I decided to mod my Mega Drive RGB cable for stereo today since it was a pain in the ass connecting it up to my amp via the headphone jack when everything else is via HDMI. So I wired up a stereo feed from the headphone jack to the RGB cable out. Yeah, I know my soldering skills suck ass big time but it works, sort off. Uploaded with ImageShack.us These are the correct pins for a Japanese RGB set up. Below you can see that the image is fine and I now get stereo sound via the RGB cable. But look at what happens when I remove the 3.5mm headphone jack from the Mega Drive! The image goes nuts. It this because of the way the ground has been wired or something? Not that I really care because the 3.5mm jack will always be connected but will this do my Mega Drive any harm? Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Yes it looks like poor grounding. The RGB grounds aren't connected are they? If those aren't connected then the signal's current return path is diverted to the next path of least resistance, if available, which in your case seems to be primarily the audio connection. This is bad because the loop is much bigger than it needs to be, and may be routed through a particularly noisy node. It probably won't do harm in this case, but poor grounding can lead to harm when two connected devices have two very different potentials--current will flow where it isn't supposed to.
Hmm, I see. I'll take a look to see if any ground connection has come loose while I was attaching the stereo cable. Thanks for the info, Calpis.
Hey, be interested to see how you get on. I made a Stereo/RGB cable for my Mega Drive too (following this guide: http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/console/sega/md2-scart.htm) and had no such problem. My only problem is I couldn't find the correct U-DIN adapter so had to use a C-DIN - it works but is very prone to falling out if you breath too close to it!
If I have time I'll try tonight. I've got a lot on this week so I may not have time at home. It's a shame i can't test it out in here in work.
Whilst I prefer the original model myself, this is an advantage the Mega Drive II had - dedicated stereo out! Surely you can get stereo with either a Mega CD or 32X, though?
You can mod a C-din to fit a U-din. Yes it is rough but works fine, i made a guide on sega-16 years ago. You basically fit the C-plug into your mega drive, heat the offending pins up and walk them out a bit. Again rough but works (U-din is hard to get here, whereas C-din can be tripped over). http://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthread.php?9818-Make-your-own-RGB-plug-for-a-Mega-Drive-one-from-a-quot-C-quot-plug&highlight=plug
yeah again i'd wire all the grounds together i just done this on my mk1 cable the other night but i tap un-amplified audio straight from the chip to RCA jacks on the back of the MD works nicely just have to turn the volume up or put it through an amp
i have a link on ebay for the U DIN adapters to fit megadrive mk1 and master system mk1 here ya go http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390415555976?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 i've not bought any yet but they are listed as the U type so should be good
