HD Retrovision Genesis 2 Cable on PS1: Adapter Setup Guide

By 8BitMods - Retro and modern console games and accessories | Published: 2026-10-14

Category: How-to Guides

Use the HD Retrovision PS1 adapter to run your Genesis 2 YPbPr cable on a PlayStation 1. Step-by-step setup, compatibility checks, and common mistakes.

Quick answer

To run a Genesis 2 YPbPr cable on a PlayStation 1, plug the HD Retrovision PS1 adapter into the console's 12-pin AV port, then connect the Genesis 2 cable's male 9-pin mini-DIN end to the adapter. The adapter converts the Genesis 2 cable's 9-pin mini-DIN connector to the PS1's 12-pin connector. Confirm your PS1 model and cable are on HD Retrovision's known-supported list before buying, and set your TV to the correct component input.

Why the adapter exists and what it changes

The HD Retrovision Genesis 2 YPbPr cable ends in a male 9-pin mini-DIN plug. The original PlayStation 1 uses a 12-pin AV multi-out. The HD Retrovision PS1 adapter bridges those two physical connectors: it accepts the Genesis 2 cable's 9-pin mini-DIN male plug and presents a male PlayStation 12-pin connector to the console. Nothing about the cable's video processing changes; the adapter only re-routes the same YPbPr signal to the PS1's pinout.

Check compatibility before you buy

HD Retrovision maintains a specific list of known supported consoles for both the Genesis 2 cable and the PS1 adapter. That list is the only reliable compatibility reference because the adapter may work with untested consoles but cannot be guaranteed. Check your exact PS1 model against the adapter's supported list, and check your Genesis 2 cable against its own supported list. If either model is not listed, treat the setup as unverified rather than assuming it will work.

What you need and what you do not

You need three things: a PlayStation 1 with a working 12-pin AV multi-out, a Genesis 2 YPbPr cable, and the HD Retrovision PS1 adapter. You do not need a separate power supply; the adapter is passive and takes no power. You also do not need to open the console. If your TV lacks YPbPr component inputs, you will need a separate YPbPr-to-HDMI or YPbPr-to-display solution, because the adapter does not convert the signal to HDMI.

Setup steps

Power off the PS1 and TV: Turn off the PlayStation 1 and the display before connecting anything. Plug the HD Retrovision PS1 adapter's male 12-pin connector into the PS1's AV multi-out port, aligning the plug so it seats fully without force. Checkpoint: the adapter should sit flush. If it rocks or needs pressure, stop and re-check the orientation.
Attach the Genesis 2 cable to the adapter: Plug the Genesis 2 YPbPr cable's male 9-pin mini-DIN connector into the adapter's 9-pin mini-DIN socket. The connector is keyed, so it should slide in one way only. Common mistake: forcing the 9-pin plug in upside down. If it does not seat easily, rotate it 180 degrees and try again.
Connect the YPbPr ends to the TV: Match the cable's green, blue, and red YPbPr plugs to the corresponding component inputs on your TV or switcher. If your display uses a shared component/composite input group, select the component mode in the TV menu. Checkpoint: note which input number you used so you can select it in the next step.
Select the correct input and test: Power on the PS1 and TV, then switch the TV to the component input you used. Insert a game and confirm you see a stable image. If the picture is black and white, you are likely on a composite or S-Video input rather than component. Common mistake: leaving the TV on the wrong input and concluding the adapter is faulty.
Troubleshoot only after the basics: If there is no image, re-seat both the 12-pin adapter connection and the 9-pin cable connection, then try a different component input. If the image is unstable, check that the cable is fully inserted at both ends and that the TV input is set to YPbPr, not RGB. Checkpoint: if a known-good Genesis 2 cable and a listed PS1 model still fail, the adapter or console port may be the issue.

Product facts

SONY PlayStation 1 adapter for HD Retrovision MD2 / Genesis 2 cable: The HD Retrovision PS1 adapter converts the male 9-pin mini-DIN connector on the Genesis YPbPr cable to a male PlayStation 12-pin connector. This is the exact physical conversion that makes a Genesis 2 cable usable on a PS1; without it, the two connectors cannot mate.
SONY PlayStation 1 adapter for HD Retrovision MD2 / Genesis 2 cable: HD Retrovision publishes a specific list of known supported consoles for the PS1 adapter and notes that it may work with untested consoles but cannot be guaranteed. You should verify your PS1 model against that list before buying, because an unlisted model is an unverified risk rather than a confirmed fit.
HD Retrovision SNES Premium YPbPr Component Cable: The HD Retrovision SNES Premium YPbPr Component Cable connects a SNES console to YPbPr component inputs and has its own known-supported console list; it will not work with a stock SNES mini, SFC mini, or N64 without separate consideration. If you already own this SNES cable, do not assume it substitutes for the Genesis 2 cable in a PS1 adapter setup; the PS1 adapter is built around the Genesis 2 cable's 9-pin mini-DIN connector.