Best Sega CD Variant?

[dsheinem]

CDX is awesome for extreme space saving. It's an incredible sight to see that small! Yet harder to region mod or use addons like 32X with.

I use a 32X with a CDX all the time. There are no problems, and it is quite easy to do.

[timewarpgamer]

Another vote for the CDX here. For me, it's the space-saving and AC adapter saving qualities of the CDX that are key. Plus, it looks pretty bad-ass when you travel and use it as a discman.

[lisalover1]

Much like how the only reason the TG-16 had to be so large was to conform with US standards.

Whoa, I've never heard about this. I always assumed it was a marketing decision. Care to elaborate?

[grey87suprat]

the only reason I like using the metal plate is it makes everything a lot sturdier. But it's not absolutely necessary

[Hobie-wan]

Much like how the only reason the TG-16 had to be so large was to conform with US standards.

Whoa, I've never heard about this. I always assumed it was a marketing decision. Care to elaborate?

The PCE isn't full of RF shielding like the TG is.

[Bradtemple87]

I wish I had the spare cash to pick up a complete cdx

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

All Sega CD's are NEAR IDENTICAL.

Here are some of the differences:

Model 1: Delicate and suffers from stripped gears which are used to raise the disc drive under the tray as it retracts if it was abused. If it doesn't work don't get it, the parts are irreplaceable. But it looks fantastic under Model 1 Genesis Consoles.

Model 2: Functionally this is the most reliable unit out of all the models produced. The worst thing that I've ever seen happen to the multitude of these I've seen, purchased and used is a blown fuse on the motherboard which is identical on all Model 2 CD systems and replaceable in 10-25 minutes with a soldering iron.

CDX: Compact, but can run hot and suffers from a multitude of disc read errors and drive failures in the laser assembly as it ages if it was abused in any way early on in it's life. Also tends to run hot which can become an issue of it's played for extensive periods of time.

Here are some common Sega CD myths debunked:

"I need the special patch cable to get audio on the TV" <- False. The patch cable is only required if you have a Model 1 Genesis and you can use any standard 3.5mm headphone jack patch cable.

"That little metal plate between the systems does nothing" <- False. That plate completes the grounding circuit between the Sega CD and the Genesis, and prevents image crawl on screen and buzzing in the audio. RF shielding exists for it's namesake. To shield against ground loops and radio frequency interference.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Much like how the only reason the TG-16 had to be so large was to conform with US standards.

Whoa, I've never heard about this. I always assumed it was a marketing decision. Care to elaborate?

The PCE isn't full of RF shielding like the TG is.

That isn't why the TG-16 is so large.


If you've ever opened up a TG-16 (or any console for that matter) you'll notice that the shielding is only covering the motherboard inside. The rest of the console is literally empty space with nothing in it.

NEC was banking on the the hope that the old American mental stereotype of "bigger is better" would apply to our game consoles and electronics purchases. The end result was as we all know now is, no, it didn't as they didn't have the technology or games to back up their bogus designs and idiotic American licensing decisions.

[Hobie-wan]

The PCE isn't full of RF shielding like the TG is.

That isn't why the TG-16 is so large.


If you've ever opened up a TG-16 (or any console for that matter) you'll notice that the shielding is only covering the motherboard inside. The rest of the console is literally empty space with nothing in it.

NEC was banking on the the hope that the old American mental stereotype of "bigger is better" would apply to our game consoles and electronics purchases. The end result was as we all know now is, no, it didn't as they didn't have the technology or games to back up their bogus designs and idiotic American licensing decisions.

Yes the bigger thing was a factor, but the TG-16 has RF shielding that stands pretty tall over everything on the board. The PCE is crammed in there with only some minimal shielding and a heatsink over the mosfets.

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

The PCE isn't full of RF shielding like the TG is.

That isn't why the TG-16 is so large.


If you've ever opened up a TG-16 (or any console for that matter) you'll notice that the shielding is only covering the motherboard inside. The rest of the console is literally empty space with nothing in it.

NEC was banking on the the hope that the old American mental stereotype of "bigger is better" would apply to our game consoles and electronics purchases. The end result was as we all know now is, no, it didn't as they didn't have the technology or games to back up their bogus designs and idiotic American licensing decisions.

Yes the bigger thing was a factor, but the TG-16 has RF shielding that stands pretty tall over everything on the board. The PCE is crammed in there with only some minimal shielding and a heatsink over the mosfets.

True, but the TG-16 and PC Engine are just as tall (the PC Engine is actually taller than the TG-16 by a little if I recall correctly).