Genesis and 32x setup help

[Capcomwarrior]

I have a 32x, model 1, and 2 genesis. I would like to be playing the 32x, but I want to figure out the best way to set it up. I know that the genesis model 1 has the best audio/video, because I checked to confirm that it IS one of the good models. The first problem with that is that I would have to locate the converter cable (is there generic cables like this available through electronic stores, like with the model 2 connector?), and even then, the model 1 gen only outputs mono through the av in the back. Does the front jack still work for stereo, even with the 32x plugged in or am I just supposed to go without stereo on 32x?

I thought I remembered reading somewhere that the 32x improves sound and video. Does that mean that I can still get gen 1 quality out of a crappy gen 2, with the 32x plugged in? Would it improve the quality of the regular gen games played through the 32x? Is there any truth to this at all?

I will get whatever is needed... just what is the best way to setup a 32x? I plan on hooking up a sega cd in the future as well. I want to do it in the way that gets the best audio and video quality - I know how terrible the gen audio and video can be!

[Ziggy]

Although it wont help with getting the best possible A/V quality, this page has all the info about hooking up the 32X with the different model Genesis.

http://sonic-cult.org/articles/32x/

You can get generic 32x cables for the model 2 easily from eBay and some other places. There's some guy that, I'm assuming, makes them and has them up on eBay all the time. Model 1 cables can be made as well, but the DIN connector is hard to find these days. You might have a hard time finding a 32x cable for a model 1 Genesis. You might be able to make one using the DIN connector from an RF adapter, but I've never seen any one do it before. It seems like a simple solution to me, but maybe there's a reason I haven't seen it done before. I'm assuming if I thought of this, others have as well.

[softwhere]

I had this same question but with a cdx:-/

[samsonlonghair]

I don't recommend hooking up a 32X to a CDX. The CDX manual also does not recommend this. The combination is top heavy and unstable. It can technically be done, but that doesn't make it a good idea.

[crux]

I don't believe the Model 1 ever produces better video unless you're purely looking for S-Video (chroma and luma), in which case that won't help the 32X, which doesn't seem to produce chroma or luma. 32X can do RGB however, but if you're in America the only likely way to get 15Khz RGB is with a 14" Amiga monitor (way awesome for retro, but still incredibly small in every other sense). However, it's also possible to get a chip to turn the RGB signals into an S-Video signal, which will dramatically increase the video quality over composite. Those are your options. It's a little easier to get stereo out of a Model 2, so unless you want to get S-Video directly out of the Model 1 (which, again, won't help the 32X), I'd say you're better off with a Model 2. There's a thread somewhere around here about how to get an S-Video box for 32X, but as I'm on my cellphone I'm not about to try and link it. And as a tangent, the Longhorn Engineer can even make you a Nomad.

[Ziggy]

Well that being said, I would just go with the model 2 then being that the cable is much easier to obtain.

I don't recommend hooking up a 32X to a CDX. The CDX manual also does not recommend this. The combination is top heavy and unstable. It can technically be done, but that doesn't make it a good idea.

Actually, I read that the only reason they stated that in the manual was because they never got the 32x cleared by the FCC to work with the CDX.

[Capcomwarrior]

Thanks!

Ok, so all that I heard about the gen 2 having crappy av is not relevant unless I have plans to do an s-vid hack, which wont work for 32x?

I already have all the hookups for having it connected to gen 2, so Im good to go there.

I heard that the stereo sound on gen 2 is really bad. Is that not true?

Is it true that the 32x actually improves the audio/video for 32x and gen games? I thought I remembered reading that.

Thanks again!

[samsonlonghair]

Actually, I read that the only reason they stated that in the manual was because they never got the 32x cleared by the FCC to work with the CDX.

It's really not a good idea for stability reasons. I've tried mounting my 32X on top of my CDX. The 32X made the top of the back end of the CDX so heavy it would roll over. I was afraid I would damage my precious CDX. I'm not trying that again.

[Duane Dibbley]

It's really not a good idea for stability reasons. I've tried mounting my 32X on top of my CDX. The 32X made the top of the back end of the CDX so heavy it would roll over. I was afraid I would damage my precious CDX. I'm not trying that again.

Couldn't you just MacGyver up a support structure?

[brendanraymond]

i can just imagine my cat jumping up and knocking down the McGyver structer over flipping the CDX and hurling a rare and precious import into a fire place or a blender

Only solution I can see here is to eliminate the cat