Blaze VGA Playstation 2

[MameMaster!]

Greetz All!...

Anyone use one of these to attach their Playstation 2 to a PC screen?

http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=219&products_id=2362&

I'm seriously considering finally adding a PS2 (the new smaller version) to my cab...but I'm really interested in playing the Time Crisis games on my cab mostly.

Has anyone had success using a standard Guncon on a PC screen?

My Dreamcast works perfectly with my PC monitor (the gun and games of  course).

Anyone???

MameMaster!  

[simplygriff]

I haven't tried one but I really want to.  I use PS2 to USB adapters to control my MAME box and it would be perfect to have a ps2 in there too.  If anyone tries one or knows where to get one perhaps locally at an ebgames or gamestop I'd love to hear about it.  For $20 it would be worth it just to try.  I've just heard lik-sang's shipping can be kinda high.
-G

[Dave_K.]

This sounds like the product that failed to come out in the US markets because it wasn't any good.  I believe it was called Code Breaker VGA or something...

If you read the notes, you will see its only compatible with a select number of games which support progressive resolutions (Vampire Night is listed, but not Time Crisis).  Also if this is the PS1 version of time crisis, it definately won't work on a progressive (vga) display.

Another note is that this particular cable from Lik-Sang is only for PAL playstations.

[simplygriff]

I saw those notes.  That kinda sucks.  

Does anyone know of a way to interface a ps2 with a vga monitor.  I'm not really looking for any higher resolution just an interface so the games can be played.  I treid googling and found a couple of different ones but just wonder if anyone has experience with one.
-G

[MameMaster!]

This sounds like the product that failed to come out in the US markets because it wasn't any good.  I believe it was called Code Breaker VGA or something...

If you read the notes, you will see its only compatible with a select number of games which support progressive resolutions (Vampire Night is listed, but not Time Crisis).  Also if this is the PS1 version of time crisis, it definately won't work on a progressive (vga) display.

Another note is that this particular cable from Lik-Sang is only for PAL playstations.

...yeah, I knew about the limitations on potentials games it would play (I'm only interested in PS2 games by the way); but I didn't note the restriction for PAL only...thanks for pointing that out (and yes it's the Code breakers gadget).

I know there's a gadget that Best Buys sells by ViewSonic that allow any analogue video source to connect to a PC monitor for about $100.

My main concern....what games are compatible? (I guess I can google that...); and will the gun games work w/my monitor? I love them gun games!!!!

MameMaster!

[Dave_K.]

I put this in the Game Consoles FAQ on this site, and its a rather expensive solution, but I was able to play Vampire Night on a VGA monitor using the XRGB2 upscanner.  The game must support progressive in order to calibrate correctly (even if its realy just upscanned).  I believe I also tested with Time Crisis 2 but it was a while ago.

I do not know if the other cheap (~$40) upscanners will give you the same results.  If you do try one out, make sure you get one of the ones that accepts component (not composite) input. This is as close to pure RGB upscanning as you can get.

[update] if the ps2 game really supports progressive out (480p) then you could also go the route of ps2 component cables to a component->rgb transcoder.  Transcoders have come down in price as of late (~$50-60).[/update]

[MameMaster!]

...good suggestions.

I know I got all excited and bought a gun for my Xbox that I have running on my cab using a Nayota (spelling?) VGA gadget......but the gun doesn't support HDTV (and in turn apparently VGA Monitors!). It worked but was totally off and I was unable to calibrate.

I know I can simply just set it up using my standard TV....but that's no fun!!!....I wanna play EVERYTHING in my cab!!!

Thanks again for the suggestions!

[Dave_K.]

LOL I also tried House of the Dead 3 on my vga monitor (for xbox) using the hd-pack, and component to rgb/vga transcoder.  It didn't calibrate either...but the particulars of your monitor also play a factor.  The monitor I use is a 36" gateway destination, and like I said before worked for Vampire Night, as well as Dreamcast lightgun games, but I have to do some funky screen adjustments everytime I want to calibrate it.  Anyway I couldn't get it to work with xbox.

[simplygriff]

So you say Best Buy has an encoder .  I'll have to check that out. Edit:  You got a link?  Couldn't find it on their site.

I already have component cables for my ps2.  Granted I don't think my TV  supports the higher resolution but yet I have the inputs.  Go figure

Do you know if games that do not support progressive resolution will still be viewable with such a device?  The games I want to play are Soul Calibur 2, Virtua Fighter 4 :Evo, Tekken TT, 4, 5, And Street Fighter Anny (SF3)  I'd just use a dreamcast but my controls are for cube and ps2 and an DC adapter won't work with my button layout.
-G

[Dave_K.]

I think he said best buy has an upscanner, not a transcoder.  What you want is a transcoder for the component cables to play on a VGA monitor.  And thats only if the game supports progressive out.

You can still use the component cables on a component ready tv even if it doesn't have HD progressive scan.  You'd be able to play any PS2 games this way at 480i.  In fact this is the prefered way as its just about as good in quality as an arcade monitor using RGB.  What you want to stay away from (if possible) is composite or s-video connections, as these are inferior to component and rgb.  When looking for an upscanner, get one that has component and/or rgb input and you are set.

[simplygriff]

I appreciate your knowledge and helpfulness.  I've got a couple of more questions though.

If it's not too hard to explain what's the difference between a upscanner and transcoder?

Will a upscanner allow me to play on a VGA monitor?  Or do I have to have a Transcoder?  

Again I appreciate your help.  This is kinda a major part of my cabinet I have yet to hammer out.
-G

[Dave_K.]

No problem.  I have a description of this in the Console FAQ.
http://www.arcadecontrols.com/arcade_consoles.shtml#transcoders

In short both will allow you to play on a vga monitor. You use a transcoder if you have a console that supports "progressive HDTV resolutions".  This means 480p or higher in HDTV terms.  Xbox, GameCube and Dreamcast have almost all their games supporting 480p which gets transcoded to 640x480 VGA.  You use an upscanner when the console or game you have does not support progressive (like almost ANY playstation2 game).  The upscanner will double the TV resolution up to 640x480.  Generally its not as nice looking as native progressive, but it can get the job done.

I tried to explain all the different video out formats in the FAQ from composite to component to RGB.  If you are still confused on something let me know (as I've been meaning to update the FAQ).

[MameMaster!]

So you say Best Buy has an encoder .  I'll have to check that out. Edit:  You got a link?  Couldn't find it on their site.

I already have component cables for my ps2.  Granted I don't think my TV  supports the higher resolution but yet I have the inputs.  Go figure

Do you know if games that do not support progressive resolution will still be viewable with such a device?  The games I want to play are Soul Calibur 2, Virtua Fighter 4 :Evo, Tekken TT, 4, 5, And Street Fighter Anny (SF3)  I'd just use a dreamcast but my controls are for cube and ps2 and an DC adapter won't work with my button layout.
-G

here's a link to the ViewSonic website---

http://www.viewsonic.com/products/tventertainment/tvvideoprocessors/vb50hrtv/

Best Buy was selling it for $99. last I saw about a month ago. I think it's a worthy purchase....for about $50. so I'll personally wait for an open box buy.

I would be very interested in hearing what you think of it if you choose to buy one though!

...MameMaster!  

[simplygriff]

Thanks a lot for that information.  Guess I should have checked that FAQ out earlier.  Honestly I didn't know it existed.  Thanks for the link.  

The link in there to the xrgb2 plus is dead though.  ANy idea where to get one?  I'm going to google it but just thought I'd let you know.  If I find a link I'll let you know.
-G

[simplygriff]

So you say Best Buy has an encoder .  I'll have to check that out. Edit:  You got a link?  Couldn't find it on their site.

I already have component cables for my ps2.  Granted I don't think my TV  supports the higher resolution but yet I have the inputs.  Go figure

Do you know if games that do not support progressive resolution will still be viewable with such a device?  The games I want to play are Soul Calibur 2, Virtua Fighter 4 :Evo, Tekken TT, 4, 5, And Street Fighter Anny (SF3)  I'd just use a dreamcast but my controls are for cube and ps2 and an DC adapter won't work with my button layout.
-G

here's a link to the ViewSonic website---

http://www.viewsonic.com/products/tventertainment/tvvideoprocessors/vb50hrtv/

Best Buy was selling it for $99. last I saw about a month ago. I think it's a worthy purchase....for about $50. so I'll personally wait for an open box buy.

I would be very interested in hearing what you think of it if you choose to buy one though!

...MameMaster!  

You're right.  For $50 it might be worth it.  I think I'm going to try to find one that will allow component input.  I may go to Best buy this week though and see what they have.
-G

[Dave_K.]

Thanks a lot for that information.  Guess I should have checked that FAQ out earlier.  Honestly I didn't know it existed.  Thanks for the link.

This is a common problem with people who find there way to BYOAC via google.  It does not load the FAQ frame along the left hand side of the page.  Most likely because the forum is hosted on .org and the faq's on .com.

If you don't have a vertical list of buttons with faqs along the left of the page, then go back to the homepage.

http://www.arcadecontrols.com

The link for Game Consoles is the last in the second group, and the Msg Boards link is in the last group.

[simplygriff]

Cool. Thanks!
-G

[Sephroth57]

hey im kind of stumbling onto this topic late, but if you want to buy something that is confirmed to work well, you should look into this:
http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=219&products_id=3235&

it can accept Svid and RCA from any game system (ive only used it with PS2) and put it on a CRT or LCD monitor. I reccomend it for a pretty cost effective solution. When i first hooked it up the reds were slightly bleeding, which was really not too noticeable anyway. but by tweaking my monitor settings and the dipswitches on the box, i got it to 98% perfect. basicly you wont notice it unless youre looking for it. but for 50$ what do you want

[simplygriff]

I thought I remembered you buying a VGA adapter but wasn't sure.  I should have sent you a PM.  Thanks fro the recommendation.  For the money, I think that may be the way I go.
-G

Edit:  Are you using a US  NTSC playstation2?

[Sephroth57]

yeah i use a US PS2 that i just modded with a fliptop cover so it now plays US/jap games

[simplygriff]

Nice!  Thanks.

[Dave_K.]

If you are ordering from Lik-Sang, you'd be better off with this $50 unit as it also accepts component input (much higher quality than rca or s-video).

http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=219&products_id=3166&

[Grasshopper]

If you do order from Lik-Sang then don't forget to use my voucher. I'd hate to see it go to waste.

[simplygriff]

If you are ordering from Lik-Sang, you'd be better off with this $50 unit as it also accepts component input (much higher quality than rca or s-video).

http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=219&products_id=3166&

I looked at that one but the reviews weren't so great on it.  I kinda like the fact that Sephroth57 has used the other and knows that it works.  I'm honestly still undecided.  I can't buy anything til next week though so I've still got time to think about it.  I would love to hear more input on these too from you guys.

Oh and Grasshopper I saw your voucher.  I hope I can use it and it's not gone next week.  Thanks for posting it.
-G