Sega Master System MK1 & Mega Drive MK1 To RGB SCART AV Cable (Retro Gaming Cable)

Retro gaming cables are here at Cable Chick! Get the very best picture and sound quality from your Sega Master System (MK1) or Mega Drive (MK1) console with this awesome RGB SCART Cable! We’ll explain how below…

What are retro gaming cables?

Our retro gaming cables have been specifically designed for the 8-bit and 16-bit video game consoles we grew up with, from companies like Sega, Nintendo and a little later, Sony. These cables have been developed to either serve as quality replacements for the original AV cables which shipped with the consoles, or offer superior AV output quality so you can enjoy these old consoles like never before!

Cable options for the Sega Master System MK1 and Mega Drive 1

When it comes to hooking up your Sega game console to a TV, you have four main options with a MK1 console:

1. RF Output (not available on Mega Drive 2 models): The RF output is the connection where you need to tune your TV to receive a signal from the game console. This is the oldest AV output standard, and as it sends all video and audio information through a single coaxial lead, the quality is also the poorest.
2. Composite Video: The next step up and noticeably better for video and audio, however the results are still not great due to the signal being carried through a single pin.  Sega consoles are notorious for poor quality Composite Video output, however, this is how most of us have experienced Sega consoles growing up! Please note that the Mega Drive 1 only supported mono audio from the AV output, while the MK2 console supported stereo audio!
3. S-Video: S-Video is supported via the Multi-AV output on both the Mega Drive 1 & 2 models, and represents a significant step-up from Composite Video quality, thanks to the signal being carried across multiple pins. If your TV doesn’t support RGB SCART, this will be your best option.
4. THIS CABLE > RGB SCART: The SCART connector was an amazing analog standard used in Europe which made its way over to Australia on some higher end CRT televisions. With full separation of the video and audio signals, you will get the very best picture possible from an RGB SCART connection, which is supported on both the Mega Drive MK1 and MK2 consoles.

A special note for audio support

It’s important to note that the Multi-AV port on the series 1 Master Systems and Mega Drives only supported mono audio. This may be fine for the Master System and its more limited audio, however to enjoy stereo audio on your Mega Drive 1 console, just use a 3.5.mm Stereo Audio to 2RCA cable from the headphone jack on the front of the console!

But what is a SCART connector?

The SCART standard was a European standard for AV connections, and fortunately as we Australian’s share the same PAL TV formats as Europe, some of our higher end TVs included SCART connectivity (while the USA has NTSC format, and missed out on the benefits of a superior SCART connection!).

The SCART connector is identified by a large, rectangular plug and socket design with 21 pins.  If you are a retro gamer you simply must hunt around and pick up an old SCART CRT TV for your retro gaming consoles. Whereas Composite Video and S-Video connections provide a very ordinary image with colour bleeding and noise in the image, an RGB SCART connection between a compatible game console and TV will give you a near perfect, crisp 240p signal. The Sega Master System (MK1), Mega Drive (MK1 and MK2), SNES, N64 and Gamecube are all capable of outputting an RGB SCART signal required for such a setup.

Retro gaming on a modern HDMI TV or monitor

Our Sega Multi-AV 8-Pin DIN Cables are compatible with our SCART to HDMI Converter for 720p or 1080p upscaled digital audio and video output, with excellent output quality.

Keeping things simple

You may read all of this and think this is terribly complicated, however it’s more the case that we are just trying to cover all the bases. When it comes to the early Sega consoles, you just need to remember these things:

• The Master System MK1 and Mega Drive MK1 consoles use the same Multi-AV output with the same functionality
• Mega Drive MK2, and Genesis 2 and 3 models (from the USA) use a different Mini-DIN AV output.
• Sega Multi-AV port can output Composite Video, S-Video or RGB SCART Video, plus audio
• RGB SCART offer the best possible video output for your Sega consoles, if you have a SCART TV.
• For stereo audio on the Mega Drive MK1, use the front headphone jack.

Features:

• 5 Year Cable Chick Warranty!
• Compatible with the Sega Master System (MK1) & Mega Drive (MK1) game consoles only
• Outputs RGB SCART Video + Mono Audio to a SCART equipped TV
• Requirements: Sega Master System / Mega Drive series 1 Game Console + TV with SCART Input
• Outputs RGB Video + Audio at a native 240p resolution for superior image quality
• Used to get the best AV output quality from an original Sega MK1 console
• Length: 1.5m (Approx)
• Colour: Black