Importing a US PS2

[bdpwheels]

I recently moved from the USA to Switzerland and want to bring back my PS2 from the US the next time I go home. After reading the FAQs, etc. I still have a couple questions I'm hoping the experts can answer.

1. I saw somewhere that the Japanese system doesn't have enough RAM to play DVDs on PAL. Is this a problem for US consoles as well?

2. I've seen several mentions of hefty customs charges on items. I know it'll be a little different in Switzerland, but does anyone have recommendations on whether or not I should have it shipped to the US and pick it up when I'm there? (Though, all I need are the RGB-Scart lead and a stepdown converter, which I was thinking of getting through Lik-Sang.)

3. I know that I will need to change to RGB output on the PS2 video options menu. However, if I don't have an NTSC TV, how can I see the menus to do this?

Thanks a lot! Any other general advice would be appreciated too.

[Mayhem]

1) Not sure, though I presume you mean through DVD Region X or something similar; US PS2s won't play PAL DVDs full stop due to region differences.

2) Just bring it back with you in a bag or something

3) Most TVs here in Europe from the last 5 years will support NTSC fine. We just go the RGB route because it eliminates any NTSC/PAL hassle and it's the best picture we can get. Anyhow, as long as the TV supports 60Hz you'll get a picture; it'll just be in black and white if it doesn't support NTSC.

[bdpwheels]

Thanks for the reply.

1. Yes, I do plan on buying DVD Region X. I was just wondering about the compatibility with a PAL TV (using an RGB connection), not DVD region compatibility.

2. Not a problem to carry it, but I was wondering if it's cheaper to ship to the US vs. Switzerland.

3. Thanks, I'm planning on buying a new TV, so this shouldn't be an issue I guess.

[nigel1210]

1) Not sure, though I presume you mean through DVD Region X or something similar; US PS2s won't play PAL DVDs full stop due to region differences.

I thought they couldn't play pal dvd because they didn't output a pal signal at all, unlike u.k ps2's which can output a, ntsc and pal signal.

[Kubrick]

My modded Japanese machine will play PAL and NTSC DVDs so I guess that lack of memory thing is a myth.

[Lyris]

3. I know that I will need to change to RGB output on the PS2 video options menu. However, if I don't have an NTSC TV, how can I see the menus to do this?

If the TV doesn't support NTSC, you will have a stable image but in Black & White. The RGB cable when set up properly will give you full color.

However if your TV picture rolls when you give it an NTSC or PAL60 picture, you won't be able to play NTSC stuff at all, no matter what cable is being used. This will happen on only the cheapest of the cheap TVs these days.