EDIT: Sega 32X S-Video Mod Discussion

[AxelSteelBMX]

Well, as the thread title would suggest, I'm looking for a person and/or place I can send my 32X to have an S-Video mod applied to it. I know there's a guy on eBay who regularly sells pre-modded systems, but I'd rather just have the unit I already have upgraded instead of paying $80 for a new unit and then having to resell my existing one without any of its cords or anything.

Anyone have any recommendations, other than doing it myself (since that's what I'm trying to avoid)? Thanks in advance.

[Polygon]

Have you thought about using SCART with a component converter? I would guess it would cost you less money and it would provide a better picture, no modding required.

[AxelSteelBMX]

Yeah, I've thought about it, and also thanks for reminding me about it. I'd like to in the future, but with all things considered it's going to be far simpler for me to just use S-Video considering the setup I've already got in place. Right now a component setup doesn't work for me; it's gotta be S-Video or else there's a whole new slew of things I need to buy.

But you've got me thinking now. It seems like I can get a 32X SCART cable and a SCART to S-Video adapter for about $20 combined. Would this be a good alternative? Plus I'd have the SCART cable for the future. Yes/no?

[irvgotti452]

Yea its a better alternative seeing that ur gonna pay shipping bothways plus parts and labor for the completed mod. Which might run you more than a pre modded system.

[AxelSteelBMX]

I've done some more research on this, and have come back with reports of serious jailbar problems, which is why most people do the mod in the first place. ;_;

Apparently you can get nearly-flawless video with SCART -> component adapters, but not with SCART -> S-Video. From what I understand, an external processor is required to prevent jailbars unless you actually mod the 32X internally to output luma and chroma straight to S-Video. But it seems like most of the forum discussions I've found on the subject are dated, going back a year or more, so I don't really know if this would still be an issue or not with more modern adapters.

So I may still be looking for a glowing recommendation of someone who does this mod.

[Seymor Onion]

If you already have a s-vid modded genny, and only want to use the 32X for Pier Solar's Easter Egg...
You can just get all of your Audio and Video from the Genny.

However, if you want to play some games that are specifically designed for the 32X, you'll need a mod, or go the external converter route.

[Bear78]

External converter is the way to go. I got a genesis 2/32x/CD 2 setup and had a guy over at sega-16 make me a custom external s-video converter. I pull video from the 32x and audio from the CD. I think he charged around $80 and it looks great with no distortion problems and no modding any of the systems. If your interested I might be able to dig up his username over there.

[AxelSteelBMX]

@ Bear78: So am I correct in assuming your setup sends video via SCART to the box, which then outputs s-video? Sure, I'd be interested. Send me a PM with the contact info. But I'm quickly traveling into the realm of neither method truly being cheaper than the other, haha. #fml #hashtag

[AxelSteelBMX]

Alright, so I sat down with my partner in crime and hashed out all the different options available to us at this point, and we ran those options past another acquaintance whose knowledge I trust on the subject. All things considered, we agreed that the simplest and most cost-effective way of getting things done (which also reduces the quantity of items needed to purchase/daisy-chain together) was just to buy a pre-modded 32X. Otherwise, the alternatives would actually prove to be just as, if not more, expensive.

We agreed to split the cost between us, with the understanding that I would reimburse him for his half of the payment at a later time. I'll report my impressions of the unit's quality when I can.

[Bear78]

@ Bear78: So am I correct in assuming your setup sends video via SCART to the box, which then outputs s-video? Sure, I'd be interested. Send me a PM with the contact info. But I'm quickly traveling into the realm of neither method truly being cheaper than the other, haha. #fml #hashtag

His handle is 'Lastcallhall" over at www.sega-16.com and he charged me $75 for the whole thing (parts, labor, shipping).

Like I said, he made the external box for me and posted this video on youtube to show it working: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n634v6V8lvI

It's not hooked up to a 32x in the video but since the 32x video out port is the same as the genesis 2 out port it works fine.  So I have the gray cable he provided in the video (forgot what it's called) running from my 32x to the box then a S-video running from the box to my TV.

If you go this route there is NO modding to any part of the console.  It's all done externally.