I keep hearing about there being two versions of the Genesis 3 model, one having stereo sound, the other, mono. If I were to look into one, how would I be able to tell the difference between the two?
I keep hearing about there being two versions of the Genesis 3 model, one having stereo sound, the other, mono. If I were to look into one, how would I be able to tell the difference between the two?
As far as I know there is only one model. The mono one. I also hear that the genesis 3 sounds better than some not all model 1's and model 2's. This gets explained here:
http://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7796
there is 2 vers. of the model 3 VA1 and VA2. I have both and they both have mono audio.
The VA2 can be modded for stereo and is they easyest to mod if you want to restore compatibility.
The only way I know to tell the diffrence is taking them apart.
I didn't know there were two versions. I've own mine since launch and I'd love to see some pics on that second one.
The original OP question is misleading (no offense dude :ok:)..In reality, there's only one Genesis 3 model, but two different revisions, VA1 and VA2 ;)
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Can you do the stereo mod to the genesis 3? I recently modded my VA2 ( game genie restore s-video and audio out) but I would like stereo and maybe some more compabillity restoredQuote:
Originally Posted by ooXxXoo
Yep, also the 32X system, Sega master conveter, Game Genie, etc compatibilty mods to the VA1, as some of you know I first did 2 years ago...Quote:
Originally Posted by t-scene
Some members here are already taking the advantage of their Genesis 3's unlocked compatibilities :love:
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awesomeQuote:
Originally Posted by ooXxXoo
can it be done with va2? (32x and etc)
PM me Id love to get the Stereo mod atleast
I'm afraid some of those compatibilities are still unknown to the VA2 board...I've tried (others tried too), with little success...Unfortunately I don't think I'll be doing anymore mods this year, due to the holidays and little time :opa:Quote:
Originally Posted by t-scene
ok I may try to find a virgin VA1 and try ya after the first of the year
None taken. You never learn anything unless you ask, right? :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by ooXxXoo
I really should just get an HD model 1 Genesis to mod, but good God, is the model 3 ever so sexy :D
It seems, after looking at both the VA1 and VA2 Genesis 3, that neither motherboard revision has Stereo sound coming out of the multi-A/V out. They are capable of producing Stereo sound, but Majesco was too cheap to make a Stereo audio amp for the Genesis 3.
As for compatibility fixes, only the VA1 Genesis 3 can be fully modded to restore Game Genie, Virtua Racing, Master System converter and 32X compatibility. On the VA2 Genesis 3, you can only restore Game Genie and Virtua Racing compatibility. That's all.
I'm pretty sure there's a way to recognize a VA1 Genesis 3 apart from a VA2 Genesis 3 by looking at the traces on the PCB when you hold the dust cover on the cartridge slot open. You don't see much of the PCB, but it's enough for you to know which motherboard is in a Genesis 3. Whenever I can, I'll take a picture of my VA2 Genesis 3's cartridge slot held open so you guys can tell apart a VA2 Genesis 3 apart from a VA1 Genesis 3.
On that note, I found a Genesis 3 at a flea market today, but I ran out of cash after buying a whole bunch of other goodies, but the owner of the booth will keep it on the side for me since he doesn't have any of the hookups for it(he doesn't sell systems with missing hookups and/or controllers unless you ask him).
Master System compatibility is still on the table! The only systems that truly can't do Master System mode are those made by AtGames.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ace
Just check the Genesis logo. Here's a theory:Quote:
Originally Posted by Ace
"Genesis"/"Genesis™" = VA1
"Genesis®" = VA2
I don't think I've ever seen Genesis 3s with anything other than ® written after Genesis, but never TM or nothing at all. Anyone who has a VA1 Genesis 3 mind saying what the Genesis logo looks like on your system?
I don't know if they are VA1 or VA2 because i don't have a screwdriver that fits the socket of a Model 3 but both of my Genesis 3's don't have anything after the Genesis logo.
What's the serial number for each unit? Also, Virtua Racing can expose a VA1 or VA2.Quote:
Originally Posted by SegaMan89
Okay both systems are VA2 since neither one works with a Game Genie.
There goes Chessage's theory down the toilet. Both my broken and working Genesis 3s have ® written after the Genesis logo(it's VERY small, but you know it's there if you see a little circle next to the last S).Quote:
Originally Posted by chessage
Wait a minute! I meant to say Virtua Racing! The Game Genie won't work on a VA1 or VA2 out of the box! If Virtua Racing brings up the TmSS screen, then you have a VA1, if not, then it's a VA2. It should be the same story when using a 32X with a 32X game.Quote:
Originally Posted by SegaMan89
Well I don't have Virtua Racing to test it but I will let you know if I find a copy.Quote:
Originally Posted by chessage
Sorry for the bump. Can someone confirm this image is correct? I just compiled it from photos I found on another thread. I want a VA2 for the easy Game Genie fix.
http://srktt.com/photos/genesis3cart.jpg
If my suspicions are correct you can actually see the text MD3 VA2 in the top right corner of the cart slot.
That is entirely correct. But I will say this: both the VA1 and VA2 Genesis 3 don't require more than one wire to restore Game Genie compatibility. All you need to do is to solder a wire from cartridge slot pin B19 to a solder pad on the motherboard. On a VA1, doing this will make Virtua Racing work, but on a VA2, you need to bridge pins B26 and B16 together on the cartridge slot for Virtua Racing to work. If cartridge slot pin B26 is not connected to either its respective spot on the hardware or isn't bridged with pin B16, the Genesis will not even recognize the cartridge, hence why it just shows a black screen on a VA2 Genesis 3 when it shows the TMSS screen before showing a black screen on a VA1 Genesis 3.
If you can hang tight, I'm working on a Genesis 3 mod guide which will detail all the compatibility fixes for the VA1 and VA2 Genesis 3. I've still got to get some more pictures of my VA1 Genesis 3's motherboard and I'll put the guide together.
Thanks for the reply. I just wanted to have an easy reference image to send to eBay sellers without sounding like a dork.
The VA2 Game Genie fix looked dead simple. If you have an image of what to solder on the VA1 motherboard I'm sure I could do it as well. Virtua Racing compatibility doesn't mean much to me. I'd rather play Outrun. Any other reason I should not get a VA2?
You cannot restore 32X or Master System compatibility(the latter MIGHT be possible, but nobody has figured it out yet) on a VA2 Genesis 3. On a VA1 motherboard, you can restore everything as the GOAC used is the same one used on the VA4 Genesis 2 motherboard. If you'd like to use the 32X or play Master System games on the Genesis 3, you need to get one with a VA1 motherboard. If not, the VA2 motherboard will do just fine for you.
Fun story - I had a model 1 Genesis with the model 1 Sega CD and 32x when I was a kiddo. I don't really miss either the CD or the 32x. I went to get them from storage at my parents house and they were nowhere to be found. : /
I've been back and forth between buying a HD model 1 and a model 3. My biggest issue with the model 3 is the lack of Game Genie support. Any chance you have a picture of what a GG solder job would look like on a VA1? The appeal of the VA2 for me was the large solder points. I'm not much of a fan of soldering to IC legs.
You don't need to do that on the VA1 Genesis 3. All you need to do is to solder a single wire from cartridge slot pin B19 to a solder spot on the underside of the motherboard.
As for soldering on IC legs, I typically don't like doing that(only on surface-mounted chips; on DIP chips, I don't care), but I found the safest way to solder to them is to hack at the base of the pins with an Xacto knife until they break free of the solder, then prop them up so as to reduce the likelihood of a short between multiple pins. Soldering to IC legs is only required for 32X and Master System compatibility on the VA1 Genesis 3.
Thanks again for the continual replies. Does this look right on the VA1? I compiled it from other images. The capacitor does not need to be removed for Game Genie, right?
http://srktt.com/photos/gen3va1gg.jpg
If so this does look easy. What that in mind, is the VA1 the better board? Even if I don't do the other mods?
In terms of audio and video, both boards are the same, but in terms of compatibility, the VA1 motherboard is best.
As for the Game Genie/Virtua Racing fix on the VA1 Genesis 3(applying the Game Genie compatibility fix makes Virtua Racing work as well), there's a simpler method than that. This image shows the simpler method(taken from my VA1 Genesis 3 while I was modifying it):
http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/6...uaracin.th.jpg
Just solder a wire straight from pin B19 to the solder blob the other end of the wire is soldered to. You'll have a shorter wire like this, which will ensure a cleaner CLK signal.
SLIGHTLY OFF-TOPIC: Has anyone retraced the Genesis 3's audio amp? I'm looking to build a second one to put on my VA1 Genesis 3 to get Stereo sound.
Thanks a ton! That's also easy. If there isn't a huge difference I think I'll just get whatever I can find at a good price.
I went out looking for a Genesis today and ended up buying a Pico :p. Got the system complete with 7 games (many boxed) for $5. My 2 year old is getting it as a birthday present. We'll see how it goes.
Which version of the Pico did you get?Quote:
Originally Posted by Kyle
You must be talking about the Brazilian Mega Drive 3. Trust me, the US version is better.
The kind with a fiddly power supply. I have to wiggle it for the system to power on. I'm curios if it's the system or the power supply. If I can land a Genesis 3 I'll swap it out for testing.Quote:
Originally Posted by chessage
It's the system. Re-flow the solder that connects the power jack to the main board. It's a common problem.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kyle
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More specific question: Is the model number MK-49002 or MK-49325 on your Pico?
It's a MK-49002. Looks like the original release. I'll check the solder on the board.
Yay! I got it going by redoing the solder. You're the man! I suck as dis/reassembly. :D
Finally bought me a system. It's a pretty, boxed one. I also got a copy of Psycho Pinball on the way from Europe.
http://srktt.com/photos/genesisbox_tn.jpg
http://srktt.com/photos/genesisbox2_tn.jpg
http://srktt.com/photos/genesis_tn.jpg
That is a va2 system :)
I wouldn't jump to that conclusion just yet. Remember: my VA1 Genesis 3 had a casing exactly like this. I don't know about the pack-in controller, but I do know for a fact this could have either a VA1 or a VA2 motherboard. Kyle, if you haven't opened your Genesis 3 yet, take the best picture you can of the Genesis 3's cartridge slot held open(preferably under a magnifying glass). I can tell you what motherboard is in this thing with that one image.
It is a VA2. I was laughing looking at the cart slot. There's way less visible than I expected. I lasted a good 5 minutes on it before cracking it open and performing the Game Genie fix.
http://srktt.com/photos/gen3ggwire.jpg
http://srktt.com/photos/gen3gg.jpg
http://srktt.com/photos/gen3sonic2.jpg
The picture on it is gorgeous. I'm glad I opted for the 3.
That's another good way to tell the rev actually, without going into too much detail...VA2's came pack-in with this controller model, same thing with some later MD III's in South America...Quote:
Originally Posted by Ace
Ah yes the Genesis 3!, love it or hate it :love: ...
http://usera.ImageCave.com/capcom2000/HPIM3227.JPG
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Ace, any update on the guide? No rush, but I'm itching to mod a model 3 I got recently. :)