Sega master system woes

[kknd]

I seem utterly incapable of tuning my Sega Master System II into the TV, and it's getting really frustrating. What am I missing? Here's what I've tried so far.

- RF out straight to TV with auto-tune.
- RF to SEGA 'TV/Computer' switcher (set to Computer), Switcher to TV (RF) with auto-tune
- RF to VCR, Composite from VCR to TV.
- RF to VCR, RF from VCR to TV. with auto-tune
- Two different Sega Master System models (one with the ch0/ch1 switch, one without)
- All the above using the ch0 and the ch1 setting on the back of one of the master systems
- 2 different TVs, an older CRT and a newer LCD (using all the above methods).
- 2 different RF leads.

I'm convinced there is nothing wrong with either Sega power base because (at least a few days ago) I was able to get a VERY snowy rendition of Alex Kidd which made me think I just needed a VCR "in the middle", although I can't even seem to get that now, auto-tuning when attempting the RF method yields nothing!. Admittedly, the RF cable in the RF out in the back of both master systems is VERY loose, but I've tried holding it in etc, no luck.

Am I missing something? Is it just that the RF is loose? Am I going crazy? I have 30 Sega Master System games and I can't play any of them

[Hobie-wan]

I take it you're in Europe since you have a SMS II and you're talking about channel 0/1?

[kknd]

I take it you're in Europe since you have a SMS II and you're talking about channel 0/1?

Australia. I have one SMS II that has the 0/1 switch on the back and one SMS II without it.

[Droid party]

What type of rf cable are you using? Perhaps try just a straight RCA to antenna cable.

[Hobie-wan]

The US one uses an auto RF box just like a NES, Genesis, and TG-16. For what it's worth I tried a NES auto RF box on my Atari 2600 which uses one of those metal 'computer' switch boxes and only got a terrible snowy picture. So at least here in the US I don't think you can swap the manual for an auto switch box and have it work well. Do you have an auto switchbox to try? Though I'd just see about getting a composite A/V cable anyway.

[Droid party]

Hobie, I didn't mean a straight composit cable. I meant an RCA to antenna inlet. It bypasses the need for the switchbox and reduces rf interference. At the very least it allows him to check if the SMS is working.

[Hobie-wan]

Right, I knew what you meant. I'm just saying might as well be aiming for hooking up via composite A/V instead of RF anyway.

[Droid party]

Yeah composite is obviously better but the sms model 2 didn't output it. Only rf unfortunately.

[Hobie-wan]

Yeah composite is obviously better but the sms model 2 didn't output it. Only rf unfortunately.

Oh. That's stupid.