Dreamcast VGA

Last updated
The Kuro, a recent VGA box made by enthusiasts in Turkey. Sega-Dreamcast-VGA-Kuro-Box.jpg
The Kuro, a recent VGA box made by enthusiasts in Turkey.

The Dreamcast VGA Box (also known generally as a DC VGA adapter or DC VGA cable) is an accessory for Sega's Dreamcast video game console that allows it to connect to a video display such as a computer monitor or an HDTV set through a VGA port. Because the Dreamcast hardware can produce a VGA-compatible video signal natively, this connection provides improved picture quality compared to standard composite video or S-Video connections, along with support for progressive scan video.

Contents

Sega released the original VGA Box as an official accessory, but many third-party versions were also produced and sold worldwide in various form factors.

Most games for the Dreamcast are VGA-compatible, while various workarounds exist to enable VGA output from many of the games that do not feature official support.

Functionality

Most VGA boxes also have S-Video and composite video output. Dreamcast VGA box back.jpg
Most VGA boxes also have S-Video and composite video output.
A third-party Dreamcast VGA box Dreamcast VGA box.jpg
A third-party Dreamcast VGA box

VGA output from the Dreamcast consists of a 640×480 image contained within a 720x480 frame that is drawn in progressive scan (480p), suitable for computer monitors and VGA-enabled television sets of its era. [1] [2] The Dreamcast was one of the first consoles to support 480p and high-definition television (HDTV) in general. [3] [4]

The official VGA Box consists of a rectangular black plastic case, bearing a VGA out port and a 3.5 mm minijack for stereo audio output on one side, and an A/V output jack breakout panel (S-Video, composite, and RCA stereo audio jacks) on the other, for switching output either to a typical computer monitor and speakers/headphones or to a typical TV.

Most third-party versions are functionally identical to Sega's model besides cosmetic differences, but some simplified designs lack the additional A/V breakout and output switch. These units can only be used for VGA and audio output. Some of these designs are streamlined to the point that no extra housing is required beyond the cable jacket and the connectors; such units are described generically as DC VGA cables.

One enhanced model, the Performance-branded VGA Adapter for Dreamcast produced by InterAct, additionally features a VGA input port and stereo minijack input for PC video and audio pass-through, with automatic source switching when the Dreamcast system is powered on and off. [5] [6] [7] [8] This enables a computer or other daisy-chained video game console with VGA output to remain connected to the same monitor and speakers as the Dreamcast simultaneously, without swapping cables or using additional switches for both VGA video and 3.5 mm stereo minijack audio.

It is also possible to modify a Dreamcast to add the same VGA functionality to the console itself, obviating the need for a standalone VGA box. [9] [10]

Compatibility

Software

Most Dreamcast games are compatible with the VGA Box. [11] [12] Incompatible games typically present an error message upon boot; all Dreamcast games can display through the S-Video and composite outputs on a VGA box if needed. [13]

VGA output from most incompatible games can be forced via having the VGA Box unplugged while booting a game, [14] temporarily switching the VGA Box into TV mode while booting a game, [7] or using a boot disc such as DC-X. [15] This loophole is not possible for games that only display in lower resolutions, with most sprite-based games rendered incompatible for VGA output. [16] [17] Though a handful of sprite-based games supported VGA, most notably ones from Capcom, at least some, if not all of their sprites were originally designed for lower-resolution displays and may resultingly appear less detailed when displayed through VGA due to poor image scaling. [16] [18]

Hardware and accessories

Dreamcast VGA boxes are compatible with all Dreamcast systems regardless of region since each unit is capable of producing a VGA signal. [19]

Dreamcast light guns will work with VGA or other connections when using a direct-view CRT VGA display or a multisync, significantly-bright CRT projector. They will not function with LCD, LED, and plasma screens, or digital projectors, regardless of the connection used. [20]

Post Dreamcast discontinuation

Demand for Dreamcast VGA boxes has risen among console owners in the years following the discontinuation of the Dreamcast due to an overall increase in the usage of HDTVs and computer monitors since then, as such displays increasingly lack standard S-Video and/or composite video connections. Accordingly, prices for Dreamcast VGA boxes on the second-hand market have increased as well, particularly for discontinued premium models. Based on this continuing demand, older and new third-party models also remain available from both retro game accessory companies and individual hobbyists selling homemade designs.

Other video game consoles released shortly after the Dreamcast, such as the PlayStation 2, [21] early revisions of the GameCube, [22] and Xbox, [23] supported progressive scan through YPbPr component video, although relatively few PlayStation 2 titles took advantage of the feature compared to Dreamcast and the others.

Various VGA accessories and independent hacks were produced for these consoles, mostly by third-party manufacturers and hobbyists. However, since none of these consoles were capable of producing a native RGBHV signal at 31 kHz for standard VGA output, these devices were generally designed around an outboard color space transcoder and/or scan converter. The most common and inexpensive of these devices, as with most similarly low-end general purpose signal converters, generated a VGA signal from composite or S-Video, resulting in poor quality. This would remain a problem for modern TVs until integrated plug-and-play HDMI adapters were manufactured and made available by third-party companies. [24]

The complexity, cost, and lack of software support for such accessories led to far lower VGA usage compared to the Dreamcast. However, since these consoles supported YPbPr component video natively, they were easier to use with typical EDTVs and HDTVs that may have lacked VGA support. Later consoles widened support for progressive scan by featuring component video, VGA, and/or HDMI connection options.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreamcast</span> Home video game console

The Dreamcast is the final home video game console manufactured by Sega. It was released on November 27, 1998, in Japan; September 9, 1999, in North America; and October 14, 1999, in Europe. It was the first sixth-generation video game console, preceding Sony's PlayStation 2, Nintendo's GameCube, and Microsoft's Xbox. The Dreamcast's 2001–02 discontinuation ended Sega's 18 years in the console market.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SCART</span> 21-pin connector for audio-visual equipment

SCART is a French-originated standard and associated 21-pin connector for connecting audio-visual (AV) equipment. The name SCART comes from Syndicat des Constructeurs d'Appareils Radiorécepteurs et Téléviseurs, "Radio and Television Receiver Manufacturers' Association", the French organisation that created the connector in the mid-1970s. The related European standard EN 50049 has then been refined and published in 1978 by CENELEC, calling it péritelevision, but it is commonly called by the abbreviation péritel in French.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Component video</span> Video signal that has been split into component channels

Component video is an analog video signal that has been split into two or more component channels. In popular use, it refers to a type of component analog video (CAV) information that is transmitted or stored as three separate signals. Component video can be contrasted with composite video in which all the video information is combined into a single signal that is used in analog television. Like composite, component cables do not carry audio and are often paired with audio cables.

<i>Phantasy Star Online</i> 2000 video game

Phantasy Star Online is an online role-playing game (RPG) developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega in 2000 for the Dreamcast. It was the first successful online RPG for game consoles; players adventure with up to three others over the internet to complete quests, collect items and fight enemies in real-time action RPG combat. The story is unrelated to previous games in the Phantasy Star series.

Enhanced-definition television, or extended-definition television (EDTV) is a Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) marketing shorthand term for certain digital television (DTV) formats and devices. Specifically, this term defines an extension of the standard-definition television (SDTV) format that enables a clearer picture during high-motion scenes compared to previous iterations of SDTV, but not producing images as detailed as high-definition television (HDTV).

<i>The Typing of the Dead</i> 1999 video game

The Typing of the Dead is an arcade game that was developed by WOW Entertainment and published by Sega for the NAOMI hardware. The game was released in Japanese arcades in 1999 and was ported to the Sega Dreamcast in 2001 by Smilebit. A Microsoft Windows version was released in 2000 and a PlayStation 2 port followed in 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Video-in video-out</span> Bidirectional graphics port standard

Video in video out, commonly pronounced ( VEE-voh), is a graphics port which enables some video cards to have bidirectional analog video transfer through a mini-DIN connector, usually of the 9-pin variety, and a specialised splitter cable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GD-ROM</span> Proprietary optical disc format used in the Dreamcast video game console

The GD-ROM is a proprietary optical disc format developed as a collaboration between Sega and Yamaha for the Dreamcast. A double-density format based on the CD-ROM that could hold up to 1 GB, it consists of a single-density track near the disc's center surrounded by a double-density track comprising much of the disc's capacity. The GD-ROM was created in response to developers exceeding the typical 650 MB storage capacity of the CD-ROM; while DVD-ROM would have addressed this limitation, implementing its then-new technology would have made console production cost prohibitive. Along with the format's general novelty, the extra capacity also had the theoretical benefit of curbing video game piracy, a major concern of CD-based consoles that was validated by its rampancy on the PlayStation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Composite monitor</span>

A composite monitor or composite video monitor is any analog video display that receives input in the form of an analog composite video signal to a defined specification. A composite video signal encodes all information on a single conductor; a composite cable has a single live conductor plus earth. Other equipment with display functionality includes monitors with more advanced interfaces and connectors giving a better picture, including analog VGA, and digital DVI, HDMI, and DisplayPort; and television (TV) receivers which are self-contained, receiving and displaying video RF broadcasts received with an internal tuner. Video monitors are used for displaying computer output, closed-circuit television and other applications requiring a two-dimensional monochrome or colour image.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreamcast online functionality</span>

The Dreamcast is a home video game console by Sega, the first one introduced in the sixth generation of video game consoles. With the release of the Dreamcast in 1998 amid the dot-com bubble and mounting losses from the development and introduction of its new home console, Sega made a major gamble in attempting to take advantage of the growing public interest in the Internet by including online capabilities in the console as a selling point. As such, the Dreamcast was the first console to include a built-in modem for Internet support and online play. Sega would end up leaning heavily into the online capabilities to sell the Dreamcast as hype grew for Sony's then-upcoming competitor, the PlayStation 2, which also promised online gaming in addition to its DVD capabilities.

A video game accessory is a distinct piece of hardware that is required to use a video game console, or one that enriches the video game's play experience. Essentially, video game accessories are everything except the console itself, such as controllers, memory, power adapters (AC), and audio/visual cables. Most video game consoles come with the accessories required to play games out of the box : one A/V cable, one AC cable, and a controller. Memory is usually the most required accessory outside of these, as game data cannot be saved to compact discs. The companies that manufacture video game consoles also make these accessories for replacement purposes as well as improving the overall experience. There is an entire industry of companies that create accessories for consoles as well, called third-party companies. The prices are often lower than those made by the maker of the console (first-party). This is usually achieved by avoiding licensing or using cheaper materials. For the mobile systems like the PlayStation Portable and Game Boy iterations, there are many accessories to make them more usable in mobile environments, such as mobile chargers, lighting to improve visibility, and cases to both protect and help organize the collection of system peripherals to. Newer accessories include many home-made things like mod chips to bypass manufacturing protection or homemade software.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreamcast light guns</span> Light guns for use in conjunction with the Dreamcast

The Dreamcast video game console had several light guns released as accessories between the years of 1999 and 2003. The official light gun from Sega was released in Europe and Asia, but not in the United States due to concerns about bad press soon after the Columbine High School massacre. Instead, an officially licensed light gun was released by Mad Catz for the U.S. market.

EVO Smart Console is a line media PCs and video game consoles marketed in the seventh generation of video game consoles. The system was produced by Envizions, a company based in Anniston, Alabama.

<i>NASCAR Arcade</i> 2000 racing arcade game

NASCAR Arcade, initially known as NASCAR Rubbin' Racing outside North America, is a 2000 racing arcade game developed by Sega Rosso and released by Sega. It was produced at the suggestion of producer Kenji Arai, and the soundtrack was produced by Jun Senoue. The game is based on NASCAR, and carries an official license with permission from EA Sports, which permitted Sega to develop the game as a coin-op only title.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PlayStation 2</span> Home video game console system by Sony

The PlayStation 2 (PS2) is a home video game console developed and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on 4 March 2000, in North America on 26 October 2000, in Europe on 24 November 2000, and in Australia on 30 November 2000. It is the successor to the PlayStation, as well as the second installment in the PlayStation brand of consoles. As a sixth-generation console, it competed with Nintendo's GameCube, Sega's Dreamcast, and Microsoft's Xbox. It is the best-selling video game console of all time, having sold over 155 million units worldwide, nearly triple the combined sales of its competing consoles.

GameCube accessories include first-party releases from Nintendo, and third-party devices, since the GameCube's launch in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mini DisplayPort</span> Miniaturized version of the DisplayPort connector

The Mini DisplayPort is a miniaturized version of the DisplayPort audio-visual digital interface.

Various accessories for the PlayStation 2 video game console have been produced by Sony, as well as third parties. These include controllers, audio and video input devices such as microphones and video cameras, and cables for better sound and picture quality.

References

  1. ↑ Linneman, John (April 14, 2019). "DCHDMI review: Dreamcast gets a digital video upgrade - and it's stunning". Eurogamer. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  2. ↑ Kuchera, Ben (April 23, 2014). "The Dreamcast was the beginning, and the end, of the golden age of peripherals". Polygon. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  3. ↑ Reed, Kristan (March 16, 2005). "HD Era: The Case For And Against". Eurogamer. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  4. ↑ Whitehead, Dan (February 1, 2009). "Dreamcast: A Forensic Retrospective". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on February 3, 2009. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  5. ↑ Gantayat, Anoop (October 25, 1999). "Performance VGA Adapter". IGN. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  6. ↑ Gantayat, Anoop (October 27, 1999). "Every Performance VGA Adapter Question Answered". IGN. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  7. 1 2 Gantayat, Anoop (November 9, 1999). "Madness Gameware DC-VGA Adapter". IGN. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  8. ↑ Robinson, John (December 8, 1999). "Review: Performance VGA Adapter". CNN. Archived from the original on September 11, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  9. ↑ "Sega Dreamcast VGA mod". Instructables. Retrieved 2010-12-24.
  10. ↑ "Dreamcast internal VGA". mmmonkey. Retrieved 2010-12-24.
  11. ↑ "VGA compatibility list". sega-dc.de. Retrieved 2012-02-12.
  12. ↑ "VGA box compatibility". ShinForce. Retrieved 2010-11-01.
  13. ↑ Johnston, Chris (January 28, 1999). "Sega Introduces VGA Box". GameSpot. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  14. ↑ Justice, Brandon (October 27, 1999). "VGA Lockout By-Pass Exposed!". IGN. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  15. ↑ Gantayat, Anoop (November 7, 2000). "DC-X for Dreamcast". IGN. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  16. 1 2 Carless, Simon (2004). "Unblur Your Dreamcast Video". Gaming Hacks. O'Reilly Media. p. 208. ISBN   978-0-596-00714-0 – via Google Books.
  17. ↑ Gantayat, Anoop (January 4, 2001). "Guilty Gear X (Import)". IGN. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  18. ↑ Williamson, Colin (September 21, 2000). "TGS 2000: Guilty Gear X Demo Obtained!". IGN. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  19. ↑ Chau, Anthony (January 7, 2002). "Shenmue 2 Solutions". IGN. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  20. ↑ "CRT vs LCD, Video Inputs, Lightguns on HD". racketboy.com. Retrieved 2012-11-15.
  21. ↑ "Playstation 1 + 2 AV Pinout". gamesx.com. Retrieved 2012-11-15.
  22. ↑ "Nintendo GameCube Digital AV Connector". gamesx.com. Retrieved 2008-11-05.
  23. ↑ "Xbox AV pinout". gamesx.com. Retrieved 2012-11-15.
  24. ↑ "The Best Dreamcast HDMI Cables You Can Buy". 22 March 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.