VGA S-Video Adapter [RETROBIT]

by Retro-Bit

Product Features

• Ideal for HDTVs
• S-Video Cable
• VGA Video Cable
• Composite (RCA) Video Cable
• HD Dreamcast is Ready~

Product Details

• ASIN: B000SL4IIG
• Item Weight: 10.9 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,925 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

With this full-featured Sega Dreamcast VGA Box, you will be able to hook up your Dreamcast up to any VGA monitor or a TV with VGA support in addition to virtually any TV. This is ideal for HDTVs as you can hook it up via any of the following ways (from highest to lowest quality) * VGA Video Cable * S-Video Cable * Composite (RCA) Video Cable Once you have your Dreamcast attached to a VGA display, you will be able to experience the Dreamcast at its most beautiful form. If you have played many PC games, you know how much crisper and cleaner the picture quality is. Now imagine high-resolution games like Soul Calibur and Guilty Gear X being displayed on a VGA monitor. It is truly a sight to behold. Basically, the VGA Box has all the features of the regular Dreamcast VGA Cable, but with much more flexibility with the addition of S-Video and Composite (RCA) video output. If you have a game that does not support VGA mode (see the VGA compatibility list), you can with the box to "TV Mode" and switch your TV to the S-Video or Composite input for maximum compatibility.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best video you can get on Dreamcast, June 13, 2009

By 

Biscuit Face (Iowa City, IA) - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: VGA S-Video Adapter [RETROBIT] (Video Game)

In the hierarchy of Dreamcast hookups, this is the king of the hill. Basically, the worst picture available is with an RFU adaptor, the next step up is the standard composite video cables supplied with the Dreamcast, much better than that would be an S-video cable (which you can use with this box as well), and a step up from even the incredible looking S-Video cable is this VGA box. This box will let you hook up your Dreamcast to a computer monitor _or_ if your HDTV has a "PC In" or VGA port, to your high def TV. And I've got mine hooked up that way to a 44" TV. When I first hooked it up, I must confess, it didn't completely blow me away. But when I compared to what I'd been using by going back a step (S-Video, which looks really great as is), there was no comparison, VGA is much more crisp and strong. Really, when you've got this hooked up, Dreamcast games look better than PS2 and Xbox games, only second to truly high-def Xbox 360 and PS3 games.

A couple of notes:
Don't overpay - this box goes for between $20 and $30 if you watch and wait; don't lose your mind and pay $70.
Also, keep in mind - the box alone does _not_ come with a PC VGA cable, which you'll need. Nor does it come with audio out cords, and what I needed was a splitter from the headphone out jack on the box to go into composite RCA red/white cables, to hook into my stereo tv. You could also get a set of PC speakers and a headphone-type out for the sound. You can find these either on Amazon or at your local electronics shop on the cheap.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Purchase, June 6, 2008

By 

S. Willis - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: VGA S-Video Adapter [RETROBIT] (Video Game)

After 3 weeks of using this I have to say that I am amazed with the graphics of the Dreamcast even more. The composite connections looked terrible/washed out & grainy on my new 1080p HDTV. I connected this & was blown away that the Dreamcast straight out of the box supports 480p. The difference is night & day with it & I wish I had bought this much sooner. I have over 30 Dreamcast titles & have not had a problem with 480p not being supported. The Dreamcast was so far ahead of it's time & is the standard of what consoles are today. My Soldier of Fortune game looks phenomenal on an HD connection. If you're a Dreamcast fan you NEED to get one of these to play either on your HDTV or pc monitor. Well worth the money!!!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Than Meets the Eye!, December 31, 2009

By 

D. Wyn - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: VGA S-Video Adapter [RETROBIT] (Video Game)

I'm a diehard Sega fan and absolutely love the Dreamcast. It was a trail blazing machine that was truly ahead of its time and you don't have to weigh the technical specifications to prove the point. Just plug the Dreamcast into a handy VGA box and behold the spectacular, jaw dropping truth with your very own eyes. After all, seeing is believing! Watch new life being breathed into the graphics. Your favorite titles are painted anew on a fresh piece of canvas, becoming a new work of art that I found absolutely beautiful. The picture is significantly sharper and cleaned up considerably, especially on VGA and S-Video. My television, no longer seemed to be coated by a fine layer of dust. Practically every game that I've played shined brilliantly. In game text is crystal clear, making reading a lot easier than in the past. The colors are more vibrant and incredibly rich, practically leaping out of the television and constantly drew my attention away from the game.

It adds unimaginable depth and polish to almost every title in my Sega Dreamcast library of classic video games. I can positively guarantee to that it would put a smile on aalmost any faithful Dreamcast gamers face. It is well worth the price of admission. Just don't pay to much. This particular VGA box is a little different than other models that I'd encountered before. It's made out of a light, see through clear plastic. Thankfully its decently constructed and won't fall easily apart or break, unless you drop it from a sufficent height on a hard surface. I was surprised too, as the company who produces them, Innovations isn't exactly know for producing high qaulity products. It isn't as solid as I would of preferred, but it's features more than make up for it.

It boasts a handful distinct features not included in earlier versions. Like a toggle switch that lets you alternate between a computer display or a television, depending on which one you prefer or what features it can support. When in VGA mode, the VGA box must be switched to P.C. Even if it's hooked up to your television, just as it must be switched to the T.V. setting for S-Video to work. Along with the standard TRS audio connector for sound, which can either be connected to your television (as mine is) or a pair of computer speakers for sound. It does have a variety of other output methods besides VGA which help set it apart, including old school Composite (RCA) and in particular, S-Video. Each of them offer rock solid visuals and appreciated flexibility, especially the S-Video. As not every Dreamcast game will support VGA mode. The image may not be as enthralling, as the graphics aren't as rich or clearly defined, especially solid black lines as they are in VGA mode, but it's pretty darn close! I promise, as a fellow Dreamcast gamer/fan that you won't be disappointed and will still be extremely pleased with what you see all just the same.

Thankfully, it's a pretty rare occurrence that mostly plagues Midway or obscure, off the wall titles. Like, Psychic force 2012 by Taito. So you can enjoy most of your favorite Sega Dreamcast games as they was obviously meant to be witnessed; utilizing the heralded VGA mode! I honestly didn't expect to be blown out of the water by the upgraded 480P resolution as I was, but I couldn't help but be totally shell shocked by it. It was like traveling back in time and watching Soul Calibur or Sonic Adventure on the Dreamcast spring to life for the first time. It really grabbed my attention and had me thinking "Wow...". It's strange how something so simple as a VGA box can elevate the entire gaming experience on the Sega Dreamcast to a completely different and joyous level. It's something that I hadn't imagined was possible on Sega's last great console, if only because composite cables were the standard when the sixth generation of dedicated video game consoles were released. My only real regret is that I didn't snatch one of these a long time ago, when they were first commercially available. Boy, was I was missing out big time! So, if you're still fortunate enough have a Dreamcast and enjoy playing video games on one of Sega's most venerable consoles, do yourself a huge favor and purchase a VGA box today; you'll be happy that you did!