Sega Genesis in S-Video...... Oh Shiznits!!!

[Anthony1]

Wowsers!


That's the first phrase that popped into my head when I turned on my old Genny 1 with a newly minted S-Video mod. Good God.





Don't get it twisted.


RGB is definitely better, but man... The Genny in S-Video is fantastic! I would have never imagined that the difference would be so pronounced.


Up till this point, I've played the Genny 3 ways. Composite video ( the little yellow plug), RGB and via the Genesis emulator on XBOX in 720p or 1080i ehanced mode.


No question that RGB is the best picture, but my God, S-Video looks damn good. Much props to Kamino (a DP member) that hooked me up with the mod. Great trade bro! But yeah, S-Video is a really big suprise. I was playing Aladdin, and you could see alot more detail in the structures and stuff. Just little things you didn't notice before. Up until this point, I was actually preferring to go with the Genesis emulator on the XBOX in a 1080i ehanced mode. But until they convert a Genny controller to work on XBOX, this is the best way to play my Genesis on a big Screen TV with a S-Video plug.


The bottom line, is if you got a big screen TV with a S-Video input, and you play your "real" Genesis system on it, then you owe it to yourself to get this mod. It's freaking mandatory.


Runs off to try Jurassic Park in S-Video......

[Melf]

Hell yes! I love my modded Genny. The level of detail is incredible, and the clarity of the signal is second only to RGB. Try games like Ristar or Rocket Knight Adventures to truly see the difference there is from RCA.

Welcome to a whole new way of playing Genesis!

[googlefest1]

damn man you re making me want to mod one of my gennies
something i am against - well mabey i can sacrifice the one that i consider the wost - i hope it has the right kind of gutts

[chaoticjelly]

Get an old Commodore monitor and buy an R.G.B. scart lead off me - far far better than s-video

LOL

[googlefest1]

hmm - ive got 3 monitors and i realy think only one has a great picture - the 2002 - 1702 and 1802 are kind of disapointing- (ive used the 2002 first i guess thats why)

what do you plug the cable into? the A/V? (on the geneisis/mega drive)

[D-Lite]

I've modded a number of Genny units and by far and away S-Video is the biggest improvement on these systems compared to any other video game console. That translates into Genesis systems having the absolute worst composite output I have ever seen. It is truly a beautiful sight!

[Dimitri]

I was amazed at the difference between RF and composite with my Genny...never actually used S-Video on anything bar one time I ended up with a B&W picture...

If it's far better than even the Genny's composite (which I admit still has some blurring...) then I'm sure if I do this mod I'll be amazed...

I'll look into it myself later tonight. I'd love to see how RKA and Socket look... :D

[LiquidPolicenaut]

Gotta agree on this thing too. Thanks to D-Lite (awesome work by the way!), I also have a modded Genny with S-Video and it is a tremendous difference from the regular composite. Just seeing Lunar and Snatcher in S-Video after over 10 years made my heart skip a beat and a tear come to my eye :) Sooooooooo....beautiful....*sigh* *hugs his Gennny/Sega CD setup*

[norkusa]

How does digital optical out compare with s-video? I got a Pioneer Laseractive which has digital optical and the Sega Genesis pack for it too. I don't have a digital optical on my TV so I can't hook it up and see how it looks. Is it about the same as s-video or better?

[Kamino]

Well, I'm glad to see you're thoroughly enjoying the genesis.
Shameless plug, the work of anthony1's genesis was that of my soldering iron. If anyone is interested in various system mods, I'm more than likely up to the task....
And yes - genesis in s video is crazy stuff. I couldn't believe it myself when I first saw Toejam and Earl in s video....I'd always had a bit o'trouble reading the text...not anymore.

[Kamino]

I was amazed at the difference between RF and composite with my Genny...never actually used S-Video on anything bar one time I ended up with a B&W picture...

If it's far better than even the Genny's composite (which I admit still has some blurring...) then I'm sure if I do this mod I'll be amazed...

I'll look into it myself later tonight. I'd love to see how RKA and Socket look... :D
To describe the difference, I can only say "fucking insane".
I did a test on Sonic the hedgehog 1. The A/v port of the genesis still works, so i slammed an a/v cable on that port, s video on the jack, fired it up on composite, and flipped to the s-video input channel...
The word SONIC in the title screen is actually VERY muddy in composite. as is the SEGA splash at bootup. VERY muddy. It was a welcome change to actually SEE the borders. call me crazy, but the colours seem brighter as well.
I have good directions posted on my site. One of these years I'll get around to drawing proper schematics as well.

[SkiDragon]

How does digital optical out compare with s-video? I got a Pioneer Laseractive which has digital optical and the Sega Genesis pack for it too. I don't have a digital optical on my TV so I can't hook it up and see how it looks. Is it about the same as s-video or better?

I thought digital optical was for audio, but maybe this is something different.

[Poofta!]

that does it. i want one.

[Anthony1]

I've modded a number of Genny units and by far and away S-Video is the biggest improvement on these systems compared to any other video game console. That translates into Genesis systems having the absolute worst composite output I have ever seen. It is truly a beautiful sight!



That must be it then. The Genesis must have really horrible composite video. Because I've never seen such a huge jump in quality from composite to S-Video. Take the SNES for example. SNES does look better in S-Video, but not this much better!

So the best explanation for it, is that the composite video output of the Genesis is pretty damn horrible

[Anthony1]

Get an old Commodore monitor and buy an R.G.B. scart lead off me - far far better than s-video

LOL


Obviously RGB is the best video signal you are going to get out of the Genesis, I think we all pretty much know that. Even the people that have never experienced it before, know that RGB is the best.

But not everybody wants to deal with the hassle of getting the right RGB cables and monitors, and all of that.

Now myself personally, I would climb Mount Everest to get my RGB cables, but I'm a different cat altogether.


But the thing is...... Even though I'm a huge RGB nut, sometimes I like playing my real Genesis and Sega CD on my Big Screen TV in my livingroom. For that purpose, S-Video is the way to go.


You have to remember that if you get a Genny 1 or Genny 2 modded for S-Video, you can also use them with the Sega CD and play Sega CD games in S-Video too! The Sega 32X uses it's own video output, so no S-Video there. I'm not sure if it's possible to mod the 32X for S-Video output.

That would be interesting.



On a side note, I got my Genny 1 modded for S-Video, and I have a Sega CD 2. I know that you can connect a Genny 1 to a Sega CD 2, but I couldn't remember what you needed to do to connect them properly. Do you need some special piece of hardware, some type of spacer or something?

I definitely need to play some Popful Mail and Batman Returns (the driving part) in S-Video!

[anagrama]

Anthony, you should just move to Europe - hassle-free RGB on a nice big TV for practically every system. I'm sure moving thousands of miles is no concern for an audio-visual connessieur like yourself ;)

[digitalpress]

D-Lite modified a Genny for me awhile back with S-Video. I haven't gone back to RF since. It's one of those systems that really come to life when you improve the connection like that. I suspect most people know this if they've ever played a Genesis emulator on their PC monitor.

Truly a wonderful machine.

[omnedon]

http://www.oldschoolgamer.ca/information.aspx?SID=14

Yes indeed, Anthony 1 and DP are correct. It makes you want to play your Genesis *more often*.

http://www.oldschoolgamer.ca/syspics/14-106.jpg

http://www.oldschoolgamer.ca/syspics/14-113.jpg

Lots of options for those of you willing to take the plunge. If you are handy, you can try it yourself. http://www.gamesx.com/index2.htm . If not I'd happily personally vouch for D-Lite, and of course, me. LOL

Professional install, 90 day warranty on entire system, free detail clean, cart slot de-oxidization too.

RGB may be great, but even Anthony1 admits if you want to hook it to a TV *and* have great Video output, S-Video is the way to go.

[Gemini-Phoenix]

Hmmm. I just have the bulk standard PAL Mega Drive which has an 8 pin DIN socket on the back.

All I did was got hold of one of those camcorder connection kits and fabricated a wire which would convert from the DIN socket into two audio's and an S-Video socket.


I was shocked by how crisp the games looked on my monitor! I'm never going back to playing the Mega Drive in RF again!!!

[Gemini-Phoenix]

Hmmm. I justhave the bulk standard PAL Mega Drive which has a 6 pin DIN socket on the back.

All I did was got hold of one of those camcorder connection kits and fabricated a wire which would convert from the DIN socket into two audio's and an S-Video socket.


I was shocked by how crisp the games looked on my monitor! I'm never going back to playing the Mega Drive in RF again!!!

[Anthony1]

Anthony, you should just move to Europe - hassle-free RGB on a nice big TV for practically every system. I'm sure moving thousands of miles is no concern for an audio-visual connessieur like yourself ;)


I am jealous of that. In fact, at one point I was going to try to buy a large TV with Scart input from Europe, but the shipping would have made it silly to even contemplate.

Still, here in the U.S. we can get very large Sony PVM monitors, and it's basically the same deal. But it's much harder than being in Europe and having so many TV's that have Scart inputs naturally.

[rhiohki]

Alright. Here is my dillemia. I just picked up a very nice boxed and complete Sega CDX. I was contemplating getting it modded for S-Video. I know it can be done. I was wondering if an RGB mod can be done to the Sega CDX?

Anyone have the answer on that?

[Anthony1]

Alright. Here is my dillemia. I just picked up a very nice boxed and complete Sega CDX. I was contemplating getting it modded for S-Video. I know it can be done. I was wondering if an RGB mod can be done to the Sega CDX?

Anyone have the answer on that?


What kind of output plugs are on the back of the CDX?


Can it use a video cable from a Genesis 2 or Genesis 1?

If so, then you might not need anykind of RGB mod. just a Genesis 1 or 2 RGB cable.



But it's also possible that the RGB capability has been removed from the CDX. So you might need an internal mod for that, if it's possible. I'm pretty sure you can't get a Genesis 3 to output RGB no matter what you do. So the CDX could be somewhat similar.

[Kamino]

Alright. Here is my dillemia. I just picked up a very nice boxed and complete Sega CDX. I was contemplating getting it modded for S-Video. I know it can be done. I was wondering if an RGB mod can be done to the Sega CDX?

Anyone have the answer on that?
Sorry, I'm RGB-retarded. Reading up on CDX S-video right now though....

[SkiDragon]

I kind of want to try this now, even though the TV I use for the genesis doesnt have S-video. Unfortunately, I cant find a site that tells how to do it, even that gamesx. I am getting good at this, I just made an RCA cable for my Turbografx.

[demen999]

How much are you people paying for this mod? I am mildly interested.

[Kamino]

I kind of want to try this now, even though the TV I use for the genesis doesnt have S-video. Unfortunately, I cant find a site that tells how to do it, even that gamesx. I am getting good at this, I just made an RCA cable for my Turbografx.
www.templeofinsanity.com/tech.htm
www.neogeousa.com <--use the s video mod. genesis uses the same damn CXA1145 video chip. Pull your power from pin 2 of the volt regulators..oh shit, just read my guide on it in the top link :P

[The_EniGma]

But until they convert a Genny controller to work on XBOX,.

Me thinks someone doesnt check xboxscene hardware mod forums :)

[Anthony1]

Man, I was playing around with my Genesis some more today, and it's just totally amazing.


I have never, ever, seen a S-Video signal for any game system come so close to an RGB signal.


It truly is the most amazing S-Video output I've ever seen.



The thing is that you just can't get super huge RGB displays, but it's easy to have a big screen TV that has a S-Video input. I have a 51 inch Sony Widescreen in my family room, and let me tell you, seeing a game like Sonic 3 in S-Video on that TV, it's just totally amazing. The clarity and detail of the game is so close to my 13 inch RGB monitor, that it's actually hard for me to believe my own eyes!


The picture looks so damn good, that when it comes to Genesis, I really don't absolutely need to play it in RGB. The clarity of the RGB monitor is still slightly better, but my RGB monitors are 13 inches and 25 inches. That can't compare to 51 inches and 113 inches for my big screens.

I can't wait to start seeing my Sega CD games in S-Video too!.

[Melf]

Play Flink, and be sure to have a clean pair of shorts nearby. :)

[Mangar]

Outside of RGB outputs, is S-Video the absolute **BEST** potential modification one can do for the Genesis? My 61inch TV along with having S-Video, also has Componant, DVI, and VGA Inputs. Curious if mods exist to use those, and if that would match or surpass how a Genesis looks with RGB.

In any case, i'll be doing something alone those lines the next rainy summer weekend i get. :)

[SkiDragon]

I cant find a good explaination of how to do this, unfortunately.

[Kamino]

I cant find a good explaination of how to do this, unfortunately.

I'll have to repeat myself.

I did the mod using the directions at www.neogeousa.com . Ignore the fact that it's for the neo geo aes, as both systems use the EXACT SAME VIDEO CHIP. the cxa1145 is in BOTH SYSTEMS.
I then wrote up a howto on my site, at www.templeofinsanity.com/tech.htm#genesis
Enjoy.....I HOPE those help you.

[Leroy]

Wasn't there a version of the JVC X'Eye that already had S-Video on it? I own an X'Eye and it doesn't, but I SWEAR that that I've seen one that had S-Video on it at a flea market once. I know this for a fact because when I got mine from a friend I was bummed out that it didn't have it and was still considering getting the other one.

[Kuros]

Can anyone post comparison pictures with the Svideo and the normal rf?

[FABombjoy]

I have some composite/s-vid comparisons on my page:

CLICK (http://lukesandel.com/techgallery/Genesis-Svideo)

[anagrama]

that would match or surpass how a Genesis looks with RGB.


There isn't anything that surpasses RGB - it's the most pure form of signal you can get.

[anagrama]

I can't wait to start seeing my Sega CD games in S-Video too!.

And I suppose we'll get another seperate hyperbolic thread about that, right?

[SkiDragon]

I cant find a good explaination of how to do this, unfortunately.

I'll have to repeat myself.

I did the mod using the directions at www.neogeousa.com . Ignore the fact that it's for the neo geo aes, as both systems use the EXACT SAME VIDEO CHIP. the cxa1145 is in BOTH SYSTEMS.
I then wrote up a howto on my site, at www.templeofinsanity.com/tech.htm#genesis
Enjoy.....I HOPE those help you.

You misunderstand. I was just thinking that this was more complicated than I expected. I did not explain myself well. I have also heard that not every Genesis has the required chip. I see you did it on a Genesis 1, but I'd like to do it on a Genesis 2. Would I still have to remove the RF modulator? Perhaps it will be more clear once I open up the Genesis.

[FABombjoy]

You don't have to remove the modulator, and this mod only works on Gen2 models with a CXA1145/1645 chip (whichever it is that they put in Gen2 units.)

Actually, if it uses the 1645, I don't think you need to construct the buffer circuit. But I've yet to encounter a Gen2 with anything but the crappy Samsung chip so I can't speak from experience.

[D-Lite]

You don't have to remove the modulator, and this mod only works on Gen2 models with a CXA1145/1645 chip (whichever it is that they put in Gen2 units.)

Actually, if it uses the 1645, I don't think you need to construct the buffer circuit. But I've yet to encounter a Gen2 with anything but the crappy Samsung chip so I can't speak from experience.
Very few Genesis 2 units have either the 1145 or 1645.

I have also posted comparison pics:
http://www.multimods.com/SegaSVid.html

The X'Eye does not have S-Video and never has. BUT, the japanese version, the Wondermega model 2, which is nearly identical, did have it. You can tell since the case for the X'Eye has an area on the back where you can tell something was omitted.

[SkiDragon]

Well, it looks like Im in luck, because the first Genesis 2 I opened had a CXA1145M chip in it.

Instead of drilling a hole in the case, I was considering leading the wires out of a hole to an external connector. Is this a good idea? The hole I see is a threaded one in a small metal piece. What is this even for?

Can I find the ECG-85 at Radio Shack?

[SkiDragon]

In addition to my previous questions, I am having a hard time finding the ECG-85 transistor, even on the site recommended. Is it known by any other name?