Sega Genesis power base converter question

[rag-time4]

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?

[vestcoat]

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.

[SignOfZeta]

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.

[Joe Redifer]

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?

[SignOfZeta]

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.

[Joe Redifer]

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.

[rag-time4]

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?

[SignOfZeta]

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.

[rag-time4]

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?

[SignOfZeta]

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.

[Joe Redifer]

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.

[Mathius]

Anyone here feel like tackling an S-video mod on my "High Definition Graphics" Model 1 Genesis?

[SNKNostalgia]

@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.

[DragonmasterDan]

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.

[Joe Redifer]

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.