to the VGA box? (I heard that some TVs don't like whatever it is the box does to the signal, and wondered if the straight cable might solve it.)