Saturn AV issues

wildfruit · 09/15/2016, 04:01 PM

Can any AV experts help? Recently acquired a model 2 saturn. When plugged into RGB scart it flickers and moves slightly to the left. Then goes back. Almost like it is flicking back and forth between rgb & composite. Would this be a grounding issue? When plugged into a composite only scart there are no issues. I have also tried using S video. One one TV it is a red green and blue mess that scrolls from the left and on another there is no picture.

Gypsy · 09/15/2016, 04:14 PM

Some model 2s do have issues with rgb scart if you aren't using a Luma cync cable. Maybe that's the problem? If you are already using one with Luma cync, well, disregard. SVideo should just be totally fine though, so there could be a deeper issue, I'm far from an expert though.

DragonmasterDan · 09/15/2016, 04:17 PM

Quote from: wildfruit on 09/15/2016, 04:01 PMCan any AV experts help? Recently acquired a model 2 saturn. When plugged into RGB scart it flickers and moves slightly to the left. Then goes back. Almost like it is flicking back and forth between rgb & composite. Would this be a grounding issue? When plugged into a composite only scart there are no issues. I have also tried using S video. One one TV it is a red green and blue mess that scrolls from the left and on another there is no picture.

Just to make sure you're not using a PAL Saturn on a SCART cable wired for NTSC. The NTSC and PAL Saturn pinouts are different and this does effect the SCART cables.

wildfruit · 09/15/2016, 04:31 PM

It's an ntsc model 2, white one. It's a shame, composite is ok but when it's displaying RGB it's so much clearer. Whites are very crisp & clear. I'm hoping it's just the cable has somehow become damaged. The seller says it was ok when last used but he was using s video, which I can't get to work at all.

Quote from: Gypsy on 09/15/2016, 04:14 PMSome model 2s do have issues with rgb scart if you aren't using a Luma cync cable. Maybe that's the problem? If you are already using one with Luma cync, well, disregard. SVideo should just be totally fine though, so there could be a deeper issue, I'm far from an expert though.

I've ordered a cable that's model 2 specific from retrogamingcables.co.uk
Hopefully this will clear it up.

DragonmasterDan · 09/15/2016, 04:49 PM

Quote from: wildfruit on 09/15/2016, 04:31 PMI've ordered a cable that's model 2 specific from retrogamingcables.co.uk
Hopefully this will clear it up.

Did your order a cable for a PAL or NTSC Saturn?

This is the cable you need http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sega-Saturn-stereo-csync-RGB-SCART-cable-for-NTSC-model-Saturn-lead-cord-/161614608138?hash=item25a0fb370a:g:2j8AAOxyOMdS5Txr or https://www.retrogamingcables.co.uk/sega/saturn/sega-saturn-rgb-av-scart-ntsc-cable-tv-lead-cord-for-sale

The problem you have sounds a lot like the issues I had with a SCART cable I have for my NTSC unit intended for a PAL Saturn.

wildfruit · 09/15/2016, 04:53 PM

You had me worried there but I checked my emails and i think I ordered the right one.

It's already been dispatched so should hopefully arrive tomorrow or Saturday.

DragonmasterDan · 09/15/2016, 04:54 PM

Quote from: wildfruit on 09/15/2016, 04:53 PMYou had me worried there but I checked my emails and i think I ordered the right one.
It's already been dispatched so should hopefully arrive tomorrow or Saturday.

Yep,
I think the issue is you have cables intended for a PAL system presently. Composite lines the pinout is the same.

Gypsy · 09/15/2016, 04:55 PM

Quote from: wildfruit on 09/15/2016, 04:31 PMI've ordered a cable that's model 2 specific from retrogamingcables.co.uk
Hopefully this will clear it up.

I hope so too, best of luck. Would suck if it was something with the console itself.

For Genny and Saturn I've used scart cables from retro console accessories and they have been great.

If you do still have some issues after getting this cord, you may need Luma cync. The problems you are currently having though, sound much worse than the issues that would present. Dan is surely correct that most of the problems are coming from having the wrong scart cable.

wildfruit · 09/15/2016, 04:57 PM

That would make sense now I think about it. Seller said the s video looked better on his TV than the rgb. Maybe his TV wasn't wired for rgb at all and was just doing composite all along.

mickcris · 09/15/2016, 05:06 PM

there was some similar discussion here:
http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=56910

not sure exactly what kind of issue the OP had though as they did not specify

Gypsy · 09/15/2016, 05:16 PM

Quote from: mickcris on 09/15/2016, 05:06 PMthere was some similar discussion here:
http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=56910

not sure exactly what kind of issue the OP had though as they did not specify

Some pretty interesting stuff in that thread, even for an idjit like me.

wildfruit · 09/15/2016, 05:24 PM

Thanks guys. If this csync cable doesn't fix it I'll try the luma. I'm just hoping it is, remedial work would make a bargain less of a bargain.

Johnpv · 09/16/2016, 08:28 AM

There's some weird differences between the model 1s and model 2s. Since you ordered the model 2 ones from retrogamingcables.co.uk you should be fine when they show up. They didn't used to make a model 1 and model 2 different cable, it used to just be a Saturn RGB cable. The first cable I got from them had similar weird issues and then they sent me a replacement (that if I remember right was changed to be model 2 compliant) and I haven't had any issues with it.

wildfruit · 09/19/2016, 06:08 AM

UPDATE. new scart cable fixed everything. Still can't fathom why S video didn't work

Gypsy · 09/19/2016, 09:49 AM

Glad to hear it. Happy Saturn time. <3

Groover · 09/19/2016, 04:10 PM

I have a model 1 Saturn I use with SCART cables I bought over a year ago. The Cables are Composite Sync or C-Sync. However they don't work well with my model 2 Saturn. The issue on teh model 2 is the color is not correct and not uniform and much of the Screen is very dark. I have researched this some and for my issue I think gettign a SCART cable with Sync on Luma would fix this issue with my model 2. Since the first SCART cable I have works with my model 1 I haven't really gone and picked up another. However the model 2 my friend gave me is modded to play any discs region free or backups. So i should think about getting a cable for it.

I'm glad to hear that you figured out the isssue with your model 2.