Multi VGA Box 2 Review

Multi VGA BOX 2
Written by Brakken
August 2005
Introduction

The Multi VGA Box 2 could actually fall under a few categories, but due to the fact of the lack of Playstation 2 reviews I've placed it here. The device itself has one purpose, which is allow you to use any supported video and audio signal on your computer monitor and speakers. Let's take a look at the specifications:

Features

Connect any video source to your PC VGA monitor
Works with normal (CRT) and also LCD monitors
Input: AV, S-Video and VGA - Output: VGA
Automatic video source mode detection (film/graphics)
Brightness, Contrast, Saturation, hue control, video standard
Supports NTSC N(3.58MHz)
Supports PAL M (3.58MHz) & NTSC-JAPAN
Supports NTSC, PAL 4.43 (60Hz), NTSC 4.43(60Hz)
Supports PAL, NTSC 4.43(50Hz) & Combination-PAL N(3.58MHz)
50Hz/60Hz Auto-Detection
50Hz Mode Resolution: 720 x 576 Pixels
60Hz Mode Resolution: 1024 x 768 Pixels

Packaging

Base Unit
VGA Cable
Power Supply
Power Supply Convertor

Well, now that you've just read a bunch of stuff that you don't understand let me break it down for you. Basically, you can plug-in your Playstation 2, XBOX and/or GameCube to this device using either by using it's RCA (Yellow, Red & White) or S-Video cables and play your games on your PC's monitor. PAL is the European standard so if you have an import system you can view it without hassle.

To install the device you simply plug in your video game systems output into it, plug it into a spare power outlet and then hook it up to a computer monitor using the included cable. That's all! Additionally, if you wish to still use your normal computer you can plug that into its pass-through slot and switch between S-Video, RCA and the PC at your will. To get sound you'll need to plug your computer speakers directly into the VGA Box or into your soundcards line-in jack. Sadly, a male to male stereo wire isn't included for doing the latter.

Once you have a video signal you can also adjust the color, brightness and tint using the buttons on the front of the VGA Box 2. The buttons will also let you change video sources on the fly! In theory the image you see on your VGA compatible monitor should be an enhancement from your normal TV, but that's not what you'll get from this box.

The signal that you get on your monitor isn't some crisp, clear, sharp and vibrant color image you would imagine you should see, but it isn't too terrible. What you actually get is a fuzzy picture, but hey – at least the sound is perfect. I thought it just might have been the monitor I was using, but then I tried a few others and got the same sub par results.

I then remembered how much the device was worth and compared it to other solutions which are a few hundred dollars more. It's actually not that bad when you consider its plug and play with no drivers to mess with and it's very portable. I personally like using the device when brining my XBOX around for LAN gaming as it's always hard to find an extra TV, but with the VGA Box 2 you can just turn any old CRT into a display for your games!

The device also served a great purpose when my television died out on me as I had to depend on my computer screen to get reviews done. Another positive point is that you can convert PAL to NTSC using this device (and vice versa) so it's actually a 2-in-1 unit.

I would recommend purchasing one of these puppies if you can't afford the three hundred dollars it would cost for a crystal clear image producing plug and play solution or don't want to mess with installing drivers on each computer you wish to play your games on.

Negatives Video Quality No M2M Stereo Cable

Positives Affordable Portability Ease of Installation Plug N' Play PAL <-> NTSC

ScreenShot Comparisons

  
Capture of Output Image

  
Direct Capture (Not Using VGA BOX 2)



-=[ VGA Box 2 Review Discussion Thread ]=-

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