Anyone use AV to VGA converters?

[ianoid]

Seems to be a burgeoning market. Is there any advantage/disadvantage aside from getting new use out of that old VGA monitor? I would imagine that it isn't as good as a direct converter like the ones that go from Dreamcast direct to VGA.

Is there an Xbox to VGA connector aside from the AV to VGA things?

ian, VGA/curious

[Zaxxon]

Seems to be a burgeoning market. Is there any advantage/disadvantage aside from getting new use out of that old VGA monitor? I would imagine that it isn't as good as a direct converter like the ones that go from Dreamcast direct to VGA.

Is there an Xbox to VGA connector aside from the AV to VGA things?

ian, VGA/curious

The DC actually outputs VGA, the box just changed the cable shape, didn't convert the signal into VGA. Go to ncsx.com and look up their RGB-x review. IIRC they said if your going to run A/v-composite into VGA your better off just running it into a TV. You can buy a Spider SCART cable that'll do all your systems. I think if you run the SCART into the VGA upscanner it'll look good. All the unit does is remove the #hz signal so the VGA monitor can sync to it.

[Anonymous]

I've had my eye on that video processor from Viewsonic that converts Progressive scan signals and supports HDTV formats on viewsonic monitors, but I've yet to actually see anything in action. If (emphasis on IF) I pick one of these up, I'll be sure to let everyone know how it goes.

In the meantime I'd love to hear from people who have either used the same processor, or tried an alternative method...

[GaijinPunch]

The DC is the only machine to output true VGA.. and it rocked. I've got one for my GC, which I got when I was playing PSO for a few hours a day, so the wife could watch TV every now and again. The picture is kinda ass.

[wberdan]

i use a DVDO I-Scan Pro... which accepts composite, component, and s-video sources and outputs a VGA progressive scan signal. it works really well with most systems, and you get 480p with every system.
You can also use it with movies, as it beats most progressive scan technology in dvd players into the ground.
a direct VGA connection is best- but that DVDO aint bad.

willie

[Gamereviewgod]

i use a DVDO I-Scan Pro... which accepts composite, component, and s-video sources and outputs a VGA progressive scan signal. it works really well with most systems, and you get 480p with every system.


Links please?

[can_dude]

how are these for hooking PAL signals to? I have some pal units that I'd like to hook to my monitor, and was wondering if I'd need a special VGA box for that.

[Anonymous]

Links please?
I didn't even google. I just tried www.dvdo.com and there it was.

[can_dude]

wow...500 bucks is a lot of money

[wberdan]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3057729740&category=298


you should be able to find them used between 250 and 350... which, while not cheap- automatically makes a spare computer monitor usable for most any system.

willie

[Anonymous]

http://www.viewsonic.com/products/video_box_nextvisionn6.htm

This is the viewsonic model. I would assume it works with any VGA monitor, but it does go up to 1280x1024 so not all monitors will work with it. It sounds similar to the dvdo monitor, although I'd be willing to bet that willie's is probably higher quality. New, the NX6 is 250, on the bay they run just under 200.

[Gamereviewgod]

Wait a minute, so this won't work with an HDTV? Only a computer monitor? I'm so confused.... :puppydogeyes:

[Gamereviewgod]

@ wberdan: Love this line in the auction:

This unit was used for only a few months. It is in new condition, sealed in original packaging with all cables and manual.

Used yet sealed in it's original package.....ok.

[can_dude]

although the viewsonic is cheaper, it's NTSC only...so that doesn't help

[wberdan]

Wait a minute, so this won't work with an HDTV? Only a computer monitor? I'm so confused.... :puppydogeyes:


it will work with most HDTV's- all you need is a 15 pin DIN input for an RGB signal- most all HDTV's have at least one.

man, now that i see they have an ultra version i might have to get one of those, for convenience sake.

willie

[1bigmig]

Im interested in these also as Ive been looking into RGB for a little while. Can someone tell me if you were to run a NES or SMS through the DVDO, would the image on the monitor be the same sharp, square, distinct pixeled image that you see when you use an emulator? I know running an RGB signal out from the SMS (NES doesnt output one) would do it, but is this device able to split the combined video signal into distinct ones that are as clean as an original uncombined signal would be? Thanks.

[Gamereviewgod]

it will work with most HDTV's-

Not mine.... :( I don't have one of those fancy ports on my HDTV....Damn you people and getting my hopes up! :P

[wberdan]

Im interested in these also as Ive been looking into RGB for a little while. Can someone tell me if you were to run a NES or SMS through the DVDO, would the image on the monitor be the same sharp, square, distinct pixeled image that you see when you use an emulator? I know running an RGB signal out from the SMS (NES doesnt output one) would do it, but is this device able to split the combined video signal into distinct ones that are as clean as an original uncombined signal would be? Thanks.

my experience with the DVDO used with older systems is that the picture seems soft... at least that seemed to be the case with my sega genesis- havnt tried the SMS or NES through it.
you wont get the sharpness that you see with an emulator regardless of what you use. the closest you will come, would be to have systems modified to output RGB and use them with a monitor that will accept RGB.

willie

[Zaxxon]

it will work with most HDTV's- all you need is a 15 pin DIN input for an RGB signal- most all HDTV's have at least one.

willie

I've been shopping around for a HDTV and I've only seen one or two higher end models that had the RGB input. Am I just looking at the wrong brand/models? What ones are you looking at that all have the RGB in? What model HDTV do you own or recommend? I'm looking for one that is at least 30". I'm not keen on getting a monster huge, heavy one that I can't move. I think I want a widescreen model, with the DVI input. If I could find a model that also had RGB and VGA/PC input and didn't cost a fortune that would be great. I've seen some Samsung models that had a lot of features but I've read a lot of bad things about Samsung quality and service.

[1bigmig]

you wont get the sharpness that you see with an emulator regardless of what you use. the closest you will come, would be to have systems modified to output RGB and use them with a monitor that will accept RGB.

willie

Why not? With the DVDO I can understand because the signal is being changed from the 15khz to work on a vga monitor, but why not with a system that outputs rgb into an rgb monitor? Is it because these monitors arents as sharp as VGA?

[wberdan]

you wont get the sharpness that you see with an emulator regardless of what you use. the closest you will come, would be to have systems modified to output RGB and use them with a monitor that will accept RGB.

willie

Why not? With the DVDO I can understand because the signal is being changed from the 15khz to work on a vga monitor, but why not with a system that outputs rgb into an rgb monitor? Is it because these monitors arents as sharp as VGA?

PERHAPS it is possible.. i just dont see it though.. maybe.
personally, i have never seen a machine that could put out that sharp emulator picture.. even on the old arcade machines- it just doesnt happen. my pac man arcade machine doesnt look nearly as clear as pac man on an emulator.. and it suffers from almost no burn in.
i am not sure exactly why this is-

willie

[wberdan]

it will work with most HDTV's- all you need is a 15 pin DIN input for an RGB signal- most all HDTV's have at least one.

willie

I've been shopping around for a HDTV and I've only seen one or two higher end models that had the RGB input. Am I just looking at the wrong brand/models? What ones are you looking at that all have the RGB in? What model HDTV do you own or recommend? I'm looking for one that is at least 30". I'm not keen on getting a monster huge, heavy one that I can't move. I think I want a widescreen model, with the DVI input. If I could find a model that also had RGB and VGA/PC input and didn't cost a fortune that would be great. I've seen some Samsung models that had a lot of features but I've read a lot of bad things about Samsung quality and service.


really? i havnt been looking at HDTV's lately, but i thought most had the (15 pin DIN) VGA type connections so people can hook their computers to the tv... strange.. i am sure there must be some out there at a lower price range- it seems reasonable that some would.


willie