[Zephyr]

I'm looking to get a 32X soon, and reading the wiki I ran into this little tidbit:

Quote

The 32X came with ten coupons and several plastic spacers, ensuring it can work with most versions of the Mega Drive console.

What exactly are these? What do they look like? And how necessary are they, really? Do only some models of the Mega Drive warrant them, or do all of them? If I were to get a 32X without the spacers, would I be able to improvise something to keep the attachment in place?

Also, looking on Amazon, I'm seeing listings for 3rd party versions of the MD-32X connector cable, but only for the Model 2 of the MD. Obviously, this would mean that there are different connector cables for both the Model 1 and the Model 2. Question is, how did the first party release for these cables work? Did the 32X come with connector cables for both the Model 1 and the Model 2? Were there specific different 32X packages sold simultaneously?

[TrackerTD]

Zephyr, on 13 August 2013 - 06:45 PM, said:

What exactly are these? What do they look like? And how necessary are they, really? Do only some models of the Mega Drive warrant them, or do all of them? If I were to get a 32X without the spacers, would I be able to improvise something to keep the attachment in place?

Also, looking on Amazon, I'm seeing listings for 3rd party versions of the MD-32X connector cable, but only for the Model 2 of the MD. Obviously, this would mean that there are different connector cables for both the Model 1 and the Model 2. Question is, how did the first party release for these cables work? Did the 32X come with connector cables for both the Model 1 and the Model 2? Were there specific different 32X packages sold simultaneously?

Don't quote me on this one, but those spacers were like prongs, that were included to ensure it worked with the Mega Drive I by sticking in the cart slot with the 32X or something. I don't think the Mega Drive II requires them.
As for connectors, I'm not entirely sure.

Also I don't mean to butt in on this topic, but I'm curious as to a good price for an EU 32X. I've had a copy of Virtua Racing Deluxe sat gathering dust in my game cabinet for ages now.

EDIT: No wait, I got the spacers and prongs muddled up.

The spacer, from what I've read, isn't necessary, but without it the 32X is quite unstable, and will wobble a bit. Should function fine though.

This post has been edited by TrackerTD: 13 August 2013 - 07:20 PM

[Sodaholic]

The spacer was for model 2, since the model 1 slot is much deeper. You don't actually need the metal bits, but the 32X does wobble around a bit without it IIRC.

[Meat Miracle]

The metal bit is there so the soft metal plates covering both the Megadrive and the 32x boards contact each other and thereby act as one whole electronic emission filter. Such a thing is necessary to achieve certain safety ratings. Early Megadrives weren't rated for those and had no soft plates inside either.

I have no idea if they make the 32x function more stable or not, though. From what I heard about how flimsy the 32x is, they just might.

[Chibisteven]

The 32X facts:

The shields are metal peices, you should use them, although you don't neccessory need them I recommended using them.

The spacer is at the bottom of the 32X, slides on (needed for the model 2 otherwise there's too much dead weight on the motherboard, the model 1 doesn't need them).

You can get stereo with the model 1 through the headphone jack. You can also route the it through the SEGA CD on both model Genesis'. The sound of the 32X is mixed inside the Genesis itself.

You need a power cable for the 32X as well as the Genesis and SEGA CD. Don't attemp to run the 32X without a power cable even if you're playing Genesis games, you'll shorten yhe life of everything connected.

There is a converter cable for the model 1 Genesis, this connects to the standard cable for the model 2. You don't need the extra cable if you have a model 2. There not easy to find. Take the A/V out of your GENESIS and plug it in the A/V IN on your 32X and plug a model 2 RF/Composite/SCART cable in your 32X's A/V out. For the model 1 connect the converter cable and then plug it the same you do a model 2, it just changes the plug type so the A/V out of your model 1 can work with 32X A/V in. Don't use your model 1's RF out.

The 32X takes raw RGB and Sync signels from the Genesis and overlays it's own video layer before feeding through it's internal RGB to composite chip, if you have ugly video problems with your Genesis, it might help because it'll bypass the stock RGB to composite chip on your Genesis.

There is something you plug in to problematic Genesis on the SEGA CD port, to sometimes help it work.

32X games won't fit through the Genesis cart slot unless you remove the top of your Genesis, because the carts are slightly bigger.

There is ribbon cables that like to come loose in the 32X and cause problems, it's usually fixed by reseating the these cables by disassembly the 32X.

This post has been edited by Chibisteven: 13 August 2013 - 09:04 PM

[Shadow Hog]

Makes me wonder about the metal (RF?) shields for the Model 2 Sega CD, honestly. Mine didn't have them (beyond the ones needed to mount it to the bottom of a Model 1 Genesis, which AFAIK are kinda necessary), so I didn't use them. I haven't noticed any ill effects from not using them, as such. *shrug*

This post has been edited by Shadow Hog: 13 August 2013 - 11:45 PM

[TmEE]

The metal things are for better grounds between the 2 sides. You need them for both MD1 and MD2, they cannot be used on other machines.
32X is a big PITA with its random crashes and stuff and those metal things SHOULD help with that. The mixing cable however should provide all the ground needed between MD and 32X sides.

[Meat Miracle]

Shadow Hog, on 13 August 2013 - 11:45 PM, said:

Makes me wonder about the metal (RF?) shields for the Model 2 Sega CD, honestly. Mine didn't have them (beyond the ones needed to mount it to the bottom of a Model 1 Genesis, which AFAIK are kinda necessary), so I didn't use them. I haven't noticed any ill effects from not using them, as such. *shrug*

That one is just there to make the MD sit more tight on top of the Mega CD.

Chibisteven, on 13 August 2013 - 08:55 PM, said:

There is something you plug in to problematic Genesis on the SEGA CD port, to sometimes help it work.

It's a slot terminator.