Few Sega Saturn Questions (SCART RBG Cable,AR4,3D Controller

[Mad_Hatter]

1) I came across this SCART Cable:

http://www.segastyle.com/store/index.ph ... duct_id=81

It says it is the best output for a Sega Saturn. Has anyone used this before? Other than that SCART Cable I listed, what else will I need to get it to work on a Model 2 US Saturn with an HDTV.

2) If I buy a Action Replay 4-in-1, will I need to buy any other cartridges? Or is the Action Replay all I will pretty much need?

3) Is the Official Saturn 3D Controller worth getting? I plan on playing the Saturn classics and mostly fighting games. And Maybe tryout RPGs like Panzer Dragoon. No Sports games at all.

4) Is there any need for a Sega Saturn VCD Card (MPEG) like this?:

http://www.segastyle.com/store/index.ph ... duct_id=75

I want a complete Saturn for some reason, lol. but I am not sure if that is worth it and if I can actually get that to work on a US Model 2.

5) Generally, how long does a modchip last on a Saturn if installed correctly?

[KDub]

1) As the description says you'll need a converter of some sort be it to component or HDMI

2) Nope that 4-1 should cover you

3) Yes the 3D pad works better for some games, essential for playing Nights into Dreams

4) Eh yes and no, certainly not right off the bat

5) A modchip shouldn't expire or anything if the system is still running fine

[Mad_Hatter]

1) As the description says you'll need a converter of some sort be it to component or HDMI

2) Nope that 4-1 should cover you

3) Yes the 3D pad works better for some games, essential for playing Nights into Dreams

4) Eh yes and no, certainly not right off the bat

5) A modchip shouldn't expire or anything if the system is still running fine

Thanks for the info man. I was aware of the converter boxes, but was not sure which ones. Gonna have to skip out of those anyway, as the converter boxes for a lot of money for a little difference.

[skate323k137]

1) As the description says you'll need a converter of some sort be it to component or HDMI

2) Nope that 4-1 should cover you

3) Yes the 3D pad works better for some games, essential for playing Nights into Dreams

4) Eh yes and no, certainly not right off the bat

5) A modchip shouldn't expire or anything if the system is still running fine

Thanks for the info man. I was aware of the converter boxes, but was not sure which ones. Gonna have to skip out of those anyway, as the converter boxes for a lot of money for a little difference.

You'd be surprised. Yes, upscan converters are expensive, but if you want the best signal you have to start with RGB. I personally buy PVM monitors instead of dealing with upscanning. Still, if I were to have to convert to all HDTV, I would most certainly shell out the $400 for one of these http://retrogaming.hazard-city.de/framemeister.html

Otherwise, aside from scart to component boxes, s-video is your best bet, and most HDTV's are now built without an s-video input.

[Mad_Hatter]

1) As the description says you'll need a converter of some sort be it to component or HDMI

2) Nope that 4-1 should cover you

3) Yes the 3D pad works better for some games, essential for playing Nights into Dreams

4) Eh yes and no, certainly not right off the bat

5) A modchip shouldn't expire or anything if the system is still running fine

Thanks for the info man. I was aware of the converter boxes, but was not sure which ones. Gonna have to skip out of those anyway, as the converter boxes for a lot of money for a little difference.

You'd be surprised. Yes, upscan converters are expensive, but if you want the best signal you have to start with RGB. I personally buy PVM monitors instead of dealing with upscanning. Still, if I were to have to convert to all HDTV, I would most certainly shell out the $400 for one of these http://retrogaming.hazard-city.de/framemeister.html

Otherwise, aside from scart to component boxes, s-video is your best bet, and most HDTV's are now built without an s-video input.

Man, 400 bucks for that thing is expensive for me. it sounds cool, but not a good time for me to buy something like that.

I think I am going to stick with S-Video on a saturn.

thanks for tip though. If i get a good job in the future, that's on my list.

[theclaw]

What you need to do is test whether the TV accepts 240p from component input.
If it does, then SCART to component without upscan conversion will work.

Such a converter is just $50 instead of $400.

Try PS2 playing a PS1 game, or a Neo Geo VC game on the Wii.

[Mad_Hatter]

I have no clue how to found out such things. I do have my owners manual on hand.

Also, my tv is an LG HDTV, but it is a CRT

LG 30FZ4D

i really don't feel like paying 50 bucks for a converter box, even if my tv accepts it. Unless I can just plug in a SCART cable directly from the saturn to the tv, i don't think i will be buying one.

[theclaw]

I guess. Honestly Saturn isn't the best console to use a converter on.

Save it for Genesis. Far greater need with its poor composite.

[dogman91]

If to upconverting to play properly on a HDTV costs $400 I would say spend the $30 or so to find an SDTV on Craigslist... there's small Sony Trinitrons out there with component inputs out there too, be it 27" or even 20". You'd still need the RGB to component box, but IMO it's worth it.

Upscaled 240p done by the TV through any connection still looks like shit IMO. If you care enough about video quality enough to want to bother with RGB in the first place the SDTV route is the one I would suggest. Other than that there's the XRGB options for upscaling. The other important thing to know with HDTVs which the RGB to component box doesn't cover, as it only outputs 240p, is the added controller lag. With the cheaper converters for 240p to 720p I bet there's lag too, and a lots of added disgusting video noise (almost as bad as composite IMO if not the same/worse) based on my experience with them. In other words I really think it's not worth it unless you shell out the $400 for an XRGB or simply use a SDTV.

edit: Oh, an HD CRT shouldn't be too bad; should have read your posts more carefully. I would suggest going the RGB to component route as it would look better than those cheaper 240p to 720p converters. I'll leave the info up in my post anyway for others who might read this thread. Expect lot's of audio buzzing with the RGB-connected Saturn btw.

[skate323k137]

Expect lot's of audio buzzing with the RGB-connected Saturn btw.

I use my saturn with SCART to a PVM / receiver, and the audio is flawless.