Sega 32X Sega CD question

[dairugger]

i was reading a suppliment advert from sega in a old EGM (1994 and beyond) and on the first couple pages they introduce the 32x and saturn. what caught my attention was a description of the 32x that said old sega cd titles that had TruVideo sequences would benefit from crisper and clearer video, not the pixelized usual stuff.

so does anyone know if the 32x cleaned up the video?

[Kitsune Sniper]

Corpse Killer had a rerelease on the 32X CD which supposedly had improved graphics... which still looked like crap. I doubt the 32X would be able to improve the data from earlier games, but it could probably handle better compressed video.

[Graham Mitchell]

It's been about 12 years since I had all that equipment in my house, but back in the day the 32X didn't do shit to pre-existing Genesis or Sega CD games. The only benefit I really got from that was the fact that my old Altered Beast Genesis, with RF being the only option for video out, could now be connected to the television via some snazzy hot AV cables. Ironically, doing so only revealed more flaws in the Night Trap playback.

[grolt]

It's been about 12 years since I had all that equipment in my house, but back in the day the 32X didn't do shit to pre-existing Genesis or Sega CD games. The only benefit I really got from that was the fact that my old Altered Beast Genesis, with RF being the only option for video out, could now be connected to the television via some snazzy hot AV cables.
Not true. The original Genesis had both an RF out and an AV out, same as the original Master System. Getting composite cables at that time though, was pretty tough I'd imagine. By the time the 32X came out, it was basically standard, though.

[dairugger]

the article implies that it improves pre-existing games.

[Graham Mitchell]

Not true. The original Genesis had both an RF out and an AV out, same as the original Master System. Getting composite cables at that time though, was pretty tough I'd imagine. By the time the 32X came out, it was basically standard, though.

A proprietary AV cable was never manufactured in the US for the original model Genesis. I bought one off ebay a year ago, but in 1993 this was impossible. It didn't matter if it had the port.

I remember EGM had a big feature back then where they discovered you could have a custom cable made for about $150 or something.

[c0ldb33r]

It didn't do shit to improve pre-existing Sega CD FMV sequences.

FMV sequences that were designed for the 32X CD looked great - 3do quality.

[mailman187666]

I had both night trap and corpse killer for the 32x CD and they were both much better than the sega CD versions. I would also agree that they were pretty close to 3DO quality, maybe slightly less, but they were not as good as Saturn. As far as the article about improving pre-existing games, I think that may have been misleading because I've never seen a difference. I'm not even sure if the 32x was on while running a normal sega CD game. Just talking about it makes me miss those FMV/sega CD/32x days in a weird way.

[digitalpress]

the article implies that it improves pre-existing games.

The game Farenheit belies any implication that article made.

That game came with two discs. One with the ultra-grainy Sega CD video, one with the much-improved Sega 32X CD video. Clearly if 32X was able to upgrade pre-existing Sega CD video, there would be no need to package a second disc.

[nebrazca78]

A proprietary AV cable was never manufactured in the US for the original model Genesis. I bought one off ebay a year ago, but in 1993 this was impossible. It didn't matter if it had the port.

I remember EGM had a big feature back then where they discovered you could have a custom cable made for about $150 or something.

Actually that's not true. The Genesis Model 1 uses the same AV cable as the Master System Model 1. I won't say the AV cable was widely available but people had them. They were available to order from Sega and they only cost $9.99 plus shipping. If you have a Sega Visions magazine, check the ad for Sega games and accessories, it's there.

[Iron Draggon]

The game Farenheit belies any implication that article made.

That game came with two discs. One with the ultra-grainy Sega CD video, one with the much-improved Sega 32X CD video. Clearly if 32X was able to upgrade pre-existing Sega CD video, there would be no need to package a second disc.

I thought it improved the FMV quality of some of my Sega CD games, but maybe it was just the power of suggestion convincing me they looked better

I don't think Farenheit is a good example though, because the SCD disc was used as a key to let you play the 32X disc... and why was that necessary? why couldn't you just play the 32X disc by itself? there must be a reason

[GM80]

I don't think Farenheit is a good example though, because the SCD disc was used as a key to let you play the 32X disc... and why was that necessary? why couldn't you just play the 32X disc by itself? there must be a reason

So you didn't keep the 32X copy for yourself and give the plain SCD version to a friend. I'm pretty sure that's all it was.

[ooXxXoo]

Unfortunately, the 32X system video encoder alone, produces a very nasty video interference/distortion mostly noticeable during 32X titles gameplay, which in many cases it makes the games not as enjoyable and can definitely give you headaches.....No wonder the Sega 32X system had many issues passing the FCC regulations.....
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[fishsandwich]

So you didn't keep the 32X copy for yourself and give the plain SCD version to a friend. I'm pretty sure that's all it was.

I believe Disk 1 (regular Sega CD) had to be inserted before the system would accept the 32xCD version. I believe it said "Key Disk" or something to the effect.

[chrisbid]

Actually that's not true. The Genesis Model 1 uses the same AV cable as the Master System Model 1. I won't say the AV cable was widely available but people had them. They were available to order from Sega and they only cost $9.99 plus shipping. If you have a Sega Visions magazine, check the ad for Sega games and accessories, it's there.


composite was pretty standard, the NES came with a stanard composite cable, and the SMS and Genny 1 used the same composite cable as the commodore 64

[shopkins]

I have Fahrenheit and that's what I've always thought about it, too. It improved the FMV to right around 3DO quality. Much more colorful than the washed out, grainy looking Sega CD version.

The Genesis, Sega CD and 32X combo is a bit of a beast, too. It's pretty funny to look at such a mess of consoles and wires.

[AllP0werToSlaves]

It's funny because I always considered the 32x a cheap attempt at something good. The Genesis alone was still better than the 32x, and the Saturn blew it out of the water. I think the Angry Video Game Nerd puts it best; too many damn wall warts!