Sega Genesis Mods

[TDIRunner]

I know this has been done before, but Game Sack’s recent video on modding got me thinking.  They talked about various mods on the Sega Genesis and I really enjoyed the video.  However, I wished they had talked more about which mods are options when you are hooking up a Sega CD and 32x.  

So I have a few questions that are sort of asking the same thing but under different circumstances:

•  What is the best way to hook up a Genesis, CD and 32x for the best possible sound and video WITHOUT using any mods?  What I’m asking is which model Genesis, which model Sega CD (not just model 1 or 2, but specific version)?  Should you use the audio outs on the Sega CD or the 32x?  Anything like that.

•  What is best way to hook up a Genesis, CD and 32x for the best possible sound and video USING ANY MOD?  Same question as before, but mods are allowed.  Is the S-video out mod on the Genesis useless if you are using a 32x?  Do you need an audio amp mod on the Genesis if you are using a CD or 32x?  Anything like that.

•  What is the best way to hook up a Genesis Model 2 with a Sega CD model 2 and a 32X for the best possible sound and video using any mod, but WITHOUT USING RGB?  Same question as number two, but for my specific setup.  Those are the models I’m using and I don’t have a TV with RGB and I don’t plan on getting on.


And go……..

[redsox2012]

The best possible video doesn't require a mod.  All Genesis's can output native RGB at 240p resolution, but there was never a cable released in the U.S. to take advantage of it.  You need a Mega Drive SCART cable, and a SCART to component (or HDMI) converter.  Many newer HDTV's don't support 240p however, so you would have to look into what resolutions your particular TV supports.  The best way to check is to hook up a PS2 via Component and play a PS1 game.  PS1 games are native 240p, so if it plays in that resolution on your HDTV, you're good.

The same model 2 SCART cable will work with 32X as well.  Just connect the Genesis to the 32X as normal, and plug the SCART cable into the A/V output on the 32X.  

For the best visuals you should use a CRT TV with component inputs.  I've never tried an S-video mod simply because the SCART to Component is much easier, provides the absolute best native picture, and doesn't require any modding

As far as sound, you can get the SCART cable with stereo outputs to plug directly into your TV, or you can still connect the Genesis to the Sega CD and output audio through the Sega CD (in which case you can get a SCART cable without audio outputs).

[Jeff]

Performing an s-video mod isn't terribly difficult, I've done it for a model 2 and 3. I don't know if that interferes with the add-ons, but the 32x already has s-video built in, doesn't it?

Trying to use RGB in north america is just too much of a hassle IMO. However, I am waiting to see if these are as good as they sound.

Also, check out this thread. It compares audio outputs, and what video encoders are in each system (all encoders have RGB, but some don't have native S-video.)

[KalessinDB]

HDRetroVision's been advertising for a while, but I haven't seen any word as to how they're planning to pull it off on unmodified systems.  I do like seeing their screenshots though, they show just how terrible Genesis composite was -- with the composite on Genesis vs YPbPr, it's night and day.  Click over to their SNES screenshots side by side and... well... you can see a difference, I guess.  Usually.  On most of them.  But nowhere near the same level as Genesis screenshots.

Best Audio is typically found on certain models of Genesis 1, the High Def Graphics/Non-TMSS versions (there's scads of info on Sega-16 about which ones), but with the MegaAMP (formerly CCAM) mod, any Genesis at all can have best audio if you're willing to mod.

Your final question is the exact setup I use for my Genny.  I have my 32x modified with an S-Video jack and stereo RCA jacks for audio, and the CCAM mod is done on my Genesis, which affords me best audio and either best or second-best video.  In theory, I've seen modified Genesii that have YPbPr right on it, but I have never seen a 32x with YPbPr on it.  Either way, the Sega CD doesn't need to be modified, and when you're using a Genesis 2 you don't need any mixer cords either, just plug it in and go.

[Polygon]

Best Audio is typically found on certain models of Genesis 1, the High Def Graphics/Non-TMSS versions (there's scads of info on Sega-16 about which ones), but with the MegaAMP (formerly CCAM) mod, any Genesis at all can have best audio if you're willing to mod.

I don't get why people always say this. All the Genesis model 1s, barring the VA7, use the exact same audio chip. The audio is the same. It even says that in that thread over at Sega 16. Same goes for the video as well.

[KalessinDB]

I said it because I haven't been in the sega-16 thread in a while, and it's blocked here at work where I do most of my forumming from, so I couldn't verify it at this time 

I for one have always preferred the form factor of the model 2s, especially because I have a CD2 to go with it, so I never paid that much attention once I learned about the CCAM and the fact that I could make my model 2 sound like a model 1.

[TDIRunner]

Thanks for the replies.  I was planning on doing the S-video mod to my 32x.  The big question I was trying to figure out is whether or not I need to do the audio amp mod to my model 2 Genesis if I’m using a 32x.  Will this mod transfer the higher quality audio through the 32x or will that just be a waste of time? 

[KalessinDB]

The 32x does nothing to audio on its own, it's just a passthrough.  When I had the CCAM (now MegaAmp) mod done to my Genny 2, the guy who was doing it asked "Do you want the RCA jacks for audio to be on the Genesis or the 32x?", it was purely an aesthetic choice for me to put it on the 32x.

If that wasn't clear:  Yes, the mod will transfer the higher quality audio through the 32x.

[TDIRunner]

The 32x does nothing to audio on its own, it's just a passthrough.  When I had the CCAM (now MegaAmp) mod done to my Genny 2, the guy who was doing it asked "Do you want the RCA jacks for audio to be on the Genesis or the 32x?", it was purely an aesthetic choice for me to put it on the 32x.

If that wasn't clear:  Yes, the mod will transfer the higher quality audio through the 32x.

That's almost the answer I was expecting, but it now raises another question.  It sounds like I can skip the audio on the 32x completely and run it straight from the Genesis, and just run video from the 32x.  I didn't know that.  Correct me if I didn't understand that properly.

Long story short, this is what I plan to do:
  Genesis model 2 with Sega CD model 2 with 32x:
  Audio amp mod to Genesis model 2
  RCA audio out jacks added to Genesis model 2
  S-video mod to 32x
  Run audio from modded Genesis to TV
  Run s-video from modded 32x to TV

If I'm missing something that would give me better sound or video, let me know.  Again, keep in mind that I'm not going to do VGA because it just won't work with my setup.  Maybe someday down the road, but not now.  So I acknowledge that I will be one step down from best case scenario.

Also, just to clarify, if I do the audio amp mod to the model 2 Genesis, than I don't have to worry about using a HD Graphics model 1, correct?  I just picked one of those up the other day, but I don't plan on using it in my primary setup.  For one, I prefer the model 2 and secondly, I'm not sure I have enough room to make my Genesis setup any wider and the model one adds a few more inches......

Thanks to everyone for their help.

[KalessinDB]

To the best of my knowledge, what you propose is correct.  I was told when I was getting my system modded that the jacks for audio could be on either the Genesis or the 32x, and I chose 32x.  Everything else lines up with what I have.

I'm unclear if you can get VGA out of a Genesis.  I do know you can get Component (YPbPr) out of it, but I've never seen anyone who can get Component out of a 32x, so if you want to have the 32x in the equation, what you're proposing is (again, to the best of my knowledge) a best case scenario, and will give you both the slightly better video of a Genesis 2/32x AND the slightly better audio of a Genesis 1.

[TDIRunner]

Sounds good.  Now I just need the free time to mod everything.  I was supposed to do this a while back and it got away from me.  I finished the FM sound board mod on my Master system, but I still need all of the above mentioned mods, plus the s-video mod on the Master System and the video out mod on the Game Gear.........