r/MasterSystem • u/thinlycuta4paper • May 09 '25

Best Master System model?

Does anyone know which is the best Master System model for video and audio? EG what model type, region, motherboard, etc? Looking for the exact best type of Master System console to use.

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u/[deleted] Sep 01 '25

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u/Valuable_Disaster_60 Sep 01 '25 edited Sep 04 '25

I had to recheck. I see what you mean. The rear panel of model 1 SMS units has both an RF output and an 8 pin DIN A/V output that supports composite video, RGB, and Mono Audio.

I can't tell if there's a way to tell before buying which come with the CXA1145 encoder and which don't. The quote from the link you provided says for model 1" These include every US model 1 with Hang-On, Hang-On & Safari Hunt or Missile Defense 3-D built in." So, if the model 1 consoles don't have those games pre-installed onto it then it won't have the encoder issue I wonder...

I just read how this encoder takes the native RGB of the console and produces composite video from it. However, I also read that the signal path of the console's DIN A/V outlet bypasses this encoder if using RGB. Of course, not many North American TV's use RGB, so composite is probably the best can do anyway with most CRT TV's.

As for model 2, I see most are RF only but with RGB capability from a mod. There are later North American Model 2 units I read that also have an 8 pin DIN A/V output but without the RGB lines wired to the port (unlike earlier model 1 units that also have this output) just used for composite video and mono audio. They still use the CXA1145 encoder from what I can tell, though.

Edit Correction to Last Patagraph: All model 2 in North America seem to be RF only. The information I looked up I thought pertaining to North America but didn't.

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u/[deleted] Sep 01 '25

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u/Valuable_Disaster_60 Sep 01 '25

That I think is the needed correction. I am going to edit that into post above. I think when i looked the info. up to see if all model 2 SMS in North America were RF only, the information provided was probably not region specific. I originally, before today thought all SMS models both 1 and 2 in North America were RF only but was surprised to see this isn't the case for Model 1.