Dreamcast: S-Video Vs. Composite?

asianxcore

asianxcore

CAGiversary!
Feedback
10 (100%)
I bought a used Dreamcast recently and it had S-Video cables bundled with it. Are they better than Composite cables (which I ordered cheap a couple days ago)? I am running my Dreamcast through a 27" LCD set.
 
[quote name='asianxcore']I bought a used Dreamcast recently and it had S-Video cables bundled with it. Are they better than Composite cables (which I ordered cheap a couple days ago)? I am running my Dreamcast through a 27" LCD set.[/QUOTE]

Yes, the S-Video cables are much better than the composite for a DC. Everything is more defined and colors are less blurry.
 
S-Video is always much better. This is true of Dreamcast and even true of N64 & SNES.

EDIT: Just double checked my SNES, yep much better with S-Video. Now if only I could find some S-Video cables for my Genesis.
 
[quote name='asianxcore']thanks.

I should've researched before I went and got those composite cables off Ebay. oh well, they were only $6[/QUOTE]

$6? That's 24 packs of gum there. wtf were you thinking?
 
Did Sega release official S-video cables for DC? If not, what is the set to get for it? I bought a used Dreamcast about a year or so ago, and I have an open S-video connection on the back of the TV since I have the PS2 hooked up using component and everything else using the different composite hookups.
 
[quote name='asianxcore']I bought a used Dreamcast recently and it had S-Video cables bundled with it. Are they better than Composite cables (which I ordered cheap a couple days ago)? I am running my Dreamcast through a 27" LCD set.[/QUOTE]

Does your 27" LCD set have a VGA input? If so, that would be the optimal way to display the dreamcast. Through VGA the Dreamcast's picture quality is truly amazing. If not you could always buy a VGA-Component Transcoder and display your Dreamcast in 480p through component cables. Both of those methods will blow S-Video and Composite out of the water.
 
[quote name='FFMooglestar']Does your 27" LCD set have a VGA input? If so, that would be the optimal way to display the dreamcast. Through VGA the Dreamcast's picture quality is truly amazing. If not you could always buy a VGA-Component Transcoder and display your Dreamcast in 480p through component cables. Both of those methods will blow S-Video and Composite out of the water.[/QUOTE]

I don't know much about TV's, is that the input that is label or is described as "15-pin". If so, do you know where I can get this thing you are talking about? Also did a third-party come in and make actual VGA cables for the system or is that transcoder the only thing that will do VGA?
 
[quote name='asianxcore']I don't know much about TV's, is that the input that is label or is described as "15-pin". If so, do you know where I can get this thing you are talking about? Also did a third-party come in and make actual VGA cables for the system or is that transcoder the only thing that will do VGA?[/QUOTE]

If the input looks like this:
http://reviews.cnet.com/i/ba/bg/mntr/ss03_dt2_VGAinput.gif

Then we are golden to get that Dreamcast looking beautiful.

It looks as if most of the stores where the VGA Box used to be available are sold out. So you are going to have to resort to eBay if you want to get this up and going.

Here is what you would need:

Dreamcast VGA Box.
http://cgi.ebay.com/DREAMCAST-VGA-A...ryZ41053QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

If you got that along with any standard VGA Male to Male Cable:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...1&cs_id=1020104&p_id=81&seq=1&format=2&style=

And a standard RCA Composite Cable:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...cs_id=1024101&p_id=2196&seq=1&format=2&style=

Hopefully you have spare VGA and RCA Cables around your house somewhere as this should cut the cost down a bit.


Set up is fairly simple:
1. Plug VGA Box into your Dreamcast
2. Plug one end of the Male-Male VGA Cable into the VGA Box and the other into the LCD Monitor.
3. Plug the White and Red ends of the RCA Composite cable into the VGA Box and the LCD Monitor or Receiver if you are running a Home Theater System.
4. Turn on your Dreamcast and enjoy a crispy and colorful picture!

If you have anymore questions don't hesitate to ask.
 
if I don't have a home theater system, do I still need those RCA cables? I would think I need them for sound right? do they sell cables that just have the white/red connections on both ends just for sound?
 
Yeah you would still need the RCA Cables to plug into your TV for sound. I believe some places may have just the white/red RCA Cables for sale, but price wise it won't make too much of a difference.
 
thanks for all the info guys.

minus Phantasy Star Online and maybe some Sonic games, is it still worth it for me to get the VGA box if a majority of what will be played on my Dreamcast are fighting games? Marvel Vs. Capcom 1/2, Power Stone, etc etc.?
 
[quote name='asianxcore']Power Stone[/QUOTE]

Bingo! Power Stone 1 and 2 look good in S-Video... but absolutely stunning in VGA.

But seriously there are few games that are not VGA compatible. Here is a list of games that are:

http://db.gamefaqs.com/console/dreamcast/file/dreamcast_vga_games.txt

I play Street Fighter Alpha 3 and Street Fighter III Third Strike all the time and both games look great in VGA. If you get it, you won't regret it.
 
^That link seems to be broken.
It's definitely worth it to get a VGA box, every DC game I've played (quite a few) has worked with VGA except for Bangai-O and Bust a Move 4.
 
[quote name='asianxcore']thanks for all the info guys.

minus Phantasy Star Online and maybe some Sonic games, is it still worth it for me to get the VGA box if a majority of what will be played on my Dreamcast are fighting games? Marvel Vs. Capcom 1/2, Power Stone, etc etc.?[/QUOTE]

soul calibur on a VGA box is a must see.
 
Do they make DC component cables? I already have a VGA box for using any component cables with my Monitor, so I don't need one of those DC VGA Boxes. I haven't been able to find any anywhere, only s-video cables.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
bread's done
Back
Top