Component -> VGA boxes

[icbrkr]

I'm sure it's been asked here before, but I'm going to ask again  I'm sure someone has tried the component to VGA box converters for hooking up their A600/1200 to a VGA monitor... what's your experiences with these?  Are they worth the $50?  

[icbrkr]

Hmm... I just realized I posted this in the wrong forum.. doh!

The 1200 can do DBLNTSC/PAL without going through component (I'm already using it on a standard monitor this way).  The VGA boxes I see will double the scanrate supposedly to 31.5Khz... so shouldn't I be able to use standard Amiga modes on a VGA monitor this way?

[icbrkr]

I was looking at something like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41059&item=8185460983&rd=1

They're all over Ebay, and I was thinking with the actual scan doubler in it, I could run standard Amiga modes on my flatpanel.  I was going to take the A600 I just bought and slap it into my keyboard tray underneath my desk  Also, it'd be a way to hook my A1200 up to a larger monitor.

[icbrkr]

Definetly understood.  The A1200 running 640x400 (480?) in multiscan mode runs fairly decently, and isn't bad to manuver around at all.  Of course, it doesn't come close to hitting my 1280x1024 resolution but it's still decent.  A real flickerfixer seems out of the question (as much as I'd like one) due to cost and availability.  I can see getting something like this for $50 that I can use on multiple items than a single use only flickerfixer for $145

[icbrkr]

By the looks of it, it has VGA pass through.. so, think of this way: use composite for games, Multiscan/DBLNTSC for Workbench on the same monitor.  It's a win win!  If you're buying it, let us know how it works!

[icbrkr]

I ordered mine today from here:

http://www.cliffracer.com/store/product_info.php/products_id/111

That's the cheapest I've seen the Magic VGA box, and shipping was about $6.

Now I'm hoping I don't get screwed

[icbrkr]

Since I'd only use this mode for games, I don't believe I'll lose too much quality.  I've had it hooked up to a 1702 monitor for years for game modes, so if I can suffer with that, I can suffer with anything

[icbrkr]

I'm hoping for some good luck here on mine, I'll post the results when it finally comes in.  Buying a flicker fixer is too pricey to me, and plus I have multiple Amigas.  I don't really want to purchase a flicker fixer for each of em  Finding an external one on the other hand would be nice.

[icbrkr]

Okay, I got mine in.  Here's a quick rundown:

PAL and NTSC modes work fine.  As was mentioned earlier by someone else, it *does* flicker a bit.  It is nowhere near as sharp as an RGB connection, but it does look just like the composite cable being hooked up to the TV.



I don't consider that unplayable at all for games

[icbrkr]

Here's a review I put together with some more screenshots:

http://www.particles.org/reviews/vgabox.php