Recording Sega Genesis video output

[Kitsune Sniper]

I was trying to record some video out of my Genesis just now, but it's apparently impossible. Even though it looks fine on my TV, it's all gray and blurry and skippy on my video capture card.

http://www.videohelp.com/forum/archive/trying-to-capture-from-a-sega-genesis-distorted-picture-t358813.html

Is there any way to fix this?

[Kitsune Sniper]

... nobody?

Here's a video I made of the problem.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDUczlMR9Ng

[jferio]

I understand it's a 'known' problem with the Sega Genesis.

You can try to run the output through a VCR before it gets to the capture card. That might be enough to stabilize the signal. Either via composite the whole way, or use the Genesis RF box to the VCR, then composite from the VCR to the capture card.

[BetaWolf47]

What kind of cable are you using? It definitely looks like a connection problem.

[OldSchoolGamer]

What kind of cable are you using? It definitely looks like a connection problem.

Naw, it's the Genesis, I have encountered the same issue, can record many consoles but the Genesis seems to output a signal just barely at the spec to display properly, it's fine on any TV but scrambles when trying to capture footage, I also had to just record straight to my set top DVD recorder than import the resulting DVD files to my editor.................

[Kitsune Sniper]

Crud.

I'm using standard RCA A/V jacks. From there it goes to my JVC video distributor thing - which is supposed to boost the signal. Guess it doesn't like the Genesis much. :p

I have a set top DVD recorder, but the signal is delayed by a teensy bit, so it renders games unplayable. I could do some sort of workaround but I'm going to need a lot more cables. :\

So this can't be fixed with I dunno, some soldering or chip hacking or something?

Edit: Wait a sec, I just remembered I have a Radio Shack S-Video / Composite amplifier here. I just need to figure out what power supply would make it run. Would that work?

[jferio]

I have a set top DVD recorder, but the signal is delayed by a teensy bit, so it renders games unplayable. I could do some sort of workaround but I'm going to need a lot more cables. :\

When I helped a friend do video game capture work for a currently-dormant project, we 'split' the video feed on account of the lag his rig causes, so that we displayed the game on a regular television as well that we could look it while the computer recorded the video. At the time we did some funky stuff, but I know there's an old Radio Shack/Archer box that takes one input, and puts out three outputs, and amplifies so that you don't lose any signal in the process.

[buzz_n64]

I use my JVC X'eye, and I have no problems with it, made some Genesis game reviews with a usb capture card(easy CAP).

[Kitsune Sniper]

I hooked up my DVD Recorder to this, and now my capture card detects the signal just fine!

... unfortunately, it's blurred to hell. I'm going to look for a power supply for this video amplifier thing tomorrow.

jferio: That's what I did when I first got my DVD recorder. It worked, but it was cumbersome as hell. :(

[Kitsune Sniper]

Dear Radio Shack,

You suck.

Love, Foxhack

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I got an AC Adapter for that amplifier and it only made the signal worse! What the hell. Rargh. ._.

I'm going to try to record the stuff through the DVD recorder now.