Got 32x to work on Laseractive!...well...sort of =/

[Dangerboy]

Hey Guys,
I figured I'd see what I could come up with and got it to work...to a degree. The trick was to try and figure out how to do it without modding anything, because I am the most unco-ordinated person when it comes to tools.

So anyway, see if you can help decide if the 32x will actually work.

The Tools:
- US Laseractive System
- US Sega PAC
- US 32x Deck with all cord hook ups and power supply
- US 32x Cartridge (any)
- AV Selector
- A second Genesis 2/32x AV Cord
- a Mega Key Game Convertor
- Normal AV Cables (ie the 3 colors on each end)

The Process:
a. Place the Laseractive system on a wide enough area so that you'll have room for the 32x to rest, facing down (you'll see what I mean).

b. Take the Normal AV cord, plug it into the Laseractive's AV OUT ports. Take the other end and plug it into the AV Selector's AV IN slot (I used slot number 1).

c. Take the first Genesis 2/32x AV Cable, plug the AV part into the AV Selector's AV OUT ports. Now plug the other end into the Sega 32x's AV IN port. Take the 2nd Genesis AV Cord, and place it in the AV OUT slot of the 32x. The AV ends go into the TV.

4. Place the Mega Key into the Sega PAC, and then the 32x on top of that. Plug in everything, and insert a game. And turn on.

In effect, the AV Selector box becomes the middle man connection bewteen the two of the systems. Here's the problem:

The video is whacked. :o It looks like you're trying to watch your HBO movie when you don't have HBO. When I could see the game (every like, 40 seconds) it looked like there was no background to the stage.

I've used the Mega Key/32x set up on my CDX just fine (since those were straight Genesis cable hook ups), so I'm thinking one of two things:

1) The AV Selector needs its power supply to boost the signal, or
2) The Sega PAC just isn't compatible with the 32x :(

Opinions, thoughts, etc are welcome.
Thanks!
Jason

[Ed Oscuro]

Sounds like an interesting problem. Doesn't the 32x actually utilize the original Sega hardware -- instead of simply bypassing it and only using the Genny's video out? The only thing I can think of is that the Sega PAC module has its own type of video chip that can't handle the 32x, but the non-video hardware seems able to since the system's obviously working...odd. Maybe that has something to the dropped background?

Well, an interesting project, just you make sure to take good care of that LaserActive :O

[FABombjoy]

The 32x genlocks the video from the Genesis. For this to occur properly, it needs the RGB video from the Genesis. What you're seeing is the result of tossing two out-of-phase (one of which may be malformed) video sources together on the same input. When I say malformed, it's because I don't even know if the 32X can even create a fully-fledged video signal without video input from the Genesis.

Now then, sell me that Laseractive before you injure somebody ;)

[Dangerboy]

Doh...that's what I figured when I realized there was no background =/ Ah well.

And this LA is my baby....ain't no one harm or take baby away from me. ;)

Back to FAQing Manhattan Requeim....

Jason

[sisko]

I tried to do this too, but my approach was different, with the same result.

Heres what I did:

1) Disassemble the 32x casing and insert the boards upside down.
2) Run a Genesis AV cable from the outputs of the laseractive to the input of the 32x
3) Run a second Genesis AV cable from the 32x output directly to the TV

Audio worked perfectly, but whacked video.

I think the only way to get this to work is if you physically (and permanently) hardwire the 32x to the Sega Pac....and I'm not about to do that.

[FABombjoy]

I think the only way to get this to work is if you physically (and permanently) hardwire the 32x to the Sega Pac....and I'm not about to do that.

You would have to locate the RGB signal within the Pac & wire the 32x to that. The best course of action is to use some sort of shrink-ray and put the 32x guts inside the pac, making it a Genesis/SegaCD/32X/CD+32X/MegaLD/32X-LD Pac.

Wow... 32X enhanced MegaLD's... think of the possiblities!

[Ed Oscuro]

The best course of action is to use some sort of shrink-ray and put the 32x guts inside the pac

...this whole topic makes me shudder.

Interesting reading for sure!

[Ze_ro]

On a similar subject, does the Power Base Converter work with the LaserActive?

--Zero

[sisko]

On a similar subject, does the Power Base Converter work with the LaserActive?

--Zero

I can find out if you send me one :)

[Raccoon Lad]

Power Base converter:
Much like with the Genesis 2, it does work, but it doesn't fit. ...unless you take it apart or (makes me ill to say this).....hack up it's case. x_x

[Dangerboy]

Wasn't that just a straight feed though? There's no patch cord right? I would assume *that* would work, just plop the Base Convertor into the Mega Key, into LA PAC.

Jason
who just got a huge new...command center of a desk @_@

[Ze_ro]

Wasn't that just a straight feed though? There's no patch cord right? I would assume *that* would work,

Yeah, but it relies on some specific hardware inside the Genesis... it reconfigures things so that the Z80 that the Genesis normally uses for sound becomes it's CPU. I don't think the PBC works with the Genesis 3, so I wasn't sure if the chips in the LaserActive module would be able to handle it.


I can find out if you send me one

Haha, I have neither, unfortunately. I'd love to get my hands on a LaserActive... but that's not going to be happening anytime soon.

--Zero

[Keir]

Here's a nice little thread about playing SMS games on the LA:

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9791&highlight=sms+laseractive

Even includes a picture of a dissassembled PBC! I like my adapter better, but it means I can't play card games or use the 3D goggles.

I guess I should give up my hopes of ever playing 32X games on my LA though. Oh well.