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

[ApolloBoy]

Okay, i've tried to do some research on the forum site as to answer my inquiry & i stumbled upon this thread fortunately. I didn't want to get flamed for starting a thread for a question thats probably been asked a thousand times over.

Being an old school gamer & not up to speed on alot of the lingo & technology (like emulation etc.), i've never owned a MD cart & am thinking of getting some. Particularly some Jap one's first. I just don't understand what you need to do to play them on our NA consoles. Is it a Game Genie?..or is it a 32x?...or some kind of modding?

Thanks in advance & i'll reserve my tech ?'s for this thread in the future.

For Japanese games, you'll need to use something like a Game Genie as a passthrough, or you can have your system modded (which is more convenient). For most Japanese games, you can just trim the cart slot, but you'll need to add a region switch in order to play games that are region locked (such as Gunstar Heroes or Rockman Megaworld).

[N.Saibot]

Is there a simple way to change a pal megadrive 2 to ntsc without the use of switches or anything? I don't mind that it's irreversible as long as it's easy.

Making a switch for 50/60 Hz is very easy,
I've done it and it was the first thing I ever
soldered. I kind of soldered before, but back
then I was a little kid and I just was playing
around with it, not actually trying to make
something work.

[Axl]

Making a switch for 50/60 Hz is very easy,
I've done it and it was the first thing I ever
soldered. I kind of soldered before, but back
then I was a little kid and I just was playing
around with it, not actually trying to make
something work.

Yeah but I thought I read somewhere that you can just cut one or two jumpers on the board and then it'd be ntsc. Or is that complete nonsense?

[N.Saibot]

Yeah but I thought I read somewhere that you can just cut one or two jumpers on the board and then it'd be ntsc. Or is that complete nonsense?

Look, do you really need real NTSC? What for?
It is crappy, just so you know it. Your television
does not have RGB support or what?

If you only want to play US games on your european
TV, then do the 50/60Hz mod and buy yourself a scart
cable for the Mega Drive, since the composite cable
will only show black/white in the 60Hz mode.

[Axl]

Look, do you really need real NTSC? What for?
It is crappy, just so you know it. Your television
does not have RGB support or what?

If you only want to play US games on your european
TV, then do the 50/60Hz mod and buy yourself a scart
cable for the Mega Drive, since the composite cable
will only show black/white in the 60Hz mode.

All I wanna do is play my games full speed and without borders. I already have an rgb cable so that won't be a problem.

[N.Saibot]

All I wanna do is play my games full speed and without borders. I already have an rgb cable so that won't be a problem.

In this case, NTSC will only decrease quality,
since RGB is quite a bit better than every other
oldschool format. Do a 50/60Hz switch, but be
aware, that some EU games react naughty to it.

For example:
MK3 does not boot up. Use the switch during gameplay to get turbo speed (more than the original I think).
Sonic 3 does not boot. Gets unplayable when switch is used. Sonic 1 & 2 however react very good: booting up, full screen, full speed.
Light Crusader does not boot. Seems to work perfectly fine if the switch is used during gameplay, hangs up during boss fights however.
Another World: boots with the switch on, full speed, full screen. However you get an annoying line in the upper part of the screen that is flashing.

The best way to get full speed and full screen
everywhere is to import games, either USA or
Japan. You'll need to make the cart slot bigger
and make yet another switch to use japanese
games though. Early european games seem to
work better with the switch than newer ones,
some of the newer games however work perfectly
fine too.

If you have an early european model 1 Mega Drive,
I can tell you where to cut the jumpers and where
to solder. In any other case there are plenty of
tutorials on the net and much more competent guys
on this forum than me : )

[Axl]

In this case, NTSC will only decrease quality,
since RGB is quite a bit better than every other
oldschool format. Do a 50/60Hz switch, but be
aware, that some EU games react naughty to it.

For example:
MK3 does not boot up. Use the switch during gameplay to get turbo speed (more than the original I think).
Sonic 3 does not boot. Gets unplayable when switch is used. Sonic 1 & 2 however react very good: booting up, full screen, full speed.
Light Crusader does not boot. Seems to work perfectly fine if the switch is used during gameplay, hangs up during boss fights however.
Another World: boots with the switch on, full speed, full screen. However you get an annoying line in the upper part of the screen that is flashing.

The best way to get full speed and full screen
everywhere is to import games, either USA or
Japan. You'll need to make the cart slot bigger
and make yet another switch to use japanese
games though. Early european games seem to
work better with the switch than newer ones,
some of the newer games however work perfectly
fine too.

If you have an early european model 1 Mega Drive,
I can tell you where to cut the jumpers and where
to solder. In any other case there are plenty of
tutorials on the net and much more competent guys
on this forum than me : )

Thanks man, you made it very clear. I'm quite the simpleton when it comes to this stuff.

[N.Saibot]

Thanks man, you made it very clear. I'm quite the simpleton when it comes to this stuff.

No problem, glad I could help. Prepare yourself to be blown away by how much better Sonic 1 is in 60Hz : )

[jereth]

right i just bought a multimega from ebay, its supposaddly a working unit and mechanically it all seems ok, lights comeon and soforth.

however my issue is trying to get it to work on my lcd tv,

i have the coaxial rf unit and a 1080p tv......

it doesnt seem to be able to find any data anywhere in the channel range it flickers nad such and theres hints of info but im at a loss
sugestions?, would switching to a scart or componet cable work better,

any way to checkit as i only have the one tv

[adamx]

my genesis power is acting funny. You have to wiggle with it a lil on the back of the genesis for it to "catch" and it will work. common problem? Time to replace something on the inside?
thanks

[omp]

Is it a Genesis or Genesis 2?

If it is a Gen 1, (if you don't have a multi-meter) plug it into the console and grab hold of the plug with your thumb and first finger as close as you can to the console. Holding it securely in the console give the cable a wiggle with your other hand. Sega Power supplies (MD1, SMS, SMS2's) enjoy stuffing up at the plug, *bit of jolly interesting Australian NES/SNES ones stuff up where the DC comes out of the box*. If it is the plug you can easily (if you have a soldering iron) swap it over for a new one.

If it is a Gen 2 these stuff up either at the plug (I personally haven't seen this yet) or on the main board itself where the socket has a dry joint or broken joint on the main board (seen a few of these).

[retrospiel]

i have the coaxial rf unit and a 1080p tv......

Ouch.

would switching to a scart or componet cable work better

Anything would work better. SCART is the best option if you're in the EU.

[adamx]

Is it a Genesis or Genesis 2?

If it is a Gen 1, (if you don't have a multi-meter) plug it into the console and grab hold of the plug with your thumb and first finger as close as you can to the console. Holding it securely in the console give the cable a wiggle with your other hand. Sega Power supplies (MD1, SMS, SMS2's) enjoy stuffing up at the plug, *bit of jolly interesting Australian NES/SNES ones stuff up where the DC comes out of the box*. If it is the plug you can easily (if you have a soldering iron) swap it over for a new one.

If it is a Gen 2 these stuff up either at the plug (I personally haven't seen this yet) or on the main board itself where the socket has a dry joint or broken joint on the main board (seen a few of these).

its a genesis 2

[Yfrid]

Hi, people! it's my first post here
i'm italian, from milan. so, sorry for my poor english.

I've got a question, my little brother had smashed the contrast's trimmer on my Nomad, now the screen is blank :\

i wonder if someone know if it can be replaced and its specifics. if not, if someone know at least it's ohm value. Maybe i can replace it by a common resistance, it will suck but at least i will see something on the damn screen. thanks

[retrospiel]

i wonder if someone know if it can be replaced and its specifics. if not, if someone know at least it's ohm value. Maybe i can replace it by a common resistance, it will suck but at least i will see something on the damn screen. thanks

I know that TmEE did fix it for his Nomad. Maybe ask him if he'd do it for you too. He can also fix Master System compatibility, improve the screen, battery life, do a region mod, and about a dozen other things.

I have spent over 6 hours attempting to get my Mega Drive working on my JVC LT37DS6BJ LCD without success. I have used the RGB/Scart lead but the picture only lasts 1 second and looks like it trying to adjust the screen size and then goes off completely. Can anyone help?, I have had the system working on a small 17" LCD (kids TV) but really want it on my LCD, please help.

I'd recommend this cable:

http://cgi.ebay.de/Scartkabel-fuer-M...mZ200385366340

It's MUCH better than other cables when trying to hook up your Mega Drive with your HDTV directly.

It does fix this issue:

On a modern CRT or HDTV it probably would look like this:

Click for full size


Common SCART cable with composite and RGB output left, pittys_de custom RGB only SCART right.

Notice how the regular SCART cable with composite and RGB out does cause the TV to display both, RGB and composite simultaneously, resulting in oversaturation, color bleeding, and ghosting.

I had this effect with ALL TVs I tested it with (Samsung LCD, Philips LCD, Grundig CRT EDTV, Philips CRT HDTV). Doesn't seem to happen with 80s old school CRTs though.

so maybe it also fixes yours.

The better alternative probably would be to buy this converter:
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/hdmi+scart+converter