Sega Genesis V1 question

[cheshire191]

I came across a box lot of genesis stuff. It had 2 genesis V1 in it.

one has the words High Definition Graphics on the top rim of the circular part. The other one does not.
it also does not have the port on the rear that looks like the female end of a controller port.

I am assuming it is merely an earlier release of the system. But I was wondering if anyone has the 'correct' answer.

thanks,
-chesh

[Sweater Fish Deluxe]

Well, depending on which system you mean when you say "it is merely an earlier release of the system," you're right.

The one with the EXT port is earlier. Later model 1 Genesises have the HIGH-DEFINITION GRAPHICS text removed, no EXT port and the a system BIOS that displays the Licensed By Sega text when you turn on the system. I'm not sure if all three of those things were changed at once or if there's intermediary systems that have just on or two of the changes made. There were lots of hardware revisions made inbetween of course, but these are the only ones noticeable without taking the system apart.


...word is bondage...

[TheDomesticInstitution]

Not to be a nay-sayer, but I have 2 Genesis model 1 systems, with "High Definition Graphics" printed on the top, and both have the ext ports on the rear. So it must be one of those other revisions you were talking about. Of course I am not an expert on these systems at all... and haven't owned a Genesis console until recently. And just to pose a question, which I am sure if I did the digging for I could find an answer... what are the ext. ports for? The Sega CD?

[Sweater Fish Deluxe]

Like I said, there may be intermediate designs that only have one or two of the changes made and apparently there since you own two.

The EXT port was used for the Mega Modem. I don't think anything else ever usedit, hence it was removed from later systems.


...word is bondage...

[alec006]

I think there was one more thing that it was used for,i may be thinking of the master system thou. The EXT port of corse was used for the meganet modem in japan but i belive a 7 cart demo unit connected to it.

[Barbarianoutkast85]

I have about a dozen first version's of the Genesis and some have the high def logo on and some dont. I think the one if the high def logo was a newer version of the version one Genesis.

[cheshire191]

wow I didn't think this would spawn so much coversation. I'm going to open them up this weekend and see if there are any dates or anything inside that would signify a version or revision date.

Unless someone else has time before then.

Interesting though, that the one without 'High Def Graphics' was first. Wonder who in the Sega Marketing Dept. thought that would sell more units.

-chesh

[RPG_Fanatic]

wow I didn't think this would spawn so much coversation. I'm going to open them up this weekend and see if there are any dates or anything inside that would signify a version or revision date.

Unless someone else has time before then.

Interesting though, that the one without 'High Def Graphics' was first. Wonder who in the Sega Marketing Dept. thought that would sell more units.

-chesh

I still have a sealed Altered Beast version (launch system) and it has "high def graphics" on it, they took it off in later versions of the Gen. version 1

[chrisbid]

you have to boot the system and see if there is a "Produced or Licensed by Sega" message. if a game boots without that message, its an original run genesis.

[smokehouse]

Early Genesis owner, no “High Definition Graphics” logo on this unit and I have the A/V multi-pin port on the rear.

[Jimmy Yakapucci]

IIRC there was another debate about this somewhere else. All I remember from it was that you could tell by the FCC ID on the bottom. I have a first release/no message system, but the bottom is covered by the plates for the Sega CD so I can't read the FCC ID right now.

JY