Need help with Genesis + Framemeister

[thebigcheese]

I have a Genesis 1 (it appears to be from the start of where they switched over audio chips, which I am happy about) and it is basically the only system that gives me trouble with my Framemeister. Everything else (Nintendo consoles in particular) sync great, but with the Genesis I have to set the sync level all the way down at 0 and even then it is temperamental at best. Meanwhile, the NES, SNES, and N64 will accept sync levels anywhere from 0-10 and probably even higher with no issues. The Genesis seems to work fine with some games, in other games I get occasional little jumps, and in still other games it is just horrible. I am using what was then titled "Sega Genesis 1 Megadrive 1 stereo RGB SCART with boosted sync TV lead" from Retro Console Accessories, though it does not seem to be available any longer. It looks to me like it is connecting the raw sync from the Genesis through a 220uf serial capacitor to pin 20 on the SCART plug. I do not believe it is a problem (I could be wrong) with the Genesis as I can use the composite output with no problems.

I also occasionally have hiccups with the Dreamcast (using a Toro), but I suspect I just need to turn the sync up or down a notch or two. I don't know why Sega consoles are so picky when everything else works perfectly...

Any advice? I'm getting really frustrated with the Genesis and my game collection is growing.

[thebigcheese]

Bump - anyone? I am trying to avoid just throwing a bunch of money at the problem in the hopes of finding a solution.

[neorichieb1971]

Tell retro console accessories you have a problem. Tell them you have this JP21 or SCART connector cable and its producing the findings that you get. Ask them if its the best cable for the Framemeister.

Make a video of the output you are receiving and upload to youtube.

Someone here maybe able to help if they can see the output you can see.

But considering the Genesis has been 100% compatible with the Framemeister, its unlikely to be anything but the cable. I assume the console runs fine straight to a TV?

[thebigcheese]

It's hard for me to make a video - not because I don't have the ability but because half the time there is no video. Jumpy is the best way I can describe the problem when there is video. I will see what I can do.

I have also emailed them, but they are away at the moment and generally slow to respond in my experience.

I don't have a TV with SCART, but running the composite cable straight to the TV or even through the Framemeister works just fine.

[thebigcheese]

Here is a video. You can probably skip the first minute or so, but you will see what I mean. "No signal" for like half of it, the other half is really jumpy and loses sync between screens.
https://youtu.be/UDzhW4SaBgk

[neorichieb1971]

Not an expert on the framemeister but as I understand it the system doesn't like resolution changes. If that game is changing resolution the HDMI handshake is lost momentarily.

It could be the type of sync used on the scart cable. Sounds like an expert should chime in. There are many on here. I only chimed in to bump the thread to give it some exposure.

[Hoagtech]

I run a sync stripper on the RGB input of the framemeister.

It solved my issues with n64.

I just leave it plugged in for all my consoles.

Retro console accessories sells them on eBay

[thebigcheese]

I am starting to think that a sync stripper is probably the solution. I am extremely low on power outlets (I may actually not have any left), so I am hoping for a solution that does not need one or that can be powered by the Framemeister or SCART cables - would all these cables normally have 5v power lines? I notice the sync stripper that you can install in the SCART plug requires 5v. The Sync Strike is irritating in that it does not have a SCART output.

I am in touch with Retro Console Accessories, so hopefully they will have some advice as well or a sync stripper I can purchase that will serve my needs.

[thebigcheese]

Okay, update for anyone who cares. I bought the sync-in-SCART board from Retro Fixes and installed it today. It's a miracle! Genesis works flawlessly now, no sync problems whatsoever. So, for anyone else having these problems, get the sync stripper. Today is a good day.