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Analogue Mega Sg (FPGA Genesis/MD; April 2019)

Discussion in 'General Sega Discussion' started by Jason, Oct 16, 2018.

  1. ICEknight

    ICEknight

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    For reference:
    http://youtu.be/gWVmPtr9O0g?t=250

    (Happens at around 4:10)
     
  2. Gryson

    Gryson

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    There is a lot of marketing hype coming from Analogue - I guess what you're taking issue with is the statement "Total Accuracy."

    Byuu has an excellent reply to this kind of marketing hype: https://byuu.org/articles/fpgas-aren't-magic/

    In the end, Analogue is absolutely not worried about accuracy, despite what the marketing says. They're not releasing their source code, they're not devoted to preservation, they're not MAME. They're a business trying to make a profit - so they sure as hell don't want overscan borders.
     
  3. Overlord

    Overlord

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    Frankly I'm interested in this just for the Game Gear compatibility. Mega Game Gear, a reality at last =P
     
  4. @Overlord, I'm in the same in the boat. I was interested at the notion of Master System support since I don't own the console or a powerbase converter. Now I am all about it, my Gamegear needs a replacement screen, but I'd much rather play my collection on a TV.
     
  5. Neowl

    Neowl

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    While this device is still in development, and I couldn't find any threads about the subject, has anyone here checked out Hyperkins current effort in their Mega Drive clone series - the Mega RetroN HD? It seems to be typical SoC fair, but with HDMI out, and added Virtua Racing compatibility (which is a first for SoCs as far as I know).

    Could be a potential winner in the budget price category for those that wish to play their carts on modern TVs, but cannot be dealing with the setup and/or picture clarity (or lack thereof) that comes with trying to play retro systems on modern TVs.
     
  6. Impish

    Impish

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    I need to get hold of one of them to see, but the other possibility is that it's running emulation to achieve HDMI-out and SVP compatibility. Their RetroN 5 device which had the same functionality plus compatibility with a bunch of other cartridge-based systems used Retroarch (an emulator) on what was essentially an Android chip. That said, there was a big stink over certain emulation cores having non-commercial stipulations in their licenses (including Genesis Plus GX), Hyperkin might have reverted to an improved version of the SoC technology from the original RetroN 1-3 line-up, and stuck in a Analog-to-Digital video converter chip.
     
  7. Jason

    Jason

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  8. Jason

    Jason

    *Results not lab tested. Member
    Bummer they couldn't get 32X to work, but it's an otherwise solid package. With Everdrive compatibility, I wonder if firmware can be updated for the other systems. No picture of the CD spacer, either.

    Someone run Overdrive 2 on this to see how accurate it is.
     
  9. Well, they said they're going to see if they can find a solution to getting the 32X working post launch. So there's still hope! Maybe they'll do the 32X on a FPGA?

    In other news, mine shipped today. Should be here Monday or Tuesday. I can't wait!
     
  10. Jason

    Jason

    *Results not lab tested. Member
    http://youtu.be/vq5eQhCN6Co
    My Life in Gaming has a very extensive review of the system.
    http://youtu.be/_ZCQ6kN9Ie0
    DF Retro has a good one, too.

    Anyone have it? How do you like it?
     
  11. LockOnRommy11

    LockOnRommy11

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    I felt the need to resurrect this thread. Does anyone have a Mega SG and a Bluetooth M30 controller who can test something for me?

    Assistance is greatly appreciated!
     
  12. President Zippy

    President Zippy

    Zombies rule Belgium! Member
    How is the sound on the Mega SG? I heard it's a little rough compared to the OEM model 1, but I would be willing to roll the dice for a reasonably convenient way to play some romhacks.

    I can always use RetroArch and a Raspberry Pi, and I managed to get it up and running, but at the end of a day it's a real pain in the neck to deal with. Just starting the machine up and starting a game takes even more steps than using one of the Nintendo Switch online official emulator apps, and controller drivers are hit-and-miss on Linux.

    I miss being able to just put a game into my console, press the power button, and be on my way in a few seconds. The Gamecube was the last time I could just "play a game" without having to go through an operating system that has its own graphical menu to negotiate, and the boot and load times were rarely noticeable. I think I only had to press A or start 5-6 times in between turning on my Gamecube and starting City Escape in SA2B. Better yet, I could start Sonic 2 on my model 3 Genesis (meh quality, but cost-effective) within 7-10 seconds and 2 presses of the start button.
     
  13. LockOnRommy11

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    I can’t tell you how it is compared to an OEM Model I, but what I can say is that I have spoken to numerous people over the past year who’ll have pretty much all said that the Mega SG is their preferred way to experience Mega Drive/Genesis games.

    My only issue with it is that, when I insert Bluetooth 8BitDo M30 dongles into the machine with power on, the video cuts out? That doesn’t happen on my Model I or II MD’s so I was hoping someone could test this for me on their end as well. Retro-Bit have advised that it’s an expected outcome after speaking to their development team however someone else has told me theirs doesn’t do this, so it seems like a fault either with my machine, or a larger batch.
     
    Last edited: May 10, 2023
  14. Billy

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    This is hearsay since I haven't been able to find anything confirming it, but supposedly these draw more power than an OEM controller. That would explain why it's an "expected outcome" from the Retro-Bit team, at least. Shitty either way, since it's advertised as compatible by 8bitdo (under "Special Features" in the Tech Specs section).
     
  15. President Zippy

    President Zippy

    Zombies rule Belgium! Member
    Wait, expected for Retrobit controllers, for 8bitdo controllers, or for both? The retrobit controllers use a really simple low-power 2.4GHz receiver. 8bitdo uses bluetooth, which requires an onboard microcontroller (processor chip) in the receiver, but if I'm not mistaken 2.4GHz receivers and their analog to digital converters (ADCs) require so little power that many can even be passive (no external power required).
     
  16. Billy

    Billy

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    Right, I forgot Retro-Bit isn't the team behind the Mega Sg. That's a question for @LockOnRommy11 as to which dongle he's using. I had heard about the power draw from the 8bitdo dongle from a retro tech youtuber, but I'm not remembering which one, so feel free to take that information with a huge grain of salt. They do use bluetooth and it could be a potential explanation for the incompatibility, but we're far off from a confirmation.
     
  17. LockOnRommy11

    LockOnRommy11

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    Thanks for the responses both!

    To clarify, the issue occurs when I’m using 8BitDo’s Bluetooth Receivers, and only when initially plugging them into SG if it’s turned on. If the console is turned on after they’re inserted, it’s fine.

    I also have multiple Retro-Bit 2.4ghz receivers and there are no problems. The Bluetooth receiver issue is only on the SG, not on my Mega Drive I or II.

    Someone else I know who has tested this doesn’t appear to have an issue, so it’s perplexing that mine does, and Analogue have stated that their developers expect this after I emailed them, though it’s never been recorded anywhere to my knowledge, and 8BitDo’s M30 was designed seemingly with the SG in mind.
     
  18. President Zippy

    President Zippy

    Zombies rule Belgium! Member
    Well, at least the 8BitDo M30 is good for something. Making an MD/Gen controller that doesn't work on any consoles with MD/Gen controller ports is not exactly useful, valuable, interesting, convenient, enjoyable, impressive, exciting, or generally a good thing. :P
     
  19. LockOnRommy11

    LockOnRommy11

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    It works, but why the Bluetooth receiver drops out the Analogue’s HDMI port signal when inserted during power on is just bizarre :ohdear: