X-MD1 Analog RGB Unit for Megadrive - What does it do!?

XMD-1 Analog RGB Unit for Megadrive - What does it do!?

I was rummaging through some old boxes and came across this:



Anybody know what exactly it does?
Apparently it converts an AV signal into an analog RGB Signal, but the Megadrive already outputs RGB, so why use this?
Or is it basically just an adapter where you can plug your 15-Pin RGB cable?

Also, what price should I sell it for?:evil:

 

I have the 2nd version of that plus the Mega Drive 2 version. What they do is allow you to play your MD on a 15htz monitor or on a TV via S-video if your TV doesn't have real RGB which most TV's from the mid 90's in Japan didn't (soft idiots!) but of course these days they do in the shape of component and the D-Terminal slots.

Yakumo

 

I don't believe it's for S-Video, it's not mentioned anywhere, and it says
specifically that it's RGB-out.

I'm thinking it's just an adapter for 15-pin RGB, which I believe is what the X68000 and FMT 15kHz monitors used.

 

The one you have isn't for S-video because that's the first one. I'll take a few shots of mine later one when the baby is asleep.

Yakumo

 

fresh. i need one of those which providing S-Video. how rare are those to find these days? and for how much?

 

Well they go for about 3000 to 5000 on yahoo auctions depending on what version. You really want to avoid the very first model that citcelaid has though due to it's lack of features.

Here are the two I have.



The 2nd version of the Mega Drive 1 box looks the same as the MD2 version apart from the DIN that plugs in to each machine. Pictures are taken from the Mega Drive 1 model.

On one side you have the RGB out puts.


On the other side you have the S-video out, stereo out and Stereo in (this is a normal stereo out on the Mega Drive 2 model since that get's the stereo signal from the AV out on the hasrdware.)


On the bottom is an option for FM Towns monitors.


Yakumo

 

Thanks for the pics Yakumo! I didn't know that there were later models! ^^


@Tatsujin

Wouldn't it just be easier to get a TV with Scart-RGB (such as Sony Vega?). If you want I can send you one. ^________^

 

The Mega Drive already has RGB out, but I don't think a dedicated RGB cable was ever officially made for it in Japan. What this box (XMD-1) does is convert the output to 15-pin computer monitor RGB, as well as 8-pin DIN with the pins in a "C"-shaped configuration like the Neo-Geo. (The MD's DIN pins are 8 pins in a "U" shape.)

example:

 

yakumo, how much does the xneo-1 (I think that's the only model available) go for over there? I mean, this one is not compatible with neo geo is it? the pins are differen't?

 

I've never seen the Neo Geo version I'm afraid so I couldn't say. Probably about the same as the Mega Drive ones which is about 3000 yen loose or 5000 yen upwards for a boxed one. My Mega Drive 1 XMD-2 was only 1200 yen mint in box because the seller though it was broken when he tried it on an old NEC monitor. It turned out that he had the RGB out set for the Marty monitor :lol: So with a twist of the screw on the bottom I had it working in no time.

Yakumo

 

Given the fact that the Neo Geo and Megadrive use the same pinouts just one uses an offset 8 pin din socket you could...

Make up a Din to Din lead so it plugs into the neo geo

Use a pair of long nose pliers to gentlely bend the last two pins so they fit... Take 2 leads in the shower? No just push and go...

 

lol. cheers yakumo and jamtex.

 

XNeo-1 goes usually for 7,000-12,000 yens in Japan.
well worth it.

 

I don't think XNEO-1 are well worth it so I'm hording a NIB XNEO-1 until I can unload it for big money

 

You waiting for inflation to go up then?

It's a box that connects a Neo Geo to dead monitor standard. They go for lots in Japan as the monitors can be picked up cheap and they are decent RGB monitors. Although give it a few years and you'll end up losing out to inflation.

 

1) I got it practically free in a Neo lot, 2) Neo freaks buy them for S-video only, 3) Shitty Micomsoft products seem to still be growing in demand

 

Why do you say they are shitty? For the price they are very good items.

Yakumo

 

XMD's at Y3000+ is not a bargain since it's just a Y400 RGB encoder, from probably 1993 or so... it's probably a similar if not the same one used in the actual consoles (!!!). If they wanted to be a bargain they could sell ONE encoder (with perhaps 21 pin input) and include patch cables to support MD, MD2 and NG. That would definitely be worth Y3000.

Anways, most Micomsoft products are quite overpriced, especially the XRGB series, XSelect etc. The technology in the XRGB is pretty complex, and they're not a huge company, and they don't have a huge customer base, but their products are certainly not marketed competitively because it's their hype that has been carrying them probably forever.

 

lol
I have XNeo-1 and it's absolutely OUTSTANDING!!!
I have connected RGB cable via XNEO-1 to my Toshiba 21' RGB monitor(Multiscan 15khz-31khz) and quality is amazing!!!
S-Video in comparison looks awful, I have both connected at the same time so whoever wants to see the difference between S-Video and true RGB, - can see it right away.
I live in states, which means it's quite hard to get RGB Monitors and setup ready to go, - I'm glad I have, because games look just like in arcades.
S-Video looks all pixelated and unnatural.

 

How can you say it's outstanding? You're using it to connect 4 wires from two connectors...