Best Cost-effective VGA Option?

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BoomClank25
noob
Posts: 4

Best Cost-effective VGA Option?

Post#1 » Tue Mar 06, 2018 9:46 pm

When regarding the best video output signal for the Dreamcast, I always see and hear most recommending VGA. I can definitely see why, with its higher resolution and clearer image provided on most games.

My question is, what is the best cost-effective option for VGA? I found a few that sound promising, but am not entirely sure:

Purchasing this VGA switch box from http://www.consolegoods.co.uk/

Getting a Tomee or Retro-Bit brand VGA cable for $15-20.

Or purchasing a Hong Kong-manufactured VGA cable from eBay. Like these:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/VGA-High-Defin ... 1438.l2649
https://www.ebay.com/itm/VGA-High-Defin ... 1438.l2649
https://www.ebay.com/itm/VGA-AV-Audio-V ... 1438.l2649

(I don't want to treat every Hong Kong/Chinese-manufactured accessory like crap, my Pseudo Saturn cartridge from Hong Kong works like a charm. But I don't wanna get scammed either.)

If these options aren't all that great, then I'm open to some pricier options, if it means better quality and durability. That just means I gotta save up :lol:

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Raen
Toy Commander
Posts: 550

Re: Best Cost-effective VGA Option?

Post#2 » Tue Mar 06, 2018 10:39 pm

https://www.beharbros.com/

Get the Hanzo or Toro for VGA, or an Akura for HDMI. Pricier, but way better.

PkR
rebel
Posts: 22

Re: Best Cost-effective VGA Option?

Post#3 » Wed Mar 07, 2018 2:52 am

I bought a cheap VGA cable from eBay and it works great. The various VGA boxes are better only in that they offer more options and flexibility, while a VGA cable is just a VGA cable. If you're looking for basic 480p (without scanline generators, upscalers etc.), image quality will be the same either way.

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VasiliyRS
Uber
Posts: 1076
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Re: Best Cost-effective VGA Option?

Post#4 » Wed Mar 07, 2018 6:13 am

VGA switch box

This is just best low cost solution. I have previous design one and it works perfect with vga supported games. Cables miss required components and may not work or work incorrect with some TVs.

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Bob Dobbs
Sub Genius
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Re: Best Cost-effective VGA Option?

Post#5 » Wed Mar 07, 2018 10:24 pm

I recommend buying the "NEW" Retro-Bit VGA Cable being it is a real company and it has a 6-month warranty and your total cost (including shipping) is under $15.00.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Retro-Bit- ... 3950!US!-1
Regards,
Bob Dobbs

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Raen
Toy Commander
Posts: 550

Re: Best Cost-effective VGA Option?

Post#6 » Thu Mar 08, 2018 9:41 am

Search the forum for cabou's VGA cables, don't know if he still makes them, but he explained with detail and pictures why generic VGA cables shouldn't be trusted. He is based in France.

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Caspian
core
Posts: 119

Re: Best Cost-effective VGA Option?

Post#7 » Thu Mar 08, 2018 5:30 pm

Raen wrote:https://www.beharbros.com/

Get the Hanzo or Toro for VGA, or an Akura for HDMI. Pricier, but way better.


Hanzo and Toro are not cost-effective solutions, they are by far the most expensive alternatives someone can get and possibly offer more than someone looking for a cost-effective option would need.

BloodBrother
core
Posts: 121

Re: Best Cost-effective VGA Option?

Post#8 » Thu Mar 08, 2018 5:58 pm

https://www.ebay.com/itm/VGA-High-Defin ... 1438.l2649

I bought this cord 4+ months ago for my travel dreamcast, it gets plug/unplugged often, so it is sturdy and holding up fine. No complaints here.
THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT IS A LIE.

If you want it, come and take it from me. If you think you can, you still dont know me.

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krssn
Metallic
Posts: 838

Re: Best Cost-effective VGA Option?

Post#9 » Fri Mar 09, 2018 5:19 am

BloodBrother wrote:https://www.ebay.com/itm/VGA-High-Definition-Cable-RCA-Sound-Adapter-HD-Box-PAL-NTSC-For-SEGA-Dreamcast/321974745475?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

I bought this cord 4+ months ago for my travel dreamcast, it gets plug/unplugged often, so it is sturdy and holding up fine. No complaints here.

I was going to say an internal mod is the cheapest. But this comes very very close without all the work.

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Raen
Toy Commander
Posts: 550

Re: Best Cost-effective VGA Option?

Post#10 » Fri Mar 09, 2018 11:39 am

Caspian wrote:
Raen wrote:https://www.beharbros.com/

Get the Hanzo or Toro for VGA, or an Akura for HDMI. Pricier, but way better.


Hanzo and Toro are not cost-effective solutions, they are by far the most expensive alternatives someone can get and possibly offer more than someone looking for a cost-effective option would need.


Didn't say it was. As for the cables, I don't advise cheap generic cables, most of them lack simple capacitor filters, without each you can have image interferences depending on the screen you use. Cheap can become expensive, but each one to its own.

Cabou made and sold quality VGA cables here and explained why (pictures are long dead though):
viewtopic.php?f=47&t=5329
https://www.facebook.com/Cabous.Dreamcast.VGA.cables/

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