Questions about Megadrive (original model)

[Lawfer]

So I just digged up my Megadrive to find with joy that it was the first model, but anyway I had three questions.

From what I read this model can only output mono sound? How can you get stereo sound?

My megadrive is European, so I can use Scart RGB, but it seems that out of 20 possible pin, 5 are missing, bringing the total to 15 pins, is that how it should or does that mean that the scart cables lost some pins? The Scart model I have is "Model-3085".

How can you play US and Japanese games on PAL consoles? I know the adapter way, but those have always been kind of unrealiable.

[trap15]

At least on the US versions, the TV connection was mono only, but the headphone jack did stereo.

[Lawfer]

At least on the US versions, the TV connection was mono only, but the headphone jack did stereo.

Are there any modifications you can do to change this?

[Ed Oscuro]

Yes. I don't recall if they get the stereo source from the headphone's source or if it is at some other point though. Might also need an amplifier.

[Lawfer]

Might also need an amplifier.

You mean a receiver?

[Fudoh]

You can take stereo from the headphone port, or you internally tap the stereo signal before it's routed into the (mediocre) headphone amp. In the case you have to add a 2nd amp-IC, since the internal board design only supports one sound channel. It's not a hard mod and totally worth the effort. The sound quality is way better than using the headphone port.

My megadrive is European, so I can use Scart RGB, but it seems that out of 20 possible pin, 5 are missing, bringing the total to 15 pins, is that how it should or does that mean that the scart cables lost some pins? The Scart model I have is "Model-3085".

Most RGB cables only have 8+ pins, so you're fine.

How can you play US and Japanese games on PAL consoles?

Older games don't check the region. Newer ones do. Get a 50/60Hz and a JP/ENG switch and you can play anything.

You also need to disable a clock signal from the graphics chip in order to get rid of the nasty jailbars which you'll see in saturated blues.

[Lawfer]

You can take stereo from the headphone port, or you internally tap the stereo signal before it's routed into the (mediocre) headphone amp. In the case you have to add a 2nd amp-IC, since the internal board design only supports one sound channel. It's not a hard mod and totally worth the effort. The sound quality is way better than using the headphone port.

Know anyone/any website that offers to do this modification? Most of the websites I have seen only offers switch/switchless 50/60Hz and regional change.

Most RGB cables only have 8+ pins, so you're fine.

How much pins does your official megadrive scart has though?

Older games don't check the region. Newer ones do. Get a 50/60Hz and a JP/ENG switch and you can play anything.

Yeah, was thinking of getting that.

You also need to disable a clock signal from the graphics chip in order to get rid of the nasty jailbars which you'll see in saturated blues.

??? Was?

[Lawfer]

Also, my console is model "1600-09 where it says "High definition graphics - Stereo Sound", it is called a "Megadrive RGB", no idea what they really meant by that, but apparently those fronch Megadrives dont work with stuff from retrocables.

[Lawfer]

Bump.

[Fudoh]

Know anyone/any website that offers to do this modification?

any local modder will do this for you. You can find the instructions here on the board. It's done within minutes. Hardest part is to buy the amp for 1 EUR.

EDIT: here's the mod: http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... 64#p638564

How much pins does your official megadrive scart has though?

The official MD scart cables aren't good (they use video instead of sync), so I don't use one.

You also need to disable a clock signal from the graphics chip in order to get rid of the nasty jailbars which you'll see in saturated blues.

you have to lift one pin on the graphics chip. Instructions here: http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/sh ... -mod/page2

[Lawfer]

any local modder will do this for you. You can find the instructions here on the board. It's done within minutes. Hardest part is to buy the amp for 1 EUR.

EDIT: here's the mod: http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... 64#p638564

Thanks, greatly appreciated.

The official MD scart cables aren't good (they use video instead of sync), so I don't use one.

Please explain, what is "using video instead of sync" and how is it bad? What do you use instead?

you have to lift one pin on the graphics chip. Instructions here: http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/sh ... -mod/page2

Thanks again, is that a problem present in all mega drives?

[Fudoh]

Thanks again, is that a problem present in all mega drives?

yes, it's a design failure: the clock signal is running next to the BLUE signal which causes interferences.

ease explain, what is "using video instead of sync" and how is it bad? What do you use instead?

for compatibility with not RGB-enabled Scart sockets, the cable uses composite video for RGB sync. The MD does output pure sync as well. This requires an additional capacitor in the cable and the use a different pin on the MD's side of the cable.

[Lawfer]

for compatibility with not RGB-enabled Scart sockets, the cable uses composite video for RGB sync. The MD does output pure sync as well. This requires an additional capacitor in the cable and the use a different pin on the MD's side of the cable.

It looks like scart cables for the Megadrive 1 are not the same everywhere:

http://emu5ever.emuunlim.com/SMS_Maze/Sms-03085.jpg

From what I can read on the internet, this cable is only compatible with french Megadrive 1, when hooked on non-french Megadrives 1 sound is output but video encounters incompatibility issues.

That might explain why retrocables scart cables dont work with french models of Megadrive 1.

[system11]

It's really tempting to make the mods to my unit, but it's a mint Japanese original model (bought new in box) and I don't *really* feel like doing anything to spoil that. One way of getting stereo was also to use a MegaCD, and the mix cable - then stereo phono from the CD unit.

[Lawfer]

One way of getting stereo was also to use a MegaCD, and the mix cable - then stereo phono from the CD unit.

Does the MegacCD allow you to play all Megadrive games in stereo whitout having to open it and fiddle with the circuit?

[theclaw]

for compatibility with not RGB-enabled Scart sockets, the cable uses composite video for RGB sync. The MD does output pure sync as well. This requires an additional capacitor in the cable and the use a different pin on the MD's side of the cable.

It looks like scart cables for the Megadrive 1 are not the same everywhere:

http://emu5ever.emuunlim.com/SMS_Maze/Sms-03085.jpg

From what I can read on the internet, this cable is only compatible with french Megadrive 1, when hooked on non-french Megadrives 1 sound is output but video encounters incompatibility issues.

That might explain why retrocables scart cables dont work with french models of Megadrive 1.

Yeah North America first widely introduced the non-french Megadrive 1 scart output design, in our version Master System.
US and Japan Megadrive 1's both support scart as well. Not just European.

Japan's earlier Mark III was in effect something of a prototype with its lack of proper RGB amp.

[missingLink]

I don't know if that meets your need in getting a stereo-output from the Mega Drive.

But there is a rgb cable that also has an audio jack to grab the stereo sound from the headphone thingy.

http://www.pittys.de/shop/shpSR.php?A=1 ... 726&p3=900

Why not use a pro action replay1 or 2 for playing us/ japanese games? As far as i know there are just a few games with region protection.

Hope i understood what your question is and this helps.