Connecting a video game system to an Apple 23 Cinema?

[Aurora]

Sorry if something similar has been posted before, but I did a search and found nothing. So here goes. I need help. Hopefully someone is very skilled when it comes to video conversion devices...because I'm not.

I'm basically looking to hook up a Dreamcast, Gamecube, or Xbox to this screen-- http://www.apple.com/displays/acd23/ Most important is the Dreamcast and Gamecube.

One of my friends helped me a bunch, basically telling me the structure will go like this: console -> console vga box -> vga to dvi adapter -> dvi to adc adapter -> apple screen. Or console -> console vga box -> vga to adc adapter -> apple screen. Sounds simple enough. Yet, to get the highest video quality...which brands should I be looking at for the converters? Are the ones I put down below good?

Sooo....what I am need is...

--vga to dvi: http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=1310

--dvi to adc: http://www.apple.com/displays/adapter.html or http://www.devdepot.com/description.html?pcode=HDBDVI or http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=1203

--adc switchbox: http://www.drbott.com/prod/db.lasso?code=1111-MSAD

And if I wanted multiple systems hooked up, I could always have a vga switchbox that stems the systems into the chain: http://www.pcconnection.com/scripts...oduct_id=277580 or http://www.cablesnmor.com/video-switch-box.html




Or..............................




--vga to adc: http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=1301

--adc switchbox: http://www.drbott.com/prod/db.lasso?code=1111-MSAD

--vga switchbox that stems the systems into the chain: http://www.pcconnection.com/scripts...oduct_id=277580 or http://www.cablesnmor.com/video-switch-box.html



Is this even possible?

Thanks everyone!

 

[dricci]

I'm not sure if it'd work through a chain of adapters like that. But even if it did, it'd probably look like crap due to TV output resolutions being very small. Heck, it's probably look pixelated on the 17" screen let alone 23"

I believe a few years back I saw a special console system "monitor" (more like a specialized TV) that was supposed to be pretty good. A google search should turn up something.

 

[Aurora]

Well, I'm one who can tolerate a bit of pixellyness, hee hee. Playing GBA games fullscreen on the monitor didn't make me wince, so I assume games on Dreamcast and Gamecube that have VGA or progressive scan support (and possibly widescreen as well) might not look so bad. Stuff like the new Zelda, Smash Brothers...etc.

I guess it's more of a morbid curiosity, and an attempt to have an all-in-one setup instead of relying on my tv one sec...and then going back to the Mac to play emulation and other such. I'd just like to be able to say "wow, I'm playing Zelda on the ole 23 inch cinema"

The second chain seems a lot more practical wallet-wise and wire-wise than the first. I might give it a try soon.

Originally posted by dricci

I believe a few years back I saw a special console system "monitor" (more like a specialized TV) that was supposed to be pretty good. A google search should turn up something. [/B]

Yeah, I remember it. But, I think they only had 13 inch models...and it didn't impress me much

 

[alex_ant]

The conversion chain you mentioned is possible and would work. You needn't worry about the quality of the digital converters, since they're digital. I'm not sure what brands of analog converter offer the best quality, but generally the pricier the better. Buying all the necessary converters would probably run at least a couple hundred dollars.

 

[Aurora]

Originally posted by alex_ant
The conversion chain you mentioned is possible and would work. You needn't worry about the quality of the digital converters, since they're digital. I'm not sure what brands of analog converter offer the best quality, but generally the pricier the better. Buying all the necessary converters would probably run at least a couple hundred dollars.

I wouldn't want an analogue converter though, since the 23 cinema is all digital, right? I'm confused, hee hee.

 

[blueBomber]

Originally posted by Aurora


I wouldn't want an analogue converter though, since the 23 cinema is all digital, right? I'm confused, hee hee.

The Dreamcast VGA box offers only analogue, since thats what VGA is. The Gamcube also offers VGA output (with an import adapter from Japan), but it also has a digital out through progressive scan. The cables for that is about $35 U.S., and with an additional adapter, it would give you high-def for the Gamecube, on your 23" cinema display.

Long story short;
VGA---->Cheap, easy to convert, probably won't look the best on the LCD (as the resolutions for the consoles are locked at 640x480)

Progressive Cable Adapter--->
more expensive (you're looking at approx $300 U.S. to convert the signal to ADC), but it will yield the best image quality for the Gamecube. The Dreamcast will still require VGA adapters, and will be of very poor quality compared to the 'cube.

My vote....
Get an s-video television, and use that.
Some Dreamcast games only work using a regular tv, and only a VERY SMALL percentage of Gamecube games would work with the VGA or Hi-Def options.

Theres my 2 cents...

 

[evoluzione]

i used to have a LaCie 22" hooked up to my Dreamcast and it looked stunning, and the sound through my stereo, was awesome, i almost bought a second dreamcast so i could have one in the room with my computer as well as the living room for multiplayer games. but if it's analogue to digital, i dunno...