RGB -> Component mod for KA2195D-inflicted Genesis 2?

I have a Genesis Model 2 VA1 that sadly contains the dreaded Samsung KA2195D video encoder, and not one of the more coveted Sony/Fujitsu chips. I found a tutorial that details the process of swapping the Samsung encoder for the CXA2075, which certainly seems doable, but I am curious if maybe that effort would be better spent in an RGB to component converter, since the Samsung encoder supports RGB already.

Has anyone built such a circuit for this before, and if so, can you point me to some schematics (or better yet, an already fabricated board if the price is reasonable)? Or, would I be better off just going for the swap (my television supports S-video and I understand that the CXA2075 supports better video quality in general...)?

 

Why do all of that when you can buy a Stereo RGB SCART cable(retro_console_accessories on eBay makes the one I use for my 32X) for the Genesis model 2 and either a RGB SCART to Component Converter or a SCART to HDMI converter(preferred over the SCART to Component because the component converters usually require color adjusting)? As for replacing the chip, I don't know if it can be done or not. Just don't mod the Genesis for better video output (unless it is true digital HDMI or DVI) when all you need is the proper cable and converter or TV that has the proper input (some RCA CRT TVs have a port called "EIA Multiport - Stereo" which is a euro SCART socket).

 

Really, it just seems like a fun project more than anything. I have been getting back into the Genesis recently and am also interested in brushing up on the electronics I learned in Intro to Circuits a while back. SCART to HDMI converters seem somewhat expensive, and if I can do this relatively inexpensively and get more experience, I will be happy

That having been said, it is a good suggestion. I will keep my eye out on any good deals I can find on SCART to HDMI.

 

I understand perfectly. I was having a hard time finding high quality S-Video cables for my GameCube DOL-101. So after some research, I planned on installing 2 RCA jacks for S-Video on my GC instead of paying ridiculous prices for a good cable. I bought everything to do it and then found out that the GCVideo DVI project can be used on a DOL-101 and then decided to wait until I had enough money for all of those parts so I can get 480p true digital DVI/HDMI out of my GC.

There's one on amazon.com for $44 for Prime members and $50 for everyone else right now. Its just SCART to HDMI and nothing else but the one I use has a HDMI to HDMI converter as well, which upscales/downscales, converters video formats, and has Digital Coax Audio out. Good SCART cables usually don't have the A/V breakout box in the middle of the cord and are fully shielded and fully grounded. Some use C-Sync and fewer use Sync on Luma.

I have a Genesis VA6 Model 1 with the Sega 32X (and stereo patch cable) and Sega CD model 1. I thought about getting a model 2. Do you know how to tell, without opening it up, if it is a good model 2 or one of the bad model 2s?

 

As has been said often, cheap converters are usually crappy converters.

If you're serious about your retro gaming, either invest in a decent converter (e.g. Framemeister) or an RGB computer/broadcast monitor.

 

I am primarily interested in modding (and playing) my Genesis for fun. I don't claim to be serious; I am just a hacker who likes to spend his free time on silly projects like these

That having been said, I know that, given enough time, patience and information, I can probably put together a decent mod myself without having to spend

 

According to this guide, you can't really tell until you open the unit up and look at the board. It looks like most of the Model 2's have the Samsung encoder, but a few have one of the Sony or Fujitsu encoders. Additionally, some units use a YM2612 for the FM synthesis module while others use the YM3438. Sound quality generally seems to be poor with these models when compared to earlier Genesis 2 revisions due to poor quality op amps...

 

Strange, that thread says that the Genesis Model 1 VA6 lacks the circuitry for the Modem port even though on mine it is still there and just missing the 9 pin D-Sub connector... I've added a JP/EN language switch and a 50/60Hz switch to it and thought about overclocking it. My converter seems to work fine but it doesn't process 240p correctly because the Special Stage Complete screen in Sonic 1 has a picture of a chaos emerald (when obtained) that has solid lines going through it instead of the proper flashing emerald. My TV does the same through Composite video. Haven't tried RF. It still looks extremely sharp through the converter and all of the colors seem right. I have thought about upgrading to the XRGB Mini but its way too expensive. Anyone know where i can get one for under $100, preferably with an English remote overlay?

If you want some fun mods for the Genesis, try the language mod, 50/60Hz mod, overclock (if possible), the crystal clear audio mod, component mod, or a VGA mod (if possible). If you do component, some HDTVs don't support 240p over Component Video and if it does, then there is a chance it doesn't process 240p correctly, or you get lucky and you have one that works fine with it. If you want to have even more fun, you can solder 2 RCA jacks to the Audio inputs on the cart slot and use the genesis as a retro stereo receiver.

 

Per retro's suggestion I actually gave the Framemeister a look, and WOW. That thing looks amazing!! But yeah, that is some serious loot, which I do not have. It may be worth saving up for it, though.

I imagine the Framemeister would help here, although at that point per your original suggestion a SCART to DIN cable would seem like the way to go to just get RGB and be done with it. I do want to try giving a component mod a try - but it looks like my Samsung flatscreen requires a minimum of 480p. So I am guessing that is a no-go.

 

This is quite long so grab a drink (optional step) and maybe some food (optional step for the optional step) and prepare for a (possibly) good read.

It is much better then the SCART to HDMI converter I have and $300-$400 is really crazy on eBay. From what I heard, it has a bunch of features such as a built-in scanline generator.

Your TV doesn't even support 480i over component? That's really strange because it's a resolution that is still used for SD stuff. DVD players that lack HDMI upscaling output 480i by default so why modern TVs would drop it is really weird. Did you try testing if your TV supports 240p over component? If not, here is how you can test it out:

Step 1: Plug the Genesis yellow Composite cable into the Green Y RCA jack on your TV's Component jacks.
Step 2: Take an RCA cable (color doesn't matter) and plug one end into the TV's Red Pr/Cr jack while leaving the other end of the cable unhooked.
Step 3: Repeat Step 2 with the Blue Pb/Cb jack.
Step 4: Turn TV on and swap to the Component input source.
Step 5: Turn on the Genesis with a game of your choice inserted. You can leave audio disconnected or plug it into the TV's Component Audio Input jacks, your choice.

If done correctly and your TV supports 240p over component, you should get a black and white picture on the TV screen. That's how you test if it supports 240p. Now how to see if it processes 240p correctly is simple. After performing the component mod or using a SCART to Component converter without scaling, get to the Special Stage in Sonic 1. Grab the Chaos Emerald and take a look at it in the level complete screen. If it shows just a solid emerald, the TV is incorrectly processing 240p. If it shows just lines going through the emerald, the TV is incorrectly processing 240p. If it shows the emerald changing between a solid emerald and lines going through the emerald, it is correctly processing 240p. My TV supports 240p but I lack component cables for my PS2 to test PS1 games over 240p component video and my PS2 doesn't read CDs anymore. Games on DVDs work fine but PS1 games and PS2 games on CDs don't work at all.

Please note that the following paragraph uses information I have read online and elsewhere, so some of it (mostly the last part) has a very, very, slight chance of being incorrect and a small chance of being humorous:

If you want to do the component mod and your TV supports it, go ahead and do it. It will give you that sharpness you get with RGB SCART/RGB JP-21 cables but be warned that some colors might be off as RGBS cables outputs the correct colors and keeps every signal (except sync which is a combined H sync and V sync signal (Composite-Sync aka C-Sync), sync on composite video, or Sync-on-Luma) separate in the cable whereas YUV/YPbPr/YCbCr component video does not. Think of Component video as an advanced form of S-Video, which is an advanced form of Composite video, which is an advanced form of poop.

 

Double checked the specs on my TV - it does support 480i over component.

Looks like my flatscreen passed the test! Aside from the lack of color and the noticeable jail bars, the sprites exhibit a lot more clarity than composite, from what I can tell.

Are there any RGB -> Component boards out there? I found this one here, but it looks like it was built for the PC Engine. I imagine the signal path can be adjusted so that it can work with the Genesis, but I am curious.

 

That's good to hear. I would have been completely shocked to hear of an HDTV that lacks 480i support over Component as it is still used today. i have two DVD movies that lose stability in progressive mode so I have my DVD player set to 480i for those movies and everything else gets played on my Xbox 360 via HDMI at 1080p.

Many early HDTVs had problems with 240p over component but the manufacturers seem to have fixed it for the most part. I think that's because the Green Y jack is used for Luma (the sync signal in S-Video) so my theory is that the TV is taking the sync information and disregarding everything else so it appears sharper than if it was in a standard composite jack. Luma carries the black and white image.

I know they are out there because I've seen people mod the Genesis for YUV/YPbPr Component Video. I thought maybe taking the guts of an RGB SCART to Component converter and mounting it in the Genesis would work but the ones I've seen use 12V center positive power supplies. Maybe someone else on the forum who has done this mod could help?