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Non-NEC Console Related Discussion => Console Chat => Topic started by: rag-time4 on July 15, 2011, 08:24:41 PM
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Hey all, I'm wondering if there is a second generation power base converter for the Genesis 2 for playing master system games. Anyone know?
Is the original power base converter compatible with the genesis 2??
What kind of video outputs do the various genesis and add on units offer?
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Yeah, there's an updated SMS-to-Genesis converter that was released in the UK. It looks like a plain black cartridge with a cartridge input on top and a tiny grey pause button on the front. I think there's someone selling one here on the forums right now.
It doesn't have a card/3D adapter input, however.
I actually use a Genesis 2 with the original Power Base Converter. It almost fits, but there's some extra plastic on the back that gets in the way. After taking a hacksaw to it for ten minutes, I took a different approach. I heated up a butter knife over the stove several times and melted it off, leaving a cleaner cut than the hacksaw. The video output looks great, but the sound effects are strangely louder than the music.
To partially answer your other question, the Genesis 2 has a 9-pin out with stereo sound. Apparently, the sound output is lower quality than other models and there's "Crystal Clear Audio mod" floating around the internet.
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Output-wise the best Genesis to have is a very early Genesis 1 with an S-Video mod. The reason you want an early model is because the sound is substantially better. The S-Video mod is very easy to do since the chip inside already creates the signal, it just isn't actually hooked to anything. I'm sure you could get better S-Video if you tapped the RGB and used a quality modern encoder, but using what comes out of the unit already with a simple mod gives you a HUGELY improved image.
Of course RGB is the best but if you live in the US actually viewing an RGB image is such a colossal pain in the ass and/or expensive that it's not worth it to most people.
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You can always disassemble a Power Base converter to make it fit a model two rather than hacking it to pieces.
Zeta, I don't need to built a circuit for an s-video mod on an early Genesis 1? Any how-to's floating around about this?
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You need to build a circuit, but its really f*cking simple. Basically you are completing a circuit that already partially exists.
http://www.jamma-nation-x.com/jammax/neogeosvideo.html
That tutorial shows it being done to an AES, but the same Sony video chip is in the Genesis 1. That guy will sell you all the parts for $15. You might already have the stuff laying around though. Its a HUGE upgrade, btw. The S-Vid coming out is pretty nice so compared to the shitty shitty SHITTY composite the Genesis normally outputs its a huge improvement.
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That is indeed pretty simple. I have an external box for my Neo Geo that does s-video out of RGB. When plugged into the Neo Geo, Master System or my modded TurboGrafx interface unit, it looks great. When plugged in to my Genesis model 1, the colors are all crazy. I am assuming this mod wouldn't be like that since it isn't being derived from the RGB.
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If the genesis 1 is hooked up to a sega cd, what kind of video outputs are available??
Which is more reliable, the sega cd 1 or sega cd 2?
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You can use the same video outputs with the Sega CD attached, its the 32X that makes things difficult.
AFAIK the Sega CD2 is more reliable, but its so much less cool. :(
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You can use the same video outputs with the Sega CD attached, its the 32X that makes things difficult.
AFAIK the Sega CD2 is more reliable, but its so much less cool. :(
Does the sega CD 1 provide a composite video out, or do you have to use the RF out if your Genesis is unmodded?
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I can't remember what outputs are on the Sega CD itself, but you never have to use RF with a Genesis 1. There is a DIN in the back that has RGB and composite on it. It uses the same cable as a Master System or C64.
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The video output are all on the Genesis. The Sega CD outputs either through the headphone jack of the model 1 if the mixing cable is not used or through the two RCA ports on the back of the Sega CD 1 or 2 if the mixing cable is used (allowing you independent volume control with a model 1 Genesis). With the model 2 Genesis, there is no mixing cable so I believe (but have not tested) that all game sound comes out of either the AV jack on the Genesis AND the RCA outs on the model 2 CD.
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Anyone here feel like tackling an S-video mod on my "High Definition Graphics" Model 1 Genesis?
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@Mathius: You can actually learn how to do this stuff yourself man. No joke, there really isn't anything to it when learning how to use a solder iron and doing these mods. Just get a simple set-up and practice on a dead VCR or stereo. Once you get the hang of things and grab the concept, this is easier than changing a car tire. Reason I mention this, is due to you are really into the retro gaming hobby and I also remember you having a wavey video problem with your modded Neo Geo AES that could easily be fixed a while back.
Anywho, isn't it better to get a RGB Scart cable and convertor to component in the US? Now, that would be the best picture to go with to me. I remember something odd about the RGB color levels being different in the Genesis. Also, Xian Xi from the Neo-Geo.com forums has a slightly more correct color S-video mod than the exact Neo Geo AES mod. Here's a link to his version of the Genesis S-video mod.
http://www.jamma-nation-x.com/jammax/
edit: Look in the tutorials section/home consoles/other/Genesis 1 S-video. Notice the orange and reds being more correct on the "New S-video" mod.
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You can use the same video outputs with the Sega CD attached, its the 32X that makes things difficult.
AFAIK the Sega CD2 is more reliable, but its so much less cool. :(
The Sega CD 2 is more reliable in the sense that it doesn't have a large motor that controls the tray that CDs go in. It's less reliable as far as reading CDs, a great many of them have disc reading problems and have to be tapped on the side to start loading again.
Though I've not personally experienced that problem with the CDX, it apparently is an affliction that is common for it as well.
The Sega CD 1 does not have that problem. But the Sega CD 1 is much much bigger and as I mentioned has a motorized tray which is likely to get damaged.
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Xian Xi from the Neo-Geo.com forums has a slightly more correct color S-video mod than the exact Neo Geo AES mod. Here's a link to his version of the Genesis S-video mod.
http://www.jamma-nation-x.com/jammax/
edit: Look in the tutorials section/home consoles/other/Genesis 1 S-video. Notice the orange and reds being more correct on the "New S-video" mod.
His mod looks great, but he doesn't give a schematic on how to build it. Only the transistor part of the circuit is showing.
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You just follow the regular old S-video Genesis/AES instructions and just only use the stuff he listed.
Edited: If I remember correctly, you really just leave out a NTE85 transistor and/or use different value resistor or two than what used to be done over the years. I guess the same applies for his Neo Geo S-video mod.
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@Mathius: You can actually learn how to do this stuff yourself man. No joke, there really isn't anything to it when learning how to use a solder iron and doing these mods. Just get a simple set-up and practice on a dead VCR or stereo. Once you get the hang of things and grab the concept, this is easier than changing a car tire. Reason I mention this, is due to you are really into the retro gaming hobby and I also remember you having a wavey video problem with your modded Neo Geo AES that could easily be fixed a while back.
Anywho, isn't it better to get a RGB Scart cable and convertor to component in the US? Now, that would be the best picture to go with to me. I remember something odd about the RGB color levels being different in the Genesis. Also, Xian Xi from the Neo-Geo.com forums has a slightly more correct color S-video mod than the exact Neo Geo AES mod. Here's a link to his version of the Genesis S-video mod.
http://www.jamma-nation-x.com/jammax/
edit: Look in the tutorials section/home consoles/other/Genesis 1 S-video. Notice the orange and reds being more correct on the "New S-video" mod.
The link didn't lead to where you wanted it I believe. Here is what you probably meant. :)
http://www.jamma-nation-x.com/jammax/genesismods.html
Thanks for the link but pics would have been great, and it kinda seemed like he posted it for people who weren't dumbheads like myself. What is Luma? What does Chroma mean? Where does the ribbon cable come into play?
He really laid out in detail the 1 PSU for the Model 2 Sega CD. Pics, steps, everything. I am sold on the "new" way of doing that S-vid mod as the colors are much sharper compared with the old. I just wish it was more detailed.
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The link didn't lead to where you wanted it I believe. Here is what you probably meant. :)
http://www.jamma-nation-x.com/jammax/genesismods.html
Thanks for the link but pics would have been great, and it kinda seemed like he posted it for people who weren't dumbheads like myself. What is Luma? What does Chroma mean? Where does the ribbon cable come into play?
He really laid out in detail the 1 PSU for the Model 2 Sega CD. Pics, steps, everything. I am sold on the "new" way of doing that S-vid mod as the colors are much sharper compared with the old. I just wish it was more detailed.
Look at his Neo Geo AES link which was posted earlier in this thread from SignofZeta. Those picks will be exactly the same. Turns out the mod is no different. I just never read into it until now.
Chroma is the color signal and Luma is the brightness. The ribbon cable I assume is another option by peeling each wire off it and using the wires strips individually. Better just buy rolls of 28-30 gauge wire. I suggest one red and one blue.
Here is a better link to compare the genesis s-video mod to the other.
http://www.davidhowland.com/mod/#svideo
See how the Neo Geo earlier link only uses 1 NTE 85 transistor. That is the way you want to go with. The second link (which i just posted) is to help you locate the chips and solder points used on the genesis really.
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The problem with these Genesis s-video mods is that they are certainly not simple. A circuit must be built. Wires are going all over the place. I don't want to send my second Genesis away to get modded because it would take forever. And when I get it back, there's still no gauarantee that my capture card won't blow out the colors to oblivion like it does with the XMD-3 attached. The XMD-3 is pure dogshit, by the way, unless mine is broken.
Also, am I required to install a blue LED with any mod I do to the system? It seems like everyone who does any kind of mod has a giant hard on for blue LEDs. Why? They look so ghey.
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The problem with these Genesis s-video mods is that they are certainly not simple. A circuit must be built. Wires are going all over the place. I don't want to send my second Genesis away to get modded because it would take forever. And when I get it back, there's still no gauarantee that my capture card won't blow out the colors to oblivion like it does with the XMD-3 attached. The XMD-3 is pure dogshit, by the way, unless mine is broken.
Also, am I required to install a blue LED with any mod I do to the system? It seems like everyone who does any kind of mod has a giant hard on for blue LEDs. Why? They look so ghey.
I can see your point on the LEDs. But, with systems with zero power indicator lights like NEC consoles, and the Neo Geo, it's nice to be alerted to when your system is still on. I have left my Turbo on for days before I realized what I had done. My Neo would have surely suffered such a fate if it had never been modded with an LED.
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What is the harm of leaving the system on? I know a guy who routinely leaves his games on pause for days and days with no ill effects, even CD and DVD based systems. You can tell when the Turbo is on because the switch reveals the bright orange when it is. I guess you could paint one side of the Neo switch to be less tacky than an LED. And why do they need to be blue?
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My gaming room has very poor lighting, so that orange doesn't pop out as well. But, every LED mod I have seen for the Turbo just doesn't look right. It's the placement I guess.
And my favorite color is blue. :)
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The problem with these Genesis s-video mods is that they are certainly not simple. A circuit must be built. Wires are going all over the place. I don't want to send my second Genesis away to get modded because it would take forever. And when I get it back, there's still no gauarantee that my capture card won't blow out the colors to oblivion like it does with the XMD-3 attached. The XMD-3 is pure dogshit, by the way, unless mine is broken.
Also, am I required to install a blue LED with any mod I do to the system? It seems like everyone who does any kind of mod has a giant hard on for blue LEDs. Why? They look so ghey.
This is why I prefer the solder the components onto the chips method. There is plenty of space and you don't have to build a board like the second genesis link i posted. Seriously, there are only 5 wires to fool with with the direct to chip method. You just need a wire for chroma in/out, luma in/out and ground. It really doesn't take too long and is real easy to do. The more annoying part is drilling a hole and mounting the s-video plug. I used to hate that part, but it really isn't that bad. Make sure you have a good drill bit, then use masking tape and a marker to line it up right. I suggest getting the speed and angles right with the drill by practicing on plastic junk.
This mod is really cheap in parts. I bought in small bulks to mod around 6 systems if need be. I think it came out to be like $8-$10 per system in parts. It's been a while since I fooled with all this. Hell, I haven't gotten around to the improved S-video change to my Genesis yet and my AES is NeoBitz component video modded now. I guess I will make the changes this week.
BTW, the mod should look alright using a capture card. Even the older S-video mod was used by the guy on Classic Game Room (Inecom Company) youtube channel when he does so with his genesis.
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Ive noticed that most composite video cables on ebay for the genesis 1 have Only one white audio plug. Is there a composite plug for the genesis1 that offers stereo audio?
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Ive noticed that most composite video cables on ebay for the genesis 1 have Only one white audio plug. Is there a composite plug for the genesis1 that offers stereo audio?
I imported one from England a few years back off of eBay I think. Try a search for "Genesis Stereo AV Cable." Most of these are custom made but shouldn't be too expensive.
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The model 1 AV cable will only ever have mono audio as the only way to get stereo is out of the headphone jack. For model 2s, do what Mathius suggests.
Anyway, I am trying a new version of the RGB SCART to HDMI. Hopefully it will have fewer artifacts than the old one I tried. That way I'll be able to record the games in RGB. I'm not sure what the Classic Game Room guy uses to record, but I have two Sony things that convert analog video into a DV stream via firewire. I think the main problem is that the Sony just can't deal properly. I don't want to record into MPEG 4 or any other interframe format and I can't find any DV recorders for cheap (must be DV at minimum, ProRes would be best).
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I imported one from England a few years back off of eBay I think. Try a search for "Genesis Stereo AV Cable." Most of these are custom made but shouldn't be too expensive.
As Joe Redifer mentioned, those aren't stereo cables, the cable is doing dual mono rather than stereo in that case. This is the same problem a stock Neo-Geo has, the only way to get stereo audio out is via the headphone jack or mod the system.
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That's why I said it's a custom cable. It has a lead running from the headphone jack back to the end of the cable. I'll take a pic and show you. It's true stereo! :)
This is made especially for a Model 1 Joe. :wink:
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That's why I said it's a custom cable. It has a lead running from the headphone jack back to the end of the cable. I'll take a pic and show you. It's true stereo! :)
This is made especially for a Model 1 Joe. :wink:
Ahh, I do that with my Neo-Geo AES. I have a headphone jack to RCA cable that gives me stereo sound.
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I have a SCART cable like that. You can make a cable like that for yourself with two separate cables and a roll of electrical tape. :)
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I've got the video portion of the stock RCA cable running out of the back of my Genesis into my 4-port switcher with a headphone-to-stereo-rca cable going from the headphone jack to the switcher. It ain't pretty, but's it was durn cheap. And it sure beats the RF adapter I was using before.