Saturn Region Patcher causing screen to be cut off

[webdoggy]

Hey everyone. Lots of information here, but I can't find anyone talking about the ONE problem I am having. I just got a Saturn and modded it, and was trying to play some backups. I can get everything done just fine so it plays, but I can't for the life of me figure out what I'm missing.

When using Saturn Region Patcher, I am able to get the region changed, but after doing so I lose out on the bottom couple of inches of the screen. The image looks fine before patched, but as soon as I patch it, that portion of the screen is cut off. I've tried all of the settings I see in SRP, but nothing seems to make a difference. My disc images are in MDX format. I thought that may be the problem so I converted to BIN/CUE and tried again...same problem. Has anyone seen this before?

I'm using SRP 3.0GE.

Thanks in advance!

[webdoggy]

I tried a Japanese image and it looks completely fine after being patched. The other images I was trying were European. Maybe that narrows it down...

[theclaw]

You're probably playing PAL games that use the larger screen area. Video format is separate from region-code on Saturn.

Without hardware mod... An NTSC system will attempt to play PAL games in the console's factory state. 60hz, NTSC color, NTSC number of lines. Or the opposite for NTSC games on a PAL system.

Some games this is no problem for. Others it might be. I don't know if there's a detailed compatibility list.

Saturn must use a 50/60hz switch (if not also color fix) and compatible TV to play optimized PAL games correctly. It cannot be switched between 50/60hz or NTSC/PAL color by games (even patched), the cartridge slot, or a modchip.

[webdoggy]

You're probably playing PAL games that use the larger screen area. Video format is separate from region-code on Saturn.

Without hardware mod... An NTSC system will attempt to play PAL games in the console's factory state. 60hz, NTSC color, NTSC number of lines. Or the opposite for NTSC games on a PAL system.

Some games this is no problem for. Others it might be. I don't know if there's a detailed compatibility list.

Saturn must use a 50/60hz switch (if not also color fix) and compatible TV to play optimized PAL games correctly. It cannot be switched between 50/60hz or NTSC/PAL color by games (even patched), the cartridge slot, or a modchip.

Thanks for the reply. Two of the games I had problems with were Three Dirty Dwarves and Rayman. I actually ran the images before (with a European bios) and after (US bios) patching through SSF to test them out and I see the same problem. Wouldn't I get the normal sized screen in SSF if it were a problem tied to console region?

Thanks again for replying, I've been pulling my hair out trying to figure this out. Unfortunately with the amount it cuts off it renders the two games I've tried pretty much unplayable.

[theclaw]

If you have a modded system the games play and look fine on, then don't worry about graphics patches. The console already forces European games into NTSC due to its factory setting.

[webdoggy]

If you have a modded system the games play and look fine on, then don't worry about graphics patches. The console already forces European games into NTSC due to its factory setting.

Sorry, I think you misunderstood what I was trying to say. Basically here is what's going on.

With European games. I try playing the disc image in SSF prior to region patching or burning. The game plays and looks perfect. I then patch the game to North America via SRP, and play it again on the emulator. The bottom is cut off. If I go ahead and burn the game to a disc and try it on my North American Saturn, the bottom of the image is still cut off.

If I do the same thing with Japanese games, it reacts perfectly. The region is changed to North America and nothing is cut off of the bottom of the screen.

[CRTGAMER]

The PAL screen is "taller" then NTSC so you lose some of the image. There might be a program for the Saturn mod to allow you to reburn the disc with the image shifted up. You would lose the top portion so just have to adjust depending on the game. I have done this with PAL PS1 and PS2 games.

[webdoggy]

That sounds like what I need. Does anyone have any suggestions? I can't believe I would be the only one to run into this problem...

[theclaw]

Try installing a 50/60hz switch. Should be basic since you've modded Saturn before.

[webdoggy]

Interesting. It appears the two games I tried first were just (un)lucky picks. I've tried several other European games and don't have a problem while converting them. Thanks for the input guys.