Best way to connect Gamecube to computer?

[Gog]

I've been wanting to get a Gamecube but I have no other option than to connect it to my computer system since I don't have the money or space for a TV.

Whats the best way to connect it to my system (while having decent visual quality)?
I assume I would need a card with tv in, as in a TV card...

 

[DahDee]

Example: http://www.lik-sang.com/list.php?category=221

I've also seen the same kind of product on auction sites.

Edit: I suppose if your video card has s-video input you could connect that way with the appropriate Cube cable.

 

[Gog]

Those boxes are vga converters and by using them I wouldn't get any sound.

I suppose S-video is an option, but would I still have a problem with sound? Also I heard that S-video has poorer visual quality than other connects. Does the gamecube have a connection where I can connect headphones to?

Thanks

 

[Gog]

Btw, here is the Input/Output info that nintendo has listed on their site:

Controller Port x4
Memory Card Slot x2
Analog AV Output x1
Digital AV Output x1
High-Speed Serial Port x2
High-speed Parallel Port x1

unfortunately Analog/Digital AV Output isn't too informative...

 

[DahDee]

The universal conectors I've seen that have s-video connectors also have rca connectors that include audio; you could hook the s-video connector the video card (if it has s-video in) and the rca audio connector to your sound card. I think.

Edit: S-video is better than using the composite (RCA) input, not as good as component. I guess you could also go with a VGA box for video and the RCA connecter for sound.

 

[sniperruff]

i think some video cards have video-in as well. i know the more expensive GF4's had them.

tv tuners have s-video in

 

[Amorphus]

Originally posted by: Gog
Btw, here is the Input/Output info that nintendo has listed on their site:

Controller Port x4
Memory Card Slot x2
Analog AV Output x1
Digital AV Output x1
High-Speed Serial Port x2
High-speed Parallel Port x1

unfortunately Analog/Digital AV Output isn't too informative...

analog AV out is RCA (the yellow plug). digital out is S-Video.

you can't hook it straight up to your monitor, I don't think, unless you get some mad convertor. maybe get an ATi TV Wonder?

 

[Ionizer86]

Any cheap TV tuner card: those $30 AR at compusa cards, the Leadtek at Newegg, etc. You can hook up the vid to Svid or composite and then use a Radio Shack $4 RCA --> 3.5mm adapter and plug that in your sound card's line in.

 

[igowerf]

Originally posted by: Gog
Those boxes are vga converters and by using them I wouldn't get any sound.

I suppose S-video is an option, but would I still have a problem with sound? Also I heard that S-video has poorer visual quality than other connects. Does the gamecube have a connection where I can connect headphones to?

Thanks

Just get a converter cable from radio shack that has 2 x female rca with a male 3.5mm minijack. Then you could plug it into your computer's line in.

 

[Gog]

Since component has better visual quality than s-video, I 'd prefer that, although I'm not sure what video cards have this. For example, I just checked out ATI's site, and unfortunately the AIW series only have composite and s-video but no component...
Any advice for the right card?
Is the difference between Component and S-video that great?

I appreciate the advice guys, thanks.

 

[CZroe]

Just so you know... You can use the same audio cable from Radio Shack regardless of the output method (VGA or S-VIDEO-IN)

Don't let sound make the decision for you when it works either way (Go VGA man!)

 

[CZroe]

Just so you know... You can use the same audio cable from Radio Shack regardless of the output method (VGA or S-VIDEO-IN)

Don't let sound make the decision for you when it works either way (Go VGA man!)

 

[Mavrick007]

Finding a component cable for the Cube is not easy either, you have to generally go through Nintendo to get one.
I would just use S-vid to the Vid-in or tv tuner card, and port the sound either through your sound card or through an external home stereo.

 

[Gog]

CZroe, If I was to use VGA I would be bypassing my computer altogether, so unless there was some direct way I could connect headphones to the GC, I wouldn't have any sound.

Also, I don't think the GC has a direct connection to VGA, so I'd have to spend additional money anyways on some sort of converter.

Besides, Mario just wouldn't be the same without him bleeting 'Itsa meee Mario!'

Anyone now the difference in VQ between component and S-Video?

 

[Tetsuo]

Component seperates all the colors into their own seperate hookups. S-video seperates all the colors, but then are still all on the same hookup.

Unless your a visual junkie, you won't really notice.

As for sound just get a rca to stereo mini jack adapter.

 

[Tetsuo]

Sorry dp

 

[Tetsuo]

sorry 3p

 

[Tetsuo]

Sorry...4p

 

[Tetsuo]

Whoa...major browser screw up

Sorry for the x5 post

 

[Ichinisan]

There is a modified official Nintendo-brand Digital Cable which can connect the GCN directly to VGA. I'll try to find where you can purchase one of these pre-modified cables.

It is FAR superior to any other method, especially those analog converters. Using the modified cable will yield better-than-HDTV results. However, I think that only games that support hi-res HDTV mode will output any video at all through the Digital connector. I believe that you can still use the standard AV cables to send sound to the inputs on your sound card. The label of the "digital" port claims "Digital AV out", but I don't think that you can get audio from it with the modified cable.

 

[Ichinisan]

http://www.lan-kwei.com/gamecubeE/10997960.jpg
http://www.lan-kwei.com/gamecubeE/

Apparently, even the unmodified cables do not offer audio. Perhaps "Digital AV" is a mis-nomer. The other modfied cables (RGB output) do not claim to require progressive-scan compatible games.

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: Gog
CZroe, If I was to use VGA I would be bypassing my computer altogether, so unless there was some direct way I could connect headphones to the GC, I wouldn't have any sound.

Also, I don't think the GC has a direct connection to VGA, so I'd have to spend additional money anyways on some sort of converter.

Besides, Mario just wouldn't be the same without him bleeting 'Itsa meee Mario!'

Anyone now the difference in VQ between component and S-Video?

This is silly. You would need the EXACT same adapter to connect it to your PC speakers if using the VGA box or the TV-IN. You just connect audio left & right to the line input using a cable/connector from Radio Shack. Why would you connect it to headphones? The audio connected to your PC is the same either way because there is no such thing as "audio in" on a video card (The TV-Tuner vid cards that have it just connect it to the internal line-in for your soundcard with an analog cable.). The difference is that you would only be able to play at full screen progressive scan

 

[Cat]

I used to use DScaler and the S-Video input on my Leadtek Winfast 2000. Composite is horrible. That said, a real TV is still far better. I think this is especially true for GC games, as they tend to be more colorful/vibrant than other console games.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

IIRC, there is a VGA + audio capable solution for the Cube. Use that, or face visual quality far inferior to that of my Dreamcast.

- M4H

 

[abaez]

s-video sucks.. I bought a modofied vga cable for progressive scan here scroll down a bit

Lets me play with progressive scan on my monitor (22 inch) and it looks sweet.. picture perfect.. a little expensive but well worth it no tv card needed..