Sega Genesis + HDTV questions...

SMS, Genesis, 32X, Sega CD, Saturn, Dreamcast
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marurun
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Post by marurun »

Drag a retro system out to the local Best Buy/Circuit City and see if they'll let you test your TV before you buy. Also, I think Consumer Reports, in their latest TV issue, has a rating for how well each TV upscales DVD video. That is somewhat similar.
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nickfil
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Post by nickfil »

i'm also curious.

has anyone tried any of the hd receivers on amazon like the Onkyo TX-SR304S?

Does the upscaling look good? That sega mod that was posted looks tempting, but if i can just plug in an upscaling receiver and get the same effect, i'd rather do that. I don't trust myself moding like that. I'm sure i'd go through at least one sega system.
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marurun
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Post by marurun »

Oh, S-video mods don't upscale video, they just provide a clearer signal. If a TVs upscaling mechanism sucks S-video feed will also look like crap.
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nickfil
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Post by nickfil »

marurun wrote:Oh, S-video mods don't upscale video, they just provide a clearer signal. If a TVs upscaling mechanism sucks S-video feed will also look like crap.
ok cool. I guess with all the links in the chain if you have a bad one, everything suffers. I've never soldered anything before. Is this a newb project or am i in over my head? I'd be down to devote some patience and time, just curious if there are any techniques that you need a certain skill level for.


On a side note- Anyone here use any upscalers at all? What do you use RyaNtheSlayA?
RyaNtheSlayA
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Post by RyaNtheSlayA »

nickfil wrote:
marurun wrote:Oh, S-video mods don't upscale video, they just provide a clearer signal. If a TVs upscaling mechanism sucks S-video feed will also look like crap.
ok cool. I guess with all the links in the chain if you have a bad one, everything suffers. I've never soldered anything before. Is this a newb project or am i in over my head? I'd be down to devote some patience and time, just curious if there are any techniques that you need a certain skill level for.


On a side note- Anyone here use any upscalers at all? What do you use RyaNtheSlayA?
My TV's built in one. Its a Sony 32" Bravia 1080i that scales up standard video to 480p. My genesis looks quite nice, along with minimal distortion expanding it can make for a wonderful experience. Ill look up the exact model # later.
Older. Not wiser.
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marurun
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Post by marurun »

Truth told, I haven't soldered anything yet, either. I have all the tools and equipment but I've been too nervous about messing something up. That said, most of the chips in the Genesis (and NES and SNES, for that matter) have larger pins and are easier to deal wtih. Plus, used Genesis units are dirt cheap. Confirm you have a local source for used Genesis units and that way if you screw up drop $20 and you have another chance.

I'll be modding my unit soon if I can't find a better unit first.

If you want to practice, buy a couple little breadboards at Radio Shack and a few random bits and practice away.
nickfil wrote: ok cool. I guess with all the links in the chain if you have a bad one, everything suffers. I've never soldered anything before. Is this a newb project or am i in over my head? I'd be down to devote some patience and time, just curious if there are any techniques that you need a certain skill level for.
Lythinca
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Post by Lythinca »

Maru, just practice soldering on an old MotherBoard. I use the Weller WTL 1000 for all my solder jobs. Heck, I have a fine motor skill issue (Broken nerves in my hand so my hands shake) and I can even solder perfectly. Just takes some practice.
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Post by ott0bot »

Lythinca wrote:Maru, just practice soldering on an old MotherBoard. I use the Weller WTL 1000 for all my solder jobs. Heck, I have a fine motor skill issue (Broken nerves in my hand so my hands shake) and I can even solder perfectly. Just takes some practice.
it doesn't need to look pretty, it just needs good contact!
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marurun
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Post by marurun »

I have a crappy Radio Shack 15 watt iron. I'm sure it'll do what I need it to do when I get the guts to try it.
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