My S-Video Modded Genesis

[Frigo]

Picked up a "parts only" Model 1 Genesis with the High Definition Graphics logo on it for 10 bucks, went to test it, and it worked! Since I already have a Genesis, I decided to mod this one for S-Video. It's really a simple project, and the video output is 100x better than the RF it came with. Here's a few quick pics:

[HaRuMaN]

How?

[Frigo]

How?

I used the guide here: http://www-unix.ecs.umass.edu/~dhowland/mod/ to get started with the audio and composite mods. Then for the s-video circuit board I used this guide: http://www.sega-16.com/forum/showpost.php?p=294849&postcount=8, only I used a NPN 2N3904 transistor, making note of the differences in pinouts (quick google search), and making the appropriate changes to match it up to the guide. Plugged it all in, and it fired right up. I also drilled out the LED and put a brighter one in, but I didn't do the overclock, since I'm probably going to connect this to my sega cd, and the differing clock speeds would screw up the system. Next on the list is a way to get internal s-video from my 32x. 

[SavannahLion]

Damn... I'll have to see if this is a mod I can do. I bought a first gen (aka Altered Beast pack-in) Genesis with the "High Definition Graphics" text. The video went on the fritz and, since it was still under "warranty" I was given a later model Gen (Sonic pack-in). I'm still a little peeved I got the later gen. I still have the first (opened and missing screws) so I'll have to see if it's fixable.

[northerngames]

all the model 1's had high defination on them.

none of them do real HD of coarse.

forgot the site name but there is a site that had all the video mod's from atari to current for composite s-video scart etc..

nice modding though looks great 

[Frigo]

all the model 1's had high defination on them.

none of them do real HD of coarse.

forgot the site name but there is a site that had all the video mod's from atari to current for composite s-video scart etc..

nice modding though looks great 

Thanks!

Oh, BTW, most of the model 1s manufactured after Sonic came out didn't have the HDG logo on them. Here's a link describing all the different models:

http://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7796

[SavannahLion]

all the model 1's had high defination on them.

none of them do real HD of coarse.

forgot the site name but there is a site that had all the video mod's from atari to current for composite s-video scart etc..

nice modding though looks great 

Thanks!

Oh, BTW, most of the model 1s manufactured after Sonic came out didn't have the HDG logo on them. Here's a link describing all the different models:

http://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7796

Uh yeah. I was going to point this out too.

NG, I think it's patently obvious that none of the Genies have HD by our current definition. It was a marketing ploy, much like TG16 badging their early consoles as 16-bit. Or the non-existent "Blast Processing" Sega used to hold over the SNES. In short, it goes without saying.

[knave]

I love my Genisis...Still play it from time to time...

A few years back I built a composite video cable for it and it drastically improved the video quality. It was super easy.

[Frigo]

Yeah, the composite was super easy - it was just two wires carried from the video out to an RCA jack. I wasn't originally going to put on on this Genesis, but the system looked like something was missing without it - it's why the composite jack is nickel-plated instead of gold; I didn't have the gold contacts for it. They'll all be gold on my future mods. 

[northerngames]

I actually have a model 2 genesis and model 2 on the way now it needs repair but if I can get it going its going in the collection and I too plan on playing it.

I can;t even remember how old I was or how long ago it was when I last played the sega cd I think it was around launch but I never had the cd unit or even knew anyone but I think we rented it a few time becuase there was no way the folks would dish out after my nes craze lol.

[Frigo]

BTW, I modded a 2nd Genesis, and I'm selling one of the two in the F/S thread... Check it out if you're interested.

[Blanka]

Those guys ever figure out if there was a stereo cable yet? 

 

I only modded my Mega Drive hand-held game to stereo. Maybe that hack (guess it was at benheck.com) works for a really Genesis too.

[Frigo]

Any of you guys ever try hooking up a Genesis to an RGB monitor?  I used to read that was the best way to get graphics out of that thing.  I've never tried it, though.

You can use a SCART to RGB converter, but it's super expensive - you're looking into the 100-150 range. The CXA1145 video encoder on the Genesis chip has dedicated pins for red green and blue; I would THINK that in theory, someone could build an amp for the red (Pr) and blue (Pb), connect the sync and luma (Y) up to a Component output and get component video. It's not RGB, but it's close.

Eh, it's an old joke.  Basically, there was never a composite cable for the Genesis that had stereo output, but some dudes swear they saw one, etc etc.

AFAIK, the only way to get stereo out of a stock Genesis was to get an old one and run the sound out of the headphone jack. 

You got it.

[Frigo]

Pics of the new Non-High Definition Model Genesis:




Comparison Pics:

[WhereEaglesDare]

Okay, Im gonna have to make one now...  That looks great!  Had no idea the difference you can get out of it and how much it changes.

[Hurray Banana]

Any of you guys ever try hooking up a Genesis to an RGB monitor?  I used to read that was the best way to get graphics out of that thing.  I've never tried it, though.

I made a cable to hook up to the Din socket (and took the stereo from the headphone) to hook up to a SCART socket, which is great for us in Europe with RGB enabled TV's. I only have one console that isn't connected up through RGB and that's my VCS.

[Frosty]

Any of you guys ever try hooking up a Genesis to an RGB monitor?  I used to read that was the best way to get graphics out of that thing.  I've never tried it, though.

Yup...hooked up my Model 1 Genesis to a standard RGB 15kHz arcade monitor.  You don't need an LM1881 or similar circuit for the Genesis/MS because it has a dedicated sync line output.  Picture quality is perfect.

[pmc]

I used the guide here: http://www-unix.ecs.umass.edu/~dhowland/mod/ to get started with the audio and composite mods.

That's a great page. Results are impressive and the case / connections don't look butchered. Now I wanna do that mod too.

[Frigo]

I used the guide here: http://www-unix.ecs.umass.edu/~dhowland/mod/ to get started with the audio and composite mods.

That's a great page. Results are impressive and the case / connections don't look butchered. Now I wanna do that mod too.

I wouldn't go with that s-video amp, though - it's overly complicated. Go with the one on the 2nd link, instead.

[patm95]

Wow.  Didn't know that was possible.  Looks great!

[WhereEaglesDare]

If anyone is interested in this, I'm working on my mod and I am chronicling it the best I can so you can do it too, if you do and your experience is different than mine please take pictures and I can add them to the page.

http://puttheglasseson.com/consoles/genesis/video-mod/