The dreamcast VGA Box

[steveola]

Does anyone know if there are any differences or incompatibilities between Japan / Europe VGA boxes?

I need to know if a UK VGA box would work on a Jap DC.

I have a UK VGA box but it doesnt work with my import titles, so I was going to try a VGA box manufactured in a different region, or maybe get a Jap DC with Jap VGA box.

Anyone got any ideas?

[wraggster]

Isnt there a region free vga box for the Dreamcast?

[steveola]

Dunno, but I have finally solved my problem with a software workaround.

The Gameshark CDX disc allows booting of imports using VGA (unlike the the UK Action Replay).

So, I can stop flapping about it now!

[quzar]

All VGA boxes are region free because they work on the same frequency, and enable the DC to output that mode as opposed to other systems where VGA boxes convert the analog signal to digital.

[Propeller]

Yes, they are 60Hz-only boxes.

Propeller

[steveola]

Yes, I know they OUTPUT at the same frequency, thats damned obvious!

BUT,

I wan't sure if they all accepted PAL & NTSC input together. I thought maybe Jap VGA boxes only converted NTSC signals to VGA, and European VGA boxes only converted PAL signals to VGA, and that the repective boxes just didn't register when an alien input format was present.

(did that make any sense?)

Anyway, I couldn't understand why I couldn't get NTSC games to function on my VGA box, but the problem seems to have been with the boot process, rather than the end video output mode.

[quzar]

Like i said, the VGA box does not actually convert anything. The dreamcast VGA box just enables a VGA mode that the dreamcast can output naturally. one pin grounded tells the DC to output VGA mode and that is what the box does, it then passes that output to a monitor. No conversion required. That is why it can be found for 15 USD whereas other VGA boxes are around 50-100

[steveola]

Aye, you are correct,

that will be why not all games can display their output in VGA mode.

So, am I right in assuming that VGA Box compatible games have their output converted to TV compatible signal by the DC internally?

Or does the game output 2 signals, 1 for VGA and one for TV mode?

If so, wouldn't this increase the workload of the processor?

Or have I got it all wrong (again)?

[wraggster]

does the vga box display all games even those that havent got a vga mode?

[steveola]

No, on some games you get a system message saying that the game doesnt support the AV cable connected.

Even if you 'trick' the game into booting with the use of a boot disc, all you get is a black screen.