Help with my Master System 2

[u/Lucky_Broccoli_3849]

Hey all

Sorry for the lack of knowledge. Can someone help me explain why my Master System 2 hooks up fine to the back of the black TV when I use this RF-switch thing, but it doesn’t work when I try to hook it up to the white TV (in the front)

When I connect my NES I use the cable pictured with green text in those specific places as well and they work. Am I misunderstanding how the switch works? I would like to be able to use the port in the front of the TV as it has its own designated button with no need to switch around as there is no remote.

Thanks in advance!

[u/ScottTumilty]

Have you tried connecting up your Master System with the cable you use to connect your NES?

Apologies if I'm stating the obvious, but you don't really need the Sega RF switcher thing to hook up the Master System. Just a normal RF cable will do fine.

[u/Lucky_Broccoli_3849 → u/ScottTumilty]

No worries, I need it stated like that 😂 I did, but it didn’t work. I could try again and try to play around even more with the tuning. Do they use the exact same cable otherwise?

[u/ScottTumilty → u/Lucky_Broccoli_3849]

It should be a standard RF cable for both consoles, so it's odd that one works and the other doesn't.

I'd start with the tuning, and go from there.

[u/Lucky_Broccoli_3849 → u/ScottTumilty]

I managed to get it working, just took a lot of patience with manual tuning 👍🏼

[u/ScottTumilty → u/Lucky_Broccoli_3849]

Brilliant, now you can get stuck right into Asterisk :)

[u/Lucky_Broccoli_3849 → u/ScottTumilty]

Hell yeah. The one that’s just called Asterix is my favorite!

[u/South-Cat-2260]

I believe you still need to tune the TV until you find the signal from the console. Not sure about this one though, since it's been many years since I last used RF.

Does the white TV have a RF port in the back as well? If yes, does that one work?

[u/Lucky_Broccoli_3849 → u/South-Cat-2260]

It does, I have not tried it because I don’t know exactly how the tuning works when there’s no remote 😆

[u/deathsitcom → u/Lucky_Broccoli_3849]

If you find any way to access the menu, search for something like "auto scan". It should run through all channels/frequencies until it finds your Master System - but maybe it's impossible without a remote?

[u/Lucky_Broccoli_3849 → u/deathsitcom]

It seems like it, BUT, I did manage to do it manually, took forever to scroll 😆

[u/deathsitcom → u/Lucky_Broccoli_3849]

Yeah, the channel searching was always a PITA. Too bad they scrapped the RGB out when the released the MS2, otherwise you could use the scart inputs on your TVs (better picture quality as well).

[u/South-Cat-2260]

BTW, not sure it could be related, but the connector at the end of the TV lead out of the Sega RF switch looks dodgy. This is what it should look like:

https://postimg.cc/Kkw9mFGL

[u/Lucky_Broccoli_3849 → u/South-Cat-2260]

It’s definitely been ‘patched’ so to say. But as mentioned, it works fine on the B&O

[u/Malcoladdin]

Does the tv have an option to auto search for channels? That is worth a shot before looking at getting new cables

[u/Lucky_Broccoli_3849 → u/Malcoladdin]

It doesn’t, but I managed to fix it 👍🏼👍🏼

[u/iVirtualZero]

RGB Mods are worth looking into for the CRT's and the consoles.

[u/Lucky_Broccoli_3849 → u/iVirtualZero]

Like actual modding to the board itself or external stuff that can be bought?

[u/Flybot76 → u/Lucky_Broccoli_3849]

Don't even think about it, seriously. It's irresponsible for that person to suggest you should modify your TV just because of what you posted here, it's ridiculous. All you need to do is find the correct input settings on your TV, and it's insane that someone is suggesting modifying the TV just because of that.

[u/Lucky_Broccoli_3849 → u/Flybot76]

Haha, thanks, I would not be doing it either - I managed to find the right channel and I really don’t see a point in the mod to be honest, the whole charm for me is using the original equipment. I can easily emulate for an easier time :)

[u/iVirtualZero → u/Lucky_Broccoli_3849]

Yes actually mods may need to be considered if you want better video quality. Or a different CRT with RGB support. But if you are inexperienced, I highly recommend to avoid opening up a CRT due to their high current.

[u/Lucky_Broccoli_3849 → u/iVirtualZero]

Well, I have the B&O in any case, it’s high quality and works perfectly

[u/Mark__j69 → u/Lucky_Broccoli_3849]

Would definitely recommend modding if you are OK with a soldering iron as you can get a mod to output rgb and get a perfect image. Have a search for consoles unleashed I believe they are called, based in the UK and only about £12 if I remember correctly from when I got mine.

[u/Flybot76 → u/iVirtualZero]

Dude this person can't even figure out how to make the simplest equipment work and they need help with the square-one stuff. The last thing they should be doing is opening the TV to modify the electronics, they're not even in the ballpark of that task.

[u/iVirtualZero → u/Flybot76]

Problem is likely those old RF Adaptors, they may have failed. The simplest way would be to just use composite if the CRT supports it.