Lots of consoles - one projector (VGA)?

[iapetus]

I'm trying to find a sane and high-quality solution to my console display needs. Basically, I have a shed-load of consoles, of which I'd like to hook up as many as possible. They include this generation (PS2 x 3, DC, GC x2, XBox), last generation (PSX, Saturn, N64) and others (Atari 2600, SNES, Master System, Megadrive etc.).

The output medium of choice is a projector, which has a single VGA input and either a single SVHS input or a single composite input (can't have both plugged in at the same time).

I want to get the highest possible quality output from this system, including progressive scan where possible, and I'm willing to buy new cables if necessary, but obviously it's not exactly trivial to pick up a shiny new component cable for the Atari 2600. The XBox isn't modded - it's a standard piece of PAL kit.

I've seen various VGA boxes, but to be honest a lot of the terminology is greek to me, and many of them seem to be progressive only (no use since most systems/games don't support that) or 480i only (possibly useful, but not as good as the real thing for systems that support it).

Can anyone with more experience in such things point me in the right direction?

[Tom Salter]

Let's go through console by console:

PS2 - Best bet is through S-Video. Component is wasted on this console, since only about 10 games support it.

DC - VGA box all the way.

GC - If the GC is an import, you can output through a modded VGA cable. They are fairly expensive (30-40) and they aren't official. PM Saurian or ask in the wanted folder for one, I managed to get plenty of offers last week for mine. If it's PAL...you're screwed. S-vid is the best you'll get.

Xbox - http://www.x2vga.com/ However, (and someone else will probably be able to explain this better) the PAL console doesn't output in Progressive Scan, even though the hardware supports it. If you softmod your console to be a US one, then you'll get the option in the dashboard to be able to play in Prog Scan.

Your last generation hardware will be stuck with S-Video also I'm afraid. Same as the old stuff.

Hope that helps slightly

[Pij]

for consoles without component try a RGB Scart to VGA converter.

[mid]

For added bonus fun, the PAL Gamecube doesn't output S-Video, only RGB or Composite. So if you're on a PAL machine, your only hope is a scaler for the VGA socket, or switching to a composite lead, sorry.

Check the projector's manual, however - it may take a 15kHz signal as well as the VGA standard of 31kHz+. Plasmas do, and if so you'll only need a transcoder rather than a scaler.

[Lyris]

Let's go through console by console:

PS2 - Best bet is through S-Video. Component is wasted on this console, since only about 10 games support it.

ALL games support Component Video. Only 10 or so like you said work in 480p (Progressive). So you would still get better image quality, but as Tom said S-Video is probably more practical.

You can only plug in to one input at a time you say? In that case, your best choice would probably be to get various devices to plug everything in to the VGA input. I have no idea what the best devices are, but you should be able to convert S-Video, Component, and I think also RGB SCART (?) to the VGA input. Try asking around at www.avforums.com for for expert advice www.avsforum.com (the US equivalent) on what would be the best way of getting all your inputs into one socket. I imagine you'll have to use a lot of converters and switch-boxes.

[Lyris]

Your last generation hardware will be stuck with S-Video also I'm afraid. Same as the old stuff.

Actually, not true - if you have the money:

http://www.js-technology.com/index.php?cPath=22&osCsid=86eb0b42ee0e4336c1b194f7112fd046

[MikeRox]

cud u not jus buy that RGB to component box for everything from retro stuff, then use VGA for cube an DC? or is that too expensive?

[Lyris]

Sorry for misreading, I forgot the projector had no Component Input. It all depends on how much money you'd want to spend... it'd surely be capable to transcode RGB SCART to VGA, or if not, to Component THEN to VGA - but this is getting clumsy and expensive...