To all those who used the diode/Dreamcast method..

[crashdmj]

I have a few questions that have been bugging me lately.....
So I read this thread: http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=8562;start=msg64520#msg64520

1) How do you share the monitor with the video card and the VGA box (can both be plugged in together)?

2) Do you leave the computer on while the dreamcast is on....or can you without it affecting anything?

3) When hacking a dreamcast pad where do the grounds (Upground, start ground etc) from the pad go?

4) Can the Dreamcast share the speakers with the PC? How?

I think thats all for now.
Thanks
Derek

[shmokes]

Hmm....I haven't done this but I think you can get a KVM box that will autodetect a signal, though I guess you'd have to shut down your PC to get it to quit sending a signal.  If you don't mind opening up your cab to hit a button on the KVM box you could just plug both the dreamcast and the PC into the KVM and plug that into the monitor and it would at least be only a one button affair to switch between which unit the monitor paid attention to.

[CanStick]

I will try to answer these for you:

1)  Yes, you can use a KVM box.  The one I have uses a special hotkey sequence on the keyboard to switch between computers (or computer and dreamcast).  On mine, you have to quickly hit the left shift key twice in a row.  Probably not too good for a MAME cabinet, though      But I think it can be programmed to whatever sequence you want.  I don't actually have this hooked up yet, but should this weekend.  I don't see why it shouldn't work...

2)  You should be able to...but I will know after this weekend too...

3)  The grounds hook up to the ground on your Ipac (or whatever keyboard encoder you use).

4)  Run the audio out of the dreamcast VGA box into the line input on your computer's sound card...

Hope this helps a bit....

Terry.

[crashdmj]

How do you run the audio out of the dreamcast VGA box into the line input on your computer's sound card?

KVM box?? Damn more parts to buy (what do people who dont use these do)

Anyone else.
Derek

[CanStick]

How do you run the audio out of the dreamcast VGA box into the line input on your computer's sound card?

KVM box?? Damn more parts to buy (what do people who dont use these do)

Well, the dreamcast VGA box I have has an audio output...it is a 1/8" stereo jack (the same as the computer line input).  I don't know if all the VGA boxes have them or not....if not, then does yours have RCA audio outputs?  If so, then you can use these with an adapter to go into your sound card.

Hope this helps...

[Frostillicus]

I use a cheap VGA switch box from ebay, works great.  I also use an small audio switch box to...switch between the 'DC VGA-box' audio and the pc audio.  

My cab turns everything on with one switch, so going in to turn off the PC then turn on the DC would be a pain.  I don't believe a KVM switch box would work in my case, and it was quite a bit more expensive than the 12 dollar vga switch box I use.  

I have all the switches and the DC right in front of the cab so I just open the door and switch them over.  You have to go in to put in a disc, so it's not that big of a deal.

[crashdmj]

Where can one find these switch boxes?
Derek

[Frostillicus]

I got my VGA switch box off of ebay.  Thanks to canstick, I now can do away with the audio switch box (it was only like 10 bucks anyway).  Doing the line-in thing.

Get the blue translucent sega VGA box. The others might work too, but I know this one works for sure.   Pic of the box attached.   It was 12 bucks at local Software Etc.

for the VGA SWITCH BOX, this is the exact one I got, from the same person.  I just did the buy it now for 14.96.  No idea if the SVGA made any difference from regular VGA auctions she had (check her other items).  But all I need is two inputs.

[crashdmj]

Can you explain the audio in line thing.
Derek

[Frostillicus]

Can you explain the audio in line thing.
Derek

Take the audio from the DC and plug it into the line-in jack on your soundcard (or the microphone jack).