Genesis model 2 and 32X question

[The Manimal]

S-video, Luma Chroma separation

[omnedon]

Ah!

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

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.