Is the Genesis 2 supposed to have crappy video?

[Ace_1]

I had managed to make normal A/V plugs be used on the Genesis 2 through the A/V port because I didn't have any and didn't want to buy any either. Now, I noticed that compared to my Model 1 Genesis, the video looks like $#[email protected] The image is darker, distorted(lots more jagged lines) and has noise(column lines like the Top-loader NES). Now, my system has the crappy Samsung KA-something video encoder, which is supposed to be junk. Is it because of that that my Genesis 2 has those video problems? While I'm at it, I would like to know if the Genesis 2s that are made in China(mine's made in Taiwan) have any of the Sony CXA video encoders. There are about 15 or so Genesis 2s available in my area, most of which are made in Taiwan, so when I go back to where they were, I'll test ouy each system until I find one with the same or slightly better or inferior video quality than a Genesis 1. By the way, does the Genesis 3 have better video quality than the other 2? I know it has compatibility problems, but I know that there is a way to get Virtua Racing to work, although I can't find a guide to that mod anywhere.

[JB]

If I recall, Genny2s pretty much all have bad video out. Genny 3s are even worse.

[Ace_1]

Are you serious? I thought the Sony CXA chip in there was of better quality than that Samsung crap in my Genesis 2. Anyways, I was wondering if the Samsung chip can be replaced by a Sony CXA1145M like on the later Model 1 Genesis systems, since I believe that Samsung video encoder is a clone of the Sony CXA1145. Where does the video pick up the noise from anyways? FYI, I'm using A/V, not RF, in case it hasn't been mentioned.

[MFoolsRun]

I only have experience with Genny2's (Goodwill around here charges more for the Genny1's, I believe on the basis they're bigger and therefore must be worth more), how much better is the video out? I never knew I was missing anything.

[Ace_1]

What I do notice is a cleaner picture(no column lines and blurred/jagged sprites on the edges) and brighter colors(the coloring isn't much of an issue, but the column lines(visible on Ayrton Senna's Super Monaco GP II, a game with lots of gray) are a real big pain in the butt). I'll see if I can get one with a Sony CXA video encoder in it(what versions of the Sony CXA are in Genesis 2s, more specifically those made in China?).

[JB]

Are you serious? I thought the Sony CXA chip in there was of better quality than that Samsung crap in my Genesis 2.

It is, but it's only part of the equation.

There's several parts between the video encoder and final output.

 

Edit: Okay, I was double-checking stuff, and it looks like the primary difference IS the video encoder.

 

MOST Genny2s had the Samsung clone, but a few early ones had the Sony part.

 

Anyways, I was wondering if the Samsung chip can be replaced by a Sony CXA1145M like on the later Model 1 Genesis systems, since I believe that Samsung video encoder is a clone of the Sony CXA1145.

If I recall, they're completely swappable. I'm not certain, though.

Edited January 14, 2008 by JB

[Ace_1]

Are you serious? I thought the Sony CXA chip in there was of better quality than that Samsung crap in my Genesis 2.

It is, but it's only part of the equation.

There's several parts between the video encoder and final output.

 

Edit: Okay, I was double-checking stuff, and it looks like the primary difference IS the video encoder.

 

MOST Genny2s had the Samsung clone, but a few early ones had the Sony part.

 

Anyways, I was wondering if the Samsung chip can be replaced by a Sony CXA1145M like on the later Model 1 Genesis systems, since I believe that Samsung video encoder is a clone of the Sony CXA1145.

If I recall, they're completely swappable. I'm not certain, though.

 

If I can't get a Sony CXA-equipped Genesis 2 at that place that has a whole bunch of them, I'll gut my late-model Genesis 1(it doesn't work properly, controller port needs a new EM14 thing, those black box-like things on the board behind the controller port) and take its CXA1145M.

[Giltygear]

If I recall, Genny2s pretty much all have bad video out. Genny 3s are even worse.

 

I'll agree with you on the model 2, but the genesis 3 that i have has extremely crisp video using the the AV

[Prodos8]

I've never noticed much of a video difference between a model 1 and model 2 while using composite video. Maybe you fubar'd something when you installed the RCA jacks. I'm using a model 2 almost exclusively now since my CD unit is the later version and haven't had any complaints really.

[JB]

I've never noticed much of a video difference between a model 1 and model 2 while using composite video. Maybe you fubar'd something when you installed the RCA jacks. I'm using a model 2 almost exclusively now since my CD unit is the later version and haven't had any complaints really.

My Model 2 is one of the bad ones.

The main issue is everything has artifacting. Like I was playing an MPEG video.

 

 

I think there's a pic on the board somewhere of the different versions...

Ah, here we go... similar thread.

http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=70376

 

It's not the most illustrative, but it does show the difference. And since I'm too lazy to do it myself...

[Video]

The only video problem I've had, asside not working at all, have always been the Gen 1's Monochrome greyscale graphics.

 

Otherwise, they both looked fine to me, but I always used Coax on the genesis, as I never could find a AV cable for one...

[Ace_1]

I can easily tell you how you can make your own using a wire and a male RCA plug.

I have an update on my situation with the Genesis 2. I was able to pick up another Genesis 2(one of those made in China), and was pleasantly surprised. It still has the blurring of my other model 2, but not as bad, and has no noise. Upon opening it, I discovered a Sony CXA1645 in it(nice!). This should be VERY easy to mod with S-Video. Just 2 75 ohm resistors, one on the Chroma line and the other on the Luminance line and that's it(with a ground, obviously). Did I get that right? Off topic, but I still want to ask it, my FC Twin has that same video encoder, so I presume the S-Video mod will be this simple on that system too.

[+remowilliams]

I'll agree with you on the model 2, but the genesis 3 that i have has extremely crisp video using the the AV

One nice thing about the Genesis 3 is that it is super easy to mod for s-video out, and that looks fantastic.

[Ace_1]

Shouldn't the same apply to the late-model Genesis 2s with the Sony CXA1645 in it?

[Ace_1]

I've never noticed much of a video difference between a model 1 and model 2 while using composite video. Maybe you fubar'd something when you installed the RCA jacks. I'm using a model 2 almost exclusively now since my CD unit is the later version and haven't had any complaints really.

 

Dude, how the heck can I fry something if I made custom CABLES with male RCA plugs attached to them(they plug inside the Genesis' A/V port)? It doesn't make a difference. Heck, today, when I was testing out the Genesis 2s over at the place that now has about 7 of them, I've seen most of them with noticeable noise on the screen(through RF), except for the ones that have a Sony CXA1645 in them, which my new unit has. I might integrate a 32X in my other one like Longhorn did, keep it in storage with my NES and SNES or sell it.

[+remowilliams]

Shouldn't the same apply to the late-model Genesis 2s with the Sony CXA1645 in it?

I can't say for 100% sure, but I don't think it does.

[RJ]

Is the Genesis 2 supposed to have crappy video?

 

I heard that it does, which kept me from upgrading my Gen2's RF connection to my LCD TV. I figured if it didnt matter, why bother?

[Ace_1]

See, my newer Model 2 with the Sony CXA1645 removes the noise, but still has some blur in the image(looks A LOT better than the one I had with the Samsung encoder). If you want to upgrade to A/V, PM me and I'll tell you how to make your own cables.

[Prodos8]

I found an easy s-video mod for the cxa-1145 in this tread: http://www.segaxtreme.net/forums/showthrea...2391&page=2 (scroll down a bit for the mod instructions)

 

I was skeptical as I thought you needed a transistor buffer in order to get working s-video with the cxa-1145. But, I went ahead and installed it and it seems to work well. I didn't have a socket so I just cut up a spare s-video cable and ran it out thru that little hold in the back. Anyway, I'm now enjoying super clear s-video.

[Ace_1]

I attempted something like that on my Model 1, but I think I killed it(I also installed 2 region switches). I get no video through S-Video, not even the line that sometimes goes through the screen before the "Produced by or under license by Sega" screen when you turn on the console. The LED doesn't even turn on. The problem is not the power supply because I have another Model 1 which needed its player 1 controller port fixed and the LED was lit. I think there's a short somewhere, either on the CXA1145(highly doubt it) or where I put my region switches(I believe I bridged the connection between all 4 jumpers by accident instead of bridging jumper 1 with jumper 2 and jumper 3 with jumper 4. The trace between jumpers 2 and 4 have been cut, though, which should be what determines the region of an American Genesis, right? Anyways, if all else fails, I'll move over both my S-Video mod(I did it on a project board instead of just straight in between the parts) and my region switches(the board in this one is one of the later boards with a smaller Motorola 68000 and the Sony CXA1145M instead of the Sony CXA1145P, which is the board in the *possibly* dead system, but with the EXT port removed). Otherwise, I'll take one switch to my Model 1 and the other to my CXA1645-equipped Model 2.

[Ace_1]

Is the Genesis 2 supposed to have crappy video?

 

I heard that it does, which kept me from upgrading my Gen2's RF connection to my LCD TV. I figured if it didnt matter, why bother?

 

Little tip: if you open up your Genesis and it contains any of the Sony CXA video encoders, upgrade to S-Video ASAP. It's SO MUCH BETTER than composite or RF, let me tell ya. All blurring is gone. If you have that Samsung crap, and have some experience soldering and de-soldering surface-mount ICs, you can swap out the Samsung chip for a Sony CXA1145(the Samsung is a direct clone of the CXA1145 without Chroma or Luminance lines on the encoder).

[JB]

Is the Genesis 2 supposed to have crappy video?

 

I heard that it does, which kept me from upgrading my Gen2's RF connection to my LCD TV. I figured if it didnt matter, why bother?

 

Little tip: if you open up your Genesis and it contains any of the Sony CXA video encoders, upgrade to S-Video ASAP. It's SO MUCH BETTER than composite or RF, let me tell ya. All blurring is gone. If you have that Samsung crap, and have some experience soldering and de-soldering surface-mount ICs, you can swap out the Samsung chip for a Sony CXA1145(the Samsung is a direct clone of the CXA1145 without Chroma or Luminance lines on the encoder).

I've been meaning to build an RGB cable for my Genny. I've got 2 sets of RGB connectors waiting for food.

I just keep putting it off.

[Ace_1]

Well, I can't do that because none of my TVs have RGB inputs, so I'm stuck with S-Video(looks good anyways).

[+remowilliams]

upgrade to S-Video ASAP. It's SO MUCH BETTER than composite or RF, let me tell ya.

Agreed, my Genesis3 looks fantastic with s-video. It would have been worth several times the effort needed. I hate to use composite if I play with the 32X now.

[Ace_1]

upgrade to S-Video ASAP. It's SO MUCH BETTER than composite or RF, let me tell ya.

Agreed, my Genesis3 looks fantastic with s-video. It would have been worth several times the effort needed. I hate to use composite if I play with the 32X now.

 

Aye, I second to that. Wanna trade your Genesis 3? Just kidding. On a more serious note, is there a way to actually get the 32X to display in S-Video?