Akura HD Adapter for Dreamcast - BeharBros

$79.99 $74.99

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SAGBBAKURA[KK-3I]

THE ULTIMATE DREAMCAST HDMI BOX

Akura is a Dreamcast HDMI box with built-in scanline generator. Akura outputs 480p video over HDMI, so you can play your favourite DC games in higher resolution on modern displays. Akura has another built-in feature called Scanliner, which adds scanlines effect to th image.

Another feature of the Akura is the RGB/VGA mode switch, which lets you play games that are not VGA compatible. All you need to do is trick the console while booting(after the beep sound) by switching to VGA mode position to alter this limitation on those games. Akura is not an upscaler so some non VGA games may not work.

Scanliner function

Modern displays don't give the feel of our old CRT TVs. Old games look better on old TVs, however your new hi-tech screen gives edgy, pixelated graphics which decreases your gaming appetite. This is because CRTs have scanlines and games were designed for these displays. If you are an enthusiast of 2D fighting games or shoot 'em ups, you will notice it's even worse in VGA mode because of the higher details. Scanliner helps you to eliminate this problem So you can play your Street Fighter 3 game in full glory even better than before.

It’s possible to turn off scanlines easily with a switch, you can also select Even or Odd scanlines or you can change the width of the scanlines.

Pure Audio output in Stereo...

Akura has both analog and digital audio output feature. It can output digital audio via HDMI or analog audio via headphone jack to let you plug your console to an amplifier or a stereo system or simply your TV. So you can hear the sounds which you have never before and feel as you are in the game.

QUALITY
Handmade using high quality imported components. Every component is tested multiple times and chosen carefully for its longevity. High quality shielded video cable for better video and audio quality.

SPECIFICATIONS
1. 480p video output via HDMI
2. RGB/VGA switch to select the 15khz RGB mode or the 31khz VGA mode.
3. HDMI connector for plugging to your TV/monitor.
4. Headphone audio output jack for plugging to a Hi-Fi
system(amplifier) or TV.
5. Scanliner ON/OFF switch to turn it on or off.
6. Scanliner Even/Odd switch for selecting even or odd scanlines.
7. Scanliner Width switch for selecting thin or thick scanlines
8. Luminosity adjustment as a bonus feature.
9. Blue power led.
10. High quality custom made Dreamcast audio/video cable.
11. Durable plexi case with laser etched Akura logo.

Just What I Needed

Posted by One-Dimensional Sausage on Oct 1st 2024

For a few years now, I`ve been using a lackluster HDMI adapter from ``Pound Technology``. It technically gets the job done—the image is sharp and clear—but its white point is far too high, so the bright parts of the image blow out, and it fills the audio with a very complex buzz (MANY harmonics, not just a typical 60Hz with a couple harmonics), which is annoying unless you keep the volume low.

I bought this hoping it would be enough of an upgrade to warrant the higher price, and it was absolutely worth it. The image is better than the Pound Technology one, and the brightness is correct, so it does NOT clip whites, which is a huge improvement.

I was worried the audio wouldn`t be great, as audio is typically where corners get cut, but it`s pretty good. The noise floor is extremely low (around -82dB RMS over HDMI), and it doesn`t add a horrible buzz like cheaper options do. The 3.5mm output does have some tonal whine that isn`t present in the HDMI, but it`s quiet enough not to be a real problem unless you`re listening at weirdly high volume. The HDMI is about 12dB (four-fold) louder than the 3.5mm jack, which does make me concerned it could lead to clipping, but I haven`t encountered that in the few games I`ve tested so far. If I find a game where it does clip, the 3.5mm would be a good backup track since it is so much quieter.

I can`t really comment on the scan-lines, as I can`t stand fake scan-lines in general—they just darken the image and make my eyes hurt. But the feature seems to work exactly as intended, if that`s what you`re after. If you have no interest in scan-lines, BeharBros makes another device called ``Gekko`` which is essentially this but without the scan-line generator, for a slightly lower price. However, it also lacks the 3.5mm audio output, which I wanted for backup purposes, so I bought this one instead.

In replacing my existing adapter, the main things I was after were non-clipped whites and cleaner audio, and this achieved both of those, so I`m thoroughly satisfied. It`s perhaps a bit expensive for what it is, but I`m more interested in performance than price, so if that`s what it takes, so be it.

3 Reviews

5
Just What I Needed

Posted by One-Dimensional Sausage on Oct 1st 2024

For a few years now, I`ve been using a lackluster HDMI adapter from ``Pound Technology``. It technically gets the job done—the image is sharp and clear—but its white point is far too high, so the bright parts of the image blow out, and it fills the audio with a very complex buzz (MANY harmonics, not just a typical 60Hz with a couple harmonics), which is annoying unless you keep the volume low.

I bought this hoping it would be enough of an upgrade to warrant the higher price, and it was absolutely worth it. The image is better than the Pound Technology one, and the brightness is correct, so it does NOT clip whites, which is a huge improvement.

I was worried the audio wouldn`t be great, as audio is typically where corners get cut, but it`s pretty good. The noise floor is extremely low (around -82dB RMS over HDMI), and it doesn`t add a horrible buzz like cheaper options do. The 3.5mm output does have some tonal whine that isn`t present in the HDMI, but it`s quiet enough not to be a real problem unless you`re listening at weirdly high volume. The HDMI is about 12dB (four-fold) louder than the 3.5mm jack, which does make me concerned it could lead to clipping, but I haven`t encountered that in the few games I`ve tested so far. If I find a game where it does clip, the 3.5mm would be a good backup track since it is so much quieter.

I can`t really comment on the scan-lines, as I can`t stand fake scan-lines in general—they just darken the image and make my eyes hurt. But the feature seems to work exactly as intended, if that`s what you`re after. If you have no interest in scan-lines, BeharBros makes another device called ``Gekko`` which is essentially this but without the scan-line generator, for a slightly lower price. However, it also lacks the 3.5mm audio output, which I wanted for backup purposes, so I bought this one instead.

In replacing my existing adapter, the main things I was after were non-clipped whites and cleaner audio, and this achieved both of those, so I`m thoroughly satisfied. It`s perhaps a bit expensive for what it is, but I`m more interested in performance than price, so if that`s what it takes, so be it.
4
Great product, a few minor flaws

Posted by Lesley on Sep 22nd 2024

I don`t want anyone seeing that I put 4 stars to be deterred by this great product, it is fantastic but not perfect. Lets start with the few cons first, there is no real way to set the image to 4:3, maybe that is something you can`t get with VGA, I don`t know a lot about dreamcast video output, but it would have been a nice option. Second, the image doesn`t completely line up with the TV, and there really isn`t any way to fix it. It could just be my TV, its an older LG TV and I wouldn`t be surprised if it just happens to be my TV model.

Now to the pros, its super simple to set up, and it does have some nice features like scanlines, it also offers RGB and VGA output, but the only one I could get working is VGA and it looks very nice. There is no lag at all even while using a wireless controller, everything is super responsive and fun to play. Code Veronica is a game where you really need snappy inputs to get past the zombies properly and it delivers. You know you are always worried about lag with these upscalers, like the cheaper options, but nope, this one does a great job. If you want to run your dreamcast through HDMI without getting a much more expensive upscaler, I would highly recommend this device.
5
The best option for playing unmodded dreamcasts on modern tv`s

Posted by Steven C on Feb 23rd 2024

Works perfectly, has a nice selection of scanlines, and the picture quality is great. Was able to bypass VGA with some good timing to play Evolution too.