The Many Faces of Genesis: Model 1

[Melf]

Perhaps you're getting into the Genesis for the first time, or maybe you've come back to the fold after many years. You're perhaps wondering which variation of the console to get, and whether or not the oldest version is the right one. Luckily for you, Sega-16 contributor Zebbe has you covered with his full report (http://www.sega-16.com/2007/11/many-faces-of-genesis-model-1/) on the first model Genesis ever released. Praised by many as the original and the best, the old workhorse still gets plenty of love around these parts, so read on and find out if this is the one for you!

[InternalPrimate]

As somone who owned a model 1, gave it up and bought a model 2, and then just a couple days ago bought a moddified model 1, this article couldn't have come at a better time for me! I loved it :D

[Zebbe]

Thanks :). What modification has your model 1?

[ThunderForce]

I'm happy with my S-Video output with region switch Model 2.

[ary incorparated]

great review really helpfull.

[InternalPrimate]

S-Video. Something VERY important to me as of late.

It's also nice to have a model 1 back on my shelf. Just brings back a lot of great memories.

[ThunderForce]

Don't make me do Model 2 review.

[Zebbe]

great review really helpfull.

Wow, thanks a lot, ary!


S-Video. Something VERY important to me as of late.

You should try RGB ;).


Don't make me do Model 2 review.

Blades might be working on that one, as he showed interest in it when I showed him this feature when it was done.

[Joe Redifer]

First of all, the extension port isn't really useful for other purposes than recording audio through it

Whaa???? I thought it was, for all intents and purposes, and extra controller interface socket. Audio goes through it?

[Zebbe]

Whaa???? I thought it was, for all intents and purposes, and extra controller interface socket. Audio goes through it?

I recall some dude here wrote he posted sound samples recorded through that port.

[The Sports Guy]

Don't make me do Model 2 review.

I'll do one. Id like to be a staff member and would be interested in writing about it.

[zektor]

I have quite a few model 1 and 2 units. I personally use a model 2 for daily use, as mine is composite video/stereo audio modded, region modded (switchable) and the cart slot is widened for Japanese carts.

The sound BTW is exactly the same on ALL of my systems across the board. I cannot tell the difference at all between any of them...and this is the first time I heard of any issue like that...

Finally, yeah, the license screen sucks, but not THAT bad. It's a few seconds...big deal. And, it is noteworthy to add that you CAN play any older game on a model 2 Genesis if you use a Game Genie. There are only a handful of games that need it, but it is still good to know that you can play "Zany Golf" and those few others on a model 2...it is possible.

[Joe Redifer]

The sound BTW is exactly the same on ALL of my systems across the board. I cannot tell the difference at all between any of them.
Well either you have a bunch of good model 1's and a bunch of good model 2's OR you have a bunch of later model 1's and a bunch of early model 2's (which would all sound equally bad across the board).

[zektor]

Well either you have a bunch of good model 1's and a bunch of good model 2's OR you have a bunch of later model 1's and a bunch of early model 2's (which would all sound equally bad across the board).

Maybe the earlier. I only have 1st release model 1's (High Definition Graphics) and my model 2's....and comparison in audio (and video for that matter) is exactly the same. When I think about it (with the mod) I think the model 2 may sound better at least volume wise. The volume on the model 1 units always seemed lower....using a stereo y-cable plugged into the headphone jack and volume at full...

[Rusty Venture]

I have a later Model 1 that has bad audio, its most noticeable when playing SOR as some of the music gets distorted (Level 6 specifically).

I just thought that distortion was how the music was until I bought a lot of Genesis systems and neither Model 1 in that lot had that audio distortion.

[Joe Redifer]

Aw man, that level is full of room-shaking bass. I guess that version can't handle lows very well.

[Mr Smith]

Joe, you're seeing is believing article is awesome. I only comment on this now because it was linked to in Zebbe's article.

[Joe Redifer]

Thanks, man. I just wish I had my current TV when I took those pictures as the difference is easier to see.

[megadriveworld]

Excellent article Zebbe! Being someone heavily into Mega Drive/Genesis music and audio the early Model 1's really are the way to go. Plus, its design looks the best out of all the revisions in my opinion. Just as you say in the article, if you want to experience Mega Driving gaming at its ultimate best, get the original model.

[kylera]

Is there a visible difference between RCA (Yellow/Red/White) and S-video when a Genesis is hooked up? Some comparison screens would be really nice.

[TmEE]

Cool article...

MD1 and MD2 will output exactly the same sound and picture if they get some modification... but the later models had pretty lame stuff put into them so the picture and sound sucks on them. One thing for sure : MD2 HAS a genuine YM2612 integrated into its chipset. Genesis 3 is something I know nothing about and all I said previously might not apply to it.

PS : Use of MD1 headphone audio should be avoided, since it is pretty terrible in my mind... if you haven't heard better then use it, but I have so I'm going for better in any case, and the headphone jack isn't better.

[Joe Redifer]

Yeah I use the EXT jack instead of the headphone jack!

[TmEE]

EXT as something on early models, a D9 connector ?

[Rusty Venture]

And here I thought that connector was there simply to confuse and bewilder Genesis/MD owners.

[Joe Redifer]

It also outputs SPDIF digital audio! Oh, and a 1080p video stream.

[Rusty Venture]

That label on the back of early Genesis systems wasn't lying, was it?

[TmEE]

That EXT port is as far as I know, simply a 3rd controller port, but intended for some other uses (related to dev hardware I think, most sat in cartslots though...). MD has wonderful controller ports, or actually multipurpose ports since you can do anything with them if you can write something for MD.

[Robivy64]

Genesis pile!

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d40/robivy64/DSCN1440.jpg

[evildragon]

And you wanted to buy a model 1? For what? The leaning tower of Genny's?

[Robivy64]

Driveway needs resurfacing





I kid I kid.

[evildragon]

Oh man, I wish I had a PBC, too bad I wouldn't be able to afford it. Damn! XD

I might build one, one of these days.

[TmEE]

Genesis pile!

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d40/robivy64/DSCN1440.jpg

I'm drooling on myself... seriously !!!

[kylera]

TmEE -- did you own a game shop or something??

[Joe Redifer]

That one on the bottom right looks like it has been vomited upon. It also looks like you collect crappy sports games. Oh well, someone needs to get them out of the thrift stores for us!

[Iron Lizard]

And I thought my collection was unorganized.

[ary incorparated]

Excellent article Zebbe! Being someone heavily into Mega Drive/Genesis music and audio the early Model 1's really are the way to go. Plus, its design looks the best out of all the revisions in my opinion. Just as you say in the article, if you want to experience Mega Driving gaming at its ultimate best, get the original model.

yeah and getiing into music the VC console is killing sega,s classics man streets of rage 2 looks and sound terribly screwed on vc,it makes the go from good to decent esspecially the music sound,s lots of thinner but its just one of the few solutions for hdtv owners.

[megadriveworld]

From what I could decipher. I agree, these botched emulation jobs by Sega are pretty terrible. Same with the Collection packages on other consoles.

[ary incorparated]

From what I could decipher. I agree, these botched emulation jobs by Sega are pretty terrible. Same with the Collection packages on other consoles.

Yup its really pathetic.