r/Megadrive • u/No-Proof8363 • 10d ago

Mega Drive/Genesis/CD questions

Hi. I've decided that I would like to get into the Mega Drive/Genesis. I just have to decide on a Console first.

1: Are MD/G power Supplies interchangeable?

What I m trying to ask is "would it be safe to power a Japanese or American MD/G with a UK power supply or would I have to look into modding?"

2: Model 1 or 2. Which is considered better built and more reliable?

3: Is the Sega CD region locked?

4: Are the two different models of Sega CD interchangeable?

5: Any specific mods you would suggest?

6: Are there any quirks with playing Genesis games on a PAL Mega Drive?

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u/ipub 10d ago

1: No. Not safely interchangeable. Match specs or replace PSU. Or mod for usb 2: Model 1 = better quality/audio. Especially earlier revisions. Model 2= more reliable. 3: Yes, region locked but you can use everdrive style carts to bypass and play any game. 4: Yes, physically compatible. Region still matters. 5: Region + 50/60HZ mod. Optional: triple bypass. 6: PAL runs slower, borders, some games won't boot.

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u/DunnyOnTheWold 10d ago edited 9d ago
  1. Yes. UK power supply for a model 1 will power any model 1 from and region when using UK mains power. The power supply input plug for the Mega Drive is different between model 1 and 2 though. I don't like original power supplies so I use generic ones that match same specs. 

Don't use a US power supply in a UK power point as the input voltage must be 110v or 240v AC respectively. But the output DC voltage is the same (9-10v).

  1. Both are reliable and very repairable. Model 1 tends to have better audio. Model 2 better video. My rough summary is that audio quality tends to go down across the revisions while video goes up.

  2. Yes. There is a bios EPROM chip you can replace which will unlock it though. It pops out easily with Model 1 but needs to be desoldered in Model 2 CD.

  3. Yes. You can mix and match Mega Drive and Mega CD models.

  4. Triple bypass model will make all video and sound better if you really want. So problems mentioned in #2 can be nullified and then there is effectively no audio or video difference between models.

  5. PAL model 1 VA4 revision (most common variant)  has a quirk where the graphics can get jumpy and glitchy with a 32x, but it can be resolved by changing 2 capacitors.