Sega CD

Introduction
The Sega CD is an add-on device for the Sega Mega Drive. The device upgraded the functions
of the Mega drive (Genesis in North America) and added a CD-rom drive that allowed the user
to play games on a cd-rom, audio CDs, and CD+G discs.

In Europe the Mega-CD was thought to be overpriced. It was released in April 1993 in the
United Kingdom. Unlike the Mega Drive, which was a very successful console in Europe,
only 60,000 of the 70,000 Mega-CDs shipped to Europe were sold by August 1993. Some European
countries (Spain for instance), would not get the original Mega-CD, but the Mega-CD 2,
which also slowed sales.
This makes the Sega CD an increadable candidate for collectors or those that just never had
the money, can now by the add-on cheaply on ebay. But due to its rarity, the add-on's overall
price has dramatically increaced.


Models
Sega Mega-CD I (Sega CD I in North America)

Sega Mega-CD II (Sega CD II in North America). Designed for the Mega Drive 2 / Genesis
(second model) and to reduce manufacturing costs

JVC Wondermega (X'Eye in North American release, never released in Europe), was an
all-in-one Mega Drive/Mega-CD unit

Sega Multi-Mega (called Sega CDX in North America). A portable CD player that plays both Mega
Drive and Mega-CD games, as well as audio CDs, and CD-G discs. Resembling a slightly longer
version of the typical portable CD player of the day.

Pioneer LaserActive Sega Mega-CD module, an add-on device available for the LaserActive system


Technical specifications
CPU - The main CPU is a 12.5-MHz 16-bit Motorola 68000 processor.
The Mega Drive/Genesis has the same processor, but at a lower clock rate
of 7.67 MHz (NTSC) / 7.61 MHz (PAL).

Graphics
Graphics Processor: Custom ASIC
Number of simultaneous colors on screen: 64 out of 512
Display resolution: 320 x 224 pixels and 256 x 224, video size from ¼ to full screen
Advanced compression scheme
Software-based upgrade
Scaling and rotation effects

RAM
Main RAM: 6 Mbit (upgrade from the Mega Drive's 64kbit)
PCM samples: 512 kbit
CD-ROM data cache: 128 kbit
64 kbit Internal Backup RAM

Storage
500 MB CD-ROM discs (equivalent to 62 minutes of audio data)
¼ screen B/W footage video: 1.5 to 4 hours
¼ screen colour footage: 45 minutes
CD-ROM drive transfer rate: 150 kB/s (1x)

Dimensions
Dimensions: 301 mm × 212.5 mm × 112.5 mm
Weight: 1.4 kg (3.1 lb)

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