Modding the Sega Saturn Video Encoder Chip

I wonder if it's possible to modify the video encoder chip on a Sega Saturn similar to what others have done with the SNES and their "improved" S-Video. Finding an RGB cable is a PITA, but I wonder if it's possible to swap those chips, so at least the composite could be drastically improved,.

 

Hmm memory is foggy...

I believe they have a CXA1645 video encoder. Upgrading (with required additional components to match/make it work) to a CXA2045 *should/*may improve matters. Old mate modder, Drakon, through his experience finds this chip produces a nicer composite/s-video picture than the older CXA1645.

OR if the care factor is low, you could wire up the pins and have a short fly lead out the back with the required SCART plug hanging off the back.

But it would be sweet if the 10 pin mini-din was easily available.

Had a look on fleabay and found this
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/10-PIN-M...200?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a784e7278

Guy states he makes the 10 pin mini-din connectors. Might be worth contacting?

lol edit again

10pin mini din plug

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/10-PIN-M...1?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_212&hash=item27d7dfbee5

 

I want a Saturn video mod that removes the God awful background noise from the audio.! The Saturn is really bad for this.

 

i have heard people talk about doing an digital optical audio mod on the saturn, maybe this would help?

 

Indeed. Not a super hard mod either. I made some illustrations and posted pictures on the racketboy forum, that hopefully makes this easier to build:
http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=20355&start=43

Today I could have made the small PCB with the CS8406 look better, but at least it works

About the EMPH line mention on GamesX here:
http://gamesx.com/wiki/doku.php?id=av:saturn_sp_dif
- As you can see I just wired it up to the C62 point on the Saturn and that worked well. But then I bought a Yamaha RX-A1010 AVR and it sounded horribly flat and undetailed on that. Pulling the EMPH line high instead it worked perfectly fine again. Not sure what the EMPH is or what it does, and I'm not sure why it sounded good on my old AVR but bad on my new (and much better) Yamaha. But that solved it

 

Why not just use an RGB SCART cable? It will look better than composite, and doesn't need any mods. That's what I use with my NTSC-J Saturn.

 

x

 

Ah cables of course! Silly me!

 

But I'm in America, and Amazon only sells two types of Saturn cables, S-Video or Composite. If it is the crappy cables that cause the mediocre composite, I'd like to see a recommendation on which of those cables, but the reviews don't really say anything.
I can't get an RGB cable, despite it being touted.

I don't really mind my Sega Saturn, since I did put some jacks into it, but I'd like to see if doing that CXA2045 mod is possible since it is already seen as a platinum standard for the SNES.

 

x

 

I've had pretty good results(for composite) with cables that came with video cards (as in PC vga cards) they're normally pretty thick and decent quality.

i've used them to make RF cables for my SMS and SNES (temporary) but the RF is pretty good with them so im in no rush to get the RGB scart.

either way if you have a saturn it's well worth going RGB over composite regardless of how good the composite cable is. import one form europe or japan

 

If you have installed "jacks" have you tried better quality cables?

I have myself installed my own AV and S-video jacks and use pretty damned good quality cables (ie proper shielding and not just a "2nd" wire run up beside the main) and am pretty happy with just s-video.

If I wasn't saving for a new house/wanting to get an old school rotary, I would love to try SCART (via component) but the amount of times I play it, it's not worth it (at this time).

O/T - Allthough having said that I recently scored Panzer Dragoon 2 complete for cheap.

 

Thanks for the link and info, I made a PCB for this mod so it will work out better than the current SOP to DIP adapters you guys used. I have included the Gerber files so anyone can order them for themselves and the 0.1uf cap is optional as I went by the datasheet recommendations.






View attachment Digital Audio for Retro.zip

 

They have 'em on eBay you know. There was also another website that had them, but their website is down, so I'm not sure if they closed down or not. RGB will be miles ahead in quality over S-video and composite.

 

x

 

could go rgb - component, and i've never seen an rgb cable worse than composite.

 

x

 

they would have to be some really bad or faulty cables.

i have had ghosting even on high quality SCART cables but they were damaged / faulty. even with very cheap scart cables (poundland lol) i've used them with excellent results no ghosting or audio noise etc.

the majority out there work fine but some are bad quality. you get what you pay for. really

 

x

 

My Saturn RGB SCART cables are third party, no issues here. Also, we don't have devices that support SCART in Australia either, I use a SCART to component converter box to convert it. Well worth it for the excellent picture quality.