Megadrive mods, region, 50hz/60hz and s-video?

[geluda]

So can anyone give me some information on these mods, in particular the s-video mod? A friend of mine is wanting to get his megadrive 2 modded but I don't know much about it. Is the s-video mod worth it? Obviously s-video is a vastly superior picture quality however I've read some threads where people are discussing varying results, although I don't know the details of the mod they're doing. Any info is appreciated, thanks.

[H360]

I did this to mine, and it works perfect: http://wolfsoft.de/wordpress/?p=322

[APE]

The results do vary depending on what circuit you use for S-Video and how well your TV works with what it is given. I recently did an S-Video mod on a JVC X'EYE (for all intents and purposes the X'EYE is basically a MegaDrive 2 sandwiched with a SegaCD). Both circuits I tried out looked AMAZING on my Sony Trinitron however only 1 of the two actually worked on the owner's Trinitron.

Edges are sharp, dot crawl is gone as is color bleeding. It is mainly noticeable with text and any game that doesn't have much in the way of motion blur. Color accuracy is improved quite a bit as well. The only thing you should be wary of is making sure the connector you buy isn't 100% cheapy plastic and has a metal hull. The first one I used was plastic based and it didn't allow the cable to sit very well inside the connector with the picture flashing whenever the console was moved. The second had a metal hull and unless you didn't fully insert the lead it had no trouble.

[Lum]

You likely know already, but placing s-video into megadrive won't help 32X. Since 32X uses RGB to operate.

The best way to achieve that (if 32X matters for you) is build an external box with SCART input. Then it should also enable s-video for Nomad, Master System, and others.

[geluda]

Thanks! Well I bought an RGB modded N64 (v2) and the picture is rather bright, I do know it takes a lot of tinkering with to get it as you wanted it and I figured the Mega Drive would be the same. So what different types of mod is there and how does the picture quality vary? Right now it's a matter of investigating and figuring out which mod is the best one to go for, all I know is having a fully modded Mega Drive will be fricking sweet!

[Lum]

The normal Mega Drive already has RGB. If you're able to use that, there isn't much purpose to add s-video.

Except special models like Laseractive and Wondermega. Those need RGB mods for restoring 32X support.

[geluda]

I did not know that! I was under the impression the Mega Drive didn't output RGB, is that just with the original Mega Drive? And is that regardless of which setting I select via region/hz mod? Of that's the case that makes it a whole lot easier on us!

[Lum]

RGB is found on:
Mega Drive 1
Mega Drive 2
Genesis 1
Genesis 2
CDX
Nomad
32X
Multi Mega
Master System 1
X'eye (usually, a rare later revision is said to have removed the DIN jack)

Most versions without RGB are actually the collector's ones not recommended for casual users. Master System 2 and later model Tectoy systems lack RGB too. I'm unsure about Mega Jet, that Awia stereo, or other weird things. Genesis 3 though I've heard mixed reports.

region/hz mod still applies to RGB. RGB is also raw color instead of NTSC/PAL. So you shouldn't get black and white picture.

[APE]

Not a single X'EYE has the mini-DIN connector to my knowledge. They are also missing the necessary components connecting them to the CXA1145 to actually output anything.

[Lum]

Not a single X'EYE has the mini-DIN connector to my knowledge. They are also missing the necessary components connecting them to the CXA1145 to actually output anything.

I meant the mini-DIN for RGB.

[APE]

I meant the mini-DIN for RGB.

As did I. Its mini-DIN and I've never seen it on an X'EYE.

[Lum]

Well IMO it's the opposite. I haven't seen proof of that revision without RGB. An s-video modded X'EYE could have two mini-DIN connectors as shown here.

Notice "A/V out" is molded right onto the plastic. Might be difficult to fake.

[ApolloBoy]

As did I. Its mini-DIN and I've never seen it on an X'EYE.

All three of the X'Eyes I've come across had the mini-DIN port.

[APE]

Weird. Must be dumb luck on my part then.

[Lum]

I'm just saying I have no evidence there's a such thing as JVC X'eye without RGB.

It's comparable to how I've yet to definitively prove WWF No Mercy cartridges that removed the infamous save bug exist. While a ver 1.1 was made, I don't know if it fixes the error. And NTSC 1.1 appears to only be available in ROM form, not physical like PAL.

[geluda]

Is there any reccomendation on a scart cable? Some on eBay are readying cheap and some are really expensive.