S video for the Genesis

[Coldguy]

I know of the mod that can be done, however I was wondering if anyone knows of a genesis cable that has s video? I am talking about using it on a geneis without getting the mod, anyone know of a place where I can get one or do I need to get it modified? Thanks in advance.

[JLukas]

There was boxes released in Japan like the XMD-2 (Genesis 1) and XMD-3 (Genesis 2) which are RGB boxes but also happen to have an s-video port. They're really expensive though.

[Yakumo]

There was boxes released in Japan like the XMD-2 (Genesis 1) and XMD-3 (Genesis 2) which are RGB boxes but also happen to have an s-video port. They're really expensive though.If you are using your Mega Drive on a HD TV then those XMD boxes will just make the image even worse. I own both the XMD2 and 3 and have used them on my HD CRT. Both look bloody awful! So bad that composite looks far better! The best image out for your Mega Drive is either us a RGB TV (not easy in the states I believe.) or get something like the XRGB2+ to up scale the image for a HD TV.

Yakumo

[LiquidPolicenaut]

The Genesis/Mega Drive (and Sega/Mega CD) games look beautiful in s-video and I will always remember when I finally got my Genesis modded and seeing these games that I had played for years get a beautiful new look to them...

Back on topic though, there was also this little thingy released in japan for the Mega Drive 2 that, basically, gave s-video output to the system. I don't know how good the quality was, but hopefully it was decent since it was made by Santa himself ;)

[Coldguy]

Well I am trying to see if I do not have to mod my CDX for S video, yet have the improved graphis to work on my VGA Box. Yes I don't have a TV but my 32" CRT computer Monitor with VGA Box works like a charm...

[Blanka789]

Get an XRGB-2 Plus, they are absolutely worth the money. You'll also have to get the Japanese RGB cable for the Genesis, but the picture looks stunning hooked up to a VGA monitor.

[atreyu187]

I simply just plug in a scart cable for RGB and bypass s-video all together. Looks great with a converter for use on my 36" HD CRT and no need for that uber expensive XRGB and the converter works like a charm on my other decks as well.

[segagamer]

The Genesis/Mega Drive (and Sega/Mega CD) games look beautiful in s-video and I will always remember when I finally got my Genesis modded and seeing these games that I had played for years get a beautiful new look to them...

Back on topic though, there was also this little thingy released in japan for the Mega Drive 2 that, basically, gave s-video output to the system. I don't know how good the quality was, but hopefully it was decent since it was made by Santa himself ;)

I have the same converter, but designed for the MegaDrive/Genesis 1 instead. I also agree with you that the image quality is much better than composite.

[CDiablo]

I have a couple of LCD TVs (one being "52) and I have SVideo modded Duo, XEYE, an A/V modded NES2(this an the XEYE done by my boy Azael (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/member.php?u=21539) of www.retro-console.com/). I also frequently use my SNES on my tv in SVideo.It looks great to me, bright vibrant color, I love it and its hard going back to CRT.

[Mason P.]

Does it support real Stereo or just copoes the mono sound into 2 outputs?

http://cgi.ebay.com/9-PIN-STEREO-AV-AUDIO-VIDEO-TV-CABLE-FOR-SEGA-GENESIS-2_W0QQitemZ260378505171QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVideo_Ga mes_Accessories?hash=item260378505171&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234%7C66%3A4%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1308%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A200

[tofu]

The company I work for has something exactly like what Yakumo is showing. A prototype of it is somewhere around here, they work great with a stunning difference in picture quality.

The problem is we couldn't get the price down below $40 retail and decided not to try manufacturing something so expensive within a limited market. Sadly that's the same story for just about every graphical upgrade device we've tried.

[Diosoth]

The company I work for has something exactly like what Yakumo is showing. A prototype of it is somewhere around here, they work great with a stunning difference in picture quality.

The problem is we couldn't get the price down below $40 retail and decided not to try manufacturing something so expensive within a limited market. Sadly that's the same story for just about every graphical upgrade device we've tried.

The fact you're making a dedicated Genesis, though, means you have the tech to put proper s-video output into the thing... perhaps another reason to try and shove 32X guts into it and sell as a Neptune.

I can tell the games look better. Just play any of the Genesis compilation discs, Cirtual Console, whatever on s-video, component or better compared to the Genesis itself. However, I don't have the cash to pay to have my system modded or get one of those boxes.

[Mason P.]

The fact you're making a dedicated Genesis, though, means you have the tech to put proper s-video output into the thing... perhaps another reason to try and shove 32X guts into it and sell as a Neptune.

I saw this on another post. He has created a neptune. Looks good. Scroll down the page to see it.

http://www.retro-console.com/index.htm

[Diosoth]

I saw this on another post. He has created a neptune. Looks good. Scroll down the page to see it.

http://www.retro-console.com/index.htm

That's not his site. That site is a guy who mods existing systems. Tofu works for Hyperkin, the people who made the FC Mobile.

[tofu]

The fact you're making a dedicated Genesis, though, means you have the tech to put proper s-video output into the thing... perhaps another reason to try and shove 32X guts into it and sell as a Neptune

It wasn't our idea to make that dedicated Genesis. All we really wanted was the handheld but someone made us contractual obligated to make a console as well.

Unless the price difference is huge, I don't even see why anybody would want the new Genesis console. You can get an original one for $40 retail. Currently I estimate (no guarantee) that the cost of the new Genesis thing will be around $25, if we added S-Video and 32x, SMS compatibility the development and licensing cost will approach $40 and that's just too much.

[Diosoth]

It wasn't our idea to make that dedicated Genesis. All we really wanted was the handheld but someone made us contractual obligated to make a console as well.

Unless the price difference is huge, I don't even see why anybody would want the new Genesis console. You can get an original one for $40.

More like $15-$20. However, the old models can't do anything above composite and old hardware eventually fails. This is one reason clone systems do so well. My model 2 sits off to the side now as the damn plug for the AC adaptor has come loose. The 32X needs a cable to connect it to the Genesis, and finding the model 1 adaptor cable is quite tricky.

Make it 32X and Sega CD compatible, throw in decent video outputs and make the game compatibility high and there will be a demand. The current AtGames model is overpriced only because the thing's a piece of junk. Mono audio output and known issues running cartridges.

As to SMS compatibility, I'm not sure that's totally worth fretting over. You'd either need to make it Power Base compatible or add a 2nd cartridge slot.

But you're right, I own the original so unless this adds something special I probably wouldn't buy one, unless the price is decent. The handheld I still look forward to.

[tofu]

The 32X needs a cable to connect it to the Genesis, and finding the model 1 adaptor cable is quite tricky.

I know the Genesis II and III cables are hard to find (the non-RF type) and I've already put in the order to manufacture those. I don't know the final wholesale cost but by comparison I sell the SNES/N64/GC S-AV for $1.80

However, I've never heard about model 1 adapter cables being hard to find. The retailers I work with have never mentioned it. Can anyone else confirm that these would have a market?

[Diosoth]

I know the Genesis II and III cables are hard to find (the non-RF type) and I've already put in the order to manufacture those. I don't know the final wholesale cost but by comparison I sell the SNES/N64/GC S-AV for $1.80

However, I've never heard about model 1 adapter cables being hard to find. The retailers I work with have never mentioned it. Can anyone else confirm that these would have a market?

Standard AV cables? Model 1 cables are a bit rarer and do cost more. They're mono audio only, but ARE compatible with the SMS. As for model 2/3/32X/Nomad type cable, they're still manufactured at a higher rate. I got a gold-plated stereo cable off Amazon for less than $8 shipped.

Unfortunately, Yobo only sells RF units so I've never seen Genesis AV cables in the stores that carry Yobo stuff.

But I'm talking about connecting a Genesis and 32X. Not only do you have to plug the 32X into the cartridge slot but you have to run a cable to the AV-out slot of the Genesis itself. It's a mini-din to mini-din cable, but to use it on the model 1 it needs a 2nd piece, an 8-pin din to mini-din adaptor. Lots of 32X units for sale lack that piece. I guess people with model 2 systems just threw it away because they didn't need it.

Without connecting the AV cable, the 32X won't work. That's what makes the clone systes incompatible is the lack of a proper connector.

[tofu]

Standard AV cables?

Nah, check the thumbnail. I forget what they're exactly called but we call them S-AV.


Unfortunately, Yobo only sells RF units so I've never seen Genesis AV cables in the stores that carry Yobo stuff.

That's exactly why I put in the order to manufacture Genesis AV cables, RF is just too far outdated and not widely available.



But I'm talking about connecting a Genesis and 32X. Not only do you have to plug the 32X into the cartridge slot but you have to run a cable to the AV-out slot of the Genesis itself. It's a mini-din to mini-din cable, but to use it on the model 1 it needs a 2nd piece, an 8-pin din to mini-din adaptor. Lots of 32X units for sale lack that piece. I guess people with model 2 systems just threw it away because they didn't need it.

Without connecting the AV cable, the 32X won't work. That's what makes the clone systes incompatible is the lack of a proper connector.

Any chance you have a picture of this? Original parts like this might be hard for people to find at stores and flea markets but it'd take me less than six weeks to manufacture and ship.

[Mason P.]

I wasn't referring that TOFU created this one in the link. I just meant somebody had done it. I also like his casing. I should have been clearer in the post.

Now TOFU, are your Genesis av cables going to be In stereo or mono? (Y,R,W) or (Y,W)

[Diosoth]

Any chance you have a picture of this? Original parts like this might be hard for people to find at stores and flea markets but it'd take me less than six weeks to manufacture and ship.

Here's a pic showing off everything. (http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j22/Mike_2_0_0_6/Game%20Collection/2008%20Scores/?action=view&current=DSCN9761.jpg) The long cable on the bottom links the 32X AV-in to the Genesis AV-out. The shorter one to the right of it adapts it to the model 1 Genesis AV-out.

Alternate, but blurry pics at Sonic Cult showing off the ends of the cables. (http://www.sonic-cult.org/articles/32x/)

Note that the main linker cable is much longer than it needs to be.

[tofu]

I wasn't referring that TOFU created this one in the link. I just meant somebody had done it. I also like his casing. I should have been clearer in the post.

Now TOFU, are your Genesis av cables going to be In stereo or mono? (Y,R,W) or (Y,W)

Stereo.

The price difference for making stereo and mono, s-video, etc. is pennies. As long as the system can handle it, the cable would be upgraded.

[duo_r]

anyone have a source for cheap price on Genesis 2 connector that can be hacked for RGB output?

[Diosoth]

Stereo.

The price difference for making stereo and mono, s-video, etc. is pennies. As long as the system can handle it, the cable would be upgraded.

All the Sega systems(possibly excluding the Nomad, Im not totally certain) that use a model 2 cable can handle stereo. There's no reason to make mono cables for that type. Actually, as for the Genesis handheld you're making, if you plan on manufacturing that cable anyway, you could always use that type of AV-out jack on the system.

However, the model 1 Genesis only handles mono sound through the AV-out. The model 1 Genesis and SMS share the same type cord. The ONLY way to get stereo sound from a model 1 is through the front headphone jack.

[tofu]

Ugh.

I hate cords. Retailers need these so we carry them, but they're such a pain. Thanks for all the information so far. I'll look into the Gen I to 32x cable, doesn't look hard to make at all.


anyone have a source for cheap price on Genesis 2 connector that can be hacked for RGB output?

I'm almost afraid to ask, what exactly is this?

[Mason P.]

I have a mono chord for my Master System. Just to be clear, you are saying that if i had a stereo chord for that Master System it would play in stereo? Do they make those?

[tofu]

I don't believe the master system or the cartridges supported stereo sound.

Even if I made the cord, no data would be transmitted through it.

[Diosoth]

Ugh.

I hate cords. Retailers need these so we carry them, but they're such a pain. Thanks for all the information so far. I'll look into the Gen I to 32x cable, doesn't look hard to make at all.

Back when Radio Shack was an actual STORE and not the cell phone retailer they are now, you could actually buy 8-pin DIN and the mini-DIN cable ends there and assemble this stuff yourself. Now... not so much. Buying an 8-pin DIN and soldering on a mono yellow/white AV cable was no hassle.

The main mini-DIN cable just runs the pins through to each other. The adaptor just makes a mini-DIN fit into the 8-pin DIN plug. I'm not sure what the large rounded bits on each cord are for but it might be unimportant.

Interestingly, the Gen 1 to 32X adaptor will let you use Gen 2 cables on a Gen 1, not just the 32X. Such as adapting a model 2 RF adaptor for it. However, it's not perfect. My stereo AV cable for Gen 2 will only get video out if I do this, no audio at all. It MIGHT work with a mono Gen 2 cable but I don't own one to try.



I have a mono chord for my Master System. Just to be clear, you are saying that if i had a stereo chord for that Master System it would play in stereo? Do they make those?

No and no. The SMS only outputs mono. The Gen 1 only outputs mono through the rear jack. Any "stereo" cable for them is likely just splitting the mono signal to both speakers, which most TVs support natively anyway with only 1 audio cable plugged in.

The Genesis supports true left/right audio separation but the model 1 only supports this through the headphone jack.

[Mason P.]

No and no. The SMS only outputs mono. The Gen 1 only outputs mono through the rear jack. Any "stereo" cable for them is likely just splitting the mono signal to both speakers, which most TVs support natively anyway with only 1 audio cable plugged in.

The Genesis supports true left/right audio separation but the model 1 only supports this through the headphone jack.

So by saying this you are implying that the model 2 and 3 with a stereo chord would work in true stereo, just not the model 1 and the Master System. Model 1 only has it through the jack in the front or modded in the back.

Sorry i am such a noob at the Genesis. I collect NES mainly so all this sega stuff is confusing.

[duo_r]

You are correct on the Genesis (I dont know much about Master). The Genesis 1 has Stereo either through front jack, or modding RCA's in teh back or relocating the jack to the back (which would look nice for the Sega CD owners).