The New "Games I Bought" Thread -- Copied For Your Enjoyment

[Dark Jaguar]

The Genesis still does the graphics processing, yes. However, the creation of the signal to the TV is a separate process, taking the raw RGB and converting it to a proper TV signal. It's that second part which the 32X replaces. Normally all those pins in the Genesis video out get converted to a single A/V video signal through the one yellow connection (or a mixed RF signal through an RF switch). However, the individual signals of the video pins stay separated going through the linking cable from the Genesis to the 32X, which the 32X then combines with it's own signal processing with the video data generated by the 32X. The result is a signal mostly produced by the 32X itself, which in spite of being a way too expensive and downright wasteful addon, was still pretty well built. So the signal comes out very sharp, clear, and without any ugly artifacts like the blurring and rainbow banding the model 2s are known for. Unfortunately, since the audio problems aren't just a signal generating issue but the audio chip actually producing different sound, the 32X won't fix that issue.

Ideally, the model of Genesis I'd want is the Model 1 with "16 Bit" in big letters on the front. Some later models have worse sound (and the very second model actually has better video), but the sound only matches the Genesis 2s in the very last of the Genesis 1 models. However, I'd also need to get a cable to take the audio output from the headphone jack into the Sega CD, as well as the adapter cable for the adapter cable to connect the 32X to the Model 1 output. Heck, due to the mono-output from the Genesis 1, the stereo sound thing could get rather complicated with all 3 parts of that monster. Also, for cosmetic reasons, I'd want the extra plastic "spacer" to keep half the Genesis 1 from hovering in mid-air. I'll keep the Sega CD 2, that thing's actually the better version and solidly built. There are some Genesis 2 models with better quality audio. I found this site full of easy ways to tell what model someone has without needing to open it.

http://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthread....m-bad-ones.

It's pretty nice. I did some reading and while most 32x games just used the Genesis audio, there are a few that use the sound chip in the 32x itself (such as the 32x version of Blackthorne). In other words, on those games you're out of luck if you want to hook it to a Genesis 1 and use stereo sound at the same time (routing from the headphone port to the Sega CD and there to the TV will cut out all the 32x audio). Well, actually if the game uses ENTIRELY 32X sound, just use the connectors from the 32X itself and it should still be in stereo. It's those games that mix 32x and Genesis sound where you are limited to mono Genesis and stereo 32x mixed together (on the model 1 systems). Someone could probably rig together a custom cable that mixes all of it together. It'd be a mess, but if you've got a Genesis Tower set up, you've already made one so why not add a little more?

Actually, re-reading that list, it seems the last model of the Genesis 2, the VA4, has amazing video and sound up there with the first few revisions, except for less bass (which is an easy enough thing to remedy through the audio system you're using). If I can find one, I might just go for that.