|
Home > Archive > Sega genesis > November 2004 > Genesis model of choice
You are viewing an archived Text-only version of the thread.
To view this thread in it's original format and/or if you want to reply to
this thread please [click here]
| Author |
Genesis model of choice
|
|
| dandy 2004-11-06, 12:45 am |
| Which do you use, and why? I pesonally use a Genesis model 1, the one
without the "High Resolution Graphics" business. I've used just about
every Genesis model and find that it has the best image quality -- no
banding, and no sharp, jagged edges like the Genesis 3 or late model
Genesis 2. Also, aesthetically, it appeals to me the most (looks the
coolest).
| |
| Jody Holmes 2004-11-06, 12:45 am |
| Quoting dandy on 11/5/2004 (10:34:53 PM):
quote:
> Which do you use, and why? I pesonally use a Genesis model 1, the one
> without the "High Resolution Graphics" business.
Normally, I use a Model 2 Genny because my 32X fits better on it.
However, I own two Model 1s, one of which I modified with a 50Hz/60Hz
switch and a Japanese/American language ROM switch. I keep this one
handy for when I want to play some of my MegaDrive games (oi, Flink) or
to show off some of the dual-language carts to friends that are
interested.
--
Jody Holmes | Skwire \/ 15
usenet@SPAMFREEskwire.net _/\_
"Have no fear of perfection, you'll never reach it." S. Dali
| |
| BananaOfTheNight 2004-11-06, 6:45 am |
| Model 2 (well, it says Mega Drive II) because:
a) it's the only one I have...
b) there is stereo output on the back so that I can make a nice RGB
cable with stereo sound all from the same plug.
| |
| LASERandDVDfan 2004-11-06, 5:46 pm |
| >
quote:
>Which do you use, and why? I pesonally use a Genesis model 1, the one
>without the "High Resolution Graphics" business. I've used just about
>every Genesis model and find that it has the best image quality -- no
>banding, and no sharp, jagged edges like the Genesis 3 or late model
Model 1, generations 1 and 2 (with HIGH RESOLUTION GRAPHICS).
More discreet components, graphics that are easier to look at (little to no
stair-steps on the edges) and undistorted, crisp audio with the best
compatibility for all Genesis games.
Model 1, generation 3 (without HIGH RESOLUTION GRAPHICS) used a streamlined
board. Some makes of this particular variant had bad stair-stepping on the
graphics. Every one that I've seen and used had horribly overdriven audio.
Generation 4 (streamlined design) had some compatibility issues with a handful
of games, like WWF Royal Rumble, unless you were fortunate to find one that had
a genuine Yamaha YM-2612 chipset instead of a generic equivalent. All that
I've used seem to have grittier, less detailed and less dynamic audio compared
to the "HIGH DEF. GRAPHICS" Gennies. Also, some have bad stair-stepping
artifacts on the graphics as a symptom of their "enhancements" while others
don't. - Reinhart
| |
|
| On 06 Nov 2004 19:15:08 GMT, laseranddvdfan@aol.com (LASERandDVDfan)
wrote:
quote:
>Model 1, generations 1 and 2 (with HIGH RESOLUTION GRAPHICS).
Was the model with "HIGH RESOLUTION GRAPHICS" 1st or 2nd generation?
quote:
>Model 1, generation 3 (without HIGH RESOLUTION GRAPHICS) used a streamlined
>board. Some makes of this particular variant had bad stair-stepping on the
>graphics. Every one that I've seen and used had horribly overdriven audio.
How can I tell if my Genesis 1 is 1st, 2nd, or 3rd generation? Do they
have different model numbers?
quote:
>
>Generation 4 (streamlined design) had some compatibility issues with a handful
>of games, like WWF Royal Rumble, unless you were fortunate to find one that had
>a genuine Yamaha YM-2612 chipset instead of a generic equivalent. All that
>I've used seem to have grittier, less detailed and less dynamic audio compared
>to the "HIGH DEF. GRAPHICS" Gennies. Also, some have bad stair-stepping
>artifacts on the graphics as a symptom of their "enhancements" while others
>don't. - Reinhart
Er, so 1st and 2nd generation model 1's are the best, and 3rd and
fourth have jaggy graphics and crappy sound? I'm confused at this
point as to the differences between the model 1 machines. I thought
there were only two versions of the model 1: the one that reads "HIGH
RESOLUTION GRAPHICS" and the one that doesn't. So there are a total of
4 different model 1's?
I have two model 1's and would like to be able to distinguish which is
which. Neither have the high resolution graphics text.
| |
| LASERandDVDfan 2004-11-07, 6:45 am |
| >Was the model with "HIGH RESOLUTION GRAPHICS" 1st or 2nd generation?
I was referring to mainboard generation and not enclosure generation. Sorry.
The 1st and 2nd generation mainboards where assembled in cases that have the
"HIGH DEFINITION GRAPHICS" caption and a white bordered Genesis logo on them.
The difference is that the 2nd generation mainboards have the disclaimer
"PRODUCED BY OR UNDER LICENSE FROM SEGA ENTERPRISES" when you turn it on with a
cart while the 1st generation mainboards doesn't do this.
The 3nd generation mainboard uses an enclosure with the same appearance, but
omits the "HIGH DEFINITION GRAPHICS" caption and the white border on the
Genesis logo and uses a streamlined board that did away with a heavy sheetmetal
heatsink and the EXT PORT on the rear that the older mainboards had.
The smaller, newer Genesis consoles had numerous mainboard revisions, so the
only way to determine if you have a board that's essentially compatible with
all Genesis games is to take the console apart and see if it has a Yamaha
YM-2612 chip. Most don't however.
quote:
>I have two model 1's and would like to be able to distinguish which is
>which. Neither have the high resolution graphics text.
Then it is likely that your consoles have the 3rd generation mainboards. -
Reinhart
| |
|
|
|
|
dandy wrote:
quote:
>
> Which do you use, and why?
Laseractive, since it's the only one that plays Mega LDs and it's
sitting in my pile of active components for its laserdisc services
anyways (yeah yeah, laseranddvdfan, I know it's not the best player...).
Of course, I also have a model 1 around with a Powerbase convertor
strapped onto it and a model 2 with a 32X on that.
I should get one of the caseless Powerbase converters and ditch the
model 1 in a closet.
Lousy no 32X capabiltites with lots of wiring for the laseractive...
| |
| LASERandDVDfan 2004-11-08, 5:47 pm |
| >Laseractive, since it's the only one that plays Mega LDs and it's
quote:
>sitting in my pile of active components for its laserdisc services
>anyways (yeah yeah, laseranddvdfan, I know it's not the best player...).
So, what?
You can't slap a Genesis module and play a MegaLD title in a CLD-99. It sounds
like you use your LaserActive for videogames first and foremost, so LD playback
performance isn't really a factor, is it?
And, yeah, it's not the best for LD playback. But, it's not the worst, either.
It's about on par with better entry level units, which isn't bad at all.
I'd love to have a CLD-A100 myself, just for the versatility and coolness
factor. At the most, I'd have no qualms about replacing my DVL-700 with this
thing as my primary LD player. At the least, I'd try to find room to install a
CLD-A100 alongside my DVL-700 while putting my Genesis and Sega CD away as a
spare.
Now, if it weren't so darned hard to find the player, the Genesis/Sega CD
module, and the TurboDuo module or expensive to buy.
One thing I'd do, though, if I ever get a CLD-A100 is to add an AC-3 RF output
so I can enjoy Dolby Digital on my AC-3 LDs if I were to use it as my primary
LD player.
The biggest problem, however, is if the optics ever go out of alignment, which
can and does happen with LaserDisc players. If they go out of whack, you have
to realign the player, which requires the service literature, an oscilliscope,
the right tools, the right training and experience, and a LaserVision Reference
Disc to perform the service properly.
If you ever have to replace the optical pickup, same problem. You have to
align the new pickup and recalibrate the whole player to work with it.
This service difficulty is mainly due to the fact that LaserDisc is an FM
analogue medium which requires precise calibration with very slim alignment
tolerances that can only be achieved in the pickup's final place: the player.
LDs pits and lands vary in size and represent peak-limited FM wave zero
crossings written in a linear pattern format, while CD pits and lands represent
an 8-14 modulated binary code written in a block sector format.
(Side note, anyone telling you that you need a weighted inertial stabilizer
disc for your audio CD player to improve fidelity is full of it, as the read
from a CD is RAM buffered when going through 8-14 demodulation before ever
going to the D/A converter. RAM buffering is a form of time-base correction,
which can help regulate the stream anyways. In addition, CDs are written in
block sector format, so the read has to be CIRCed and reassembled into a linear
form in order to be usable, which also requires a form of RAM buffering.
Besides, disc rotation is regulated by the player's servo control, making
inertial stabilization of the rotation unnecessary anyways.)
If no calibration is performed, the LD player will fail to attain a servo lock
with the disc and will abort playback before it ever reads the disc TOC, if it
can even detect the disc through the pickup prior to spinning up in the first
place. - Reinhart
| |
| BelPowerslave 2004-11-08, 5:47 pm |
| Ted wrote:
quote:
> dandy wrote:
>
> Laseractive, since it's the only one that plays Mega LDs and it's
> sitting in my pile of active components for its laserdisc services
> anyways (yeah yeah, laseranddvdfan, I know it's not the best player...).
> Of course, I also have a model 1 around with a Powerbase convertor
> strapped onto it and a model 2 with a 32X on that.
> I should get one of the caseless Powerbase converters and ditch the
> model 1 in a closet.
You know, you can simply take the case off the PBC and it's nothing but a
small chip with cart slot on top. I did that once, to get it to fit into the
X'eye...worked out nicely.
Bel
--
Whip XXX Gaming: http://www.whipassgaming.com/
"...we traveled together...east, always into the east."
- Marius, Diablo II
| |
|
|
BelPowerslave wrote:
quote:
>
> Ted wrote:
>
>
> You know, you can simply take the case off the PBC and it's nothing but a
> small chip with cart slot on top. I did that once, to get it to fit into the
> X'eye...worked out nicely.
You can buy them caselessly tho, and I'd rather not risk the existing PBC...
| |
|
|
LASERandDVDfan wrote:
quote:
>
>
> So, what?
Well, someone was ragging on it as a choice of LD player when I brought
it up previously, and I thought it was you. Maybe I was wrong...
quote:
>
> You can't slap a Genesis module and play a MegaLD title in a CLD-99. It sounds
> like you use your LaserActive for videogames first and foremost, so LD playback
> performance isn't really a factor, is it?
Sure it is, as it's my LD unit now. And it is better than my previous
unit (way better now that the old unit is broken, but still better than
it was when it was working).
quote:
>
> And, yeah, it's not the best for LD playback. But, it's not the worst, either.
> It's about on par with better entry level units, which isn't bad at all.
>
> I'd love to have a CLD-A100 myself, just for the versatility and coolness
> factor. At the most, I'd have no qualms about replacing my DVL-700 with this
> thing as my primary LD player. At the least, I'd try to find room to install a
> CLD-A100 alongside my DVL-700 while putting my Genesis and Sega CD away as a
> spare.
>
> Now, if it weren't so darned hard to find the player, the Genesis/Sega CD
> module, and the TurboDuo module or expensive to buy.
They're not too bad if you have a long view of things. I bought an A100
with the Sega pac for $65 (plus $20 shipping) on eBay; it took me 6
months of watching all the relevant auctions to do it, but that's no big
deal. I bought my second one for $105 (maybe it was $115) plus $20
shipping because I wanted the 3 Mega LD games it came with, and they
would have cost about that without a player, plus it came with the
remote and the Pac cover (the remote is almost entirely featureless;
fortunately, the remote from my old Pioneer doesn't suck and works great
with the A100). I had to buy the Sega Laseractive controller seperately,
but it was $12 new and boxed (the box was real dusty tho) from a
computer store/Asian knickknack place.
If you want the NEC pack tho, you're right: you're screwed. Even more so
on the 3D goggles.
| |
| Ocelot 2004-11-08, 5:47 pm |
| dandy <REMOVESPAMTOREPLYdandy2k@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<aukoo091nutk26hldnk6nu1ec695hv6lsn@4ax.com>...
quote:
> Which do you use, and why? I pesonally use a Genesis model 1, the one
> without the "High Resolution Graphics" business. I've used just about
> every Genesis model and find that it has the best image quality -- no
> banding, and no sharp, jagged edges like the Genesis 3 or late model
> Genesis 2. Also, aesthetically, it appeals to me the most (looks the
> coolest).
It's the CD-X (Multimega) for me. Full Genesis compatibility, Sega CD
(one or two incompatabilites, I believe), SMS (via Powerbase), Mark
III and SG-1000 (via Mega Converter). About the only thing it doesn't
do is Mega-LD and Mega CD (BIOS does not work with converter
cartridges).
Plus, it's nice and portable!
| |
| LASERandDVDfan 2004-11-09, 12:45 am |
| >Well, someone was ragging on it as a choice of LD player when I brought
quote:
>it up previously, and I thought it was you. Maybe I was wrong...
>
Naw, it was probably me.
But, its performance as an LD player is counterbalanced by the versatility of
the model.
But, it's not that bad of an LD player, either. I wouldn't put it in the same
league as my DVL-700, but it's a hell of a lot better than many other LD
players that are out there, like the Sony MDP-333.
quote:
>Sure it is, as it's my LD unit now. And it is better than my previous
>unit (way better now that the old unit is broken, but still better than
>it was when it was working).
>
Cool, so you also collect LDs.
BTW, what was your previous player? - Reinhart
| |
| LASERandDVDfan 2004-11-09, 12:45 am |
| >It's the CD-X (Multimega) for me. Full Genesis compatibility, Sega CD
quote:
>(one or two incompatabilites
"Jurassic Park," and "The Terminator" are what come to mind for incompatible
Sega CD games on the CD-X.
quote:
>Plus, it's nice and portable!
>
It's a godsend all right. One time I was at Sebring raceway for an SCCA event.
I was spending the two nights there in an air-conditioned motor home (great
for times where you don't have to stand out in the Florida summer heat). The
thing had a TV and I brought my CD-X over and played "Willy Beamish" on times
where I wasn't out there photographing race cars speeding on the tracks.
Now, I'm saving it as I don't want to wear out the pickup as it's a pain to get
to if I ever had to replace it. - Reinhart
| |
|
|
LASERandDVDfan wrote:
quote:
>
>
> Naw, it was probably me.
>
> But, its performance as an LD player is counterbalanced by the versatility of
> the model.
>
> But, it's not that bad of an LD player, either. I wouldn't put it in the same
> league as my DVL-700, but it's a hell of a lot better than many other LD
> players that are out there, like the Sony MDP-333.
>
>
> Cool, so you also collect LDs.
>
> BTW, what was your previous player? - Reinhart
It's at a remote location at the moment, so I can't check easily.
Another Pioneer, obviously, manufactured around 1991, I think...
| |
| BelPowerslave 2004-11-09, 12:45 am |
| > > You know, you can simply take the case off the PBC and it's nothing but a
quote:
>
> You can buy them caselessly tho, and I'd rather not risk the existing PBC...
I don't know that I've ever even seen a pic of the caseless PBC...I'm guessing
it'd look pretty close the Game Genie, or something, in appearence?
Bel
--
Whip XXX Gaming: http://www.whipassgaming.com/
or http://users2.ev1.net/~belpowerslave/
"Suddenly aware of my presence, the Elder Gods transformed me into their servant
and gave me a new purpose: To prevent the Dragon King from merging the realms."
- Scorpion, Mortal Kombat: Deception
| |
| LASERandDVDfan 2004-11-09, 12:45 am |
| >You know, you can simply take the case off the PBC and it's nothing but a
quote:
>small chip with cart slot on top. I did that once, to get it to fit into the
>X'eye...worked out nicely.
He'd have a hell of a time trying to get the thing mounted in the LaserActive
that way, considering that you load cartridges on the front. - Reinhart
| |
|
|
BelPowerslave wrote:
quote:
>
>
> I don't know that I've ever even seen a pic of the caseless PBC...I'm guessing
> it'd look pretty close the Game Genie, or something, in appearence?
No, it looks a naked circuit board (insert smiling here).
| |
|
|
LASERandDVDfan wrote:
quote:
>
>
> He'd have a hell of a time trying to get the thing mounted in the LaserActive
> that way, considering that you load cartridges on the front. - Reinhart
Some of the naked PBCs are designed to take a modified cart casing, so
it would have a little more support. I still envision a kind of pulley
system to hold it in place tho...
| |
|
|
| Foxx (in a box) 2004-11-11, 12:46 am |
| >> > > You know, you can simply take the case off the PBC and it's nothing but a
quote:
>
>No, it looks a naked circuit board (insert smiling here).
one wonders, then, if you couldn't take an old game genie cart and
stick the board into it...
| |
|
|
LASERandDVDfan wrote:
quote:
>
>
> Naw, it was probably me.
>
> But, its performance as an LD player is counterbalanced by the versatility of
> the model.
>
> But, it's not that bad of an LD player, either. I wouldn't put it in the same
> league as my DVL-700, but it's a hell of a lot better than many other LD
> players that are out there, like the Sony MDP-333.
>
>
> Cool, so you also collect LDs.
>
> BTW, what was your previous player? - Reinhart
It's at a remote location at the moment, so I can't check easily.
Another Pioneer, obviously, manufactured around 1991, I think...
|
| |
|
|