Sega CD model 1 questions

[Bernie]

Ok, I am thinking of venturing into the Sega territory, but in a limited way.  Basically I only want certain games.  I have an ongoing deal with a Mega Drive from BlueBMW, that is being region modded so I can play USA carts as well.  Right now, I am in the process of trying to find a Sega CD model 1.

At this time, I am bidding on a non-working unit on Ebay, that comes console only.  I understand that I need to purchase a power supply for the unit, so no biggie there.  My question is this, does it also have A/V cables, or does it feed off the Genesis unit?  I've never had one of these units, so its new to me.  If it does have A/V connections, does that also cover the Genny cart games as well? 

I also posted a WTB thread over in the sales section.  Just in case someone has one they want to part with.  I would rather have the model 1 units, cuz IMO, it just looks better to me.   

[nodtveidt]

You can use the RF from the Genesis... I used to.

[Joe Redifer]

It can feed through the Genesis' outputs.  But if you want more control, you can pipe the Genesis' audio into the Sega CD from the headphone jacks and output through the Sega CD's RCA cables.  This allows you to control the volume of sound that the Genesis makes compared to what the Sega CD makes.  In some games like Road Avenger you'll want to turn the Genesis volume down from 10 (where it should normally always reside) to about 7-ish so the flashing icons don't sound so annoying.  With the Sega CD version of Lords o' Thunder, you'll want to turn the Genesis volume down to about 2 or maybe even 0.  If I recall, I think you may need to lower the volume for Sonic CD as well so that the ring collecting doesn't make your ears bleed.

[Bernie]

Thanks for the info guys.  Like I said, new territory for me. 

[GohanX]

Also, the audio cables that Joe is referring to are standard audio stuff, so no worries about having tto find expensive proprietary cables if you get a bare unit.

[Bernie]

It can feed through the Genesis' outputs.  But if you want more control, you can pipe the Genesis' audio into the Sega CD from the headphone jacks and output through the Sega CD's RCA cables.  This allows you to control the volume of sound that the Genesis makes compared to what the Sega CD makes.  In some games like Road Avenger you'll want to turn the Genesis volume down from 10 (where it should normally always reside) to about 7-ish so the flashing icons don't sound so annoying.  With the Sega CD version of Lords o' Thunder, you'll want to turn the Genesis volume down to about 2 or maybe even 0.  If I recall, I think you may need to lower the volume for Sonic CD as well so that the ring collecting doesn't make your ears bleed.

Wait..  So are you saying that even the CD games have sound that is affected by the Genesis volume knob?  Why is that?  Strange, but then again, I havent ever known much about Sega stuff.

[Samurai Ghost]

It can feed through the Genesis' outputs.  But if you want more control, you can pipe the Genesis' audio into the Sega CD from the headphone jacks and output through the Sega CD's RCA cables.  This allows you to control the volume of sound that the Genesis makes compared to what the Sega CD makes.  In some games like Road Avenger you'll want to turn the Genesis volume down from 10 (where it should normally always reside) to about 7-ish so the flashing icons don't sound so annoying.  With the Sega CD version of Lords o' Thunder, you'll want to turn the Genesis volume down to about 2 or maybe even 0.  If I recall, I think you may need to lower the volume for Sonic CD as well so that the ring collecting doesn't make your ears bleed.

Wait..  So are you saying that even the CD games have sound that is affected by the Genesis volume knob?  Why is that?  Strange, but then again, I havent ever known much about Sega stuff.

I think the CD audio from the SEGA CD always plays at full volume, but you can adjust the level of the sound effects made by the Mega Drive with the volume slider found on the Model 1 Mega Drive. Wasn't aware of this myself although I've had a Model 1 Genesis/Sega CD combo for a long time.

Also, the Model 1 uses the same A/V cable as the PC Engine, so if you ever pick up a CoreGrafx/DUO/DUO-R/DUO-RX you don't have to worry about finding a new cable if you don't mind switching them around.

[Bernie]

Good info Samurai!  I actually have a few extra A/V cables from the Duo's I have. 

[Joe Redifer]

Actually no they are not the same.  The Duo has stereo audio out and if you try to connect that to a Genesis you will get some nasty sounds or buzzes.  I've never tried it myself but the pinout is different.  If you want stereo audio from a Genesis model 1, you MUST come out of the headphone jack at some point.

[DragonmasterDan]

This thread brought up the long forgotten (to me at least) mixer cable which came with the Sega CD. This cable which went from the Genesis 1 headphone jack to the back of the Sega CD 1. I no longer own that cable, Does anyone know what type of generic cable would substitute?

[xelement5x]

This thread brought up the long forgotten (to me at least) mixer cable which came with the Sega CD. This cable which went from the Genesis 1 headphone jack to the back of the Sega CD 1. I no longer own that cable, Does anyone know what type of generic cable would substitute?

Something like this should be fine:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021812&p_id=5575&seq=1&format=2

I'm not sure of the exact wording, but it's a male to male STEREO audio cable with the smaller plugs.  Don't get a mono cable (only one band on the plug) because then you're loosing the benefit of the stereo sound coming out of the Model 1 Genesis headphones port.

Oh, and if it's a model one Sega CD don't forget to lock the cable to the side of the unit when you run it from the front to the back    Why they included that feature I have no clue.

[Samurai Ghost]

Actually no they are not the same.  The Duo has stereo audio out and if you try to connect that to a Genesis you will get some nasty sounds or buzzes.  I've never tried it myself but the pinout is different.  If you want stereo audio from a Genesis model 1, you MUST come out of the headphone jack at some point.

Weird, I've used generic MD/PCE/SMS cables for CoreGrafx systems with no problems so I figured it would work both ways. But they might have been mono cables though, but I'm pretty sure I had some stereo ones at some point too. If they are indeed different, how can you tell them apart in the wild? Obviously the official cables are easy to spot but there are plenty of generic cables that are listed as working for multiple systems...

Edit: Couldn't you leave one of the audio cables unplugged to have the same thing as an official mono Genesis cable? I don't see any evidence that the pinout is different, just that the Model 1 Genesis lacks stereo sound out of the A/V output. I agree that stereo sound from the headphone jack is the better way to go, but you could use a spare PCE/DUO A/V cable for the video at least.

[Joe Redifer]

You could leave one of the cables unplugged I suppose but that's no fun!

Oh, and if it's a model one Sega CD don't forget to lock the cable to the side of the unit when you run it from the front to the back.  Why they included that feature I have no clue.

To keep the wire out of the way of the CD tray.

[meka]

The Sega CD 1 looks cool, but the model 2's are a lot more relable, the disk tray has a tendacy to stop opening and closing. I've used a sega megadrive/genesis model 1 with a model to sega cd for over 10 years and it still works great.