How to hook up your SEGA Genesis 1 with the SEGA CD 1 and the SEGA 32X
This page will show you how to get your SEGA Genesis Model 1 System hooked up to the original SEGA CD
and throw a SEGA 32X on top!! What I like to call, THE TOWER OF POWER!
Click on any image to enlarge for a better look.
The SEGA 32X, what you will need:
SEGA 32X
(original model MK-84000)
SEGA 32X Cartridge Bay Clips
(optional)
SEGA MK-2103
AC Power Supply
SEGA 32X to Genesis 1
crossover cable
SEGA 32X to Genesis 1
crossover cable
SEGA Genesis Model 2
(and 32X) RCA AV cable
The SEGA Genesis, what you will need:
SEGA Genesis
(original model MK-1601)
SEGA MK-1602
AC Power Supply
The SEGA CD, what you will need:
SEGA CD
(original model MK-1690)
SEGA CD Steel Joining Plate & screw
(optional)
SEGA MK-1602
AC Power Supply
SEGA CD Small RF Shield
(optional)
SEGA CD Expansion RF Shield
(optional)
SEGA CD Audio Mixing Cable
RCA Composite Stereo cables
(optional)
Before we start running cables we have some hardware we need to install. We will start with the SEGA Genesis.
STEP #1
(optional)
To start off grab your SEGA Genesis and the two (2) metal cartridge clips. These clips will be inserted into the cartridge slot to hold the door flaps open. The longer of the two clips goes on the back side of the slot and the smaller one goes on the front side.
Start with the back clip first. Using your fingers press in and hold open the cartridge door flaps. With your your other hand insert the long clip, with the 2 “hooks” going inside and facing the rear of the system. Your are basically going to try and clip the rear cartridge flap into the hooks . The four (4) flat tabs on the metal clip with sit flush with the top of the Genesis. As you fiddle with the clip it will “snap” into place and hold the back flap open. Now move onto the front flap.
Same thing with the shorter metal clip. The two (2) “hooks” go down into the system, pointing to the front of the system. Now fiddle with it some more and try and clip the cartridge flap into the clip. Again, it will sit flush on the top and “snap” into place.
If you don’t have these clips, don’t worry. They are used to block to SEGA from electronically interfering with other devices. I have never noticed any difference with anything with them in or out. Heck the 32X holds the doors open. Just move on to step 2.
STEP #2
This is quick and easy. First things first, lets remove the plastic cover from the expansion port. The black panel on the lower right side of the Genesis should just pop right off. There may be a red cover over the expansion port blade inside. If so, remove it, if not then this baby’s been hooked up to a CD in the past!
STEP #3
(optional)
Now lets attach the two RF Shields to the Genesis.
First attach the SEGA CD Expansion RF Shield to the newly opened expansion port on the Genesis. It will clip right in
Note: All RF (radio frequency) Shields are to help block interference, if you don’t have them the system will still work.
Now lets stick the SEGA CD Small RF Shield to the vents on the bottom of the Genesis. You start with the first vent closest to the center of the Genesis. Just pop it on and your done.
STEP #4
(optional)
OK, the final piece. All we need to do is slide the SEGA CD Steel Joining Plate into position on the bottom of the Genesis. It will only fit one way so you cant mess it up. You will see spaces on the bottom of the Genesis where the clips will slid in. If you have the screw, go ahead and screw it in. While this step is optional if you don’t have the part, the Genesis wont be as stable on the CD, so be careful.
STEP #5
Now let’s combine the SEGA Genesis with the SEGA CD. All you need to do is set the SEGA Genesis on top of the SEGA CD. Your gonna insert the exposed Genesis expansion port into the Connector Terminal on the SEGA CD. Place the Genesis on the CD slightly to the left and then slide it to the right. The Steel Joining Plate on the bottom of the Genesis has tabs on the bottom that will lock into the 4 tabs slots on top of the SEGA CD and the Genesis Expansion Port will slide into the SEGA CD Terminal at the same time. You might need to work it a bit, but it will snap into place fairly easily.
OK, you should now have the two system combined as one. Look at it. Isn’t it beautiful? Hold it for a second, carefully. Talk to it. Let it know your feelings. It’s going to provide you some quality entertainment so let it know how much you appreciate what it brings to the table…
Now, let’s put the SEGA 32X on top!
STEP #6
This one is easy, I promise. Take the SEGA 32X System and plug it into the SEGA Genesis cartridge slot, like it’s some gigantic new game you just got!
NOTE: There is an extension plate that came with the SEGA 32X. It is used only with the smaller Genesis model 2. If this piece is currently on your 32X, it will not sit correctly on the Genesis model 1. Simply slide this piece from the bottom of the 32X to solve the problem.
Now, let’s bring this baby TO LIFE!!!!
First let’s review the ports on each system and cables used.
SEGA Genesis – Model 1,
SEGA CD – Model 1 & SEGA 32X
Ports and Connections
SEGA 32X A/V OUT:
This port is used for the SEGA Composite RCA AV Cable (red, white & Yellow). And can be used with an RF Box (but don’t).
SEGA 32X A/V IN:
This port is used for the 32X crossover cable that connects the Genesis to the 32X.
SEGA 32X AC ADAPTER:
This is the 32X power supply port for the SEGA MK-2103 AC Power Supply unit.
SEGA GENESIS A/V OUT:
This port is normally used to run the video out on your Genesis. But with the SEGA 32X attached this cable now runs to the 32X A/V in.
SEGA GENESIS AC ADAPTER:
This is the SEGA Genesis power supply port for the SEGA MK-1602 AC unit.
SEGA CD RCA STEREO OUT:
This runs stereo sound out of your SEGA CD using standard composite RCA Cables.
SEGA CD AUDIO LINE-IN:
This AUDIO IN port is used with the Audio Mixing Cable that will be plugged into the headphone-jack on the original SEGA Genesis.
1/8 Headphone Jack to Stereo RCA cable:
(optional)
This port is used to pump stereo sound from your games out to your TV or Stereo. The AV port on the back does not output stereo audio. But when hooked to the SEGA 32X you will get stereo from the 32X to TV AV port. So the only reason you would need to use this port is if you wanted to run the audio seperately to a stereo, and not the back of the TV along with the video.
SEGA CD AC ADAPTER:
This is the SEGA CD power supply port for the SEGA MK-1602 AC unit.
Here’s how everything will look when we are done.
STEP #7:
OK, grab the two 32X crossover cables and lets plug them together.
NOTE: You can now buy a single aftermarket version of this cable. So depending on what you have you may be able to just run one cable. But there are different connections for the Genesis 1 vs. the 2.
Alright, that was easy. Now lets plug them into the SEGAs.
Take the larger end of the combined 32X crossover cable and plug it into the A/V Out port on the SEGA Genesis.
Now plug the other end into the A/V In port on the SEGA 32X .
STEP #8
So, as I’ve mentioned before, the original SEGA Genesis does not output stereo from the AV port on the back. The only way you can get stereo sound is using the headphone jack on the front of the machine, either with headphones or a headphone 1/8” jack to RCA, which you could then run to your home stereo. BUT, when we add a SEGA CD to the mix it gets a bit more complicated. If you DONT use the cable on this step, (which you can find a replacement at any Radio Shack) then all other methods will result in mono sound from the Genesis and SEGA CD. It all depends on how picky you are.
Shall we proceed?
Plug one end into the headphone jack on the from of the SEGA Genesis. If you have the original cable that has the signal magnet on it (the black cylinder), use the end furthest from it.
Then clip the cable into the built in holder on the left side of the SEGA CD unit (yup, thats what it’s for). This will keep the cable from interfering with the CD Tray operation.
Then plug the other end into the SEGA CD Audio in port on the back of the CD Unit. And you are done.
STEP #9
Plug the A/V RCA cable into your SEGA 32X system.
Attach the other end of the RCA cable to you TV. You could have multiple options available like on the diagram. You can place it in any one that is not in use. YELLOW is always the VIDEO and should be plugged into the YELLOW port. RED and WHITE (right and left respectively) are the sound and should be plugged into the proper color for the cable.
STEP #7
Plug the SEGA 1602 Power Supply into the SEGA Genesis. Now plug it into the wall.
Plug the SEGA 1602 Power Supply into the SEGA CD. Now plug it into the wall.
Plug the SEGA 2103 Power Supply into the SEGA 32X. Now plug it into the wall.
Yes these are big bulky guys. You will need some room or an extention cable in most cases.
STEP #8 (Optional)
NOTE: With the SEGA 32X attached and the Audio Mixing cable connecting the SEGA Genesis and SEGA CD, the 32X will output all stereo sound from the SEGA RCA Cable. So you don’t really need to use this output unless you need/want to run your sound cables to a stereo system. If you dont need to do that you can skip this step. If you do, read on.
Using the standard RCA Stereo Cable (red & white), Plug them into the correct port on the back of the SEGA CD. Now run the other end to your TV, making sure you place these two audio cables in the same Video Channel that you placed the yellow video cable in on step 6 (see diagram to the right).
STEP #9
OK, you should now have everything hooked up correctly. Turn your TV to the appropriate VIDEO SOURCE that you plugged the game system to on the back of your TV. You probably have several INPUTS available from COMPONENT, VIDEO 1 2 & 3 and so on. In the diagram above you would need to change your TV to VIDEO 1. To change to these different video signal options, you usually have a INPUT button on your remote or television. Turn on your game system!
If everything was done correctly you should see either the cartridge game if one is plugged into the SEGA Genesis, or the SEGA CD if no game is inserted.
STEP #10
Take down some zombies in Corpse Killer 32X!
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