smokemonster
Saturn Player
Joined: September 2013
Posts: 78
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Post by smokemonster on Oct 15, 2013 2:53:14 GMT
I came across a great post by Zyrobs at sega-16 summarizing the differences between the Saturn revisions. I'd like to hear people's opinions on whether Sega's changes were mainly aimed at improving the Saturn's functionality, or to save in manufacturing costs? I've been assuming that it's more complex than one or the other, because some changes seem like common-sense improvements to make them quicker to assemble (bottom mounted PSUs for example), while some changes like the case design seem to be clearly aimed at cost reduction. The updates made to many console designs led to drastic quality and compatibility denigrations (MD/Genesis and SNES especially). From the few Saturns that I've restored (going on six in the last two months), it seems like the biggest step was from VA0 to VA1. VA0 is much more labor intensive (still quite easy though) to assemble, and have some extra shielding and grounding that would be lost in later revisions. I've settled on a VA0 Model 1 for my RGB setup, and a VA8 Model 2 (because it was like-new inside) for my s-video/scanline setup. I'm curious to know what design changes resulted in the slightly different RGB performance between them, and if the critiques that I've read about the Model 2's audio quality have any basis? I do get a cleaner/more colorful picture from the Model 1, but can't discern any differences in their audio. |
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Post by zyrobs on Oct 15, 2013 8:41:07 GMT
VA8 and VA9 are more susceptible to interference in the video quality for some reason. The other model 2s I've tested don't have that issue.
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smokemonster
Saturn Player
Joined: September 2013
Posts: 78
Location:
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Post by smokemonster on Oct 17, 2013 19:25:25 GMT
VA8 and VA9 are more susceptible to interference in the video quality for some reason. The other model 2s I've tested don't have that issue. That explains the difference that I was seeing. So after documenting so many Saturns, do you have a favorite revision? |
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Post by zyrobs on Oct 17, 2013 19:49:02 GMT
I've only tried all of the PAL machines so far. I haven't personally checked VA8 NTSC machines, but I've heard reports of them having the same problem.
Other than the sync issue on VA9 units, I think all Saturns are about equal, quality wise. I think the VA13 PAL machine had slightly worse composite video (had more ghosting) but I don't remember exactly. And I barely checked more than a few NTSC machines.
My current favourite is a VA5 model 2 which has an insanely strong laser in it. But I play games on a modded VA3 as I don't want to cut up another unit just for that. I might change the access light led though, since the ones in model 1 are useless. I like that mod where you move the led into the top of the tray so it illuminates that little plexiglass.
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Post by MIK on Oct 18, 2013 8:52:15 GMT
Truth is the access light that worked well on MegaCD to get us used to CD loading styles became a bit of a novelty on Sega Saturn in the end because over time you would know how your games load and would stop looking at the thing.  |
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NeoGeoNinja
Shadow Warrior
Joined: August 2011
Posts: 6,616
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Post by NeoGeoNinja on Oct 18, 2013 9:51:11 GMT
Truth is the access light that worked well on MegaCD to get us used to CD loading styles became a bit of a novelty on Sega Saturn in the end because over time you would know how your games load and would stop looking at the thing. Dude! It was all about the access light on the A500 originally! There was nothing worse than when it would stop and the orange and green would pulsate (lighter-darker-lighter-darker etc) followed by everyone's favourite 'guru meditation' screen  Those were the days. Not forgetting... the 'sound' of loading, way before the Dreamcast made it popular "whrrrr-tck-tck-tck-tck-tck... whrrr... WHRRRRR!!" |
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Post by MIK on Oct 18, 2013 11:01:52 GMT
Haha, the lights on the Amiga were the heart and soul of the machine and you just knew when it was hovering on a crash before it happened because of them. Those lights still are important today, so I don't mess the harddrive up switching it off. Yeah some DC games do grind wickedly, hate that. |
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ShiningRangerSaga
Saturn Gamer
"Mike Aruba!" -Mike "Buddy" Aruba, Out Of This World, 1992.
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 248 
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Post by ShiningRangerSaga on Oct 18, 2013 11:25:49 GMT
VA8 and VA9 are more susceptible to interference in the video quality for some reason. The other model 2s I've tested don't have that issue. You might be able to help me with this: My first saturn I ever bought was a model 2 made in august of '96. I remember noticing an BIG difference in video quality through composite compared to my VA0 model 1 (The quality was much crisper on the model 1, and the picture was much darker.) Was that model 2 a VA9? Im only really knowledged in VA0 And VA0.8 systems, since thay're the only revisions ive worked on (even though theyre identical with fully swapable parts.) |
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Post by zyrobs on Oct 18, 2013 11:59:48 GMT
If it was a USA machine, it might just have been a VA8: evilboris.sonic-cult.net/saturn/index.php?type=USA&model=-&s1=-&s2=6&s3=8&sega_id=-The only NTSC VA9 boards were in the model 2 hi-saturns by the way. However I have not personally tested VA8 NTSC machines, only VA9, and the only difference in those was sync interference causing "ripples" on the screen, most visible in the topmost part. And I'm also using high quality SCART cables, which fix a lot of issues. |
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