JVC x-eye

[The EdgeCrusher]

what exactly is it?

[Mr. Smashy]

It's a karaoke machine!

[The EdgeCrusher]

lies, all LIES!

[Jimmy Yakapucci]

Well, almost true. It is a Sega Genesis, Sega CD and Karaoke machine all rolled into one. I never did try out the karaoke feature while I had mine.

JY

[Cambot]

Here are a few pics of mine which I got for $9.00 at a thrift a couple months ago:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/ckeene/DSC_0012.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/ckeene/DSC_0134.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/ckeene/DSC_0131.jpg

[InsaneDavid]

It's a reworked and repackaged version of a system called the JVC Wondermega 2, which was released in Japan. JVC removed the IR controllers, S-Video out, and the MIDI functionality and released it in the USA as the JVC X'Eye. (spell it right, you whippersnapper) It's basically a Sega Genesis and a Sega CD in one unit, with composite out (Ye/Wh/Re), a single power adapter (hard to find), and a slightly faster CD drive than either the SCD1 or SCD2.

It has an extra wide cartridge slot that will fit import carts as well as Genesis ones without modification. However for region locked JPN cartridges you will need to perfom a region mod (look at my site, I wrote the tutorial on how to do this) - this mod DOES NOT allow the play of JPN or EUR CD's.

Most common problem seems to be the switch that senses when the disc lid is closed wearing out. I've written a repair tutorial for this as well, only takes a couple seconds. The JVC X'Eye is also fully compatible with the 32X as well as the Power Base Converter (you have to cut down the casing on the PBC but it works fine).

[segagamer]

From the looks of the it, you got a great deal for $9, since everything appears to be in excellent physical condition and are the original parts.

Just curious, I used to have an X'Eye but the drive made loud noises whenever the laser moved to access the disc. I bought it brand new at EB many years ago. Is that normal or did I get a bad unit?

BTW, that is a very sweet looking Sony Bravia LCD flat panel TV.

[77punk]

I WANT THE xEYE soooo bad.. gees.. one day.. it shall be mine

[fishsandwich]

I LOVE mine. Finished Shining Force CDa few weeks ago, deep into Shining Force 2 now. It's great not to have to haul in/out the Sega CD unit. The import feature is nice and it will fit the euro/austrailian Master System cart adaptor. PLUS the 32x fits. Awesome.

Look here for X'Eye story...

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61755&highlight=redneck


!

[Family Computer]

"JVC Genesis'" are cool but the Sega CDX is the king ;p

[The EdgeCrusher]

whats easier to find a x'eye or a CDX cause i've been looking into buying a hybrid console like this for a couple weeks. does one work better versus the other?

[Family Computer]

I would say CDX is probably easier to find, but the CDX is far smaller. Not sure which is "better", but the perfect combo for me is Sega CDX + Megadrive Cart Adaptor + Tototek MegaCart. This gives you an all region beast in a small form-factor with 1 AC Adaptor (Genesis / Megadrive / Sega CD / Mega CD).

[InsaneDavid]

"JVC Genesis'" are cool but the Sega CDX is the king ;p

Yeah, until you try to fix one. LOL The JVC X'Eye is user serviceable, the Genesis side is based off a Genesis II, and the USA/JPN modification is easy as pie.

I got my JVC X'Eye for $2 by the way, and the power adapter for $1 a year later. :D

[Family Computer]

While I wouldn't trade in my CDX, the JVCs are definitely cool. I bet they look sharp side by side with a black turbo duo

[digitalpress]

http://www.digitpress.com/DP/cmf/game.cmf?gameid=2224

[InsaneDavid]

http://www.digitpress.com/DP/cmf/game.cmf?gameid=2224

No S-Video port though. ;) The space for it is still on the board, heck the inner shell is even molded for it, but it's not there.

[Kid Ice]

No S-Video port though. ;) The space for it is still on the board, heck the inner shell is even molded for it, but it's not there.

I can see why there is a confusion though...it's video output looks just like an s-video out.

[InsaneDavid]

I can see why there is a confusion though...it's video output looks just like an s-video out.

Yeah, especially since it has standard composite outputs as well.

[omnedon]

S-Video can be added though.

[kazuo]

These can also be modded for RGB as well.

Good pickup for $9. :)

[Wraith Storm]

Wow! Congrats on the fantastic deal! The X'Eye is awesome. My parents got me one for Christmas back in 94 I think it was. I remember they were being liquidated at Best Buy for $99. I could'nt believe it because the Genesis and the Sega CD were both still going for over a hundred. You cant beat both systems in one for half the price. I also loved the X'Eye logo screen. If you had no disk in the drive the X'Eye symbol would do all sorts of cool tech demo stuff. It probably had close to 20 different things it would do.

[ianoid]

Mmm. I just found a spare for $10 that was a little dirty, no PS. I was going to eBay it then I remembered I wanted a playable unit for easy access to the Gen and SCD library. Personal total lifetime play for Genesis and Sega CD: less than 10 hours. Total Gen games in my collection: Approx 500. Sega CD >100. Maybe this JVC, sitting on a shelf hooked up to a 1702 can change that ratio.

Please take note that JVC X'Eyes are very happy with the yellow plug Sega Power Supplies! That makes them about 20 times more useful. Proprietary PSes suck!

[Family Computer]

Personal total lifetime play for Genesis and Sega CD: less than 10 hours. Total Gen games in my collection: Approx 500. Sega CD >100.

Talk about wasting space/time/money ;p

[InsaneDavid]

Please take note that JVC X'Eyes are very happy with the yellow plug Sega Power Supplies! That makes them about 20 times more useful. Proprietary PSes suck!

Even though then they're massively underrated? It wants 1.5A, not 0.85A.

[Cambot]

Even though then they're massively underrated? It wants 1.5A, not 0.85A.

Heh. I was waiting for you to jump on this one, InsaneDavid.

Do what I did and look for a cheap AC adapter that will power this thing properly. Search for generic adjutable camcorder power supply.

[j_factor]

I have an X'Eye, and I used to use a Sega 0.85A power supply. It had no problems with cartridge games or audio CDs but it struggled with Sega CD games.

[InsaneDavid]

Heh. I was waiting for you to jump on this one, InsaneDavid.

Do what I did and look for a cheap AC adapter that will power this thing properly. Search for generic adjutable camcorder power supply.

Yup, and if the plug is different then chop off the end of a Genesis 2 power supply and wire it up. :) My original JVC X'Eye power adapter had a beat to shit cord that I replaced with one out of a Genesis 2 power adapter.