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Well, I recently got a VA0 Model 2 for modding with a 315-5487-12 ASIC and everything went fine so far (encoder replacement, reflowings, MegaAmp) except for the region mod.
The Japanese/English region switch works fine, but the 50/60 hz one doesn't. The encoder however does switch to PAL mode, but still in 60 hz (sort of like PAL-N).
I have checked all the traces regarding that mod and they all seem fine. What is going on here?
I've read other people's having issues on modding MD1 VA7s to PAL. It appears that the -5487 ASIC is incapable of outputting 50Hz?
If so then I'd suggest replacing it with a 315-5660, if you can
AFAIK Tiido had a VA0 Model 2 MD. Perhaps has a 5660 ASIC? If so, then it gives a very good reason about the renumbering.
I'll try with another system, a VA1 with the 5708 ASIC.
And what do you know, it works now. So yes we can say the 315-5487 is NOT PAL compatible.
Yes, same thing happened when Omp and I tried getting a VA7 in PAL mode.
Sorry if this is a dumb question but why would anyone want 50 hertz anymore? I thought 50Hz became essentially obsolete once the UK and Europe started finally supporting 60Hz with HDTVs.
Speaking from a programmer point of view, the PAL mode basically gives you twice the vram bandwidth, or some generous extra CPU time
Yep. The slower refresh cycle allows for better data transfer and processing quite easily. You'd need to overclock a Genesis to around 10.1Mhz to make it run PAL optimised games without suffering from slowdown/graphical glitches from the lack of CPU time.
For us PAL users, some games are PAL "optimised" meaning they won't work at 60Hz. Sonic 3, lemmings are a few to mind.
I meant PAL optimised games to run on NTSC. It needs that extra clock boost to work.
PAL mode is useful for running games that are region locked. PAL mode isn't just setting the output frequency to 50Hz, it's a legitimate region recognized by software.
I assume most PAL people use RGB, but don't forget a true PAL mod requires a slower colorburst oscillator if using composite/s-video.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jorge Nuno
So why not just program the game to work with overclocked NTSC consoles? I thought 60Hz was superior because it didn't cause those "PAL borders" or whatever. I also wouldn't want to bother getting a 50/60 Hz mod or a PAL MD just to run a few PAL optimized homebrew games, no offense. And since I didn't grow up in a PAL region, there's no PAL optimized official games that I have any interest in either.Quote:
Originally Posted by villahed94
Why not just play the NTSC versions of those games?Quote:
Originally Posted by omp
Overclocking doesn't give vram bandwidth, only gives extra cpu. And besides making a demo or a game that needs overclocking is alienating like 99% of MD's userbase
Here in Australia & New Zealand, RGB (scart) was very very rare. Only available on your euro branded tvs and I can't think of anyone I knew who had it (if I knew what it was). Would consider yourself lucky if you had a couple of composite inputs.
NTSC games aren't that plentiful here unless you import yourself.
Oh ok, my mistake. I keep taking for granted that I have the Mega EverDrive and can simply place the NTSC roms (or PAL roms) on it and play them without having to region mod my Genesis but can only play them in 60Hz mode (not a problem for me) which is pretty great, I have to thank krikzz for making such an incredible piece of hardware. However I have to also remind myself that there are many others out there that are more interested in having the actual carts so I apologize. And yeah I forgot that the Mega Drive (to me known as the Genesis of course) was very popular in PAL regions like Europe, Australia and New Zealand so that is a lot of the MD's userbase lol.Quote:
Originally Posted by omp