Sega 32X AV out issue

[medinaj68]

Hello everyone,
I currently am having a issue with a Sega 32X that I just recently purchased from Ebay. I have all the cables necessary to use the 32X but when i connect the unit the screen just remains black. Also when there is no game in the 32X I can see faintly that my Sega CD is running but the picture is very grainy and almost no existent.
Any of you encountered this issue or have any ideas on how to resolve this?

[zakthedodo]

I used to own a 32X and knew off the top of my head, but there are different cables I believe for a model 1 and 2.

See if this helps.
http://www.ign.com/faqs/2003/sega-32x-setup-guidefaq-394286

[theclaw]

32X internally requires RGB video. It won't work if those lines somehow aren't getting through, though that's unusual.

I've heard ribbon cables inside 32X are a common issue.

[Gameguy]

I've heard ribbon cables inside 32X are a common issue.
Yes, that's a common problem with them too. There's several articles online on how to fix the problem.

http://sonic-cult.org/articles/32x/

[Jack7]

what I want to figure out is why my 32x will either be in monochrome or rapidly flashing between monochrome and color on select titles. Not all. Has anyone had this problem?
is it because I don't have those prong things?

[zakthedodo]

what I want to figure out is why my 32x will either be in monochrome or rapidly flashing between monochrome and color on select titles. Not all. Has anyone had this problem?
is it because I don't have those prong things?


The metal prongs were only for a model 1 system.

There was a plastic base (( spacer ) that went under the 32X to stabilize it otherwise it would sit loosely inside the Genesis.
I think that was needed for both models 1 & 2 or just model 2.
32X can be a tricky add on.
There were so many extra parts, different cables depending on what model, even the RF, ....had to use it's own AC Adapter.
Not the best thought out product.

At the time Sega seemed like releasing consoles just because they could, like the 32X and Nomad

If I remember right, Only Sega of America was Gung Ho over the 32X while Sega of Japan weren't too thrilled with the add on.

[A.C. Sativa]

Not the best thought out product.

Understatement of the year right there...

[Gameguy]

what I want to figure out is why my 32x will either be in monochrome or rapidly flashing between monochrome and color on select titles. Not all. Has anyone had this problem?
is it because I don't have those prong things?
It could be a problem with the cables you have. Make sure to clean all of the connectors first, in the cart slot of the Genesis and the cart slot of the 32X, and the bottom connectors of the 32X. Then see if the problem gets better, if not there could be something wrong with the actual cables. It's easier to test out if you have spare parts for these things, then you could swap out parts until you find what's causing the problems.

[BlastProcessing402]

The metal prongs were only for a model 1 system.

There was a plastic base (( spacer ) that went under the 32X to stabilize it otherwise it would sit loosely inside the Genesis.
I think that was needed for both models 1 & 2 or just model 2.

I think the prongs, much like the plates that came with the Sega CD (model 1 anyway) were just there to appease the FCC. Don't want the neighbors' TV to go on the fritz when they're trying to watch Wheel of Fortune while you're playing your Sega games. Certainly they're not required to get either add on running.

As for the spacer, I think that was just for cosmetic reasons, so it would look nice (ish) regardless of which Genesis you were hooking it up to. One of the two has a bit of a gap if don't use the spacer. But it still works fine.

There was supposed to be another spacer for connecting it to the CDX, but it got canned when the FCC refused to give the okay to that combo (of course it still works, you're just not supposed to do it).

[zakthedodo]

I only had a model 2 and a 32X without the spacer....It was fine and I never ran into any issues.

Aside from Doom, Star Wars Arcade, Mortal Kombat II, and Virtua Racing Deluxe.....The Library was just not there.
I loved World Series baseball, but the 32X version was disappointing.
I remember looking at the games at EB and thinking...eh, they look the same, just touched up graphics a bit.

Then again the Nomad sold for 180.00 at launch ( 1995 ) and I bought 2 for 40 a piece in '98.
I'm kind of amazed the Nomad didn't take off. It certainly wasn't a portable system, it should have been marketed as a 'Personal" console.

[kazuo]

I've never used the metal clips and I've had no issues. It's either a bad/missing cable or a internal problem with the 32X.

See this guide: http://www.gametrog.com/GAMETROG/HOW_to_connect_Hook_Up_SEGA_32X_to_SEGA_Genesis_Mo del_1_Page_two.html