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You bid on a Sega Neptune console made by Otaku's Store. It plays all 32X games & All Megadrive games. 60Hz mode available. Perfectly working, delivered with a paddle, power lead & scart + some games (pace Harrier 32X JAP complete, Sonic 1 & 2 complete, Megagames 1, Streets of Rage & World of illusion complete)
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Sega-Neptune-Comb...item5ad58cacd8
it in action
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyoj-...layer_embedded
Only complaints for me are the color choice and the large switches....
TmEE buy it and make reproductions , ill buy one!, how did he manage to cram everything into a model 2 genesis?
I once tried to "Neptunize" my VA4 Genesis 2, but without much success(the system was incredibly unstable). I since scrapped the "Neptunizing" project. I'm still debating whether to actually "Neptunize" my modded non-TMSS Genesis Model 1 or not. There's more room in there, and the wires can be made shorter, so I will probably give it a shot after I add a color-changing power LED to that Genesis and widen the cartridge slot to fit 32X games. Kudos to that guy for successfully "Neptunizing" that MegaDrive 2. It's a very tight fit if you're trying to "Neptunize" a Genesis 2 with one of the full motherboards, as you have to relocate the voltage regulator and a capacitor. A 3/4 motherboard Genesis 2 is MUCH easier to Neptunize, however the Genesis 2 is quite unstable unless you "Neptunize" your Genesis like this updated guide by The Longhorn Engineer: http://www.longhornengineer.com/Projects/Neptune#V2
You have to fold the 2 board of the 32X one on top of each other, which is how I'd stuff a 32X into my Model 1 Neptune.
Say, how much current does a VA3 Genesis Model 1 pull under load? Would the standard Genesis Model 1 power supply be enough to power both the 32X and the Genesis?
Just ask ooXxXoo. He's already made one and sold it on Ebay. I wonder if he'd make more...Quote:
Originally Posted by streetsofrage
you can do it Ace , what i would like to see is a Neptune with :
region mod
svideo mod
crystal clear audio mod
that would be one heavy duty gaming machine
its selling for $150can on ebay and there's 6 days left , im sure the bidding is going to go over $300Quote:
Originally Posted by chessage
I don't happen to have a spare CXA1145 or CXA1645, so there's no way to get full S-Video off the 32X just yet. For the time being, S-Video would only work on Genesis games.
Actually, I just thought of something: is it possible to disconnect the RGB and Sync inputs from the CXA1145 already on the motherboard and feed the mixed Genesis/32X RGB and Sync from the 32X into the CXA1145? Maybe by doing that, I could get the 32X and Genesis in S-Video. The RGB and Sync that goes into the CXA1145 from the Genesis would just be fed straight into the 32X's Video In.
Remember that we're talking about a NON-TMSS Genesis Model 1, on which TmEE's Audio Mod would not work(contains a discrete YM2612 instead of an ASIC-based YM2612 like on all non-VA2/VA2.3 Genesis 2s and the VA7 Genesis 1), on top of the system not even needing the circuit, since the sound is already clear(and because I like high bass, which is a characteristic feature of the pre-VA7 Genesis Model 1s - the Genesis 1 to be "Neptunized" is a VA3, the 4th motherboard revision of the Genesis Model 1).
I've already applied a Single Switch Region Mod to that Genesis, so the system won't be a mess of switches. When the switch is set to NTSC US or NTSC JAP, the 32X will also be running in NTSC and when they switch is set PAL US(European setting), the 32X will run in PAL just like the Genesis. Saves having to make 3 holes for 3 separate switches to switch the Genesis' region setting, the Genesis' video frequency and the 32X's video frequency.
And, as previously mentioned, to make the thing look cool, I'll give it a color-changing power LED. Not even blue LEDs come close to matching how cool color-changing LEDs look.
There should be a crystal clear composite video mod. lol
CCAM + CCCVM = drool
I want a Neptune.
Would it still work with Sega CD? That's a requirement.
Best thing of all would be a Sega 32CDX
i have a model 2 genesis i could donate , but i dont know if its a CXA1145 or CXA1645Quote:
Originally Posted by Ace
Does that Genesis 2 contain a full motherboard or a 3/4 motherboard? If it has a full motherboard, take it apart and check the video encoder. It's at the top of the motherboard next to the power jack.
A note about the Genesis 2: if it contains a full motherboard, odds are it has Samsung's super-shitty KA2195D, but it could also have some good stuff like the CXA1145 or Fujitsu MB3514(also capable of S-Video. How good the S-Video looks, I don't know).
To be honest, I HATE surface-mounted chips, which is why I'd rather get a Genesis Model 1 with a VA0 to VA6 motherboard(preferably dead) to take its CXA1145, since that's a DIP chip instead of a surface-mount.
+1! Crystal clear composite for the KA2195D encoder! What would it take?Quote:
Originally Posted by PimpUigi
It seems like it's not possible. The encoder it just plain garbage. The only solution would be to replace it by a CXA1145 or a Fujitsu MB3514. If possible, you COULD replace it by the more power-hungry and supposedly very nice Sony CXA2075. I personally would just stick to a CXA1145 or MB3514.
Don'y you have a dead Genesis 3 board you can take the 1645 from?Quote:
Originally Posted by Ace
Ace, I have some spare parts at my shop, so let me rustle a few up for you(if I have the right ones). I would do this myself if I had time, but it's totally taken up right now with real life (I'd much rather be learning this stuff and how to do it right[after a couple of failed attempts by me:( ] but gotta work to pay bills and stuff) but I'd happily hook somebody up just to be able to see it done.
I'll know more tomorrow.
One of the pins broke on that CXA1645 while trying to make an external S-Video box(pin 12, VCC), so I can't use it.
Ah man, I need another Genesis 3! Anyone have one with a VA1 motherboard so I can apply the Virtua Racing compatibility fix?
Make sure to wire in a trimmed MD/G cart PCB for Sega CD compatibility!Quote:
Originally Posted by Ace
when someone badly wants a Neptune, and supplies me a MD1 or MD2 and a 32X plus some money for the labor, I am up to making some... I would have a Neptune made right now but I only have 1x 32X and its European one too.Quote:
Originally Posted by streetsofrage
If you dont need your 32x i'll buy it.
I don't need the 32X for neptunizing, but I do need it for other things... and its made incompatible with standard MD AV cables anyway
I'd rather have 32X, Master System and Virtua Racing compatibility on a Genesis 3 than Sega CD compatibility. Would it actually be possible to shrink the Sega CD to about the size of the Genesis 3?Quote:
Originally Posted by chessage
If anyone has a Genesis 3 with a VA1 motherboard they can part with, let me know. I DO NOT want to deal with another VA2 Genesis 3; mine died because there is no known way to make Virtua Racing compatible with the VA2 Genesis 3, so I'd rather have a VA1 Genesis 3, not to mention the VA1 Genesis 3 uses the same ASIC(315-5960) as the VA4 Genesis 2, so compatibility fixes will be easier(just have to remove the pins on the 315-5960 that are not connected anywhere so as to reduce the odds of a short, which is what killed my VA2 Genesis 3).
Just for the video encoder (to use on 32x), the VA-7 model 1 might be a likely sourse. (still seems like a shame to canabalize a working one just for the encoder though)
Wow that system is amazing! It really makes me wish I could mod systems like that. Although it would have looked better as standard genesis/megadrive black with the 32X logo in white
BTW Ace I have a M2 VA4 which will not play games. I believe it is that the cartridge slot is partially corroded (although it may be something else) I would be willing to part with it if I know it is going to a good home (Since you are one of the Genesis guru's)
I want to see a Sega Neptune that's in the right color and actually looks somewhat like the planned Neptune model shell. Having it look like a white Model 2 just doesn't do anything for me.
What would be really cool would be to use a CDX as the base to mod into a "Neptune". Then you'd have CD as well. Shift the cart slot back on the Genesis, and make that center section the CD lid, rather like the Saturn.
Actually, using a Saturn case might be the best way to get it all to fit without cramming.
That's what I was saying.
A Sega 32CDX
That is a sweet mod, I love the color, the high quality logo and the LED color (looks like purple). I hope it goes for more than $300 though cause I doubt will cover the work put into it.
I wonder if that sucker will overheat...I know that is a problem Sega was concerned about with 32x (thus they included those crazy metal tabs to put in the cart slot). I'd throw in a cooling fan to be safe myself.
If I remember correctly from my heavy video encoder testing days the KA2195D is a real POS. You should replace it with a CXA1645 (and then you can get S-Video) or for the best, if you can score one and pay the high cost, a CXA2075.Quote:
Originally Posted by chessage
You can also try the AD724/5 for a newer encoder chip with decent composite and a smaller part count. Won't work as a drop-in replacement though.
-Segasonicfan
I always thought the FCC made Sega include those for somesort of signal interference?Quote:
Originally Posted by segasonicfan
Is it possible to make a Neptune with an on/off switch for the 32x? So you can still retain SMS compatibility, and Virtua Racing?
Do you really think you could make one? I have a spare Genesis 2 sitting around gathering dust, and I could get a 32x for relatively cheap. I'd be very interested if the price was right. And as long as I would still be able to hook it up to my Sega CD.Quote:
Originally Posted by TmEE
Same here.
They do overheat....I have built a and sold a few..I always install a cooling fan a few heatsinks, otherwise the gameplay will not last very long and crash at some point due to the IC's running hot...So I truly hope the seller has got one in there...Quote:
Originally Posted by segasonicfan
What I do regarding the encoder in a neptune wanna be is, install a CXA1645 and tap the RGB,Sync signals from the 32X, therefore s-video for both Genesis and 32X games...
I have to agree with TmEE, definitely nice work, but those switches are bit weird looking :) ..And the color, maybe I'm just so used to the ones I've made:
http://usera.imagecave.com/capcom2000/hpim5839.jpg
EDIT:the seller purple LED reminded me of a funny anecdote...Long time ago, I gave a modded Genesis to a friend of mine, it had different mods including a new LED, but I ran out of the "cool" colors, all I had left was orange....He asked me why orange?...I simply said 'cause it looks like fire is coming out from there :D ....
Ace, I looked and I don't have any Model 3's kicking around.
I do have a spare Gen1 and a broken-case 32X... I may ask you one day to Neptunize it for me. But not now.
Would the Model 1 to 32X cable be necessary when making a Neptune out of a Model 1?Quote:
Originally Posted by TmEE
No, you'd wire up the connections internally, soldered directly onto the RGB connections and the coresponding pins on the 32x, then modify the genesis's av jack to output the 32x's video instead. (I think audio gets mixed either way though, and you'd use the headphone jack for stereo on the model 1 anyway) That or you could keep the original av jack as well and add the 32x's separately, or various other options (all likely involving the internal soldered connections though).
One option would be to mod the genesis side foe s-video as the 32x cannot. (unless you replaced the 32x video encoder) Then again, you could go for rgb=>YPbPr adaptor instead.
One cannot replace the video encoder in 32X, its a custom semi-digital RGB over/underlay chip with RGB encoder built in, you can only add another encoder but not replace the existing one.
The idea of inputting MD RGB before its encoder to 32X, then 32X RGB output to MD encoder will most likely work like a charm, only thing one has to worry about is getting image levels right.
.....and before I do any neptunes, I'll wait before I'm done with some of my own things and then build a neptune of my own to experiment with things a little etc.
...I could do a neptune for a big discount if I get 2x 32X'es so I could build a neptune for myself too............ :)
A Genesis Model 1 shouldn't have so many overheating problems if it were "Neptunized," right? I mean, there's more room in there for air to flow.
VA7 would probably be the best witht he CMOS chipset (including VDP?), earlier models will run warmer and really warm fot eh very early models. (my Pre TMSS model gets very warm, mostly around the voltage regulator section, it pulls a lot of power -the AC adpator gets pretty warm too, almost uncomfortable to handel)
The much smaller heat sink on the voltage regulators in the VA7 is a pretty big indicator of the lower power consumption.
So ideally, a CCAM'd VA7. (and tap the Genesis RGB lines prior to reaching the encoder, send those to 32x and output the 32x RGB to the genesis's encoder -and mod for s-video, like I think TmEE was mentioning, but that is a bit tricky -adding POTS for RGB and manually fine tuning them might work)
Otherwise tap the RGB after the genesis encoder and stick with composite and RGB output by the 32x. (or add in you own, additional transcoder -RGB=>YPbPr being the simplest and probably the only one practical to make from discrete components, for S-video you'd need another video encoder -probably cheapes to scavenge from some broken/parts consoles -not just Sega either, some PSXs use the CXA1645 too I beleive)
I'll ask again.
Could a Neptune be made Power Base compatible? Would it be possible to switch the 32x off somehow?
There's loooot of trouble involved to get PBC work through 32X, around 70...80 or so wires to solder.
Very interesting discussion. As a total noob regarding mods, I may have a question of two :
- Regarding the 32X/PBC compatibility, how about having a separate SMS cartridge slot on a custom neptune, along with a switch to change the active cartridge slot (i.e running the neptune in SMS mode without using the original cartridge slot) ? Apart for some heavy case-moding, I was wondering if this solution wouldn't be easier.
- About the CDX... I own one along with a 32X. When the 32X is plugged, CD games just refuse to launch. The BIOS starts, I'm taken into the audio CD menu, and if i try to launch the game i get some error sound or whatever. Is it an issue just on my unit, or do all CDXes behave the same way ? In that case, that would make things harder regarding a "Neptunized CDX Mod" (apart for the lack of space to insert a PCB and the overheating problems). Or maybe this problem can be solved by yet another hardware mod ?