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Need help looking for a VGA adapter

saiyan23

Neo Member
Hey guys, I'm really looking for a VGA converter that will work for all on my systems (or something that will support any device using AV, S-video, or component video.) But the problem is that I'm seeing all of these other VGA converters that I'm sure are pretty bad. I foolishly bought a Innovation one at Gamestop some years back that's absolute crap. Are there any converters that are even half as good as the Dreamcast one, I mean, in my experience that thing was perfect. I still can't believe the games look that good on my monitor. Can anyone with experience here help me down the right path? The only thing is that it has to be able to accept my Gamecube, Xbox or PS2. I'd rather not get one that is exclusive to only one console. Thanks guys! :)
 
This one is supposed to be good. It comes with an adaptor for Xbox (saving you the need to buy an HD pack), but you can plug in an a GC, PS2, or DVD player as well. Google for "vdigi review" or similar should bring up some good info.
 
I use the TVBox5 from Avermedia. It had progressive output, tv-tuner and supports composite and s-video input. It's a bit pricey, especially if you don't need the tv-tuner functionality, but the quality is pretty decent.

tv_box5_s.jpg

http://www.aver.com/products/tvtuner_AVerTV_box5.shtml
 
For Xbox and GC you can get a component to VGA transcoder. I use one called Xblaster (I think?) from Key Digital. It requires progressive scan games, which may give you some problems on the GC (a fair amount of GC games are interlaced). You can also use it the handful of progressive scan games on PS2, but most PS2 games are interlaced. For PS2 I use an XRGB2+ upscan converter. It will upscan any interlaced signal and has inputs for composite, S-video, component, and D-terminal, but it does not handle progressive scan (its biggest weakness). Composite and S-video look like shit when upscanned though. Neither of these options is very cheap unfortunately.
 
saiyan23 said:
Hey guys, I'm really looking for a VGA converter that will work for all on my systems (or something that will support any device using AV, S-video, or component video.) But the problem is that I'm seeing all of these other VGA converters that I'm sure are pretty bad. I foolishly bought a Innovation one at Gamestop some years back that's absolute crap. Are there any converters that are even half as good as the Dreamcast one, I mean, in my experience that thing was perfect. I still can't believe the games look that good on my monitor. Can anyone with experience here help me down the right path? The only thing is that it has to be able to accept my Gamecube, Xbox or PS2. I'd rather not get one that is exclusive to only one console. Thanks guys! :)
i'll be eBaying a Key Digital X-Blaster soon. It takes any progressive input and displays it on a VGA monitor with excellent quality. i'm also eBaying a Gamecube progressive scan cable, which you'll need to take advantage of the X-Blaster. i'll be getting a tv tuner card soon, which is more advantageous, though not nearly as nice, for my current setup. i should have the auctions up Saturday if you're interested.

The downside of such a device is that you can only play progressive scan games on it, which is most of the GC and Xbox library, and many of the PS2's library (big titles especially). The Key Digital also only accepts one input, so unless you have a progressive switchbox, you'll have to plug in one system at a time.
 
Well, it seems that I may be able to get a TVBox5 where I am in a day or so. I may try that. This goes to anyone who uses these a lot. Will this particular VGA Box put out graphic quality close to or near Dreamcast VGA level? If not, will the VDigi VD-Z3 do? I would have went for that one first but I'm hearing about extreme difficultly getting PS2 games to run correctly and the fact that it doesn't have ports for composite hookups, just component. Thanks guys, I appreciate the help.
 
saiyan23 said:
Well, it seems that I may be able to get a TVBox5 where I am in a day or so. I may try that. This goes to anyone who uses these a lot. Will this particular VGA Box put out graphic quality close to or near Dreamcast VGA level? If not, will the VDigi VD-Z3 do? I would have went for that one first but I'm hearing about extreme difficultly getting PS2 games to run correctly and the fact that it doesn't have ports for composite hookups, just component. Thanks guys, I appreciate the help.


I have never used the TVBox5, but I have used 3 different devices like it. And they STINK. Your looking for "Dreamcast VGA Box quality"? You wont get it with something like that... the image is better on your regular TV!

I have a VDigi and it works GREAT. Its the only device I have had that does indeed give output like the Dreamcast VGA adapter. The quality of it is excellent. Is the Key Digital one better? I dont know... but I know it costs a heck of a lot more :) But I do know you can't go wrong with the VDigi... BUT since it is a VGA Transcoder, you cant display 15Khz interlaced signals on your monitor.

Its fantastic for the Xbox; almost every game for Xbox is at least 480p (the only game I have ever had not work was Manhunt). I have never tried it with my GC or PS2, simply due to the fact that the component cables for those systems are $40 CAD a piece, and the progressive scan library on them are very small (especially PS2).

But honestly, unless you have a 50 inch TV, your better off playing your Xbox on your PC monitor. I have a 20" Sony TV and a 19" PC monitor... once I got the Vdigi for my Xbox, I never looked back :) One of the best purchases I have ever made!
 
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