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Dreamcast VGA-Box Confusion

Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 5:05 pm
by Beak
Hey,

I was going to buy a VGA Box for my Dreamcast but I was having some problems understanding what I was buying.

I realize there's a difference between a VGA cable and the VGA Box, but it looked like the Box was a better deal because I could then use s-video and RCA at the same time with a switch. Everywhere I look it's basically the same VGA Box but none of the items say whether the VGA Box includes a VGA cable to hook-up to the TV/monitor. That includes Racketboy's VGA Box. He says it's the same as the VGA cable only you can use s-video/RCA on it too. Does that mean it includes the VGA cable and the others I need on my own? I'm so confused. Do the VGA Boxes typically include a VGA cord, or is just an output for VGA/s-video/RCA and I'll have to buy everything else separately?

I don't know which to buy.

Hope someone can help!

EDIT: These are what I'm looking at: http://www.racketboy.com/store/dreamcas ... deo-av.htm and http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-VGA-S-Video-OUT ... 1|294%3A50

Re: Dreamcast VGA-Box Confusion

Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 5:08 pm
by racketboy
You need your own cables for all of them -- you only get the box you see in the picture -- I hope that helps :)

Re: Dreamcast VGA-Box Confusion

Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 5:46 pm
by Beak
That helps a ton, thanks! But buying just the VGA cable I can hook up my Dreamcast to the TV, right?

Re: Dreamcast VGA-Box Confusion

Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 6:19 pm
by Niode
Beak wrote:That helps a ton, thanks! But buying just the VGA cable I can hook up my Dreamcast to the TV, right?


Technically, yes... But only if your TV/Monitor input is within 4" of the DC. The VGA cable is REALLY short. So short it's almost unusable without an extra VGA cable.

Re: Dreamcast VGA-Box Confusion

Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 6:44 pm
by Beak
So wait.. I'll need a standard VGA cable to extend it?

Also, I found a s-video cord of mine, if I bought the VGA box, could I use this cord? The cord has nothing to do with Dreamcast, just a regular ol' s-video cord. Same goes for the VGA Box, if I'm extending it using a VGA cable anyway, I might as well just buy the box instead, right? Do I need a special VGA cable to hook into the VGA Box, or just a regular one?

Sorry, I think I've repeated myself a few times and my questions are probably a bit circular. ><

I'm usually pretty good with technology, but damn, I probably sound like a 70 year old woman trying to hook up her DVD player. :P

EDIT: Also, if I'm getting a standard VGA cable, is it male to male or what? Could you tell me which cable I'll need?

EDIT: EDIT: Oh and thanks to whomever moved the thread to the right subforum. :P

Re: Dreamcast VGA-Box Confusion

Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 7:12 pm
by racketboy
Chances are you need a male-to-male cable to connect it as the VGA boxes all have a female connection

Re: Dreamcast VGA-Box Confusion

Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 7:20 pm
by Beak
So if I have the Box, a standard VGA and s-video cable will work, correct?

Re: Dreamcast VGA-Box Confusion

Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:19 pm
by ThunderPrince
*head explodes*

Re: Dreamcast VGA-Box Confusion

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 3:18 pm
by Beak
Bumpity bump!

Re: Dreamcast VGA-Box Confusion

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:14 pm
by racketboy
Beak wrote:So if I have the Box, a standard VGA and s-video cable will work, correct?


yes :)