Any way to make the Sega CDX look better on an LCD monitor..

[jonatbaylor]

The native resolution of the Genesis is 320x224, so I'm not sure exactly how that translates to 480i. Most HDTV's will probably see it as 480i, if they see it at all, but that's a different story.

Most SCART to HDMI converters I've seen upscale the original image to 720p (since HDMI is intended to be HD and generally only supports higher resolutions). The quality of the upscaling will vary depending on the device you use, but my point is simply that not all HDTV's will know what to do with lower resolutions and different refresh rates (case in point, my HDTV will not recognize my Dreamcast's VGA signal), which could leave you with nothing but a blank screen after you've payed for all of this stuff. That's why I'm saying that an upscaling HDMI converter is not without merit; since it upscales your source to 720p, it's virtually assured that your HDTV will actually be able to display the signal properly. Going through component with the original resolution, it's hit or miss.

I get what you are saying about analog/digital conversion, but that's not really what I'm talking about here. Converting an analog signal to digital or vice-versa doesn't necessarily make it worse by default, and the thing is, your HDTV is always doing these types of conversions anyway being that it's a digital display accepting analog connections. I think the quality of the picture you're getting is more dependent on the quality of the equipment you're using than its format.

I corrected my OP about the rez..I have a site that has been giving me improper info on rez for the Sega consoles.

So I see what you mean about upscaling, I was just misunderstanding that as converting it to 720 and thats where I put on the brakes, because you can't turn 320 into anything more than what that is. What you can do, is take the native signal and make it clean as possible.

Well thanks for the info, I have been learning a lot the past couple weeks with this site, sega-16 and then the sega.com forums.

So far, for my master, genesis 1 and saturn, SCART has trumped all other cablings (RF, naturally, which sucks, AV and S-video)

I just wish I could score a SCART for my CDX...can't find them anywhere. I know its called a multi-drive overseas but I guess since the CDX was so limited, no SCART cables were produced for it? Seems odd to me. But 2 weeks of searching have produced zero SCART cables for the CDX.

btw, I'm just staying with SCART because I already have the SCART-to-YUV converter, and SCART cables for all my systems (except CDX) and I have the composite cable. I think at this point I'd rather not even mess with a SCART to HDMI converter.

Like you said, maybe its the quality of the box...I've seen an HDMI converter for the saturn and genesis and the video quality looks like shit on those HDTV's. worse than my S-Video

[Assman]

The CDX A/V connection is exactly the same as it is for a Genesis model 2 and 32X, so all you need to do is find an ordinary Genesis 2 SCART cable. I have a CDX myself, as well as a separate Genesis/32X (not yet wanting to tempt fate by plopping that big ass thing into my tiny CDX), but only one A/V cable, so I can even say this with firsthand experience on the matter.

Usually I see A/V cables getting labeled as "Genesis 2/CDX/32X" when shopping online, so I'm surprised you didn't come across that by now. Sorry you had to spend two whole weeks searching high and low just to find that out.

[jonatbaylor]

The CDX A/V connection is exactly the same as it is for a Genesis model 2 and 32X, so all you need to do is find an ordinary Genesis 2 SCART cable. I have a CDX myself, as well as a separate Genesis/32X (not yet wanting to tempt fate by plopping that big ass thing into my tiny CDX), but only one A/V cable, so I can even say this with firsthand experience on the matter.

Usually I see A/V cables getting labeled as "Genesis 2/CDX/32X" when shopping online, so I'm surprised you didn't come across that by now. Sorry you had to spend two whole weeks searching high and low just to find that out.

ahhh. that is the way to do it...Sega Mega Drive 2 SCART..since its the same cable for genesis 2/3/cdx, perfect! (I'm saying MD2, because SCART being a EUR device, won't pull up any hits for Genesis 2 SCART)

well thanks for the idea. I was unable to put 2-2 together...I was SO consumed with finding a CDX SCART, not thinking about compatible cables

[Alpinex2]

For me you must have CRT tv's if you retro game.

[jonatbaylor]

The CDX A/V connection is exactly the same as it is for a Genesis model 2 and 32X, so all you need to do is find an ordinary Genesis 2 SCART cable. I have a CDX myself, as well as a separate Genesis/32X (not yet wanting to tempt fate by plopping that big ass thing into my tiny CDX), but only one A/V cable, so I can even say this with firsthand experience on the matter.

Usually I see A/V cables getting labeled as "Genesis 2/CDX/32X" when shopping online, so I'm surprised you didn't come across that by now. Sorry you had to spend two whole weeks searching high and low just to find that out.

I appreciate the help and someone was kind enough to point me into this simple (yet somehow, I missed it) direction about 5 days ago...my SCART cable is on its way!

massive mental block...I couldn't just realize that whether its av/svideo/or SCART or the like, the console side has the same pin layout regardless...even if they don't have the same pin count, they will still be in the right position. I think this was my concern and why I bypassed looking at this option. Because naturally SCART uses all pins in this scenario (I think 9 for the CX/Sega Gen2?) while crap-AV would have 3-4 pins.

sigh. well thanks again. I guess if I had a Gen 2/3 I would have found this out a good 2 months ago when I Started this whole ridiculous journey.

once I get set with my SCART for cdx, its going to be some serious Saturn time! I've got panzar dragoon saga, street fighter alpha 2, rayman and earthworm jim ready to go lol

I suppose after that I'll do a VGA box for the dreamcast.. then I think I'm about done upgrading all of my old hardware.

*rubs hands* although I may run across a mod or two that may be nice to have

[SGGG2]

I cannot recommend the XRGB-3 enough. Here's Panzer Zwei on my 37" LCD via SCART > VGA. If you look close you can see the scanlines.


Full size http://imgur.com/hScpY.jpg

[Assman]

I think I would totally do XRGB if the VGA input for my TV wasn't an untrustworthy asshole.

[jonatbaylor]

I cannot recommend the XRGB-3 enough. Here's Panzer Zwei on my 37" LCD via SCART > VGA. If you look close you can see the scanlines.


Full size http://imgur.com/hScpY.jpg

wait are you saying SCART is better than VGA on the DC? Or do you mean SCART > anyhting else on Genesis and Saturn?

[Assman]

He means SCART to VGA. That's what the XRGB converter does.

[jonatbaylor]

He means SCART to VGA. That's what the XRGB converter does.

Ah. See, I read that as SCART is greater than VGA... SCART>VGA.

And I was getting ready to say, well, that is not true, since VGA on the DC is much higher quality.

Now that I'm thinking about it more (which is dangerous) it still doesn't make much sense. So he is running a SCART to VGA Converter? Why? Why not just run a DC VGA box...you don't even need SCART for that?

for my Gen/CDX/Saturn and Master system I run SCART-to-YUV...looks amazing.