Ask general Genesis/MD/Sega CD/32X questions here (for new members)

[Devil N]

To be honest, I've got no idea how you should make out the quality between cables from different sellers, other than "just try it and see what happens".

I just took the gamble and got my MD1 RGB SCART cable from this place. It works like a charm. Sturdy cable, snug fit, does what it should, and not too pricey. They've got plenty of choice in cable types and lengths too.

[megadriver24]

hello Im new here and here is my question:

I came across boxes of 'pirate' megadrive cartridges. some does not work. now I wonder if it is possible to burn new rom/game data directly into the cartridge chip?
or can't the data be overwritten??

off course that kind of thing excist since it was used in the first place. but not for sale in 'shops' so if anyone can build one I will happily buy it.

Im not intrested in the flash cards since I have all these chips.

thx

[.bg.]

Not a tech question, but a general Mega Drive Question:

Wanted to confirm that this was indeed a Japanese Mega Drive. I was thrown off a bit by the lack of any Japanese on the box and the fact that it has info in 7 languages on the back like a European release might. However, there are no indications of PAL or NTSC, so I'd assume NTSC and therefore Japan. Is this correct?

Also, is this of any special value (being Japanese in a sealed box, ect)?

[TmEE]

Its a clone for sure

[.bg.]

Oh really?

What gives it away?

[ApolloBoy]

Oh really?

What gives it away?

The Japanese MD2 never came in a European-style box.

[Devil N]

Isn't that one of those weird Asian models? Russian maybe? I saw someone else post similar pictures in another thread recently, though I can't remember which thread it was exactly. It's not an original Japanese model, that's for sure.

[ApolloBoy]

Isn't that one of those weird Asian models? Russian maybe? I saw someone else post similar pictures in another thread recently, though I can't remember which thread it was exactly. It's not an original Japanese model, that's for sure.

It might be a Russian model, since the Asian MD2 came in a Japanese-style box.

[Lordnicon999]

Hi guys. Sorry for the noobishness but since im new i cant start a new thread (or so it tells me).

I had 2 questions/scenarios that needed some light shed on them.

1: Ive been looking for a discounted 32x av link cable either with a system or alone and have been close a couple of times but have always had it swiped out from under me.

I was wondering if it would be at all possible to cut up a standard genesis2 rf adapter and replace the cut end with a 9 pin male mini din head and how hard that might be (i didnt know if the wires were colored inside or impossible to distinguish).


2: I have a model2 genesis (model one is MIA somewhere) and wanted to bump it up to s-video or component.

There seem to be a good deal of cheap scart to s-video converters. All I would need after that would be to import or source out the genesis2 scart cable (20usd before shipping on ebay) and a m-m svideo cable.

Does anyone think that would be possible on an NTSC tv and since ive not talked to any modders, do you think its cost effective?

Thanks!

[Devil N]

Those SCART to S-Video converters you're talking about do not actually convert the signal, but only the connectors. If the SCART cable does not already carry an S-Video signal, then such a converter will do nothing for you. With the Genesis, you need to construct a separate S-Video connector to get an S-Video signal, because the standard multi-AV connector does not output it.

[Lordnicon999]

Those SCART to S-Video converters you're talking about do not actually convert the signal, but only the connectors. If the SCART cable does not already carry an S-Video signal, then such a converter will do nothing for you. With the Genesis, you need to construct a separate S-Video connector to get an S-Video signal, because the standard multi-AV connector does not output it.

But it does carry an RGB signal correct? So then would an RGB format component cable work better?

[Lordnicon999]

You can have component out on the Genesis/MD. One method is to install a Neobitz RGB converter. This will take the unfiltered RGB (before it passes through the voltage dividers) and convert the signal to standard YPbPr component video. Unfortunately, this has to be installed internally, and does require some soldering. If you want, I can explain how this can be done.

Im really tempted to know. I dont know ANYTHING about electronics. Or at least to any capacity that would allow me to do anything that i need right now. I have soldered in the past when I was about... 10? but that was eons ago.

The only reason i mention S-Video is because A) It seems to be the most common mod, and B) because not as many CRT/Tube televisions have component. Right now im just working with a 42" 1080p wide and an old 22" magnavox. Im willing to listen to anything as i greatly feel the need to boost my genesis/cd/32x experience.

Thank you for the responses so far. They are much appreciated

[Robivy64]

I think S-video will be your best and most economical option, considering that the Neobitz encoder board runs about $50.

Here is a great resource for Genesis modding that was written a few years ago (although he uses the wrong type of wire, and his wires are way too long):

http://www-unix.ecs.umass.edu/~dhowland/mod/

You might want to pull out the old soldering iron and start practicing before diving into some of these . Here is a video you might want to check out to brush up.

[Lordnicon999]

Great thanks. I did see that one. Now if only i could get my hands on an early model genesis1. I swear ive seen somebody do this for a genesis 2 but idk.

I wonder if anyone has done that to a 32x.


As far as the 32x cable goes, does molding a link cable out of the standard gen2 rf unit seem possible?

[TmEE]

there's no existing S-video mod for 32X, but the Sega HW manual says there is S-video so I will have to look into it sometime.

and you can use RF box connectors, but its rather troublesome work as you have to cut open the connectors totally, since only 4 wires are connected.