Genesis Possible Loose Video Connection

[WrathOskvro]

Wasn't sure if I should post this here or in the Technical Help thing since it's for modding, so my apologies. Anywho..so I got a new TV today. 720p/480i resolution. I know it isn't the TV because it didn't do this when I tried my Dreamcast.

So anyway..when I play any of my Genesis or Sega CD games, I get alot of flickering as if there's a loose connection. Horizontal lines of flickering..ness. Weird thing is that most of it stops when I pause the game, like on Sonic 2. It's still there, but it's much worse when I'm actually unpaused and playing the game. What do you guys think this is? Does the Genesis not like my TV or something or do you think it has a loose connection on the AV out? Reason why I ask is because I actually had problems displaying my Genesis at all on a Hauppage TV Tuner for an HP desktop.

So yeah, bottom line is I'm using an AV cable which I just recently bought and it was sealed. Doesn't do this on my Dreamcast at all, and for some reason if the game is unpaused and playing, the flickering sort of follows the sound and of course worsens. It's still playable but man it's annoying to look at. Any help is appreciated.

[AznKhmerBoi]

okay i play my genesis on my lcd also and running the video through AV cables too.

Never flickered nor anything of that nature.

-so of course its not your tv

possibilites are -
= your av cable might be bad
=connectors for the av might be bad
=or might be your genny going dead

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Actually a lot of HDTV's have some pretty bad issues with 240p signals from older consoles like the Genesis as it's low quality video circuit comparative to other systems of the time makes it hell on a non-analog display that isn't made to compensate.

Try it with a different Genesis if possible or via RF to see if there are still any issues. More than likely it's just a loose solder pad on the Multi-AV's video connector causing a short in the signal which is a relatively easy fix.

I hope this helps!

[WrathOskvro]

Thanks guys. I did try RF and well, though it looks like garbage, there was no flickering at all on it other than the typical noise that RF gives.

Do you think it could be possible that the system is feeding too much gain into the TV's AV jack? I heard using something like a VCR as a passthrough could attenuate it.

[CRTGAMER]

Is the widescreen mode on the HD turned off? May help the 4:3 image flicker issue.

[WrathOskvro]

I always play my games on 4:3

[arnold_the_bartender]

Of course AV and RF are going to look horrible on an HDTV. It's what HDTV's do to low resolution consoles with typical analog signals. You ought to hook up your Genesis through component video. Luckily, you can do this without modding your console and just getting supplies. It's not even worth playing in AV and RF on a high def TV unless your playing on an SDTV. Component video will look as good as this:





Notice the clarity of the text and tails life icon. They would occur otherwise blurry in both RF and component. These are genuine pics I took with a crappy cell phone so it doesn't do it justice. I did this running off of a CDX, NOT an emulator. For proof, here was my setup when the picture was taken:



You'll need a Sega Genesis scart cable. If you're using a model 1, you'll have to get the corresponding one and the same for the model 2 Genesis/CDX/32X. You'll most likely have to import this from the UK. Also, you'll need a scart to component converter to convert the signal to component since we live in the USA. (You'd only need the scart cable in Europe and you'd be set for "high def" component quality Genesis/CD/32X gaming) After you get the scart to component converter and the scart cable, you're all set. Other classic consoles can utilize RGB when using a scart cable and so if you plan on doing this for more than one console, go for a 3-way scart switcher as well. They are commong on eBay. For reference, check out this video. It may help:



This guy has other videos related to this subject so be sure to check them out as well.

It won't matter if you set the mode to 16:9 or 4:3, it will still look great and I've done this on my recently bought Samsung HDTV as well.

[WrathOskvro]

Did you listen to ANYTHING that I said? I didn't ask how I could get a better quality picture, I asked if I had a loose connection.

EDIT- Sorry if I came off as kinda harsh or rude. But yeah I'll look into going for SCART. That sounds nice indeed.

[arnold_the_bartender]

Yikes, sorry. Though I'd recommend component. Since the cables were new/sealed, check the console. Do you have an extra spare MD?

[CRTGAMER]

Did you listen to ANYTHING that I said? I didn't ask how I could get a better quality picture, I asked if I had a loose connection.

If unsure if the Genesis cable itself is bad, maybe test on another TV?

Actually arnold_the_bartender 's option may help. Going Scart separates the video channels. With the Component conversion maybe giving a better signal for your HD to interpret.