Seeing is Believing: Video Connections

[Melf]

For years gamers have been pondering the question: what's the best video connection for my Genesis? Well, it took some time, but Sega-16 has heard your pleas. Contributor Joe Redifer has compiled a great guide to all types of connections (http://www.sega-16.com/forum/../Seeing%20is%20Believing-%20Video%20Connections.htm), which ones are compatible with your particular model, and where to go for the best service. You owe it to yourself to give this one a read. Or do you want to play Gunstar Heroes in RF forever?

[Drixxel]

I simultaneously applaud and give a double salute to that article. Extremely informative. Great work, you crafty Redifer.

[Mendicant]

Or do you want to play Gunstar Heroes in RF forever? But isn't RF a part of the whole retro experience?
And Joe, have you ever experimented with running a SEGA CD game on an emulator (on PC) and using the RCA/SVHS/Component output of the video card?

[Joe Redifer]

Computer video cards cannot output 240p, they run everything in 480i (or higher depending on the card). Thus I find it looks very unnatural. The Genesis is meant to be played in progressive scan (240p).

[Obviously]

Great and comprehensive article. You really shouldn't have tagged the "lousy writer" thing on the end though. Even if it was a joke it just bothers me when people do that.

[Zebbe]

The article is great, too bad I already have the best (?) possible video output for my Mega Drive, the RGB-SCART. Too bad you yankees don't have this thingy, but you on the other hand have so many games I'm forced to import over seas... Anyway, this tech-stuff is very interesting and I would really like to see other articles about how to make your ordinary gaming into quality gaming.

[Joe Redifer]

You really shouldn't have tagged the "lousy writer" thing on the end though. Even if it was a joke it just bothers me when people do that.
Well I guess that makes the line true, doesn't it. ;)

[Mel]

Good article. But I noticed you didn't emphasize on classic RF as much. Let me tell you there's a world of difference between RF and Composite. Considering playing games in RF is part of the Retro experience there should've been just a little more there.

I use SVideo on my dreamcast and it's much different than even composite.

Very well written very informative.

[Mel]

Forgot to mention, I use composite in order to hook up the sound (V2 Genny) to my subwoofer =)

[Joe Redifer]

Thanks. In my experience there hasn't been too much difference between composite and RF. Of course that all depends on the RF switch you are using as well as the TV's tuner. There definitely is a difference like you said, though. Apparently it varies more than I thought. It sounds to me like you have one of those "really good composite TVs" where composite can look really good.

[David J.]

I want a XMD-3... just concered about the QC.

[j_factor]

Great article.

I have no further comment!

[Joe Redifer]

The XMD-S is made by Micomsoft who makes a device called the X-RGB used for the PS2 and whatnot and they supposedly have a good reputation. Unfortunately the XMD is no longer listed on Micomsoft's web page. What is weird about the XMD-S is that it has a Genesis 1 DIN output on the other side for unknown reason, as well as some sort of Japanese monitor connection that could probably go into the X-RGB. It also has a weird "Towns Mode" which I cannot discern what the function is. Makes no difference that I can tell turned on or off.

[JFLY]

Yup, great read! I've had my Genesis 1 modded for s-video and L/R outputs for a while now (2 years), and I'm planning on doing the same to my Genesis 2 since I play my games on my Genesis 2 more these days. I just wished there were a way to mod the 32X for s-video.

[j_factor]

Perhaps Towns Mode is for hooking up an FM Towns Marty?

[Genesis Knight]

This guy is pretty darn good. *THUMBS UP!!!!*

[Ginoscope]

I was just curious what converter you were using to get the component.

I have seen the CYP CSY-2100 but I am not sure if the DC plug that comes with it will work in the US.

[Joe Redifer]

That's what I'm using. The AC adapter will NOT work in the US. Simply take the AC Adapter down to Radio Shack and get one of those 7.5V universal units and it works fine. Show them the adapter and they will match the specs very closely. Voltage is most important. Also keep in mind this thing will not output sound if you were to plug your Genesis 2/Saturn/SNES/ in there. You can modify it to output sound. What I did is cut away some of the metal next to the SCART connector part and solder a pair of stereo wires onto the sound connectors. Kind of annoying but it works well. If you have a Genesis 1 then you will have to get sound out of the headphone jack and won't need to worry about modding the unit for sound. If you get this and need to know which pins to solder, let me know and I'll post pictures.

[Ginoscope]

Please do post those pictures of the audio mod. It is only a matter of time before I get that converter.

I am real interested in using it with my Saturn as well as my Genesis. Have you used it on a saturn?

[Joe Redifer]

Yes I am using it on my Saturn and Super Nintendo. I hope to use it on a Neo Geo when I get one. Pictures coming soon if they're not already below.

[Joe Redifer]

OK here are the pics:

http://pixelcraze.film-tech.net/crap/scart1.jpg
Here is the whole thing with the audio wires coming out.



http://pixelcraze.film-tech.net/crap/scart2.jpg
It is a good idea to cut a chunk of metal out for the stereo wires to pass through.
Make sure they have enough space and won't get pinched.



http://pixelcraze.film-tech.net/crap/scart3.jpg
Once you take the board out, flip it over with the SCART facing you.
Solder where you see I have soldered. It goes Right, Ground, and Left.



http://pixelcraze.film-tech.net/crap/scart4.jpg
Just for fun, here is the giant AC adaptor
you'll have to buy at Radio Shack.
Set it at 7.5 watts

Just be careful not to cram the audio wires when you plug in/unplug a SCART cable. It really shouldn't be an issue.

Also note that you will not get sound out of a Genesis/MegaDrive 1 this way ever, even if a 32X and/or Sega CD is attached. You must have something hoked up to the headphone jack. The do make SCART cables with a wire that goes to the headphone jack.

[Ginoscope]

Thanks a lot....seems like a very easy mod to do.

Did you just get any stereo cable and just cut it up :D

Anyway thanks a lot and I can't wait to see my genesis with this mod.

[Joe Redifer]

Basically yeah, any cable will do. Of course you want to use something that's decent quality to begin with. But even if the cable fails over time, it is easy to replace.

Also, I meant "7.5 Volts" not "Watts" in the caption to the AC Adaptor. I am a moron. It also comes with one free tip, so be sure to take the foriegn AC Adaptor in with you so they can match the tip.

[winona]

Im puzzled. Why use anything but RGB?

[Ginoscope]

In the US RGB displays are kind of hard to come by.

Yes, it is possible to get one but many more TVs have component video inputs.

[Ginoscope]

Joe,

One last question...were u using part of the right wire as your ground?

[Joe Redifer]

The ground from both the left and right twist together and are soldered to the ground pin on the unit. When you strip the wire, there is copper around the shielding, and then more copper underneath that. The strands of wire on the outside are the ground. Twist those together into one wire and don't let it come into contact with anything else electrical or your house will explode violently.

[Ginoscope]

Haaaa haaaa thanks again for your help. My converter is on its way so I was just gathering the info I needed to get it all up and running.

[JAMMAPARTS]

I just got my Genesis model 1 back from OSG for the S-video mod (I had sent it there a couple weeks before this article came out) and I must say, it simply shocked me how much clearer the S-video connection is than the standard composite video. Even games that I've been playing alot of recently seem all-new again thanks to this terrific upgrade.

I guess I was just so used to seeing my Sega-CD games in composite that it makes such a difference to me, but if you have the chance I'd definitely recommend this mod to your Genesis console!

[Joe Redifer]

Isn't it awesome?! Now you have an excuse to go and play every single one of your games again!

[ary incorparated]

Great article Joe,im really impressed.