Multipurpose VGA connector box - advice needed please

[EDDIE M0NS00N]

I just seen 1 of these on a website, but theres not much detail regarding it.
Is anyone here using 1 to hook up their Wii/DC/PS2/XBOX to their LCD monitor & if so what leads do u need from your console to the VGA connector box?

Also whats the picture quality like on the consoles I mentioned?

Thanx in advance!!

[Strolls]

There are lots of different types of convertor boxes with different inputs. Some take composite and (obviously) give a **** picture, others take component but will typically only do progressive scan OR interlaced. I've mentioned a couple of the better ones on here before - check my previous posts - one is the XVGA2, can't remember the name of the other.

You're better off connecting to a TV with the correct appropriate inputs if you can. No VGA convertor is ideal.

Stroller.

[EvilBoris]

Probably not worth you hassle, the only way you can get a decent picture quality outta a console is if it is outputting in 480p or another progressive format.

That severely limits you in terms of what works, Xbox and 30 are ok as are alot of dreamcast games and a few gamecube ones. Everything else will look sub composite cable

[EDDIE M0NS00N]

This is the one I was looking at possibly getting:

http://www.consoleplus.co.uk/product_info.php?pName=ultra-xga-box-lcdtft-compatible-tv

I was going to run a component cable from each console thru its connectors, then hook it up to my VGA port on my 22" TFT/LCD monitor.
Its also got a TV tuner on it too!!


What do u guys think?

[gunrock]

This is the one I was looking at possibly getting:

http://www.consoleplus.co.uk/product_info.php?pName=ultra-xga-box-lcdtft-compatible-tv

I was going to run a component cable from each console thru its connectors, then hook it up to my VGA port on my 22" TFT/LCD monitor.
Its also got a TV tuner on it too!!


What do u guys think?

It's rubbish. It only takes in composite, not component so the image will be pants. What you also have to remember, is that some of these devices will add lag to your game as the conversion process takes some time to do. What that actually means is with some of these boxes you'll notice a lag between the action on screen and pressing a button on the controller.

This is meant to be quite good (price looks keen too)

Clicky

[koenshaku]

Just picked up one of these for my US Wii,

http://www.js-technology.com/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=52&osCsid=a0e37d145a764da2a7ac71e05d054c10

Gave it a quick try with my Cube and pc monitor, picture was better than I imagined. Progressive only though, the cube intro wouldn't display on my current monitor so I couldn't adjust any console settings but once a game was put in it looked pretty good.

[EDDIE M0NS00N]

90 quid sounds better, but its still a lot of money, & I'm still a bit weary after some of your comments guys.
Is there a way of modding a PS2/Xbox/Wii cable to do the job, or should I just get myself a VGA Cable for my DC & play everything else thru my CRT TV?

[Strolls]

... should I just get myself a VGA Cable for my DC & play everything else thru my CRT TV?

If you have a CRT TV I don't know why you'd want to use a monitor instead.
Edit: I mean that in the context of "these TV-to-VGA adaptors are so clumsy that I don't know why ...". Obviously I can understand if your CRT is in the living room and the missus wants to watch Desperate Footballers' Wives.

When I was shopping for one of these - I ended up getting a telly instead - I decided that the X2VGA 2 was the best one on the market. You need your consoles to do progressive-scan output through component - I have no idea whether UK PS2s, Gamecubes & Xboxes support this - but that's what you'd expect to get best picture quality, anyway.

The X2VGA 2 has this 480i "EasyView (tm)" mode which allows you to see half a 480i screen at a time. I'm not sure how you switch between the top half & the bottom half and obviously it's useless for playing games but it's enough for you to view the Gamecube's setup menu and avoid the problem that koenshaku mentions.

Stroller.

[koenshaku]

CRT all the way, tis the reason I bought my gizmo. The Wii through RGB is stupidly crisp. Having VGA as well, drawbacks accepted, is a bonus.
Got to justify the price somehow.