Guess the unknown rf shield from a console or home computer

Hi, I have this metal sheet thing laying around, and I dont remember from what console or home computer it is.
I really dont want to open the 30+ big consoles to find out , so I am asking some help from the Sherlocks on the forum , thanks.
It can be maybe some FZ1/FZ10, MSX, maybe a cart rf shield or something... maybe Panasonic Q's DVD, or some PS2, its frustrating... )
There a chance its also from some VCR or something like that, but I am not sure, since I have also serviced that kind of device...
attached.

 

It looks a lot like the shield in the Sega 32X.

 

Yep, I think you are right! In this video at 0:12 you could see the rf shield on the right looks the same.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn_HcjbEhkY

 

I've been subscribed to that guy for a couple years now.

I immediately recognized it because I have taken my 32X apart once or twice. My dad helped me do a failed region mod on it (used a wire that was too thick and it removed one of the PAL mode solder pads). A couple of those screws were under a piece of rubber(?) next to a big capacitor and were hard to remove and put back in.

Funny thing about the 32X is that if you plug a PAL Mega Drive game into an NTSC 32X hooked up to either a PAL Mega Drive or an NTSC Mega Drive/Genesis set to 50Hz mode, the NTSC 32X will output in the PAL video format (I think it's NTSC50 for NTSC units in 50Hz mode when using composite and PAL when using RGB in 50Hz mode) meaning that the manual for the NTSC Genesis 32X lied to us all.

 

I am subscribed to him as well. Wish he would upload some new vids though! Love the repair videos.

 

I agree. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't know that Sega released a modem for the Japanese Mega Drive and it can be used on any Mega Drive/Genesis in Japanese 60Hz mode. His videos were really helpful at times. I wonder why he hasn't uploaded anything in a while.

 

Yeah I didn't know about the modem. Was surprised to see how early the idea of internet gaming started. I think the reason he isn't uploading any videos is because the new youtube comments suck, he mentioned it in some of this videos. I can't even place a comment on a video.

 

Bummer, gotta love Google Plus.

The modem is only compatible with model (mark) 1 Genesis/Mega Drive units with a DB-9 EXT. port. People always wondered what that port on the back of the VA1-5 (VA6 has the components but lacks the connector which could still be soldered on since the solder points for it are still there) model 1s was for. Well it was for the Sega Mega Net Modem which was only released in Japan ad Brazil in 1990 (Japan) and 1995 (Brazil).

It uses direct dial so it can still be used today by plugging your home phone's cord into it and only one game in the west still supports it when swapped to Japanese mode. You can even use it to call phones but whatever you do, don't pick it up!

I believe there was a way to use it along with your attached Mega Drive/Genesis as an answering machine but I don't know if it still works.

 

What? Since when could color encoding be controlled via the cartridge slot?
PAL games on unmodified NTSC setups are run at NTSC60.

While NTSC 32X should get NTSC composite, regardless of the console. Given that it has its own encoder. And RGB color is neither NTSC or PAL, rendering the whole issue largely moot then.

 

Sorry for any confusion. I didn't see the error in my post until I saw your post and then realized my mistake. I have corrected it. I meant a PAL game in an unmodified NTSC 32X and a NTSC Mega Drive/Genesis set to 50Hz mode. What I observed was when I hooked it up via Composite video and RGB video. I didn't try RF.

On my American Samsung 32" HDTV, the only supported video formats are NTSC and ATSC at 23Hz, 60Hz, and 75Hz. I had my region-modded Sega Genesis Model 1 VA6 set to 50Hz mode with no color mod and my unmodified NTSC Sega 32X with an American copy of Sonic 1 (some Genesis/Mega Drive games have all of the regions built-in and the game detects the console's region and plays that region's version).

I hooked it up to the TV and got a solid, non-centered, black and white picture with a bunch of artifacts. This led me to believe that the Genesis was actually outputting at NTSC50 and not PAL over Composite video. When I hooked it up to my SCART to HDMI converter with RGB SCART, it displayed correctly in full color and in the PAL video format. I could try disconnecting the resistor that enables RGB mode in my SCART cable (reverts it to Composite Video over SCART) and see if my converter still says it is a PAL signal.

 

Yeah, the modem was really ahead of its time. Phone bill must have been expensive though.

 

All this talk about the 32X and modems makes me wonder if a broadband adapter is possible for the Mega Drive/Genesis CD 32X combo mess. Imagine playing Knuckles Chaotix online via broadband in 20XX. The Sega Super Mega Broadband Adapter Deluxe with a web browser designed for the Sega CD or CD 32X combo and compatible with the Sega Mouse. I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

 

There is XBand modem for Genesis and SNES that could be used that way but it required a server to manage connection between players and it has been discontinued for many years. It is still possible to make it work with 32x games but I don't know if it can be used. I do know Game Genie didn't work with 32x games.

 

That sounds awesome! I have an X-Band Modem for the Genesis, however I wish we could recreate the servers to make it work again.

 

I've heard of them before but I've never seen or owned one. From what I've seen online, it works differently from the Sega Mega Modem. Apparently it tricks the system into thinking there is another player on the same console when it is actually someone on a different console. I wonder if it does direct dial. If so, then it can still be used today without a server.

Where there's a will, there's a way. If people can get Dreamcast servers working again and Netflix streaming on an NES, then I'm sure they can get X-BAND servers up and running again.

Maybe I should make a thread for getting stuff like this done. I have no knowledge of how Dial-Up/Broadband modems work but I'm sure someone can come up with something.

Would be nice to have some Sega CD 32X homebrews with online support via broadband or direct dial. If that happens and the devs choose direct dial, prepare your wallets as the phone companies will arrive at your home with a GTAV-sized dump truck to collect the money required for playing with others over the phone. I would also recommend getting a second phone line for just direct dial gaming if the game was extremely good.

 

He's moving house

 

Well, thanks a lot guys, and of course MonkeyBoyJoey , I've opened the 32X and yes... it was washed and I had the part in the wrong part bin .
The 32X is now protected again from the hordes of waves...whatever..thingies...

 

Well that explains it. I'm glad to hear it wasn't anything bad.

Your very welcome. I love the 32X so when I see it or its insides, I immediately recognize it. It looks really weird when you try to use it with the RF shield removed. Then again, I tried that with Composite video and not RGB.

I've heard that Model 1 Japanese Mega Drives don't have RF shields so I can't begin to imagine how many artifacts there are on screen when playing some Bare Knuckle 2 (Japanese Streets of Rage 2) or Sonic 1.

 

Good to hear it's nothing bad.

 

A converter labeling 50hz RGB as "PAL" makes sense. Close enough in layman's terms to get by.
NTSC50 who knows. Likely will incorrectly assume NTSC or PAL, when the signal is neither, and give a messed up picture.

As for the HDTV, I wouldn't rule out it accepting composite from a European Mega Drive. Much closer to compliant PAL to have some chance.