Which MegaDrive/Genesis Model (1 or 2)

[thatgui]

Beeing a Nintendo only kid back in the days I had only marginal contact with those "shady" kids that had a SEGA system.

I have to decided to spend a small amount of by bonus payment on a Mega Drive.

But which one should I buy, 1 or 2 ?

I'm tending towards the first model for pure nostalgia reasons, but I read somewhere that you only get mono audio output. And if that is right, do I miss something if I don't get Stereo sound ?

 

[rygD]

I never owned Sega consoles as a kid, so when I wanted them for myself I just went for what was cheapest.  I can't advise you on the specific models, and if I start researhing it I will get carried away, and I have other stuff I need to do right now.

Since you never owned Sega consoles when younger I don't really see nostalgia applying here.  Pick what best suits your needs.  As I mentioned, for me the primary factor most of the time is cost.  If you can wait a bit a while I will find resources for you regarding sound quality, as the third most important factor is audio since I sometimes use my old hardware for making music, and I know a few reliable places to check for this info. 

 

[moxie]

The Model I has stereo in the headphones port on the front, though. If you want it, it is there. There are schematics on the net if you want to make a SCART cable that connects that stereo up to the TV.

Also, I seem to remember that the Model I is easier to work with if you want to mod it to make it regionfree and 50/60Hz switchable. Um, lessee...

http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/oldindex.htm

There!

 

[TrashyMG]

I had both, I bought the Model 1, I think it personally looks better.  In a lightning storm It blew out, so I had to pick up a new one and all there was left was the model 2s. Makes me a little sad to this day. 

 

[thatgui]

I don't really see nostalgia applying here.

Oh it does, when I was as kid I always had the impression that the MegaDrive was something for the slightly adult/cool kids - so I wanted one too. Till I started searching for places to buy from I did not even know, that there was a second model.

As I mentioned, for me the primary factor most of the time is cost.

Which will be a huge factor for me too, I allowed myself 100 bucks from bonus payment to spend on nonsensical stuff, of which 10 are already gone for a replacement LCD for my (still dead) Pandora, and a big part of the rest is already reserved for a retrode, so there won't be much left for a MegaDrive.Which also means, it will probably take a while till I actually get one - at least looking at eBay people are just crazy spending 50+ bucks on a MegaDrive, a (no brand) controller and one game.

If you can wait a bit a while I will find resources for you regarding sound quality, as the third most important factor is audio

Thanks, but no need on my side, I'm not into music much, just wanted to know wether I would miss something, cause both channels aren't mixed together before they are put out. But with the solution Moxie presented this shouldn't be a problem.

The Model I has stereo in the headphones port on the front, though. If you want it, it is there. There are schematics on the net if you want to make a SCART cable that connects that stereo up to the TV.

Also, I seem to remember that the Model I is easier to work with if you want to mod it to make it regionfree and 50/60Hz switchable. Um, lessee...

http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/oldindex.htm

There!

Thanks a lot - I guess I won't make any mods, but there are also interesting tipps on how to deal with certain signs of age (hardware not "tissueware" wise)

I had both, I bought the Model 1, I think it personally looks better.

me too, lets see if I am able to get one.

 

[benoitb]

Model 1 looks badass.

Model 2 looks like a toy.

 

[Night]

I would also recommend getting the 6-Button controllers instead of just the regular 3-Button ones, those work the same but add another 3 buttons that some games require (such as fighting games). Just try to make sure you're buying the original ones as the cheaper chinese clones are kind of flimsy and have a shorter cable (albeit they're still a decent replacement imo).

Also, if you're ever planning on expanding with a Mega-CD, note that you don't have to buy the Model 1 unit. The Model 1 Megadrive should work with a Model 2 Mega-CD IIRC.

Also if you'll ever find yourself interested in Master System games, the Megadrive is actually backwards compatible. You will just need to use either the Mega Adaptor or one of the smaller cartridge-based solutions (some of which are non-official) such as this adaptor.

 

[Linux-SWAT]

Model 1 is definitely stereo.

I owned two japanese and two european model 1. Still have one.

They are pretty easy to switch BTW.

 

[thatgui]

Also if you'll ever find yourself interested in Master System games, the Megadrive is actually backwards compatible. You will just need to use either the Mega Adaptor or one of the smaller cartridge-based solutions (some of which are non-official) such as this adaptor.

I was, till I saw what people are willing to pay for it

Model 1 is definitely stereo.

Well the console in general is stereo but the video-out isn't - at least thats what several different pages say, and the fact that you can only get preconfigured cables with one plug for audio indicates that too.


I guess I'll go the route Moxie proposed and utilize the headphone port for stereo out.


This will happen rather soon as I made an unfortunate mistake and I'am currently waiting for a package with a MegaDrive 1 in it:


I found an offer on eBay with a MegaDrive 1 and three (-three button) controllers in OK condition for 29 bucks or the choice to make an offer - which I did and unfortunatly I did not pay attention to the 12 bucks shipping costs. So I made a 23 bucks offer which got automatically accepted :mellow:

 

[benoitb]

Doesn't seem to be too bad a deal given nowadays prices on retro stuff.

 

[Night]

@thatgui, That's not a bad deal, i used to find european Megadrive 2's with a starting price at least twice higher. Also about the SMS compatibility, you could try using a cheaper non-official cart if you like, just look around for the likes of these.

 

[thatgui]

So the Megadrive arrived some days ago, and it was in good condition, so were the three (3 button) gamepads - just need to clean everything a little. Unfortunatly there was no power adapter and no TV-Out cable - which meant buying a proper power adapter and a proper plug for the megadrive so I could make a TV-Out cable.

First tests on a Samsung flatscreen TV weren't really convicing, especially as the TV had problems syncing with the output of the MegaDrive, which lead to weird flashings. Now the MegaDrive sits on my desk and is connected to one of my PC displays, and the picture is ok - not the best but at least its stable and I can choose between orginal resolution or upscaled with (or without) aspect ratio.

This also made the whole mono/stereo - "problem" superlfuous as I now have to use the front headphone port anyway as the display has no speakers.

But with the Retrode 2 now in my possesion I'm not sure I will use it that much, as the pads work without a problem connected via the retrode on my PC.

As for the games, the budget wasn't that big so I currently only have Sonic, Ecco the Dolphin and soccer/columns/racing on a tripple cartridge. Tried Columns, which gives a Tetris-like but more rushed feeling, Sonic (which I deemed a bad game already back then), and Ecco. Ecco was the main reason for sinking money into this, and it was worth it > in my opinion a true masterpiece. After putting the cartridge in, I just wanted to try it out a little, and was hooked to it for more then three hours :blink: (which created some "scheduling problems").

 

[rygD]

You are not alone.  I had scheduling problems yesterday due to testing out my Samus controller on my Wii U.  That was the first time in months I spent half the day playing games.