Genesis model 2 and 32X question

[Bri79]

I have a genesis model 2 and a 32X. I have the ac adapters for both of them, but I don't have the connector cable to go from the genesis to the 32X .My question is, should it work w/o that connector cable? I bought this bare and used.
When I try to use it now, I hear the sound of the game, but the picture isn't viewable. I didn't know if it was the 32X or the fact that I didn't have the connector cable.
Got any advice?
Can any of you recommend a place to buy the connector cable for a 32X?
Thanks for all your help! :)

[GrayFox]

I don't know where you can buy a connector cable off the top of my head, but that's the problem. You need the connector cable, it is the key to the puzzle.

[omnedon]

You are missing the absolutely necessary, and very difficult to obtain video connector cable. The only workaround that has been found (short of building your own cable from scratch, is even harder to find than the original cable (A Hitachi VHS camcorder connect cable).

You need that cable. IMO, the cable IS the 32X. Without the cable, a 32X is worthless (and useless).

Sorry!

[soniko_karuto]

you wanna see pics of me beaty? (cable made by hand, you need a TG-16 controller to make it work. also you don't have to break the controller, it comes in a plug so you can pull it out.

[The Manimal]

I had this problem. 32X used without the cable. I ended up returning it, as I would have paid more for the cable than I did for the 32X. x_x

[Bri79]

Thats been what I have found out also. I bought the 32x for $7 and the cable is $20 w/o shipping. I'll probably end up buying another 32x that has the hook-ups included.

[omnedon]

When buying another be VERY specific. Many sellers have no idea what a 32X requires, and can assune the AC adapter is the 'necessary' cable.

[rbudrick]

There was a thread a coupl of months ago that linked a place that sold these cables...they weren't made FOR the 32x, but they were the exact same plugs and worked fine...cheap too! Too lazy to find the link...

-Rob

[siamese]

connecting a genesis 2 console and a 32x, man that's easy! LOL

insert 32x in the genesis 2 cartridge slot. then you will you only need
solid core wire (insulated, you need to peel both sides 5-6 milimeters)
and one on one connection, lead included,
(get pinouts for genesis 2 and 32x at gamesx.com for guide)
and that's all. how about replacing your connector this way? it's easy, it's fast it's cheap and if you use the shortest wire you can to connect them both the less interference you will get, no sweat at all! 8-)

connecting this way makes unnecessary to use both ac power adaptors
any doubts?
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22982&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

i'm assuming you have the rf adaptor or an audio/video adaptor that connects the genesis 2 and the tv, that one you can use to connect the
32x to the tv after doing the above connection. if not some hitachi video cameras use the same mini din plug as the infamous sega one this way you get standard plug connectors video and audio. if you have a sega cd attached to your genesis 2 getting stereo audio from the cd is easier.

i did that and boy what a difference

[Bri79]

Wow, thanks for that How to. I ended up finding a cable though... Thanks for the help and suggestions :)

[The Manimal]

A 'How To' on how and where to put the two electromagnic shield plates is needed. I don't have the instructions...



I notice that you can use the 32X to play normal Genesis games but you can't plug in a PBC into the 32X and play SMS games.... bummer on that. Guess I won't be leaving it in the whole time.

[VinnyT]

It wont play normal Genesis games?

I remember hearing how it would fix up certain games if you playedthem this way (Virtua fighter, Virtua Racing, etc)

[The Manimal]

Ooops, I screwed up. It will play Genesis games but I can't plug in a PBC into the 32X to play SMS games through it....


I think I read here or somewhere else that the 32X deleted their save file, and they stopped playing Genesis games through it...anyone ever experience this?



SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME FIGURE OUT WHERE AND HOW TO PUT THESE ELECTROMAGNETIC SHIELD PLATES ON. I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THEY GO OR HOW THEY ARE TO FIT. I HAVE TRIED PUTTING THEM EVERYWHERE BUT NOTHING SEEMS TO FIT ANYWHERE.

[Duncan]

Ooops, I screwed up. It will play Genesis games but I can't plug in a PBC into the 32X to play SMS games through it...

You'll have to take the 32X off to use the Power Base Converter; they aren't compatible.

The 32X won't play or run anything with extra (non-game-related) chips in it -- which is why the standard Genesis version of Virtua Racing (and its SVP chip) won't run in a 32X either. Hence, the PBC and its emulation chips won't work either.

[The Manimal]

Ah, that sucks....


Hopefully these electromagnetic static plates don't lock onto the thing, otherwise taking the PBC on and off the Genesis would be quite the task.

I have VIRTUA RACING but I haven't tried it on my 32X yet. I just tried SONIC and STRIDER, and they worked.

Oh yes, I also tried "SONIC AND KNUCKLES" in my 32X and it worked.

[sonic412781]

Finding an original connector cable (packed in with the 32X when sold new) is near impossible, unless you're lucky enough to get one with a used 32X unit. There are 2 ways around this (if you have a model 2 Genesis): 1)if you have some solid wire (probably 24-gauge wire), you could straight-wire all of the pins except the one on the left on the bottom row (bottom row has two holes, the one right underneath the top row's gap is the one to put the wire into). If all 9 holes are wired together, it ends up not working right.
Here is a pinout of the AV IN port of the 32X and AV OUT of the Genesis:
/ . . . \
( . . . . )
\ . , /
The comma is the one you DON'T wire.
2) You can get replacement cables on Ebay if you don't have straight wire or if you want to have a definite cable; just search for "32X model 2 connector cable" (or "model 1" if you have a model 1 Genesis).

As for the electromagnetic shield plates, they aren't required for the 32X to operate properly.

[Cryomancer]

I had this problem for awhile, when get this...

I go into the madison, WI game x change (well, one of them), and asked a guy there. He goes in the back, and has a little pile of them. He GAVE it to me. Crazy. I should ask for one every time I go and used them for tradebait.

[way2cool]

Was this cable available with a particuliar model of camcorder or all hitachi vhs camcorders. I no where theres a goodwill and they get several camcorders and dont really no what to do with them.

[The Manimal]

I got an idea the other day. Since I prefer the cosmetics of the Genny 2 and how it works with the top loader Sega CD and the 32X, I'd like to use that. But I'd like to also have an Y/C mod done to it. However (from previous posts I've made regarding this), I am under the assumption that Genny 1 and Genny 2 are Y/C modable, but only the very late period Genny 2's can have an S-video mod. Is there a way to figure out which models are late period and have that chip? Does anyone have one of those late period ones for sale? I just don't want to use the Genny 1 that much, but I want good picture like a modded one. :)

[omnedon]

Y/C ?

[The Manimal]

S-video, Luma Chroma separation

[omnedon]

Ah!

I'm not used to seeing luma and chroma referred to in that proper notation! LOL

I did a cool Genesis 1 here: http://www.oldschoolgamer.ca/information.aspx?SID=14

I'm still trying to find a genny 2 in my genny pile that will work with the same mod, but no luck yet.

I'd love to do a 32X, but there are 2 problems - space - and proper mod. I'm not sure what video encoder the 32X has inside it. I have my doubts it's the same SONY one as the Genesis 1 has.

I'm no circuit designer ....yet.

[john_soper]

Google searches are your friend :)

Gen 1's have an involved Y/C mod (s-video mod), the link has already been posted.
The common Gen 2's are not possible to mod for s-video
Gen 3's have an easy s-video mod, just tap the signals out from the video encoder chip:
http://www.videoi.com/~pietro/cxa2075/CXA1645P_M.pdf

There are a few Gen 2's that use the same encoder chip. You can tell which ones they are because the motherboard doesn't go all the way across the bottom of the console case.
Modifying a genny for svideo really makes things complicated for a 32x. The 32x takes the composite genny signal and overlays graphics over it. If you don't believe me, try virtua figher 2. Plug a video cable straight to genny, no fighters. Straight to 32x (no gen->32x cable), you see just fighters with a rolling screen.
And you don't need all 9 lines wired to make your own gen->32x cable. Just left audio, right audio, composite, and gnd IIRC
I guess a 32x might be modified for s-video, but the genesis playfield started off as composite and won't get any sharper.
John

[FABombjoy]

Actually, I'm pretty sure the 32X uses the Genesis's RGB output for it's genlock. I once attempted to hook a Genesis and 32X together using 2 standard A/V cables joined together. No dice. From a technical standpoint, it would be way cheaper/easier/clearer to genlock RGB than composite video.

I probed around the 32X RGB encoder and didn't see any chroma/luma on it's pins. Since it's an seemingly undocumented Sega part, it's tough to tell for certain.

(edited to get around word filter. This joke has long run it's course.)

[john_soper]

Actually, I'm pretty sure the 32X uses the Genesis's RGB output for it's genlock.
Ooops, you're right. I looked at my connection cable and it was a lot more poplulated than I thought, must have confused it with something else.