View Full Version : Dreamcast VGA Box
SegaAges
10-07-2004, 06:20 AM
I am now highly interested in one of these (I am getting one as soon as I get my next paycheck).
If I remember right, some games do not work with a vga box, but there are ways around that. Either that or there is a vga box that plays every game. Anybody know anything about these. As of right now, I do not own a single 3rd party accessory for my Dreamcast (minus the shell, but it was said on the forums that the company hjad permission from SEGA). I am going to try and find a 1st party one, but if a 3rd party one works and won't do anything to my dc (I live my dc and don't want to mess it up), than I might as well get one of those.
Feedback please, as I have my monitor from my dos computer that just sits (the computer didn't start out as a dos computer, I just turned it into one).
digitalpress
10-07-2004, 08:22 AM
I am now highly interested in one of these (I am getting one as soon as I get my next paycheck).
If I remember right, some games do not work with a vga box, but there are ways around that. Either that or there is a vga box that plays every game. Anybody know anything about these.
If there's a VGA box that plays every game it's news to me... and I want one! I've got a VGA box on my Dreamcast and use it quite a bit. I've been saying for a long time that I'd compile a list of games that work, don't work, and can be "tricked" into working. For example: Marvel vs. Capcom 2 works. Rush 2049 works. Atari Anniversary works. Crazy Taxi works. But pop in Sno-Cross and your monitor light will just blink. Some of the games that don't work, like Jet Set Radio, can be "tricked" in by loading the game with the monitor turned off and then turning the monitor on after the VGA check (usually just give it a minute or two).
If you have a specific title you want to know works or doesn't, just ask. I have sticky notes on most of the ones that don't.
Note: I have a third-party VGA box.
grimbal
10-07-2004, 08:43 AM
I have a Sega 1st party VGA converter. I haven't tested it with many of my games though. If anyone wants to give me a list of games that don't work on a 3rd party VGA box I will try and test the same games on my box and see if there is a difference.
ddockery
10-07-2004, 09:33 AM
Not that I've tried, but I don't see how a 3rd party VGA box could hurt anything. It doesn't send a signal back to the DC (like controllers do) so I don't see how it could cause any damage. I think we'd have heard about by now if one of them had a problem.
NoahsMyBro
10-07-2004, 09:34 AM
I was unaware any 1st-party VGA boxes were ever produced.
I've got 2 VGA boxes. One of them will not run Rez, no matter what I've tried. I *think* the box is made by 'Performance', and I *think* my copy of Rez is a UK version. I can verify both of those facts this evening. And I've never tried Rez on the other VGA box, so I can't answer for it.
digitalpress
10-07-2004, 09:36 AM
I was unaware any 1st-party VGA boxes were ever produced.
I've got 2 VGA boxes. One of them will not run Rez, no matter what I've tried. I *think* the box is made by 'Performance', and I *think* my copy of Rez is a UK version. I can verify both of those facts this evening. And I've never tried Rez on the other VGA box, so I can't answer for it.
I don't know who makes my VGA box... but Rez (mine is the Japanese version) works OK for me. Just another clue to the overall mystery.
Flack
10-07-2004, 10:18 AM
Hopefully you guys will find this link handy!
http://www.shinforce.com/dreamcast/VGABoxCompatibility.htm
goatdan
10-07-2004, 10:22 AM
For the most part, the games that work had a little symbol on the back of the boxes that say that they do or do not work.
Also, just about any VGA Adaptor that you get is pretty good. I have about six different ones, and I haven't had any problems with any of them. If you want to get a cheap one, I have a bunch of extra's from our Midwest Gaming Classic display that I would be willing to part with now :)
digitalpress
10-07-2004, 10:50 AM
Hopefully you guys will find this link handy!
http://www.shinforce.com/dreamcast/VGABoxCompatibility.htm
Whoa! That is EXACTLY what I wanted to compile myself. I'm glad someone else did it already! Printing and keeping it handy. Thanks, Flack!
Hopefully you guys will find this link handy!
http://www.shinforce.com/dreamcast/VGABoxCompatibility.htm
Whoa! That is EXACTLY what I wanted to compile myself. I'm glad someone else did it already! Printing and keeping it handy. Thanks, Flack!
It's still missing some games though, IE Mars Matrix.
Oh and DONT get a naki vga box. I've had two and they both broke on me. I use a Blase VGA box and it works great.
SegaAges
10-07-2004, 12:59 PM
man am I glad I posted this. This is honestly the biggest help I have had from posting anything.
Not only did I get a link, but somebody said they are selling them. Everybody, thanks.
Also, my monitor is a little old (it is from an old 486 Packard Bell), will it still look nice on the monitor, or should I hook it up to the monitor I use for my regular computing?
It would be nice to hook it to this extra monitor, but there would be no point if it looks the same as my television. Please let me know fellas. A bunch of you have these, and I want to join the bandwagon.
EDIT: flack - the list you gave is awesome, but it doesn't say any of the ones where you can trick the vga box (well I only know of one now, jet grind radio), anybody try tricking these with any other games other than jgr and have it work?
goatdan
10-07-2004, 01:18 PM
The list seems a little short to me. For instance, it only has the first 2K series of games on there, and no 2K1 and so on.
Also, I've had problems with Import Shenmue on a VGA Box...
Grandia 2 which is not on that list works great. So does Headhunter. And almost every homebrew :)
SegaAges
10-07-2004, 01:22 PM
The way I am looking at it is that the games with sequels will work as well (like the 2k game sequels). sonic adventure 2 as well even though it isn't on there.
kai123
10-07-2004, 01:25 PM
Mars Matrix works fine on my DC and Vga box.
digitalpress
10-07-2004, 01:40 PM
The list seems a little short to me. For instance, it only has the first 2K series of games on there, and no 2K1 and so on.
Also, I've had problems with Import Shenmue on a VGA Box...
Grandia 2 which is not on that list works great. So does Headhunter. And almost every homebrew :)
Yeah there's lots of stuff missing now that I scan thru. Looks like a good starting point but it seems I still have a task before me. I don't like incomplete lists, in case you hadn't noticed. ;)
SegaAges
10-07-2004, 01:43 PM
The list seems a little short to me. For instance, it only has the first 2K series of games on there, and no 2K1 and so on.
Also, I've had problems with Import Shenmue on a VGA Box...
Grandia 2 which is not on that list works great. So does Headhunter. And almost every homebrew :)
Yeah there's lots of stuff missing now that I scan thru. Looks like a good starting point but it seems I still have a task before me. I don't like incomplete lists, in case you hadn't noticed. ;)
you, no, never :D
when i finally get a vga box, i can try it with some of my old school bootlegs to see what works and what doesn't (I have around 250 at a friend's house because I try not to keep that crap in my house unless I have a reason, like this).
Also, nobody answered my question. I am really interested to know if my old monitor will work for this, or if I should go ahead and use my newer one. my older one is an extra, so it would be easier to use that.
rbudrick
10-07-2004, 04:37 PM
I don't see any reason why your monitor won't work. But honestly, the only way to try is to test it. :-(
-Rob
SegaAges
10-07-2004, 04:38 PM
excellent, now all i need to do is have more than $20 to my name so i can buy one.
El CiF
10-07-2004, 04:39 PM
may i ask what a vga monitor is?
i just started collecting dreamcast stuff and im still new to the aewsomness that is the dc
SegaAges
10-07-2004, 04:43 PM
we are talking about a vga box, which is a utility that allows you to hook your dreamcast up to a monitor instead of a television for a better picture
El CiF
10-07-2004, 04:48 PM
ahh i see
thanks for the info
SegaAges
10-07-2004, 04:49 PM
I forgot to add that it has a headphone jack for speakers, since the monitor doesn't have sound.
Fuyukaze
10-07-2004, 08:32 PM
Digitalpress wrote-
If you have a specific title you want to know works or doesn't, just ask. I have sticky notes on most of the ones that don't.
Sakura Taisen 1
Sakura Taisen 2
I cant get them to work on my 3rd party VGA. If you know a way, I would be very greatfull. I got this thing for my 3 import DC games. Air is the only one that works.