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Thread: Can anyone help me setup my Megadrive?

  1. #1
    ZaO
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    Can anyone help me setup my Megadrive?

    I recently got given a Sega Megadrive with a few classic games on it. I have been super excited to play them and decided to set it up tonight. But unfortunately, I have been unable to tune it in to my Tv I've been reading round a fair bit about this. I've tried all the things suggested. Well, I haven't tried doing a fine tune through the whole frequency range. Now that seems to be the next step for me here :/ But I was wondering if anyone knows at which frequency the Megadrive transmits the signal to the Tv? The RF cable has a selector for "I" and "G" positions. I'm guessing they change the frequency used?

    Anyway - if anyone knows - please do share!
    Thanks!

    Edit: It's a Megadrive II btw..

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    Re: Can anyone help me setup my Megadrive?

    Ok,

    The Megadrive usually tunes into the analogue BBC1 or 2

    You need to go into your TV settings and set it to search for analogue as well as digital RF signals, the megadrive also needs to be turned on with a game in or you will get just a plain black screen. Having a game on makes tuning a bit easier as you know what you are looking for.

    If your TV won't accept an analogue signal you will need to get yourself a scart lead

  3. #3
    Treasure Hunter extraordinaire herulach's Avatar
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    Re: Can anyone help me setup my Megadrive?

    IIRC it used to be channel 36 on my megadrive. The adaptor on mine had RF and TV or something. One was the TV aerial, the other the megadrive. I do remember channel 5 did broadcasr on 36 over at my mums so it only worked with the aerial unplugged.

  4. #4
    ZaO
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    Re: Can anyone help me setup my Megadrive?

    Thanks guys. Yeh I have been trying to tune it into an analogue channel. I almost forgot you had to do that when I first turned it on. I literally haven't played one of these things since the 90s haha

    I did see some stuff about channel 36. Is it best to tune it into channel 36 on the Tv? I did try tuning it into that channel, and channel 1. I noticed that the Tv would usually stop tuning when it reached the 50-60Mhz range. So it must be getting a slight signal there. But there's just a blank screen. And this is where the next part comes in - I was just told that the RF lead has a slightly dodgey connection lol... Apparnetly it's really not that bad, and a little nudge sorts it out. But I can't get it working. I might need another lead. Don't suppose you guys know where I could find a cheap replacement? Thanks!

  5. #5
    Treasure Hunter extraordinaire herulach's Avatar
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    Re: Can anyone help me setup my Megadrive?

    Quote Originally Posted by ZaO View Post
    Thanks guys. Yeh I have been trying to tune it into an analogue channel. I almost forgot you had to do that when I first turned it on. I literally haven't played one of these things since the 90s haha

    I did see some stuff about channel 36. Is it best to tune it into channel 36 on the Tv? I did try tuning it into that channel, and channel 1. I noticed that the Tv would usually stop tuning when it reached the 50-60Mhz range. So it must be getting a slight signal there. But there's just a blank screen. And this is where the next part comes in - I was just told that the RF lead has a slightly dodgey connection lol... Apparnetly it's really not that bad, and a little nudge sorts it out. But I can't get it working. I might need another lead. Don't suppose you guys know where I could find a cheap replacement? Thanks!
    You know that it only shows a black screen with no cart in?

    Shouldn't matter what button you tune it to. From what I remember a normal rf cable should work from what I remember (it's about 10 years since I last plugged mine in)

  6. #6
    ZaO
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    Re: Can anyone help me setup my Megadrive?

    Quote Originally Posted by herulach View Post
    You know that it only shows a black screen with no cart in?

    Shouldn't matter what button you tune it to. From what I remember a normal rf cable should work from what I remember (it's about 10 years since I last plugged mine in)
    But I've tried tuning it with all 3 games in it, not without a game.. The Tv screen is blank anyway - it doesn't change when it stops tuning. So there's no visual cue here. For all I know, the Megadrive could just be putting out a blank signal. I just wouldn't have noticed the screen change to see that..

    The connection where it goes into the Tv is just a normal arial style connection. But, the end that goes into the Megadrive has a few pins. I'm not sure if it's a special type of Cable, or just something standard..? I won't need the switch box though, if that just changes between arial and Megadrive connections that is? I don't watch Tv, at all...

    Thanks

  7. #7
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    Re: Can anyone help me setup my Megadrive?

    You have got the RF plugged into the correct port on the back of the Megadrive, I have the MK1 model and there is the RF out and another out which has the yellow ring round it which I believe is the composite.

    You can get a standard replacement RF lead from ASDA or Tesco which would fit your needs perfect. The original that comes with the Megadrive has a small box with a switch on it to change between TV and the machine.

  8. #8
    Treasure Hunter extraordinaire herulach's Avatar
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    Re: Can anyone help me setup my Megadrive?

    Quote Originally Posted by Ferral View Post
    You have got the RF plugged into the correct port on the back of the Megadrive, I have the MK1 model and there is the RF out and another out which has the yellow ring round it which I believe is the composite.

    You can get a standard replacement RF lead from ASDA or Tesco which would fit your needs perfect. The original that comes with the Megadrive has a small box with a switch on it to change between TV and the machine.
    I think we're getting confused cos we had megadrive 1s:


    http://www.gametrog.com/GAMETROG/HOW..._Graphics.html

    where as ZaO has a 2:

    Connections on the back of a 2 appears to be one of the PS/2 to RCA break outs. I assume it also sticks RF out on those channels by the looks of it:
    http://www.gametrog.com/GAMETROG/HOW...2_smaller.html

    Might be worth a few quid on ebay for a Composite in cable anyway (assuming you have them on your tv).

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  10. #9
    ZaO
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    Re: Can anyone help me setup my Megadrive?

    Yeh there's only one place the cable can plug in on a Megadrive 2. The cable that goes in only has 3 pins. Then, the other end of the cable is just like a Tv aerial connection. Sorry for not using all the correct terminology here! I'm confused where it's been so long since I've used these type of connections!

    But, no worries guys. I shall figure out what cable I need and find one somewhere. I'm sure I can pick one up for a few quid.. If I still can't get it working, then I guess I'll be posting back here Cheers!

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    Re: Can anyone help me setup my Megadrive?

    Cables are easy to come by on Amazon and eBay, however I always use Retro Gaming Cables for my stuff, gradually been getting the leads for my C64, Spectrum, Atari ST & Amiga etc from them

    http://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/s...a-drive-2.html

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  13. #11
    ZaO
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    Re: Can anyone help me setup my Megadrive?

    Quote Originally Posted by Ferral View Post
    Cables are easy to come by on Amazon and eBay, however I always use Retro Gaming Cables for my stuff, gradually been getting the leads for my C64, Spectrum, Atari ST & Amiga etc from them

    http://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/s...a-drive-2.html
    Nice. Thankyou for the link

  14. #12
    ZaO
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    Re: Can anyone help me setup my Megadrive?

    Well, I got a new cable and everything seems to be running good. Just thought I'd let you guys know. Thanks for the help

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