The Saturn Appreciation Thread

[SeanR]

1 hour ago, Shimmyhill said:

So thanks to a fine gent @MikeBeaver im part of this here Saturn club, jut got back with it (via Tim Horton’s) and setup in the cube…

 

 

I have had a quick bash on Sega Rally and Daytona and even via the OSSC its not the most attractive thing on a 4k screen 😂 but I suspect some tweaking and some 2D games and we will be able to get the picture better!

 

I do need to get a SCART switcher and im thinking ideally (if one exists) one with a twin output as im on the look out for a little CRT (tragically my mum and dad disposed of my 14” Sony CRT that I had back in the day not all that long ago, typical…) and would love to be able to not have any wires showing and be able to output to the OSSC and a CRT with no pulling plugs in and out.

 

three output at the same time?

[spanky debrest]

@Shimmyhill

 

I'm in the market for a dual output SCART switch (of sorts) and eyed these options a while ago (I don't necessarily need to dual output though - just want to 'switch' the same signal to a dedicated Tate Mode CRT at the push of a button):

 

https://antoniovillena.es/store/product/scart-switch-3x3/

 

https://www.js-technology.com/store/index.php?id_product=59&controller=product

 

The gold standard switch with dual simultaneous output is this thing but it's a small batch boutique job so not easily available:

 

https://castlemaniagames.com/products/gscart

 

RetroRGB tested of one of those AliExpress switches @SeanR linked and rated it well:

 

https://www.retrorgb.com/10-in-3-out-auto-scart-switch-reviewed.html

[Shimmyhill]

12 hours ago, MikeBeaver said:

Glad you are happy with it ☺️

Lovely to meet you and the good lady, sorry the office was in such a state though 😂😂

 

Good to meet you and the cave of wonder, ive spent all morning on the Analogue site tho…

 

11 hours ago, SeanR said:

 

three output at the same time?

 

Do you have one?

 

6 hours ago, spanky debrest said:

@Shimmyhill

 

I'm in the market for a dual output SCART switch (of sorts) and eyed these options a while ago (I don't necessarily need to dual output though - just want to 'switch' the same signal to a dedicated Tate Mode CRT at the push of a button):

 

https://antoniovillena.es/store/product/scart-switch-3x3/

 

https://www.js-technology.com/store/index.php?id_product=59&controller=product

 

The gold standard switch with dual simultaneous output is this thing but it's a small batch boutique job so not easily available:

 

https://castlemaniagames.com/products/gscart

 

RetroRGB tested of one of those AliExpress switches @SeanR linked and rated it well:

 

https://www.retrorgb.com/10-in-3-out-auto-scart-switch-reviewed.html

 

Thank you - I want the same thing, on the look out for a small CRT so would be good to be able to switch between the OSSC and that, dont need dual outputs as such. What do you think you will go for?

[merrychan]

12 hours ago, Colonel Panic said:

Apparently, they're launch day Saturns. I've got one and it's a VA0 for sure. Can you check the serial?

Thanks, here's both of mine:
 

HST-3200 (HST-004 Box)

Serial BC50070244

 

HST-3200

Serial B50229333

[spanky debrest]

39 minutes ago, Shimmyhill said:

 

Good to meet you and the cave of wonder, ive spent all morning on the Analogue site tho…

 

 

Do you have one?

 

 

Thank you - I want the same thing, on the look out for a small CRT so would be good to be able to switch between the OSSC and that, dont need dual outputs as such. What do you think you will go for?

 

I'm probably most tempted by the Antonio Villena 3 way matrix switch personally because it's small, can be added to my existing chain of SCART switches and also has that third output for some possible future use.. but I haven't decided on what kind of solution yet. Most are honestly overkill for my needs and yet here I am.

[Colonel Panic]

1 hour ago, merrychan said:

Thanks, here's both of mine:
 

HST-3200 (HST-004 Box)

Serial BC50070244

 

HST-3200

Serial B50229333

The 2nd number is supposed to be the revision so they would appear to be VA0 serials. 
 

This would mean the power supplies are attached to the lid and they use 20 pin ribbon cables for their drives. 

[merrychan]

1 hour ago, Colonel Panic said:

The 2nd number is supposed to be the revision so they would appear to be VA0 serials. 
 

This would mean the power supplies are attached to the lid and they use 20 pin ribbon cables for their drives. 

That's brilliant, thanks for the sanity check

[SeanR]

2 hours ago, Shimmyhill said:

 

Do you have one?

not yet, as I’ve just been forced to downgrade the front room to “current gen, the Pandora, and one other console (Saturn, atm)”, so have no need for a switcher at this time. But once the box room is sorted, and I’m putting it all together, I will get one.

[Shimmyhill]

Prior to getting to involved in the SCART switcher madness ive been having a go on the actual Saturn, I got the Retrobit wireless pad and its brilliant - much better than the original UK pad to hold and I can’t sense any lag - as good as the MD version!

 

However, there is a lot of audio noise - the infamous hum! I assume its down to the cable and in looking at them I have seen there are two versions of Saturn RGB cables - C Sync or Luma Sync and its not clear what one i should be getting? I have the modded Saturn from @MikeBeaver - its a PAL machine but currently im only running JP games and I think I want Sync on Luma but before I order….. help!!

 

 

[Colonel Panic]

PAL Saturns dont do csync. Sync on luma works with all and it’s less noisy than composite sync. 

[Camel]

You can get C-sync cables for PAL Saturns though. I have one and one of my TVs wasn’t happy with the result (I can’t remember the details; maybe a rolling picture) so I ended up sticking with a standard luma sync.

[Shimmyhill]

Thanks both - will order a decent cable with  Luna Sync.

 

Now, this may or may not be related but the first night I had an issue where I couldn’t get a picture after the initial Sega game logo but a power off and on sorted it. However tonight I had it every power on/off and my OSSC was showing this on the screen - obv a weird refresh the telly couldn’t handle!

It didn’t matter if the console was set to 50 or 60hz (50hz would output 64 or something) I tried JP versions of Daytona and Sega rally and both the same - would fire up and usual Saturn logo, initial Sega game logo all showing 60hz and then boom screen black and this odd refresh.

 

I did fiddle with some settings on the OSSC and it worked after a power cycle but really I’ve no idea if I did anything!

 

Any ideas?

[fat flatulent git]

Decided to get the Alien Trilogy - thanks for all comments.  I can cope with a list of objectives but I’d have been stuck if it had had long conversations with subtle hints about what to do.

 

Also picked up a sealed (not for much longer) Elevator Action Returns.  A bit pricey but I love that game.

[geldra]

WTF is up with the Saturn version of Dodonpachi and it’s fugly C64 lookin’ explosions?!?!

 

What happened there?  I thought the Saturn was a 2D beast?! Even the PS version isn’t that bad. 
 

edit: sorry, I know this isn’t in line with “appreciating the Saturn”. 

[Count Buffalos]

I think it’s widely acknowledge to be a not-very-good port now isn’t it? As with much of the JPN only Saturn catalogue, it all a bit pointless now that accurate emulation is possible.

[geldra]

1 hour ago, Count Buffalos said:

I think it’s widely acknowledge to be a not-very-good port now isn’t it? As with much of the JPN only Saturn catalogue, it all a bit pointless now that accurate emulation is possible.

Only seen the Electric Underground review/comparison of the different versions but yeah I guess they’re not 100% accurate. 
 

Kinda disagree that they’re pointless though. They’re their own thing. I find it odd that the PS version bests the Saturn port considering what the strengths of each machine. 

[spatular]

yeah i remember the explosions looking pretty bad! iirc it generally looks better in tate but can't remember if the explosions see much improvement, it's been a long time. i thought it played pretty well though, but yeah i'd play it on mame these days.

[Oh Danny Boy]

Just recently got back into the Saturn after a decade away, definitely went OTT and gathered a small collection already over the last month. Got to stop buying and rinse these before delving any further into the library. 
 

[strider]

Some crackers there @Oh Danny BoyI need to get a new Xmen as my disc is quite badly scratched and sometimes it crashes.

[MikeBeaver]

1 hour ago, strider said:

Some crackers there @Oh Danny BoyI need to get a new Xmen as my disc is quite badly scratched and sometimes it crashes.

Or send the disc to someone who has a disc skimmer perhaps?!?

[Goemon]

13 minutes ago, MikeBeaver said:

Or send the disc to someone who has a disc skimmer perhaps?!?

Do you have a disc skimmer?

 

If you do I’ve got a question…Can you tell the disc has been skimmed? I’ve read about these machines leaving buff marks and wondered if a disc was only lightly scratched, was it worth doing?

[MikeBeaver]

2 minutes ago, Goemon said:

Do you have a disc skimmer?

 

If you do I’ve got a question…Can you tell the disc has been skimmed? I’ve read about these machines leaving buff marks and wondered if a disc was only lightly scratched, was it worth doing?

Depends how deep and what type of discs, also, what sort of machine you have.

I opted for the Eco Clever that Total Disc repair do, got a recon unit for a touch over £2k, plus the consumables cost a fair whack, but it's MORE than paid for itself over the years and discs look fantastic once through, PS1 games and Gamecube can only go a certain depth of skimming though, before you ( PS1 ) ruin the wobble track or (GC ) ruin the data level of the disc!

[DeciderVT]

One of the things I miss most about working in HMV was having access to our disc skimmer. We used to have a Disc Go Devil unit from TDR that gave good results, even on black PS1 discs. I still need to run my copy of Albert Odyssey through one- I should've swiped our unit when our branch closed down!

[Oh Danny Boy]

1 hour ago, strider said:

Some crackers there @Oh Danny BoyI need to get a new Xmen as my disc is quite badly scratched and sometimes it crashes.

Thanks. Been sticking to my own valuation of games. Generally under the £20 mark unless i consider it a combination of scarce  plus large desire to play it. Will never pay more than what I’d pay for a modern game. Most expensive there was Rayman that cost £60, been wanting to replay that for years. So much in the Saturn back catalogue I’ve been wanting to try for years, Steamgear Mash, Mr Bones and Street fighter the movie I picked up for that reason. Shame that there’s quite a few Saturn exclusives, that push £100+ so may never get a chance to play but will keep my eyes peeled for bargains over the months and years. 

[Shimmyhill]

1 hour ago, MikeBeaver said:

Or send the disc to someone who has a disc skimmer perhaps?!?

 

Ive seen this beast in action, did an amazing job!

 

1 hour ago, Oh Danny Boy said:

Thanks. Been sticking to my own valuation of games. Generally under the £20 mark unless i consider it a combination of scarce  plus large desire to play it. Will never pay more than what I’d pay for a modern game. Most expensive there was Rayman that cost £60, been wanting to replay that for years. So much in the Saturn back catalogue I’ve been wanting to try for years, Steamgear Mash, Mr Bones and Street fighter the movie I picked up for that reason. Shame that there’s quite a few Saturn exclusives, that push £100+ so may never get a chance to play but will keep my eyes peeled for bargains over the months and years. 

 

Where are you buying, ive started picking up a few discs and ebay seems to be overpriced (shock) while a couple of bargains from https://www.genkivideogames.com/default.asp

[MikeBeaver]

2 hours ago, DeciderVT said:

One of the things I miss most about working in HMV was having access to our disc skimmer. We used to have a Disc Go Devil unit from TDR that gave good results, even on black PS1 discs. I still need to run my copy of Albert Odyssey through one- I should've swiped our unit when our branch closed down!

I've owned 2 of the DGD, theyre shit compred to the current machine, I actually gave them away when me and a previous x split and I moved out, the first I don't remember where it came from, but the 2nd was £5 from Blockbuster when they were closing.

Before the Clever, I had ( and still have, sitting there doing sod all ) the Eco Smart, you need to manually change each stage's pad, it was annoying, so stumped up the cash for a more automated machine.

[DeciderVT]

They were always very messy but a couple of us at work got quite good with them. I'm not surprised that the new range is better, the last stage of the process was usually me cleaning up the disc with a little spray bottle and a cloth just to get the cleaning fluid off. 

[Oh Danny Boy]

3 hours ago, Shimmyhill said:

 

Ive seen this beast in action, did an amazing job!

 

 

Where are you buying, ive started picking up a few discs and ebay seems to be overpriced (shock) while a couple of bargains from https://www.genkivideogames.com/default.asp

Oh yeah, Genki is good. Mostly just scanning eBay, seeing decent auctions and putting a cheeky offer in. Those sellers who are not primarily game sellers are usually more likely to accept a low ball offer or negotiate I find as they want to get rid. 
 

Was going to not buy any more games  but I put a bid on a copy of In the hunt a few days ago and expected someone else to outbid me. £60 is very decent I think. 

[Down by Law]

Gotta love ebay. I bought this:

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275660583388

 

Excellent condition

And got this

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

Broken disc holder & coffee covered manual = excellent apparently

 

 

Why are people so dishonest, would have taken 2 seconds to point those out in the description and then I wouldn't have bought it. Replacing V2 cases is a pain in the arse, first getting a donor case is expensive and secondly not all inserts are cut the same size, very easy to get ones where the insert will just wrinkle up.

 

Glad i only need a couple more games then I'm satisfied with my Saturn collection

[Shimmyhill]

I got my new RGB lead today and I have a new issue…. When I first turned it on there was a purple hue to the image but I wasnt getting the sync issue - a wiggle of the cable and I had a normal picture, a few power cycles and im still getting the sync issue and the image has the purple hue until I wiggle it. If i put the old cable in then there is no purple hue so is the new RGB cable faulty?

 

In terms of the sync I think if i power the Saturn on and only switch to the input on the OSSC once the game is loaded then I have no issue!

 

 

Any ideas or is it just a faulty cable? Will be disappointed as paid a fair whack to get one from RGC