What would you do with a PAL system in the US?

[SaturnHST]

I have a PAL Sega Saturn that also displays in black/white on my US Bravia HDTV and some of the bottom of the screen is cut off. Would installing a 50/60hz switch fix this?

[theclaw]

Saturn handles 50/60hz separate from composite/svideo color.

If not using an RGB cable, you'll also have to change the color format.

[Hobie-wan]

Interesting that an N64 will accept a US power supply.

It is like any other device with a power brick that's outside the system. The power brick is what converts 120v or 220v into something between 5 and 12 volts that most electronics use. Especially in the case of portable devices with screens, the units are usually all or nearly all the same. Just a different power brick and manual get tossed in the box. That's likely part of the reason why most portables have been region free.

[theclaw]

I've never looked into it. But off-hand I assume the roots of portable region locking are found in Master System.

Game Gear kept its basic concept of an internal language setting games could detect. GG also used positive or negative power input depending on region. Plus obviously SMS to GG cart adapters are either JP or US shape (at least it appears JP exists).

[eggman]

Just wanted to bump this old thread up because i wanted some clarification on a few statements as I have ignored this issue for a few months.....

The PAL PS2 isn't a problem, plus a simple mod chip can make it play American games too.

Now a PAL N64? 50Hz plus a lot of games missing from its library compared to the American one. Yeah I'd get an NTSC N64 and maybe a region-free device to make the American N64 play your European games.

As i understand it, if i use component cables with my PAL PS2 then it will work with an NTSC HDTV? What about the power difference? It is a FAT PS2 with internal power supply, so do i just find a US cable and it will be ok? Mod Chip for US game use?

N64 seems like a simple $20 console purchase and get a cart converter for my euro games. Would this be a Passport or Game Genie? Anyone point me in the right direction with these?

Thanks for the help everyone!

[Duke.Togo]

You could start hunting around for a Sony PVM monitor. Places are getting rid of them, had 2 given to me recently. If you know anyone that works at a hospital their Bio-medical folks would probably be the ones to talk to.

PVM's can display PAL no problem. I use it to play my PAL NES system and games.

[eggman]

Thanks. I will keep an eye out for a PVM monitor. Anyone know about the PS2 power issue?

[theclaw]

HDTVs are more likely to accept PAL than CRTs were.

The PAL PS2 isn't a problem, plus a simple mod chip can make it play American games too.

Mod chips don't change a console's internal region.
You couldn't see the PAL main menu or boot screens on an incompatible TV.

[ApolloBoy]

PVM's can display PAL no problem. I use it to play my PAL NES system and games.

Not all of them do however, I have a PVM-1390 which doesn't work with PAL video or even 50 Hz RGB. It kind of sucks because I modded my Amiga 500 to run at 50 Hz and when I use it on that PVM, the top and bottom of the screen are cut off. Thankfully my PVM-1344Q not only supports PAL and 50 Hz, but SECAM as well.