Dreamcast into a PC CRT
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Dreamcast into a PC CRT
To play original Dreamcast games (all regions and homebrew) on a PC CRT I think the ideal is a Yamaha drive VA0 or VA1 console, BIOS mod, and some type of VGA output. Am I missing anything?
What is the best choice for VGA output if I only want to connect to a PC monitor?
Any other mods to consider?
What is the best choice for VGA output if I only want to connect to a PC monitor?
Any other mods to consider?
Re: Dreamcast into a PC CRT
You dont need any mods at all to play DC on a PC CRT. Just need a VGA adapter, thats it.shmupsrocks wrote: ↑Sun Jan 21, 2024 2:19 pm To play original Dreamcast games (all regions and homebrew) on a PC CRT I think the ideal is a Yamaha drive VA0 or VA1 console, BIOS mod, and some type of VGA output. Am I missing anything?
What is the best choice for VGA output if I only want to connect to a PC monitor?
Any other mods to consider?
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NoAffinity
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Re: Dreamcast into a PC CRT
One option. I don't know if it's good quality, but just to give you an idea.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/261438411631?m ... media=COPY
You'll need to do something with the audio.
Not all DC games support vga, but many do. Theres a gsmelist on the internet for reference.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/261438411631?m ... media=COPY
You'll need to do something with the audio.
Not all DC games support vga, but many do. Theres a gsmelist on the internet for reference.
Re: Dreamcast into a PC CRT
NoAffinity wrote: ↑Sun Jan 21, 2024 2:58 pm One option. I don't know if it's good quality, but just to give you an idea.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/261438411631?m ... media=COPY
You'll need to do something with the audio.
Not all DC games support vga, but many do. Theres a gsmelist on the internet for reference.
Have anyone tried that cable? Is it good?
Re: Dreamcast into a PC CRT
The RGB on most VGA boxes/cables won't be attenuated, even the added 10 Ohm resistors used in the RGC cable doesn't quite stop the clipping. Only the Retro Access cable with a "full attenuator network that keeps impedance matched" will afaik. You can mitigate this issue with something like an OSSC though.
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Re: Dreamcast into a PC CRT
Is this true even with the official Sega VGA box?Gunstar wrote: ↑Sun Jan 21, 2024 4:13 pm The RGB on most VGA boxes/cables won't be attenuated, even the added 10 Ohm resistors used in the RGC cable doesn't quite stop the clipping. Only the Retro Access cable with a "full attenuator network that keeps impedance matched" will afaik. You can mitigate this issue with something like an OSSC though.
Are Retro Access cables available again?
Re: Dreamcast into a PC CRT
Yeah, same goes for the official Sega VGA box.shmupsrocks wrote: ↑Sun Jan 21, 2024 4:53 pmIs this true even with the official Sega VGA box?Gunstar wrote: ↑Sun Jan 21, 2024 4:13 pm The RGB on most VGA boxes/cables won't be attenuated, even the added 10 Ohm resistors used in the RGC cable doesn't quite stop the clipping. Only the Retro Access cable with a "full attenuator network that keeps impedance matched" will afaik. You can mitigate this issue with something like an OSSC though.
Are Retro Access cables available again?
I believe they're available currently, there are a few wrinkles with the RA cable in that it won't put out RGBHV when doing 480p (someone correct me if this is wrong), it's 480p RGBS and it uses a male SCART end so you have to jump through some hoops to get it working directly on a PC CRT if that's your aim.
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Re: Dreamcast into a PC CRT
Is this the DC cable? I don't see any mention of a built-in attenuator network.
https://retro-access.com/collections/dr ... cart-cable
How best to go from SCART to VGA?
https://retro-access.com/collections/dr ... cart-cable
How best to go from SCART to VGA?
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maxtherabbit
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Re: Dreamcast into a PC CRT
The input stage of 95% of PC CRT monitors can handle the slightly hot RGB levels out of the DC perfectly fine without any clipping. You may just need to nudge the contrast control down a hair.Gunstar wrote: ↑Sun Jan 21, 2024 4:13 pm The RGB on most VGA boxes/cables won't be attenuated, even the added 10 Ohm resistors used in the RGC cable doesn't quite stop the clipping. Only the Retro Access cable with a "full attenuator network that keeps impedance matched" will afaik. You can mitigate this issue with something like an OSSC though.
Remember the PC CRT was the intended output device for the DC VGA box as originally designed.
Re: Dreamcast into a PC CRT
@shmupsrocks Dan designed the RA cable iirc, he confirmed it here:
I did notice that both on my PC CRT and consumer CRT sets would have less clipping (because of terminating resistor input side?) vs a Flat panel or OSSC's default pre-ADC setting of 8 but there was still some clipping even with 10 Ohm resistors in place. I didn't mess with contrast on the PC CRT though will have to give that try. With the 10 Ohm mod I went from using 6 pre-ADC setting to 7 on the OSSC.maxtherabbit wrote: ↑Mon Jan 22, 2024 3:15 pmThe input stage of 95% of PC CRT monitors can handle the slightly hot RGB levels out of the DC perfectly fine without any clipping. You may just need to nudge the contrast control down a hair.Gunstar wrote: ↑Sun Jan 21, 2024 4:13 pm The RGB on most VGA boxes/cables won't be attenuated, even the added 10 Ohm resistors used in the RGC cable doesn't quite stop the clipping. Only the Retro Access cable with a "full attenuator network that keeps impedance matched" will afaik. You can mitigate this issue with something like an OSSC though.
Remember the PC CRT was the intended output device for the DC VGA box as originally designed.
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Re: Dreamcast into a PC CRT
I used generic VGA cables and it looked perfect on my PC CRTs.
Dont bother spending much on cables or overpriced boxes unless it looks bad on the CRT.
Dont bother spending much on cables or overpriced boxes unless it looks bad on the CRT.
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Re: Dreamcast into a PC CRT
Ok maybe it depends on the CRT. Even so I'd love to get a Retro Access cable but I'd want to wait until the company is back on track. Is there another good choice for cable if I'm relying on my CRT to attenuate the signal? All I need is VGA and audio.
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Re: Dreamcast into a PC CRT
I'd try the $15 one linked near the beginning of the thread. Route the audio into some speakers and you ought to be fine.
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Re: Dreamcast into a PC CRT
Back in March/April of 2000, Sega of Japan had the Official DC VGA Box up for sale at 6,000 yen. You could easily see at the many specialty electronic stores in Akiharbara. Using with an old-school 4:3 based crt-based svga monitor looks awesome in person.
PC Engine Fan X! ^_~
PC Engine Fan X! ^_~
Re: Dreamcast into a PC CRT
If you don't want to go crazy and go down the rabbit hole, you can also hunt an inexpensive used XRGB-1 or XRGB-2 (if there are any for sale) and drop it between the Dreamcast and your monitor for better compatibility with the entire DC library.
You could do a lot more, but that's plenty for a PC CRT setup.
You could do a lot more, but that's plenty for a PC CRT setup.
We apologise for the inconvenience