Sega Mega Drive/Genesis - Model 1 vs Model 2 vs Model 3

Some great links there! Shame about V0, V1 and V2 having messed up mono audio, but that shouldn't really matter since most people will be using stereo from the headphone jack anyway. At least I hope it won't. :/ That guy uses a model 1 with a V03 motherboard, not sure why if it's only mono that is effected.

 

Yeah, besides 3.5mm to RCA cables are extremely common AND cheap. I've got a few of em. Makes it easy to connect the video to one source and then the audio to another too if you need to.

 

Are those RGB + stereo jack cables good to get around that issue? For what should be a relatively simple cconsole it's surprising Sega made it so complicated and varied from a design and production stand point.

 

A whole lot of "unnecessary" revisions didn't help much. I think one Sega CD combined unit would've been more reasonable than CDX, Wondermega, Wondermega 2, X'eye, etc. Heck in retrospect Sega CD 1 didn't make much sense given how soon they replaced it.

Plus not releasing a stereo 32X cable or model 1 directly to 32X was disappointing . Both of those concepts had to wait for third parties to construct them.

 

The 3.55mm to RCA, yes. I'm not sure about RGB though, apparently the VA6 doesn't have the rainbow banding issue that others have.

Didn't someone say using RGB would not have jailbars and stuff?

I have no way of testing because i'm in the US and I don't have a Model 1 Scart RGB cable and an RGB to YUV Component transcoder to use it on my component CRT.

 

No. RGB is at the very center of it. While jailbars are most commonly associated with model 1, other models haven't been extensively studied. It seems composite somehow smooths over them.

If they're in actuality being generated by the VDP, that increases likelihood of the worst case scenario

 

There is also a Model 1 which has a cloned processor in it which is incompatible with overclocking. Can't remember what it's called but it's out there in some late revisions.

 

Isn't the rainbow banding caused by the video encoder? From what I can tell using RGB negates the rainbow banding effect, although I'm not certain. :/

 

Wow that's a big guide to detail which models are better than others. I guess I as lucky because my system is a model 1 High Def graphics. The all seem to have good sound. Plus using RGB I have no issues with video.

 

Actually, there was an official stereo Model 2 cable, which uses the same connector as the 32X.

Also, in response to the earlier comments in the thread, the US Model 2 Genesis definitely has stereo out with the proper cable. I used that for years, though now I'm running my audio through the Sega CD (Model 2).

 

Can anyone reccomended a scart lead on eBay? There prices are pretty different but I have no idea on the actual quality of the leads. Anyone got experience with them?

 

Oh I forgot about that. It appears the stereo model 2 cable was included with CDX.

 

There are several variants of model 1 alone. Each model has a number of minor revisions that aren't really noticeable until you power them on. Some model 1s lack the TMMS screen, for example, while others don't.

The model 1 that came with Sonic the Hedgehog packed in is generally agreed to be the best model Genesis period. Supreme audio, and the best video quality of all model 1s. If you have access to MIB genesises, and can get one with sonic 1 bundled, you're assured to get the best genesis period.

Additionally, Yakumo, the model 3 does not have terrible audio like you claim. It actually has much clearer audio than a model 2, but not as clear as a model 1. The model 3, however, is terrible for many other reasons you listed, such as compatibility issues and generally poor video quality.

That said, TmEE has created a new audio mod which promises the best audio quality on any genesis, with superior audio to even the best model 1. Just hit him up on any of the forums he frequents and he'll direct you to the right place.

 

BTW I now can confirm, at least with my setup, that jailbars also appear when using an actual US model 1 Master System.

 

Just been watching some vids on YouTube and apparently some people say the Model 2 has better audio than the Model 1 after doing the "crystal clear audio" mod. Does anyone have experience with this? The video I was watching it seems the guy is plugging it into amps and all sorts of stuff after modding the console to get the final result, not really sure on it my self.

Ah I never saw this post! Does this mod only work on model 2?