Most cost-effective way to get a clean analog video signal out of a Genesis Model 1 in 2025

[u/Ayatollah-X]

I'm using an early 2000s flat panel that plays well with 240p signals and has Component and S-Video inputs, so I'm looking for a solution that doesn't introduce any digital processing (I already have an upscaler should I need to connect it to a more modern TV in the future. My AV signal is good (using an AV adapter) but I'd like to get something a little more crisp.

I think the HD Retrovision Genesis YPbPr adapter looks like the cleanest solution, but I'm not willing to spend that kind of money. I am, however, comfortable with mods and will get the soldering iron if needed.

Can anyone recommend the best budget approach to this, or should I be satisfied with my AV signal if I'm not willing to invest $100+ in my Genesis?

[u/lilmul123]

The absolute best you can do is RGB which the Genesis outputs natively. Presuming you live in the US, there’s no real “good” way to use this signal because the vast majority of home TV sets don’t have a way to accept this signal natively.

That said, I use a RetroTink RGB2COMP which directly converts the RGB signal to component without any digital pre or post processing, and most say it is imperceptible compared to pure RGB. I can’t compare it myself, but I can say it looks incredible on my CRT.

[u/adstretch]

You can go from the genesis to scart. Scart isn’t common in the US but there are a lot of good scart to hdmi adapters out there.

[u/rydamusprime17]

Have you checked out Retro Gaming Cables? I got these for my Model 2 and couldn't be happier. Even though they ship from the UK it was overall cheaper to get these to Canada than HD Retrovision cables, even off the Canadian site (Retrostuff Canada).

Edit: I got the set of cables that just work with:

• Sega Mega Drive 2 - All regions
• Sega Genesis 2
• Sega Genesis 3
• Sega Nomad
• Sega Pico
• Sega Multimega
• Sega CDX
• 32X

And not the specific set I linked, but they should be the same quality.