Playstation PAL NTSC Conversion Guide

[CRTGAMER]

So... will a slim ps2 (ntsc) with a swap magic disc play a PAL game?

YES, but to a point. The PS2 PAL games I tested with Swap Magic on my NTSC HDTV ended up with the image shifted low off screen. Depending on your TV you might be able to compensate with TV adjustments, however usually the image will be cutoff at the bottom completely off the screen. This cannot be corrected by moving the screen adjustment in the TV by itself. This is where using the tools in the OP corrects and allows a custom screen height setting.

Anyone who has converted a game, please post your YFix settings. I'll add it to the OP

[Opa Opa]

YES, but to a point. The PS2 PAL games I tested with Swap Magic on my NTSC HDTV ended up with the image shifted low off screen. Depending on your TV you might be able to compensate with TV adjustments, however usually the image will be cutoff at the bottom completely off the screen. This cannot be corrected by moving the screen adjustment in the TV by itself. This is where using the tools in the OP corrects and allows a custom screen height setting.

Thank you.

[CRTGAMER]

YES, but to a point. The PS2 PAL games I tested with Swap Magic on my NTSC HDTV ended up with the image shifted low off screen. Depending on your TV you might be able to compensate with TV adjustments, however usually the image will be cutoff at the bottom completely off the screen. This cannot be corrected by moving the screen adjustment in the TV by itself. This is where using the tools in the OP corrects and allows a custom screen height setting.

Thank you.

I forgot to point out further down the first page. You can see an example of PAL Alien Hominid with a 50hz image rolling on a NTSC HDTV. The second pic is with Swap Magic and the third pic is the YFix corrected burned disc.

The Swap Magic image is not bad, its just some games may not be playable due to the cutoff.

PAL NTSC Image samples here: viewtopic.php?f=52&p=406125#p406125

[Opa Opa]

Sorry for the delay, CRT.

Silent Hill 2 (PAL) seemed to work fine with the 56 Y setting. The screen was a little off still but the game has a screen adjuster in the options menu so I was able to adjust it to a more 'normal' look.

It should also be noted that the game is practically unplayable unless you have a tv that accepts a PAL signal (which I don't, still kickin' it with a CRT television). In NTSC mode the game runs at a faster rate that affects gameplay and the cinema scenes. As far as I know, Silent Hill 2 does not support a 60 hz mode... However, I think I read somewhere that SH 3 & 4 do...

[CRTGAMER]

Silent Hill 2 (PAL) seemed to work fine with the 56 Y setting. The screen was a little off still but the game has a screen adjuster in the options menu so I was able to adjust it to a more 'normal' look.

It should also be noted that the game is practically unplayable unless you have a tv that accepts a PAL signal (which I don't, still kickin' it with a CRT television). In NTSC mode the game runs at a faster rate that affects gameplay and the cinema scenes. As far as I know, Silent Hill 2 does not support a 60 hz mode... However, I think I read somewhere that SH 3 & 4 do...

How did the PAL game screen come out with Swap Magic? Too low?

When you burn the disc you can use a different Y settings to set the screen height. The 56 Y setting raises the screen a little. A good point that there is an in game screen adjustment to compensate. Is the PAL game really that much faster on you NTSC screen? I converted PAL Alien Hominid and could not tell a speed difference from the U.S. NTSC release.

I added your setting to the OP. If you try another burn of the disc with a different Y setting and it comes out better, please post.

PS2 PAL to NTSC Silent Hill 2 56 Y Position

[Opa Opa]

How did the PAL game screen come out with Swap Magic? Too low?

Is the PAL game really that much faster on you NTSC screen? I converted PAL Alien Hominid and could not tell a speed difference from the U.S. NTSC release.

Yes, the screen was too low.

Yes, much faster. The game kind of outruns itself. During a cinema scene the characters on-screen lag behind. The audio track plays just fine but the character models don't keep up. It's really strange.

And gameplay-wise, everything runs a bit faster. How fast the fog moves, how fast you run, how fast you attack. Everything is slightly sped up.

Whatever. I have like 3 other copies of the game I can play anyway.

[noiseredux]

Whatever. I have like 3 other copies of the game I can play anyway.

yeah the important thing is that bonus DVD... how is it???

[CRTGAMER]

Is the PAL game really that much faster on you NTSC screen? I converted PAL Alien Hominid and could not tell a speed difference from the U.S. NTSC release.

Yes, much faster. The game kind of outruns itself. During a cinema scene the characters on-screen lag behind. The audio track plays just fine but the character models don't keep up. It's really strange.

And gameplay-wise, everything runs a bit faster. How fast the fog moves, how fast you run, how fast you attack. Everything is slightly sped up.

Whatever. I have like 3 other copies of the game I can play anyway.

The FMV video lag might be the PS2 trying to keep up reading a DVDR disc. I wonder if installed to an internal hard drive would work better? Maybe worth looking since there are PAL games with additional levels, characters or unlocks later on the game. Not positive on Silent Hill 2 though.

Interesting that Silent Hill 2 runs faster, some games may benefit from the speed increase. Now I really want to convert PS2 PAL Shadow of the Colossus! For unknown hidden bonus features and just maybe it might run faster? I know about the PS3 HD version, but it would be interesting to see if the PS2 PAL release can be speeded up. I suspect like ICO it already has a 60hz mode.

I am also curious about the bonus Silent Hill DVD, perhaps a review with pics?

[d123456]

Playing japanese ps1 backups on my freemcbooted PAL ps2...
It works, but only if I convert the Japanese ps1 backups to pal.
And when it is pal it will be 50hz. I hate 50hz it´s 16,7% slower and huge top and bottom borders.
So here´s the thing. Can I somehow make the japanese ps1 backup seem like a pal backup, but still let it run in 60hz?

[CRTGAMER]

Can I somehow make the japanese ps1 backup seem like a pal backup, but still let it run in 60hz?

I don't think you can. When converted to PAL it is set to match the screen draw speed of the PAL TV at 50hz. You will need a NTSC TV or a PAL TV that supports NTSC 60hz. Of course then the disc wouldn't need converted, just region bypassed. Other then the Region bypass, would a U.S. NTSC game display thru a PAL console and a PAL TV that supports 60hz?