Genesis 3 A/V cables question

[Ed Oscuro]

I got my Genesis A/V cable (new in a box) and Saturn/XBOX S-Video cables today from FABombjoy and it's an improvement over what I had. However:

a.) I don't get stereo sound. I only get sound out of the left speaker (which makes me wonder if the right plug is broken).
b.) The display is quite a bit cleaner than it was with no more apparent pixel bleeding (in the one game I've tried so far), but I still get moire effects on the edges of walkways in a town for Phantasy Star 2 (clears up when the screen is scrolling) and my characters' eyes turn quite red in map/town mode for a certain amount of time while the screen is scrolling, then black again (this affects other things as well, but is most noticeable with my charcters' eyes).

I'm using a 33 inch TV which I have not had any problems such as this on before. It's not a HDTV but is still capable of producing very clear images.

Any thoughts as to why this is happening? If it's the cable, it's most certainly not FABombjoy's fault since the cable was new and in a sealed cardboard w/plastic bubble box.

[Half Japanese]

I can sort of answer #1: The Genesis is only capable of monoaural sound. I'm not sure as to why it's only coming out of one of your speakers, but as far as I know you can't get stereo sound on a Genesis.

[Ed Oscuro]

I'd really like to not believe you :P

Is that so? That's in direct contrast to what I see, for example, Here (http://www.sega.com/segascream/legacy/genesis.jhtml).

[Bratwurst]

I find myself using the stereo jack in the Genesis 1 more often lately, headphones in the early morning and all that.

Since you mentioned a left and right plug I'll assume you have the proper cable for the Genny 2/3 to output stereo sound, Ed. Best I can suggest is to test continuity with a multimeter for the right plug and the various pins in the connector that goes into the Genny. Now, you could also check the mini-din plug to see if any of the pins are missing, bent, etc. Failing all that, check the connection between your right speaker and your stereo? (whatever is taking audio from the Genesis)

[Ed Oscuro]

There's nothing wrong with the TV: something is going bad before it reaches the TV (I'm using a pair of dodgy headphones which sometimes only gives me the left channel, but I fiddled with it enough to know that's not the case :P I'll try using my Nomad and see if I get stereo sound with it.

Could just be that the cables have gone bad over time. Copyright date of 1994 on the box; but I don't see how as the cable was as flexible as those I've gotten with new systems.

As for a multimeter...well, don't have one of those, unfortunately. Maybe I need to get a different Genesis system, and for that I need to get in touch with Dark Andy ;P

[Ed Oscuro]

Oh crap! Pretty much the worst possible scenario: It's the Genesis 3 console. Using my Nomad I was able to play with perfect graphics and wonderful stereo sound...I just don't want to use it again for Phantasy Star 2 (gets tiresome holding that blasted thing).

Well, that takes the, um, pie.

[josekortez]

Is the AV cable only compatible with the Genesis 3? And where can I get one? I want to hook up one of my Model 2s...

[Ed Oscuro]

No, all the Genesis systems I've seen have a video connector like this. It might even work in the Saturn, actually...anyhow, it's a darn nice video cable, well made and works great! PM FABombJoy if you want one; he recently bought a bunch of video cables so he could resell them at good prices. I also recommend getting an S-Video cable if he's got one for your current next-gen system as well (and you've just got A/V cables).

[john_soper]

Wow, I'm seeing a lot of speculation and inaccurate statements in this thread. Google searches can be your friend you know :)

Genesis Video
Gen 1 and SMS: composite (s-video possible with an internal mod)
Gen 2 common model: composite
Gen 2 late model and Gen3: composite (s-video possible by tapping out internal signals)
CDX: everyone is too scared to open their's.
Nomod: composite

Genesis Audio
Gen 1: mono (stereo through headphone jack)
Gen 2: stereo
Gen 3: mono
Nomad: stereo
CDX: stereo

Genesis cables:
Gen1 and SMS use different connector than the later models. You can steal an adapter cable from a complete 32x setup though.
Stereo won't work unless both console and cable are stereo.

Genesis power supplies:
Gen 1 and SMS use one style, the rest use another style.
A cdx should only use a cdx supply
A gen 2 can use a cdx or gen 2 supply
A gen 3 can use gen 2, gen 3 or cdx supply
A 32x can use gen 2 or cdx supply

Power Base Converter
Gen 1 works
Gen 2 works but need back part of case cut off to fit
Gen 3 won't work
CDX works, but ugly
Nomad won't work, even if it's made to fit

32x
Gen 1 works but need cable adapter mentioned above
Gen 2 works but more reliable with spacer
Gen 3 won't work
CDX works but ugly
Nomad won't work

Genesis Virtua Racing
Works with all but Gen 3.

Saturn
Both composite and s-video video cables exist and both are stereo, but
the connector is different than the genesis