Sega MD 50/60 Hz Switch issue.

Hi all,

I did search though the forum but didn't find a similar problem, so:

Yesterday I've installed a 50/60 Hz switch in my PAL Mega Drive 1. When set on 60 Hz console outputs only black and white picture.
In 50 Hz mode everything is okay. I double checked the soldering and points and even tried 2 different tutorials with the same result.
I'm using Sega MD model: 1601-18 PAL-G console with Sega 3085 (modified SMS RGB cable).

What could be the issue? Any ideas?

Thanks
bogz

 

You need a scart cable.

 

I'm using a SCART cable like this:

 

Composite video has that issue, as Hazuki pointed out you need to go RGB.

 

You could try this http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/mega-drive-1-pal-60hz-colour-mod/

As others have said, it is probably easier to get an RGB scart cable.

 

The picture quality is also a million times better with RGB Scart, so if you have a compatible TV/monitor you have nothing to loose

http://www.chrismcovell.com/gotRGB/rgb_compare2.html

 

So you guys are telling me that this isn't an RGB cable?

 

The official cable is for French consoles.

 

What you've got is a SCART cable yes but without cracking it open I can't say if it's wired for RGB or not.

 

That is the official RGB cable for French machines (machines labelled on the bottom as Mega Drive RGB, Model no. 1600-09). However those machines had some different components around the video encoder, and they specifically need this cable to output video. Also that cable may not be fully compatible with non-French models due to this, and that might be why you don't get a proper signal on your machine.

 

Also, the TV may only be displaying the composite signal.

(Since his TV is showing a B&W picture, I guarantee that this is the case.)

 

Ok, thanks for the help guys. I hope I will have some spare time this week to do some more testing. I modified the cable(according to this tutorial (in French)) (which is as I know the SMS RGB cable) to work with my Mega Drive, and the cable is working when the switch is on 50Hz. So I have to triple-check everything again.

Cheers!

 

Hi

Just to ask if there are any scheme for doing a RGB cable for the French "Mega Drive RGB". I have one loose, model 1601-09 and it's hard to find the RGB 3085 cable, and want to make one.

 

I think you'd have an easier job getting a non-French Megadrive, and buying a presoldered cable.
Possibly cheaper too; Megadrives sell pretty damn cheap, and the French RVB cables have a bit of circuitry inside them.

 

The MegaDrive is from a friend and have some "sentimental" value...

There is any mod to do in the megadrive to put it working with normal RGB cables? I really don't want to say to my friend that it's garbage, and no solution from him.

Another question, i'm aware there are a mod for convert the french cable to pal consoles, but is this cable any better than regular RGB ones?