Help! getting a Japanese Sega Saturn to work in the UK

[willllywelyn98]

Hey guys, completely new here and wondering if I can get any help, basically I've decided to import a Japanese Sega Saturn but the only problem is I'm fully aware of a range of issues surrounding importing consoles. I need to know about the voltage difference for the UK compared to Japanese voltage, also what wires and other things I'll need in order to get it to work and the like if I'm to make it work over here. Just to let everyone know I'm also aware I can import a UK console or find a different way of making Japanese games work but I'm after a Japanese console in particular. So what do I need if I'm wanting the console to work in the UK? Many thanks! And again sorry, only just made this account 

[zyrobs]

Getting a Japanese console would be the simplest. You only need a stepdown converter for the voltage, and maybe a separate video cable if you really want to go for RGB video (NTSC consoles need third party RGB cables). If you are okay with composite, then Japanese saturns usually come with one by default.

Other than that, you may need an Action Replay to get PAL games working on it, but a lot of them are 50hz optimized and might not run anyway. If you only want to play JPN games on your JPN console, then you won't even have that problem.

The AR is also helpful for other things though, like saving and acting as a 4mb memory expansion, but you cannot save to it directly from games, which is a downside. If you are not interested in using it for cheats or for the 4mb expansion, then you might even find it better to get a normal memory cart instead.

[willllywelyn98]

Thanks a lot bud! I'm glad to hear it and I'm guessing the step down converters can be purchased easily online?! But cheers for the info, I'm only interested in Japanese titles and whatnot. I'd probably go for the separate RGB cables too so I'll take a look around. Thanks again! 

[PassingBreeze]

Hi, something like this should be fine Step Down Converter the Saturn is only 20W so 45W is enough.

Also I find these cables work well and are quite cheap: Retro Gaming Cables make sure you choose "euro scart" output!

[willllywelyn98]

Brilliant! Thanks a lot guys, all set to buy myself a Sega Saturn!

[willllywelyn98]

Hey, can I ask? The 45w step down converter you recommended has arrived now and I'm awaiting the actual console that I've ordered. Is it really as simple now as me plugging the console's lead into the step down converter, then the converter into the plug socket? 

Also, as far as my TV is concerned, is it enough to buy one of those RGB leads and then using that to connect the Saturn to my TV? 

Sorry for being such a noob, it's the first time using an import console so I want to make sure I definitely get this

[caseh]

Jan 14, 2016 23:28:45 GMT willllywelyn98 said:

Hey, can I ask? The 45w step down converter you recommended has arrived now and I'm awaiting the actual console that I've ordered. Is it really as simple now as me plugging the console's lead into the step down converter, then the converter into the plug socket? 

Also, as far as my TV is concerned, is it enough to buy one of those RGB leads and then using that to connect the Saturn to my TV? 

Sorry for being such a noob, it's the first time using an import console so I want to make sure I definitely get this

That's pretty much it, you'll be wanting a decent quality RGB cable to go with it. Be wary of £5 ones on eBay, very hit and miss with quality. I always get mine from a user called thefoo83. Pricey but they are well built, Retrogamingcables.co.uk are also good.

[willllywelyn98]

I bought one of these in advance! I'm glad I picked the right seller! 
Thanks!

[buckoa51]

If you're using a HDTV things might look a little ugly, especially in motion, but that's another can of worms. Try it first and see.

If you have an old-school CRT you're all set for Saturn bliss

[willllywelyn98]

Thanks for the warning! Do you have a TV you can recommend for me which can use the Saturn and the RGB cable without looking a mess? Thanks bud

[sych]

I'd recommend Acoustic Solutions HDTV. That's the one I currently use with my RGB Scart and the picture quality has never looked better. Its actually gives a better picture quality than my old CRT which I never thought possible. However I'm not sure if Acoustic Solutions are still in business anymore but they're great for Saturn's.

[buckoa51]

Do you have a TV you can recommend for me which can use the Saturn and the RGB cable without looking a mess?

Pretty much only CRTs, any good quality one will work wonders. HDTVs will almost always need upscalers to look as nice, but it depends on the model and its deinterlacer as to how bad things are.

I'd recommend Acoustic Solutions HDTV. That's the one I currently use with my RGB Scart and the picture quality has never looked better. Its actually gives a better picture quality than my old CRT

Colour me cynical, please post pictures. Is that a very early HDTV?

[willllywelyn98]

Jan 15, 2016 21:19:00 GMT buckoa51 said:

Do you have a TV you can recommend for me which can use the Saturn and the RGB cable without looking a mess?

Pretty much only CRTs, any good quality one will work wonders. HDTVs will almost always need upscalers to look as nice, but it depends on the model and its deinterlacer as to how bad things are.

I'd recommend Acoustic Solutions HDTV. That's the one I currently use with my RGB Scart and the picture quality has never looked better. Its actually gives a better picture quality than my old CRT

Colour me cynical, please post pictures. Is that a very early HDTV?

Thanks for the advice! I just so happen to have found an old CRT of mine free so no doubt that'll come in handy! 
In regards to the HDTV I'm also very interested, if you have photo's I'd love to see as well!

[sych]

Jan 15, 2016 21:19:00 GMT buckoa51 said:

Do you have a TV you can recommend for me which can use the Saturn and the RGB cable without looking a mess?

Pretty much only CRTs, any good quality one will work wonders. HDTVs will almost always need upscalers to look as nice, but it depends on the model and its deinterlacer as to how bad things are.

I'd recommend Acoustic Solutions HDTV. That's the one I currently use with my RGB Scart and the picture quality has never looked better. Its actually gives a better picture quality than my old CRT

Colour me cynical, please post pictures. Is that a very early HDTV?

Yeah it was quite early. I bought mine in 2008. It has a HDMI, Scart Socket, RGB Scart Socket, Component input, Composite input and and a few other sockets. Mine looks exactly like this one below but has buttons on the side instead of the top and is 32 inch as opposed to 40inches.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Acoustic-Solutions-LCD40F1080P-40-1080p-HD-LCD-Television-/221995819151?hash=item33affb608f:g:0VkAAOSwstxVLjej


My Acoustic Solutions is also what I used to showcase Fire Pro Wrestling Six Man Scramble. The quality of my Mobile video recording doesn't really do the TV justice but you get an idea.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvvbcG35a50
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeh6EbQtLGY

[buckoa51]

Hmm, I don't personally think that looks on par with a CRT but difficult to tell from that video.

How does it do on the drop shadow/spite flicker test? I think you'd need to go back way earlier than 2008 to find a TV that had basic enough deinterlacing not to screw 240p up.