Can I run a Dreamcast Emulator with GD-ROM disks or do they need to be image files?

[biggles]

My new TV doesn't have vga or s-video inputs. So, if I want to play Dreamcast games on it this would be done using rca connection. The quality is poor on an rca connection as you all know.

So, I was getting ready to buy a vga to hdmi adapter from amazon since I do own a good vga box.

But then I thought perhaps it is better to just run an emulator on the computer. My computer is Windows 8.1, Intel 4690k cpu, Nvidia gtx 780 graphics, 8 gb ram. That is a pretty good machine and should have plenty of power.

So, if I ran a Dreamcast emulator, would I use the original GD-ROM disks that I own? Or would I need to play games stored as image files on the hard drive? If they have to be images, can I rip my own games, or do I have to download them? I am not sure that a computer dvd-rom or blu-ray drive can read Dreamcast GD-ROMS...

Also, what emulators are recommended? The highest rated ones over at emulator-zone are Chankast and nullDC.

[CheerioDM]

Could you please tell me what vga box you have? I just saw a video review on the Hanzo vga box.
I think most people prefer nullDC. That is the one I am currently using.

[MaslowK]

would I use the original GD-ROM disks that I own?

No, unfortunately the vast majority of CD-ROM drives in PCs can't read original GD-ROM games. You'll need to either rip the games using a dreamcast and serial cable, or download the games from a website like ours here. Based on the specs you posted you should be able to emulate most DC games at good speeds.

Quality wise yes, generally speaking an emulator output to your computer monitor will look much cleaner than using RCA on say, a CRT (I assume that's what you have).