Sega Genesis video problem - screen continually scrolls up

[galaxy_ranger]

The menu selections are still greyed out regardless of the type of connection I have going on.

That's a great idea about a VCR. I don't have one anymore, but I'll try to get one for testing purposes. I'll be visiting my parents for the Easter weekend, so I'll bring my Sega down to their place to test out on a few tvs. I did have an Xbox and a Wii hooked up on their tvs without incident in the past.

I did notice something slightly different about my Model 1 Genesis - it does not say "High Definition Graphics" on the top of the console like every picture I've seen of a Model 1. I guess it must be due to the model/serial number edition, just didn't have it printed on there.

Do you think the Firecore system would work on the tv? Or you do you think it would be a near certainty that it would be similarly affected as the real Sega?

Thanks again

[samsonlonghair]

Not every Model 1 Genesis says "high definition graphics," only the early ones. Don't worry too much about that. Based on the model number you gave, I'm sure your genesis is sending an ntsc signal.

Just got off the phone with Toshiba's help line. The guy on the line was a big Sega gamer and was really trying to help. He suggested a few setting adjustments, but it wasn't possible to do them because the option in my tv's menu settings are greyed out and unselectable (he believed a menu choice labelled "Scroll" would be the answer, but it is unselectable).

So it looks like the only solution is to get a different tv!

Thanks again for the help everyone.

Did you ask the tech support guy why the menu settings are greyed out? That "scroll" menu might just be the answer.

By the way, how is your Genesis connected to your TV? Are you using RF through the coaxial input, or are you using the yellow composite phono plug?

[galaxy_ranger]

I asked him if it was possible to un-grey them and have them selectable, and he said there's no way to do it, it's just the way this tv model was designed. Aside from this incident I've been really happy with that tv purchase.

I've heard of people modifying their Genesis to have S-Video capability. Any thoughts on how successful that would be for solving this problem?

I had the same result using the RF into the coaxial input, and when I used some genesis model1-specific composite cables. Initially I thought the problem may just be my tv's compatibility with the RF plug, but it was the same result with the composite cables I picked up.

[CRTGAMER]

The menu selections are still greyed out regardless of the type of connection I have going on.

That's a great idea about a VCR. I don't have one anymore, but I'll try to get one for testing purposes. I'll be visiting my parents for the Easter weekend, so I'll bring my Sega down to their place to test out on a few tvs. I did have an Xbox and a Wii hooked up on their tvs without incident in the past.

I did notice something slightly different about my Model 1 Genesis - it does not say "High Definition Graphics" on the top of the console like every picture I've seen of a Model 1. I guess it must be due to the model/serial number edition, just didn't have it printed on there.

Do you think the Firecore system would work on the tv? Or you do you think it would be a near certainty that it would be similarly affected as the real Sega?

Thanks again

Maybe confirm PAL-NTSC confirmation of your projection TV first. Did you try confirming any other console or DVD player on BOTH TVs to verify possible PAL-NTSC difference issue? Once absolutely sure of NTSC then Firecore Sega Retro should work.

For you Genesis troubleshooting.
You can get a cheap VCR at Goodwill. Even if tape heads are worn, electronics side with built in tuner and video jacks should be fine. The trick is not to allow Genesis signal to pass thru, the VCR providing the signal. Perhaps hook one type, say the composite of Sega, then using RF from VCR to TV. Then there is no doubt VCR (with "TV" switch in-out on) signal is being utilized. If it works, then try everything with composite cable hookup.

Your TV should be NTSC in order to pick up Canada TV channels. VCR built in tuner may be able to bypass TV auto tuning for Genesis to work.

[galaxy_ranger]

Still working on getting a VCR over here, but in the meantime I've been thinking about getting a Dreamcast for a while and there's a guy at work selling one for a reasonable price. I know we can't be certain until it's actually tested out, but in your opinions do you guys think that I would have the same video display problem with a Dreamcast? The systems I've had hooked up to the tv without incident are: Retro Duo, Wii, Xbox, Xbox 360, N64.

[CRTGAMER]

Still working on getting a VCR over here, but in the meantime I've been thinking about getting a Dreamcast for a while and there's a guy at work selling one for a reasonable price. I know we can't be certain until it's actually tested out, but in your opinions do you guys think that I would have the same video display problem with a Dreamcast? The systems I've had hooked up to the tv without incident are: Retro Duo, Wii, Xbox, Xbox 360, N64.

Should work fine, a great console. Depending on your connections. Go in this order starting with the best.
1. VGA with add on VGA Box Adaptor with S-Video/Composite bypass for non-VGA games.
2. RGB SCART mainly Euro TVs
3. S-Video
4. Composite
5. RF wait, don't bother

[galaxy_ranger]

Thanks so much for the advice. I've made arrangements to get the Dreamcast on Saturday, but it only comes with the RF connection. I don't know too much about this VGA connection, I've never heard of it on a console until your post. Looking at the back of my tv I have the standard red, yellow, white, and s-video connections. My only computer is a tiny laptop so I have no interest in connecting a Dreamcast to this little beast, it's only the tv I would connect it to.

I saw a VGA box for sale on the racketboy store. For that kind of connection would I also need to purchase some cables, and how does the VGA connect to the tv?

Thanks again for the help, I'm constantly impressed at how nice and helpful everyone is on the board for this post and for so many others.

[Assman]

Some TVs (like LCDs) have VGA inputs so that they can be used as computer monitors. In the case of the DC, it allows for a progressive 640x480 signal. If all you have are composite and s-video, though, don't even worry about VGA; just get an s-video cable.

[CRTGAMER]

I saw a VGA box for sale on the racketboy store. For that kind of connection would I also need to purchase some cables, and how does the VGA connect to the tv?

Some TVs (like LCDs) have VGA inputs so that they can be used as computer monitors. In the case of the DC, it allows for a progressive 640x480 signal. If all you have are composite and s-video, though, don't even worry about VGA; just get an s-video cable.

VGA box on Racketboy has outputs of VGA with bypass for S-Video and Composite for the dreamcast games that do not support VGA. A VGA cable is needed to connect VGA box, but as Assman points out, you also need a VGA input to gain that extra resolution. The S-Video though not 640x480, still gives a better cleaner signal then composite which in turn an improvement in video over RF.

[galaxy_ranger]

Hi again everyone,

I finally found a mostly-successful solution to this problem.

It was mentioned in another topic, and also suggested on the sega16 forum.

Since it's been a long time, I'll briefly summarize the problem:

My 51" HD widescreen Toshiba projection tv would not play Sega Genesis games very well. All the games would continually scroll vertically in a continuous loop. No tv settings adjustments would fix this problem, but other consoles work just fine (NES, SNES, Dreamcast, PS1, Sega Master System, and N64).

I finally followed through with suggestions that I get a Genesis scart cable and scart-to-hd converter and try running the Genesis through my HD component ports.

And for the most part, it works! I did find the results somewhat weird, as they varied from game to game. I don't have an extensive Genesis collection, so here's a list of how each game worked with this setup:

Sonic 1: Does not play at all. Shows the first credits screen, and screen goes black.

Sword of Vermillion: Exact same as above.

Sonic 2 & 3: Brief vertical scrolling for the first 10 seconds or so of the game being on. Great after that. At the start of every level, the screen quickly scrolls up about 1/4 of the screen, then locks back in place and works great.

Shining in the Darkness: Continuous vertical scrolling during the name selection screen. Rest of the game plays great.

Might & Magic: Vertical scroll during title screen only.

Phantasy Star 3: Brief vertical scroll flicker when you switch to the character screen. Title screen scrolls perpetually until story demo begins.

Phantasy Star 2: Vertical scroll during the title screen/saved game loading screen. Great otherwise.

Landstalker: Unplayable. Vertical scroll when inside buildings, or when walking near the edge of screen in town.

Eternal Champions: Brief vertical scroll flicker at the start of each battle and at title screen. Beyond that, works great.

Warsong: Title screen scrolls vertically, game seems to play fine so far.

Why there is so much variety in when the screen scrolls is a mystery to me. The vertical scroll is also different than it was before. Before it was a continuous rotation from top to bottom, very fluid. But now, it scrolls up only about 1/4 of the screen then flickers back to the bottom of the screen, scrolls up 1/4, and repeats.

If anyone has ideas as to why the screen does that only at certain times, I'd be curious to know. But at the end of the day, I'm glad that the system is about 90% playable (looking awesome at that) and I very much appreciate all the help and support offered in getting this up and running.

Thanks again.