My Dreamcast is black and white on my HDTV

[Einhander]

On my LED, my dreamcast is black and white. I wanted to test it. I'm using a standard dreamcast AV composite cable. And obviously I tried putting the cables in different positions and it doesn't matter.

As far as VGA, does that work on all Tvs? I really am curious about getting the best picture.

[Thom Grayson]

The black and white is probably because composite does not play nice with TVs that are looking for a component signal. I had that issue with my PS2. The TV said it supported composite video (and the ports were even identified as composite/component), but nothing short of buying a component cable solved the problem.

[Einhander]

The black and white is probably because composite does not play nice with TVs that are looking for a component signal. I had that issue with my PS2. The TV said it supported composite video (and the ports were even identified as composite/component), but nothing short of buying a component cable solved the problem.

Well, my PS2 works on the same tv though. But it could be. When I put my composite in the TV, it said I was using component even though I was just using AV. you can use AV, but I couldn't get the tv to show that I was using AV. What about VGA? Would that work instead of a component?

[Thom Grayson]

The black and white is probably because composite does not play nice with TVs that are looking for a component signal. I had that issue with my PS2. The TV said it supported composite video (and the ports were even identified as composite/component), but nothing short of buying a component cable solved the problem.

Well, my PS2 works on the same tv though. But it could be. When I put my composite in the TV, it said I was using component even though I was just using AV. you can use AV, but I couldn't get the tv to show that I was using AV. What about VGA? Would that work instead of a component?

I'd say it probably would work, but then, newer TVs are hardly considerate to the output from older consoles. If you have a cable to test, go for it, worst it can do is not work, and in that case, I believe that there are Dreamcast component cables out there.

[Superchop]

If your tv has a vga port on the back it should work just fine, just make note if the tv takes a 3.5mm jack or rca inputs alongside the vga port.  Depending on which it accepts you would have to find the appropriate cable

[Lashek]

Alternatively, you could do VGA cable from Dreamcast hooked to an HDMI converter box.

I use a Tomee VGA cable on my Dreamcast, and a cheap VGA to HDMI converter box that also handles audio.

[sheep2001]

is it a pal game on a pal dreamcast?

I remember ps1 ntsc games on pal ps1 were black and white without the correct cables.

[TDIRunner]

It sounds like you have a composite signal plugged into a component signal.  Are you sure your TV accepts composite signal? 

[Arseen]

is it a pal game on a pal dreamcast?

I remember ps1 ntsc games on pal ps1 were black and white without the correct cables.

If the TV is modern flatscreen it does not matter anymore, as they show picture in colors no matter the cable as long as the cable itself is not faulty.

[Einhander]

It sounds like you have a composite signal plugged into a component signal.  Are you sure your TV accepts composite signal? 

Yea the composite worked for the PS2

[TDIRunner]

The first thing you should do is to start eliminating possible problems:
  Try the Dreamcast with another TV to see if you get the same issue.
  If you have an extra cable try it.
  If you know anyone else with a Dreamcast, try it on your TV.
  Anything else that can confirm something works or eliminate possible problems.