It shows the companies don't really give a shit about their own classic clones. They just picked up a Chinese company able to produce something usable and that's it, let's sell it.
Lack of stereo for me is the biggest let down and honestly a deal breaker for me. Sega can you please stop churning out UFO machines in your Club Sega arcades for just a moment and release a modern HDMI Mega Drive/ Genesis for the masses please? The bloody thing will sell so no need to do your research. LOL
...Since Spacies Agreed. The sound is the biggest killer. I seen somewhere where you can have a HDMI installed on your current Mega Drive. Its just a bit pricey
The lack of stereo and sound quality in general is a giant dealbreaker for me, I'm actually a big fan of Genesis chip music and hearing Norio Hanzawa's excellent Gunstar Heroes soundtrack mangled so badly leads me to drop any consideration I would have had for the product.
Yep, makes the entire system completely useless. I would rather stick with emulation on my computer than mess with something that doesn't have proper sound. I still have my original system in my closet, I just don't own anything that supports composite video anymore. But yeah talking about a system that is otherwise good except for sound is like describing a car...going into detail about the engine and interior and how everything is awesome, except it has no wheels, so it's pointless.
+AntiChangeling The Sega Genesis can only pan its FM voices either hard right or hard left, which led to a great deal of composers for the system using interesting tricks to create a good stereo image, or just an interesting stereo soundscape. One such technique was stacking some combination of centered and panned voices to create a single, harmonically rich instrument that sounded different in each channel but came together as a cohesive sound. Another one, most notably employed by Norio Hanzawa on both the Gunstar Heroes and Alien Solider OSTs, was extremely rapid panning of basslines (and often other elements), which creates a very... Interesting and pleasing effect that is frankly difficult to describe. You end up missing out on some of the more creative tricks composers and audio engineers used on the system if you can't hear both channels clearly.
Seeing how it's another MegaDrive-on-a-chip solution it's not really that different from the stuff Atgames has put out. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if they contracted them or the same people Atgames have used.
I hate it when manufacturers put a case screw underneath a label, rubber foot, or some other adhesive-backed item. It makes necessary maintenance a pain, especially for keeping the device pristine.
Oh hai Phil, love your channel :D I never understood the hype with nintendo's minis. You can't even use nes games in it, only the bundled. There are clones more useful
I've always wanted to learn how to build megadrive games, for a novice would learning to port a game to Megadrive be an easier way to learn? I'm considering trying to port a atari 2600 game that works on a similar principle to what I want to build.
At 4:19, the clear tubes don't have the color banding of the original. The sound is better than just about all other clones/emulators, but it's brighter in the high end, and the OG sounds like the channels are blended more smoothly. Probably synthesized together instead of separate channels combined (I guess it would have to be for HDMI). The timing looks perfect, that's important.
I always notice that when a MD/Genesis is connected to a higher res or clearer output than intended and this stage is viewed. You can clearly see the tubes were meant to be seen through the standard composite (at best) causing the dithering of the pixels to blend so the tubes appeared translucent.
It also surprises me that every console with scan line generators makes them like solid horizontal, immovable jail bars. Real ones are never pixel-perfect. CRT phosphor dots are never laser level.
Genesis audio is always the issue with these. Is it possible to replicate the original audio chip in a clone or has the tech been lost? How difficult would this be to achieve?
On analog system, it is technically possible IF someone made a 1:1 clone of the FM Synth chip used in Megadrive. But more likely there will still be differences because everyone has their own way to create those chips (and unlikely anyone bothers to make a 100% clone if it is not necessary to function) and we are dealing with sound generators that create the sounds on fly instead of using prerecorded MIDI instruments like SNES. Hell even Sega did not get it right, they messed up the sound in Model 2 Megadrive. The best (and cheapest) shot is with emulation which CAN mimic FM Synth chips 100% if their functions are well documented and have been reverse engineered. Obviously even this can be messed up as AtGames has proven.
Something to note about the Fei Hao clone's composite output, is that it doesn't utilize the special artifacting tricks on an original MegaDrive. Despite the rainbow banding in some cases, it gives pseudo-transparency for some games on an original system (Sonic series, particularly the waterfalls in the first zone), or blend dithering stripes for additional colours (The Lion King and Vectorman as examples).
I recently bought this console. I have it hooked up to my CRT. Games play great, the audio is what is making me want to get rid of it already. I encountered a high pitch squeal in Sonic 2 and the sound in Streets of Rage is just awful. I am on the look out for a new clone console as I want to keep my original consoles safe in their old age. Any suggestions?
It doesn't sound as bad as the firecore from AT Games, so for me it doesn't matter if it sounds only in mono, it also plays catridges and has hdmi, this is a solid unit.
You showed the Titan demo run, but I was actually interested to see if it did the infamous 512 colors on screen at once part, since it was a bit of a neat trick.
I've watched several of your videos now and in each one, I'm impressed by the amount of work you put into the video and the amount of technical skill you seem to possess. +1 sub from me.
Hi, Great Video Modern Vintage Gamer. I also did a review on this Sega genesis clone system, and I have to say, for the $40 you pay, this is a very good quality product, controllers are decent, battery saves are just fine, ever-drivers, multi carts, all perfect. This console is not doing emulation and that's why is done all this. Great to anyone that wants replace his Genesis :)
This is not too bad. it looks like they just up-scaled the composite instead of using an RGB signal. I think it would be interesting to see it compared to the HD Retrovision cables on the original, the cables do not up-scale anything but the 240p signal from them, it looks amazing. And a comparison against the new ATGames HDMI system.
9:22 I also could not get my Everdrive to work on this unit (I also got a Mega Everdrive v1 here). Which OS version are you using? Tried v9 and the experimental v10 but it would not load to the game selection menu either way. :(
Too sad, if it weren't for that, this would be an awesome product. Maybe we can mod it and get both channels from the goac (most goacs has stereo output, but no amps) and parse them through megaAMP or something similar
It's possible, after all they get disposed of, usually not destroyed but sold off for scrap and can then be diverted and sold off for reuse - then someone can fix it up to alleviate the wear. But on the inside, there should still be tells, because who cares about the inside. And there really aren't, it's likely a new mould, somebody simply carefully recreated it from scratch. I mean it's China, you'd think given country's history of products, it hasn't been that long that they seriously broke into original engineering, there likely are numerous people who specialise in specifically that kind of mould recreation.
It wouldn't be hard to recreate a mould from an old console either by casting a copy of 3d modelling/printing. Even back in about 1995 I recreated a top cover for a smashed up mega drive by copying the top case off my cousins console (think I used something that set quite hard but had a bit of give, it wasn't plaster but can't remember off-hand what it was) and then I used my school's plastic vacuum moulding machine to mould it in pvc and make a pretty good replacement and once I had installed it, added decals etc it looked almost like the original did before it had got smashed up. So if a kid can make a reasonable attempt over 20 years ago, I'm sure some Chinese knock-off factory with all of today's technology could easily get it right.
Thank you for playing Japanese games that actually have great sounding audio! And nice, obscure gems like Grind Stormer! (hard as hell though right) But yeah why is it so hard to replicate the Genesis hardware? We need to get a perfect reproduction of the model 1 hardware at some point because they're pushing 30 years old and are inevitably gonna start having hardware malfunctions. Mine included sadly :( The full bass with the raw and clear synthesis is part of what makes the Genesis/MD so excellent and iconic, someone's gotta get it right already.
I found one of these in stereo and with overemphasized PSG and bass in some cases. I think however loud the separate audio channels are is just basically randomized based on how lucky you are when you buy one. I've bought a model 1 version (this one) in mono with a slightly louder PSG, then just recently a model 2 clone with the same sound, and then another model 1 that's in stereo with some parts of the FM channel joining the PSG's loudness. It's all just whatever because of how quickly these are mass produced.
hi just wonderin, I have sega HD too, does the player 2 controller needs something to press to activate, or is it already active, Im asking the seller, he said that it's because of tha cartridge,
Does the clone output interlaced or progressive signals over the composite video port? Your capture card looks like it's not processing the original Megadrive's progressive signal properly (there's noticeable streaks in the video, which looks like it's trying to deinterlace a signal that's not interlaced). The clone console doesn't appear to do the same, which makes me wonder if it's actually spitting out an interlaced signal?
DAVID GREGORY KERR Unlikely tbh. The main ASIC is very common, and contains the DACs for the audio, so no digital audio as such. Actually, I think they just use PWM for the audio, then just RC filter it. So it would be technically possible to re-encode the digital outputs to SPDIF or I2S, but then it would require filtering and mixing in the digital domain. (which would be best done by a small FPGA or CPLD, so quite costly relative to the whole console.) Apparently, the main GOAC does output stereo, but they really scrimped on the board designs, and merged it into mono before feeding to the HDMI scaler chip? I'm not 100% sure on that, but it sounds about right. lol That means that it could be moddable for stereo, even if it still sends analog audio into the HDMI chip.
I would love to get a reproduction version of the original Model 1 that supported all the expansions: the SVP, Power Base Converter, 32X, Mega Drive Modem and Mega CD. Obviously, because nobody actually has a Mega Drive Modem, a clone Modem would probably have to be made available.
Great video you gained a sub, TBH I think irs better that it outputs only 720p as some of the other clone consoles EG retron 5 sometimes makes games look not so great when ion 1080p and most 4k or newer 1080p TV actually do a good job at upscaling the image
Seems like a decent unit. The image quality is great. The main problem with these is the input lag and as a MD on a chip, this prob must me eliminated, right?
I doubt we will ever see a full hardware clone Mega Drive again. The only one I know of that did this is the Scorpion XVI (or various other names it went under)
Are there FPGA options that can emulate the audio as accurately as software emulation does? From the few MegaDrive FPGA's I have seen they all mess up the audio in some way but nowhere near as bad as AtGames did.
Really good video! Amazing with the very similar weight difference. I reckon with a bit of tweaking like you've said, they could get it even better. I'm really tempted to order one at the price as well :-)
Great review. But the system lost me after u said no stereo. The mk1 genesis must have that in my book. Haha. But still a good clone. Even the cover plate is worth it in value if you lose it.
Interestingly the Mk1 Genesis had stereo only in the front earphone jack. The rear AV port just had mono audio. In order to get stereo sound to the TV with the Mk1 you had to buy an AV cable that had a short pigtail cable that plugged into the earphone jack.
Have you tried running the sound thru a stereo receiver? There has to be a way to get close to the original sound. I know its compressed and to get it perfect is not realistic. Would like to see a review of options to get better sound.
have you considered that you have a defective system with the audio issues? have other users had the same issue? also, is there any input lag on the hdmi port? i feel like you would have mentioned it if it was there, but it still would have been nice to confirm if it did or not otherwise nice review!
not bad.....I feel I'd still want Stereo....we can fix the bass issure with a receiver easily... for now I'll rely on my RGB Scart to HDMI converter on my actual Genesis console until the stereo is added- I'm suffering input lag with television screens because of the video conversion
Nice review. But I have to disagree with you about Atgames.I have the one with 40 games built in and I think its amazing.So far it plays all the games from a cartrige just fine and the 40 games work perfect.Nice review.Gio.
Hm, wireless Sega Genesis controller for a remake? Does these work on PC as well or just console-exclusive? I think I may be eventually purchasing one of those later on the year at this rate. :)
You're in the States, right? Target has a "Sega Genesis Flashback HD" console, one that sports HDMI out, plus games built into the console. I wouldn't mind seeing a teardown of that one, if you're willing...
I'd be very interested to hear your opinion on the Mega Drive mini that was just announced with the atgames Hardware running the system. I'm really disappointed myself but I'd like to hear what you think
Cheaper than a mega sg and all that FPGA simulation bullshit, better and you actually can buy one, good to now there's plenty of alternatives the day my Megadrive definitely die on me.
stereo sound is not a deal breaker for me but the sound definitely needs improvement. Kinda wished you played rocket knight 2 as that game's level 1 theme is a great test for sound on the genesis
I think this was a bit of a harsh review, the composite output was far superior in the new model - the original was 'lighter' and had significant composite noise issues and banding, plus it was far more blurry. So the modern version wins hands down there. Now for the sound, if it wasn't for mono only then the new model would win too, can you not hear all of that noise and static in the original output? The Hao model is far superior all round.
Man, I'm so happy you teardown the systems you review. I always want to know what's in it!
It's kinda sad to see that a chinese clone ends up being better than the "official" AtGames clone systems.
AtGames clones are Chinese clones
AtGames is a Chinese company
Toru the Red Fox
I'm pretty sure he realizes that, yet is just pointed out the fact that the vastly inferior one is a licensed product by Sega. :p
I think an ultimate test for any system would be Sonic 3 special stages u get bad controler lag on the AtGames system ...
It shows the companies don't really give a shit about their own classic clones. They just picked up a Chinese company able to produce something usable and that's it, let's sell it.
Back in 90's, some Megadrive 2 clone still has complete chips (not SoC solution), I opened mine and found Sharp z80 and Motorola 68k
Lack of stereo for me is the biggest let down and honestly a deal breaker for me. Sega can you please stop churning out UFO machines in your Club Sega arcades for just a moment and release a modern HDMI Mega Drive/ Genesis for the masses please? The bloody thing will sell so no need to do your research. LOL
...Since Spacies Agreed. The sound is the biggest killer. I seen somewhere where you can have a HDMI installed on your current Mega Drive. Its just a bit pricey
The lack of stereo and sound quality in general is a giant dealbreaker for me, I'm actually a big fan of Genesis chip music and hearing Norio Hanzawa's excellent Gunstar Heroes soundtrack mangled so badly leads me to drop any consideration I would have had for the product.
Yep, makes the entire system completely useless. I would rather stick with emulation on my computer than mess with something that doesn't have proper sound. I still have my original system in my closet, I just don't own anything that supports composite video anymore. But yeah talking about a system that is otherwise good except for sound is like describing a car...going into detail about the engine and interior and how everything is awesome, except it has no wheels, so it's pointless.
As someone that is completely deaf in one ear, it's kind of funny to me that mono sound's a dealbreaker for some people.
+AntiChangeling
The Sega Genesis can only pan its FM voices either hard right or hard left, which led to a great deal of composers for the system using interesting tricks to create a good stereo image, or just an interesting stereo soundscape.
One such technique was stacking some combination of centered and panned voices to create a single, harmonically rich instrument that sounded different in each channel but came together as a cohesive sound. Another one, most notably employed by Norio Hanzawa on both the Gunstar Heroes and Alien Solider OSTs, was extremely rapid panning of basslines (and often other elements), which creates a very... Interesting and pleasing effect that is frankly difficult to describe.
You end up missing out on some of the more creative tricks composers and audio engineers used on the system if you can't hear both channels clearly.
Better than Atgames efforts.
absolutely
My first clone was a genesis Atgames clone... never touching that brand again. What a pile of shit it was :P
Seeing how it's another MegaDrive-on-a-chip solution it's not really that different from the stuff Atgames has put out. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if they contracted them or the same people Atgames have used.
I got one for £5 at a car boot sale and still felt had! Luckily I already had a region modded Mega Drive 1 at home to ease the pain. :)
What’s wrong with the atgames genesis
Looks great! With all the aging original consoles, it is nice to know there are some new options! Thanks for your review!!
I hate it when manufacturers put a case screw underneath a label, rubber foot, or some other adhesive-backed item. It makes necessary maintenance a pain, especially for keeping the device pristine.
Great review, you covered all bases! IMO this is much more useful product than the NES Mini for example.
Oh hai Phil, love your channel :D
I never understood the hype with nintendo's minis. You can't even use nes games in it, only the bundled. There are clones more useful
Yes but the NES can be hacked extremely easily to add a ton of games, this unit not so much
Truly amazing that this is cheaper yet much better than the official HDMI console that AtGames did 😁
Awesome review, dude.
Looks like they've updated the listing and it now supports stereo sound
I normally don't comment good on clone systems, but I'm actually impressed!😃
Man so pumped about this right up until the Mono Audio! Thanks for the review and pointing out the features. Love how you put them on the scale!!!!
the first generation of clone consoles was good, then cheaper knock-offs started to appear, now it looks like we are getting good clones again
2:00 - 710 g vs 565 g for those who prefer using modern units.
Seems like a case of so near yet so far to me - the sound just isn't enough and the lack of PAL functionality is a dealbreaker for me.
I've always wanted to learn how to build megadrive games, for a novice would learning to port a game to Megadrive be an easier way to learn? I'm considering trying to port a atari 2600 game that works on a similar principle to what I want to build.
damn, 2600 is weird
Got mine today from Wish, can't wait to fully test it at the weekend!
Where did you pick up the blue Sega hat?
At 4:19, the clear tubes don't have the color banding of the original. The sound is better than just about all other clones/emulators, but it's brighter in the high end, and the OG sounds like the channels are blended more smoothly. Probably synthesized together instead of separate channels combined (I guess it would have to be for HDMI).
The timing looks perfect, that's important.
I always notice that when a MD/Genesis is connected to a higher res or clearer output than intended and this stage is viewed. You can clearly see the tubes were meant to be seen through the standard composite (at best) causing the dithering of the pixels to blend so the tubes appeared translucent.
It also surprises me that every console with scan line generators makes them like solid horizontal, immovable jail bars. Real ones are never pixel-perfect. CRT phosphor dots are never laser level.
Genesis audio is always the issue with these. Is it possible to replicate the original audio chip in a clone or has the tech been lost? How difficult would this be to achieve?
On analog system, it is technically possible IF someone made a 1:1 clone of the FM Synth chip used in Megadrive. But more likely there will still be differences because everyone has their own way to create those chips (and unlikely anyone bothers to make a 100% clone if it is not necessary to function) and we are dealing with sound generators that create the sounds on fly instead of using prerecorded MIDI instruments like SNES. Hell even Sega did not get it right, they messed up the sound in Model 2 Megadrive.
The best (and cheapest) shot is with emulation which CAN mimic FM Synth chips 100% if their functions are well documented and have been reverse engineered. Obviously even this can be messed up as AtGames has proven.
Something to note about the Fei Hao clone's composite output, is that it doesn't utilize the special artifacting tricks on an original MegaDrive. Despite the rainbow banding in some cases, it gives pseudo-transparency for some games on an original system (Sonic series, particularly the waterfalls in the first zone), or blend dithering stripes for additional colours (The Lion King and Vectorman as examples).
Thanks for the awesome review really appreciate it. I was looking at the AT Games version but bought this after watching your review. Cheers 👍
would GenMDM be good on this for sound?
I recently bought this console. I have it hooked up to my CRT. Games play great, the audio is what is making me want to get rid of it already. I encountered a high pitch squeal in Sonic 2 and the sound in Streets of Rage is just awful. I am on the look out for a new clone console as I want to keep my original consoles safe in their old age. Any suggestions?
This is the best review of this console I've seen. Well done. Thank you for your hard work. Cheers!
It doesn't sound as bad as the firecore from AT Games, so for me it doesn't matter if it sounds only in mono, it also plays catridges and has hdmi, this is a solid unit.
The sound appears pretty accurate... which is a rarity among Genesis/MD clones. Very nice... Will consider getting it with my next payday.
why is the orignal megadrive footage interlaced?
Random surfing on TH-cam... hit this.. you hooked up to a 1702.... I instantly subscribed to your channel! Good job my Friend!
Very informative. 👍
You showed the Titan demo run, but I was actually interested to see if it did the infamous 512 colors on screen at once part, since it was a bit of a neat trick.
Wow! Amazing clone.
On the sound department is a little off.
But awesome picture quality. Better than the original
Does Virtua Racing work via original cart and also via Ever drive
I've watched several of your videos now and in each one, I'm impressed by the amount of work you put into the video and the amount of technical skill you seem to possess. +1 sub from me.
That was a very thorough review. Super interesting watch, as are all your videos.
What is it about the Genesis sound that's so hard to replicate? Even Sega themselves had trouble getting it just right with some of their revisions.
Great video! Keep them coming . . .
the pause in the noise in contra is hypnotic on the ears
Hi,
Great Video Modern Vintage Gamer. I also did a review on this Sega genesis clone system, and I have to say, for the $40 you pay, this is a very good quality product, controllers are decent, battery saves are just fine, ever-drivers, multi carts, all perfect. This console is not doing emulation and that's why is done all this. Great to anyone that wants replace his Genesis :)
I also agree with the Atgames upcoming console, its not worth buying.
Does game genie work on it as well
This is not too bad. it looks like they just up-scaled the composite instead of using an RGB signal. I think it would be interesting to see it compared to the HD Retrovision cables on the original, the cables do not up-scale anything but the 240p signal from them, it looks amazing. And a comparison against the new ATGames HDMI system.
9:22 I also could not get my Everdrive to work on this unit (I also got a Mega Everdrive v1 here). Which OS version are you using? Tried v9 and the experimental v10 but it would not load to the game selection menu either way. :(
i want to buy something that plays aliexpress cartriges. is this ok?
My god that Genesis hat is amazing? Care to say we you bought it?
Congrats for the show!
Did you know about the built in games? These consoles do have 50 built in games, you should mention that!
Great indepth review man, love the time and effort you put into it. Subscribed!
The sound quality is quite disappointing. Contra Hard Corps sounds really bad, but the other games have a tinny sound as well.
i agree, its really compressed in the Mid Range and the low end is completely missing. Wish they did a better job here
The other "AMERICAN" gems games sound tinny you mean. Most Japanese games have excellent sound quality (on an original system anyway)
Too sad, if it weren't for that, this would be an awesome product. Maybe we can mod it and get both channels from the goac (most goacs has stereo output, but no amps) and parse them through megaAMP or something similar
Contra sounded criminally bad. That is one of my favorite game soundtracks. SOR sounded pretty good compared to other clones though.
Does the composite not output native 240p? That and I wonder if it outputs component or S-video or anything too.
Looks like they got hold of the original mold.
It's possible, after all they get disposed of, usually not destroyed but sold off for scrap and can then be diverted and sold off for reuse - then someone can fix it up to alleviate the wear.
But on the inside, there should still be tells, because who cares about the inside. And there really aren't, it's likely a new mould, somebody simply carefully recreated it from scratch. I mean it's China, you'd think given country's history of products, it hasn't been that long that they seriously broke into original engineering, there likely are numerous people who specialise in specifically that kind of mould recreation.
It wouldn't be hard to recreate a mould from an old console either by casting a copy of 3d modelling/printing. Even back in about 1995 I recreated a top cover for a smashed up mega drive by copying the top case off my cousins console (think I used something that set quite hard but had a bit of give, it wasn't plaster but can't remember off-hand what it was) and then I used my school's plastic vacuum moulding machine to mould it in pvc and make a pretty good replacement and once I had installed it, added decals etc it looked almost like the original did before it had got smashed up. So if a kid can make a reasonable attempt over 20 years ago, I'm sure some Chinese knock-off factory with all of today's technology could easily get it right.
Nah, they just recasting from original parts, make mould from it
Great vid! If only the audio was in stereo, this would be worth a purchase.
*$90 Dollar now in 2021 from Wish and Ally Express* 💡
Thank you for playing Japanese games that actually have great sounding audio! And nice, obscure gems like Grind Stormer! (hard as hell though right)
But yeah why is it so hard to replicate the Genesis hardware? We need to get a perfect reproduction of the model 1 hardware at some point because they're pushing 30 years old and are inevitably gonna start having hardware malfunctions. Mine included sadly :( The full bass with the raw and clear synthesis is part of what makes the Genesis/MD so excellent and iconic, someone's gotta get it right already.
I found one of these in stereo and with overemphasized PSG and bass in some cases. I think however loud the separate audio channels are is just basically randomized based on how lucky you are when you buy one. I've bought a model 1 version (this one) in mono with a slightly louder PSG, then just recently a model 2 clone with the same sound, and then another model 1 that's in stereo with some parts of the FM channel joining the PSG's loudness. It's all just whatever because of how quickly these are mass produced.
Not bad for a clone, probably one of the best clones out there
Thanks for the video. if possible, I would love to see the results of the lag test in the 240p test suite.
This made me want to go play Streets of Rage 2 so I might do just that. Good job!
hi just wonderin, I have sega HD too, does the player 2 controller needs something to press to activate, or is it already active, Im asking the seller, he said that it's because of tha cartridge,
Does the clone output interlaced or progressive signals over the composite video port? Your capture card looks like it's not processing the original Megadrive's progressive signal properly (there's noticeable streaks in the video, which looks like it's trying to deinterlace a signal that's not interlaced). The clone console doesn't appear to do the same, which makes me wonder if it's actually spitting out an interlaced signal?
Can you tell me about the tct-6803? I'm trying to figure out what model has it. Or if a system can be moded to have it.
Now it really is HD graphics.
👍😄
Does this work with all the Genesis/Mega Drive "both Pal and NTSC J" games.
Sounds kills it. Nothing like owning the original first version hardware. Oh yeah!
Was your original Megadrive the first release "Hi Definition graphic" labelled version used to compare the sound/graphics?
what the song playing when you started opening the box?
There's a megadrive demoscene?! Holy crap, I need to check that out!
yes there is and its awesome. well worth checking out
What about the original Brazil TecToy Genesis that they still sell today?
If you can find a SPDIF signal you might be able to feed that into the HDMI interface via the SPDIF input.
DAVID GREGORY KERR
Unlikely tbh.
The main ASIC is very common, and contains the DACs for the audio, so no digital audio as such.
Actually, I think they just use PWM for the audio, then just RC filter it.
So it would be technically possible to re-encode the digital outputs to SPDIF or I2S, but then it would require filtering and mixing in the digital domain.
(which would be best done by a small FPGA or CPLD, so quite costly relative to the whole console.)
Apparently, the main GOAC does output stereo, but they really scrimped on the board designs, and merged it into mono before feeding to the HDMI scaler chip?
I'm not 100% sure on that, but it sounds about right. lol
That means that it could be moddable for stereo, even if it still sends analog audio into the HDMI chip.
Nice video and a neat MD clone.
I use same Creative speakers for my retro stuff.
How similar is this machine compared to Megadrive 2? (beside of lack of hdmi support on m2).
can i use magnetic tools for get the screws, or i can damage some electronics chips\components?
(i need some correction about these)
is that a castlevania game with a different title? 5:50
Uh huh.
We need an Aussie PAL version
With the option to switch it at 50/60Hz to please all gamers of 50Hz and 60Hz regions.
1 question... that's multi cart can run on original MD1. ?
I'm sure someone could find a way to mod it to add stereo sound.
I would love to get a reproduction version of the original Model 1 that supported all the expansions: the SVP, Power Base Converter, 32X, Mega Drive Modem and Mega CD.
Obviously, because nobody actually has a Mega Drive Modem, a clone Modem would probably have to be made available.
Excellent review, thank you.
Is this compatible with the Mega master system add on to play MS games on the MD?
Streets of rage sounds great I know it well
Great video you gained a sub, TBH I think irs better that it outputs only 720p as some of the other clone consoles EG retron 5 sometimes makes games look not so great when ion 1080p and most 4k or newer 1080p TV actually do a good job at upscaling the image
Seems like a decent unit.
The image quality is great.
The main problem with these is the input lag and as a MD on a chip, this prob must me eliminated, right?
Probably yes, and the lcd adds a bit to this too.
I doubt we will ever see a full hardware clone Mega Drive again. The only one I know of that did this is the Scorpion XVI (or various other names it went under)
there's always FPGA solutions tho!
Are there FPGA options that can emulate the audio as accurately as software emulation does? From the few MegaDrive FPGA's I have seen they all mess up the audio in some way but nowhere near as bad as AtGames did.
Probably the best way will be an FPGA solution with a YM socket.
Really good video! Amazing with the very similar weight difference.
I reckon with a bit of tweaking like you've said, they could get it even better.
I'm really tempted to order one at the price as well :-)
i think its worth it, im tinkering with the insides to see if theres anyway i can tap stereo from the device somehow ;)
good review. is it me or it looks they use point linear resize for the composite output? noticeable when scrolling horizontal
The sound is actually pretty damn good, especially when you compare it to all the other clones.
I'm wondering how it fares for the Titan demo called Overdrive 2. That demo doesn't even play correctly with many versions of the original console.
i just tried it and it booted but it says that the demo only supports Pal/50hz so it doesnt go any further obviously
Hmm well then unless someone else creates a 50hz demo using the debug registers that the Overdrive 2 uses we may never know
Great review. But the system lost me after u said no stereo. The mk1 genesis must have that in my book. Haha. But still a good clone. Even the cover plate is worth it in value if you lose it.
the sound is a deal breaker
Interestingly the Mk1 Genesis had stereo only in the front earphone jack. The rear AV port just had mono audio. In order to get stereo sound to the TV with the Mk1 you had to buy an AV cable that had a short pigtail cable that plugged into the earphone jack.
Have you tried running the sound thru a stereo receiver? There has to be a way to get close to the original sound. I know its compressed and to get it perfect is not realistic. Would like to see a review of options to get better sound.
have you considered that you have a defective system with the audio issues? have other users had the same issue?
also, is there any input lag on the hdmi port? i feel like you would have mentioned it if it was there, but it still would have been nice to confirm if it did or not
otherwise nice review!
with the HDMI, does it output stereo audio or is it mono like the rca?
return my 90s this is best time
not bad.....I feel I'd still want Stereo....we can fix the bass issure with a receiver easily... for now I'll rely on my RGB Scart to HDMI converter on my actual Genesis console until the stereo is added- I'm suffering input lag with television screens because of the video conversion
Nice review. But I have to disagree with you about Atgames.I have the one with 40 games built in and I think its amazing.So far it plays all the games from a cartrige just fine and the 40 games work perfect.Nice review.Gio.
Hm, wireless Sega Genesis controller for a remake? Does these work on PC as well or just console-exclusive? I think I may be eventually purchasing one of those later on the year at this rate. :)
You're in the States, right? Target has a "Sega Genesis Flashback HD" console, one that sports HDMI out, plus games built into the console. I wouldn't mind seeing a teardown of that one, if you're willing...
I'd be very interested to hear your opinion on the Mega Drive mini that was just announced with the atgames Hardware running the system. I'm really disappointed myself but I'd like to hear what you think
This is the most informative video so far on TH-cam, just wondering if you need to adjust the aspect ratio for the HDMI?
thank you! - regarding the aspect ratio i didnt notice it , my TV auto adjusts itself but its quite possible that you need to do it manually
Cheaper than a mega sg and all that FPGA simulation bullshit, better and you actually can buy one, good to now there's plenty of alternatives the day my Megadrive definitely die on me.
Does it accept master system games using the converter? Nice piece of kit btw
stereo sound is not a deal breaker for me but the sound definitely needs improvement. Kinda wished you played rocket knight 2 as that game's level 1 theme is a great test for sound on the genesis
that was strange it seemed to have the full range of sound on the demo's ?
I think this was a bit of a harsh review, the composite output was far superior in the new model - the original was 'lighter' and had significant composite noise issues and banding, plus it was far more blurry. So the modern version wins hands down there. Now for the sound, if it wasn't for mono only then the new model would win too, can you not hear all of that noise and static in the original output? The Hao model is far superior all round.
I just upgraded my mega drive to support hdmi.
Whats this like compared to the mega retron hd?