Sega Genesis SCART RGB to Component Issues (p.3 for Update)

[ApolloBoy]

The cables are still remarkably affordable there.
But they need to be modified for other models. (page in French).

Those aren't suitable for anything other than a French system (or a Mark III); French SMS and MD consoles lack a video encoder so the RGB signals just get piped straight from the VDP to the AV out with zero amplification. If you were to use that cable on a Genesis, you'd most likely get overdriven video and it could potentially damage your monitor or converter.

[Ben]

The cables are still remarkably affordable there.
But they need to be modified for other models. (page in French).

Those aren't suitable for anything other than a French system (or a Mark III); French SMS and MD consoles lack a video encoder so the RGB signals just get piped straight from the VDP to the AV out with zero amplification. If you were to use that cable on a Genesis, you'd most likely get overdriven video and it could potentially damage your monitor or converter.

Thanks for clearing that up. The last thing I wanted to do was lead someone to fry their tv/converter/Genesis.

[Mad_Hatter]

I looked at that thread Anapan provided more closely.

Has anyone ever had to buy a new Power Adapter for this converter to get things to work better? I read that the provided AC Adapter is junk and you should buy a better one. Or have to buy 75 ohm component cables? I use these cables. Some say 75 ohm component cables can fix some issues and most people don't buy them because they are expensive.

I got a message back from the eBay seller I bought from, and they are saying it may be the converter. And said that if the SCART is outputting an image, it is working. It would basically only be faulty if it was outputting nothing.

[Ben]

I looked at that thread Anapan provided more closely.

Has anyone ever had to buy a new Power Adapter for this converter to get things to work better? I read that the provided AC Adapter is junk and you should buy a better one. Or have to buy 75 ohm component cables? I use these cables. Some say 75 ohm component cables can fix some issues and most people don't buy them because they are expensive.

I got a message back from the eBay seller I bought from, and they are saying it may be the converter. And said that if the SCART is outputting an image, it is working. It would basically only be faulty if it was outputting nothing.

I really doubt it is your cables, but if you're going to try them Monster brand cables are generally the standard. I'm not familiar with Mediabridge, they're probably fine, but Monster is what cinephiles tend to go with and I don't see why a console would be different if the ohms are the same. I pad $50 for mine years ago, but they've come way down on Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Monster-M850-CV-4 ... nent+cable

[Mad_Hatter]

Thanks Ben. Getting component cables will be my last thing I do probably if everything else fails.

I just returned my other scart cable, and the seller is going to inspect it to see if anything was wrong. I will get a refund nonetheless, so I didn't lose anything.

Also, the last thing I am wondering about is if you guys think these issues could be caused by cheap power adapters? I use a third party AC Adapter for my Genesis 2 and the SCART converter looks like a cheap adapter too.

Anapan, sorry to bother again, but I just learned that composite sync and raw sync is the same. There is composite video for sync, and composite sync (also known as raw or pure sync). I just learned that from an eBay seller. Which one caused you problems? The composite video for sync or composite/raw sync?

[Anapan]

I'm afraid I never actually started to pay attention to any of the details of any SCART cables until the first cheapest random pile I ordered for all my systems started causing problems with the CSY-2100. I think many if the ones I'm using now came from Ebay user retro_console_accessories
I can open my working Genesis & Saturn cables up and list the pinout, or any capacitors or resistors in them with pictures.

[Mad_Hatter]

I'm afraid I never actually started to pay attention to any of the details of any SCART cables until the first cheapest random pile I ordered for all my systems started causing problems with the CSY-2100. I think many if the ones I'm using now came from Ebay user retro_console_accessories
I can open my working Genesis & Saturn cables up and list the pinout, or any capacitors or resistors in them with pictures.

Nah, that's unnecessary. Thanks though. And thanks for providing the eBay seller name.

The ebay seller I am actually talking to now is "retro_console_accessories". And those cables are composite video for sync opposed to the raw sync one I just returned.

I think I should see better results with those.

[Mad_Hatter]

Update:

I thought I would give a quick sum up of the problem since the topic was moved here from the Sega forum (thanks Hobie):

I bought one of those CSY 2100 clones used from someone.

I have tested it on 3 TVs (CRT SDTV, CRT HDTV, LCD HDTV), all of them cause the same problem just to different extremes.

Here are the issues:

1) I get black bars. This is most visible on my HDTV CRT, then my LCD HDTV, and then the CRT SDTV. Here is a photo of the problem (on the HDTV CRT):

This issue bothers me the most. It won’t go away.

2) I get problem with bright white screens.

- On my CRT HDTV, it won't show anything for white screens. It will just skip it (example, during the Sega Logo with the white background on the Sonic startup screen). However, after some time and resetting the Genesis, my CRT HDTV is able to start showing those bright white screens again with no issue.
- On my LCD HDTV, it will do the same, except it won’t go away even after resetting the system a few times.
- On the CRT SDTV, instead of skipping those white screens or losing signal, the screen will roll or bounce. Here is a video of the issue on the CRT SDTV:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi_OyOa ... kOxfsJk5kQ

3) I think this issue is linked to the issue #2. Basically, I get some screen slanting on the CRT SDTV (not the LCD or CRT HDTV). I think it is because of the bright screens. Here are a couple of videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BcoDLf ... kOxfsJk5kQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFyu9Dx ... kOxfsJk5kQ

Maybe it is just me, but I think the reason it is slanting is because the screen is bright. I think it goes away when there is less white in the sky (when I pause the game and it dims and when I jump in the air).


So I am not sure what I should do. I am not sure what the problem is. I sent the SCART cable back and the seller tested and said it gave them no problems. I got a refund.

- I am thinking of trying a new SCART cable from a different seller. The one I just sent back used RAW sync. The different seller I am thinking of buying a SCART cable from uses Composite Video for Sync.
- I am thinking about buying 75ohm 75 ohm impedance component cables. I read a thread where someone said not using 75ohm could cause issues.
- I thought maybe the AC Adapters on the Genesis and the SCART to Component converter could be causing the issue, since they both are third party and look kind of cheap.
- I thought maybe it could be my Genesis. But I get no issues at all when I just use the standard composite cables
- Or the converter is just messed up?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

EDIT: Also, let me know you think it is worth getting 75 ohm cables. I am about to make an order on Amazon, so I can get free shipping on the cables if I need them.

[Mad_Hatter]

I tried the 75 Ohm component cables and a different Genesis 2, same issue.

[Anapan]

I'm gonna hook up my Genesis 1 to some different screens using my CSY-2100 and re-verify that the system works. Next, I'll open up the cable and figure out what's in it and track down where I got it. I hope I can help make this all work. You've had a run of bad luck, and my lack of documentation may have contributed.