Can't Decide Between Model 1 and 3

Printable View

Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page

11-20-2011, 07:59 PM
Kyle

Can't Decide Between Model 1 and 3

For the past month I've been playing Genesis games on a daily basis. I had a non-HD Model 1 as a kiddo. Since I've gotten back into the swing of things I've been buying up games like a madman.

I originally bought a Model 3 (VA2) and later purchased a Model 1 HD Graphics (VA6). I keep alternating between them and can't really seem to decide which system I prefer.

The video quality is a wash. I get light banding on my Model 1, but only on a solid black (transition) screen. I do not experience banding/rainbow during gameplay. The Model 3 has a slightly sharper picture and does not suffer from this.

I did a good half hour worth of A/B testing on the audio. I'm not sure which I prefer. The Model 1 is rocking and bassy. The Model 3 sounds crisper/clearer - like I'm listening to audio at a higher bitrate.

The Model 3 has a few cons.

1. It won't play Psycho Pinball, which happens to be one of my favorite titles.
2. Audio is mono. I can't say that I notice.
3. The controller port is touchy. If someone bumps into the controller cord (like my two year old kiddo) the system is inclined to lock up. This hasn't been an issue since I made the swap to the six button wireless controllers.
4. I had to crack open the system and solder a wire to use a Game Genie. This wasn't an issue for me but others may not be so inclined.

The lack of the expansion port doesn't bother me. I owned both a Sega CD and 32x as a child and don't really miss games from either library maybe save Sonic CD.

The only real con I can give to the Model 1 is that it occasionally will take a couple of tries to load a game. My Model 3 loads pretty much consistently on the first try. I clean all of my games before they hit the cartridge slot. The Model 3 has an unfair advantage since it was like-new when I got it.

Anyone own both and have stronger opinions?
11-20-2011, 08:06 PM
eddiespruce

Personally, I prefer the Model 1(High Definition Graphics), although I've never used a model 3 before. My first Genesis was a model 2, and it was okay, but since I got a HDG Model 1, I'll probably never use the Model 2 again.

You say it takes a couple of tries to load a game on your Model 1. Cleaning the cartridge slot should remedy that.
11-20-2011, 08:07 PM
retrospiel

If you want to improve the video quality of your model 1 I'd go the RGB-SCART to component route. That way you got the best of both worlds: the better sound of your model 1 and the better video thanks to crystal clear RGB. Plus you can use the adapter to hook up most other systems of the pre-Dreamcast era.
11-20-2011, 08:25 PM
Sik

Model 1, by far. Model 3 has some compatibility issues.

Yes, I'm basing this exclusively on functionality, not on video quality XD
11-20-2011, 08:43 PM
Baloo

Definitely Model 1. That awesome design with the Sexy HI-DEFINITION GRAPHICS and 16-BIT right on the top, showing you that Genesis Does what Nintendon't!
11-20-2011, 09:03 PM
Bastardcat

Model 3 is a nice, no-frills system.
11-20-2011, 09:05 PM
cowboyscowboys

Model 3 way smaller and plays every game I would want it to. (get an s-video, region switch and stereo mode = win)
Model 1 is to bulky for my liking, (If you go RGB route which is a lot of cables and money = more bulk)

If you buy into all of the hype around here you end up with more disappointment then anything else.
11-21-2011, 10:03 AM
retrospiel

A model 3 with stereo mod sure is a nice thing but it does _not_ play every game he wants it to.

S-Video mods are pretty much useless for either console if you decide to go the RGB route - unless your CRT does not accept component of course.
11-21-2011, 12:16 PM
cowboyscowboys

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christuserloeser

A model 3 with stereo mod sure is a nice thing but it does _not_ play every game he wants it to.

S-Video mods are pretty much useless for either console if you decide to go the RGB route - unless your CRT does not accept component of course.

RGB is overrated IMO minimal difference in picture over S-Video and way more hassle.
11-21-2011, 01:10 PM
lumclaw

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowboyscowboys

RGB is overrated IMO minimal difference in picture over S-Video and way more hassle.

Well Genesis is a poor example to use regardless. It has known image quality issues.
11-21-2011, 01:46 PM
Cholkavich

I love my svideo modded model 1!
11-21-2011, 02:03 PM
ApolloBoy

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowboyscowboys

RGB is overrated IMO minimal difference in picture over S-Video and way more hassle.

The minimal difference is worth it though. I would take RGB over S-video any day.
11-21-2011, 03:38 PM
ItellYaHuat

It's not a hassle. It can be used for multiple systems. Not everyone has a CRT with component (or S-Video). Most have LCDs or Plasma's with component and the ones that have been produced in recent years lack S-Video ports. Component is widely used in comparison. Getting one converter, a scart switcher, and scart cables for each respective system gives you the best quality for multiple consoles, not just one. You also won't have to gut your system or modify it in anyway.

Question: Wouldn't S-Video look like crap on an HDTV (not SDTV, S-Video looks great on them) compared to component, meaning does it still look blurry as an SDTV broadcast on an HDTV with improvement only in color over composite video? I would think that S-Video would be clearer but still be suffering quality-wise when on an HDTV. Also, in my experience, classic gaming via component looks better as CRT>Plasma>LCD.
11-21-2011, 05:21 PM
Waterfaller

Quote:

Originally Posted by arnold_the_bartender

Question: Wouldn't S-Video look like crap on an HDTV (not SDTV, S-Video looks great on them) compared to component, meaning does it still look blurry as an SDTV broadcast on an HDTV with improvement only in color over composite video? I would think that S-Video would be clearer but still be suffering quality-wise when on an HDTV. Also, in my experience, classic gaming via component looks better as CRT>Plasma>LCD.

I have my SNES hooked up to my LCD HDTV with S-Video and it DOES make a difference. I was playing Final Fantasy Mystic Quest, and all of the colors were vibrant and black lines were nice and crisp. The only thing I didn't like is that flickering effects were instead shown as being solid, but missing every other line of pixels. Weirdness.
11-21-2011, 06:45 PM
ooXxXoo

I love my modded Genesis 3 system 'cause it suits most of my current needs (well, except playing real sega channel games :p )....I may add the Sega Cd compatibility later, but it isn't something that I desperately need since I literally have a dozen ways to play cd games....

http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/...o/HPIM3221.jpg

Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page