A video challenge
LAN partying on the GameCube requires at least one television per cube, as far as we know. Which is sensible, given that one needs to be able to see the output of the Cube to work with it. But it leaves us in a quandry in our household where there's only one television.
So there are a few ways we can get a second screen working, and I am assuming one of our creative readers can suggest a solution. I have a 17" LCD monitor, which would be fine for a second screen, but it does not have a TV tuner. It uses a standard VGA connector, not DVI. I also have a desktop PC and a couple of laptops, all of which have various USB and FireWire ports. I think there are three possible choices for a secondary display:
1. A box to convert the GameCube signal directly to a VGA signal. I know these things exist, but it seems like $50 is a little much to pay for them, and they're impossible to find at retail, even in Manhattan, except probably at some hardcore gamer store, but I don't know where those are.
2. A video-in box for the computers, like a TV Tuner rig. I think something with composite or S-Video in that plugs into the laptop's USB2 or FireWire port should do the trick, but everything I see is oriented towards video capture and costs $200. Even on those, there's no indication if it can show video in realtime, only whether it can accept video at all. I had an image in my head that a FireWire TV-in box should cost about 60 bucks. Am I crazy?
3. Screw the VGA and the computers and rent a video projector and show Mario and pals on the wall. This is very appealing, but I don't know if most projectors can handle the update rate needed for a video game, and I have no idea how much this will cost.
Any suggestions? And why doesn't the damn GameCube have a VGA port on it to begin with? Help rescue our gaming effort!
just do it right and get a free second tv off craigslist
Posted by: raj | January 30, 2004 at 05:19 PM
This is what I use:
http://www.viewsonic.com/products/video_box_nextvisionn5.htm
Serves as a TV and lets me hook up my TIVO, X-Box etc.
And if you want HDTV support get this:
http://www.viewsonic.com/products/video_box_nextvisionn6.htm
Posted by: abhi | January 30, 2004 at 05:58 PM
The NextVision 5 sounds great, but pricey:
http://www.dealtime.com/xPO-Viewsonic_NextVision_N5_NEXTVISION_5
Posted by: kathryn | January 30, 2004 at 07:26 PM
Do the projector if you can, all good projectors can handle NTSC frequencies. Duck Hunt won't work though, since the wall doesn't reflect enough light back for the detector in the gun to work.
Posted by: j.edwards | January 30, 2004 at 07:56 PM
It doesn't have a VGA out because, well, it's meant for TVs, and most of those don't have a VGA in.
I am kind of suprised Nintendo hasn't thought of it and released an over-priced branded version though. C'mon, Product Development! Merchandise away!
Posted by: Rob Drimmie | February 01, 2004 at 01:15 PM
Planar once had a device called the Video-EX which allowed you to hook up RCA or S-Video inputs to a display (LCD, CRT).
Check http://www.planar.com/monitors/pdf/DS-VIDEOEX.pdf for more detailed info.
(Here's one up for bid on eBay, http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2784037756)
Posted by: Chris | February 03, 2004 at 02:24 AM
Well the other option is to skip past the TV and go for a Joytch 5.6" screen for the Gamecube.... Like this
Posted by: Dj | February 13, 2004 at 04:33 AM