D-Terminal Cable on PAL Playstation 2

[edwinbradford]

Hi all,

This has really got me bamboozled. I have an earlier (non-slimline) PAL Playstation 2, modded to multi-region with a DMS3, worked fine for years. I've recently purchased a specialist video capture card for my PC from Japan called a PV3 which captures from games consoles via a Japanese D-Terminal input (some of you will know this, it's a Japanese form of Component cable).

I've got everything working fine with my NTSC GameCube, it outputs via a Japanese Gamecube D-Terminal cable, through a D-Terminal switch box (XSelectD4) to the PV3 capture card. The card displays the game footage on the PC whether it's interlaced or Progressive no problem.

I've then purchased a D-Terminal cable for my modded PAL PS2, it's the same cable as for the PS3, connected it to the switch box and I'm getting zero signal as though the PAL Playstation 2 isn't compatible with the D-Terminal cable but I don't see how this can be? It's just component by a different name and surely all PS2 models are compatible with a component cable. I get sound out no problem via the D-Terminal Cable's RCA Red and White Audio cables and I've tried setting the PS2 from RGB to Component and back in the Video Settings Menu but no luck.

Does anyone know for a fact if PAL PS2's are incompatible with a D-Terminal cable? Is the Pinout different?

Hope someone can enlighten me...

[JP]

It really should work fine!! I'm a little confused why it isn't also??

I've not tried it myself but I've looked online and other people certainly have.

[Kubrick]

Could be the region mod. I've heard some machines end up with crippled AV output after being chipped.

[JP]

Could be the region mod. I've heard some machines end up with crippled AV output after being chipped.

That may well be it!! I remember that it was quite an issue for the earlier (I think?) PS2s when chipping them.

[Geezer]

EDIT: You've already tried, sorry.

[tom-nook]

I'm sure that the av prob Kubrick mentioned is that it's specifically the component output that's crippled which would explain why you're having probs with a d-terminal cable. It only really affects older mod chips and was to do with a green screen fix for the rgb output.

Might be worth having a google as I seem to remember another member saying he resolved the problem by simply cutting 1 of the wires coming out of his chip.

Edit: this might help:

http://ntsc-uk.domino.org/showthread.php?t=30369

Although if it's a newer chip you might have the option to just enable/disable the green screen fix from the menu!

[edwinbradford]

Well a massive thanks to everyone for the replies, I've been looking at it this evening. I borrowed a PS2 Component cable from work and tried that, same result, dead. I hooked back up the old RGB Scart cable direct to TV and I'm getting a green screen caused by setting the PS2 settings to component (if that's relevant).

My Sony Playstation Model is an SCPH-39004, I always had annoying problems with PSX games not showing up properly via the DVD-Recorder I used to pass it through so yes, I'd say this is the DMS3 Mod chip installation causing video problems. The component cable I borrowed works perfectly on the monitor at work.

I suppose it gives me an excuse to buy a Japanese Slimline Playstation 2, but I don't really want to mod any more consoles now I've modded two of them, it feels sacriligious and it opens a whole can of worms with online play. I know I should do more googling but I'd appreciate any opinions you all have on Boot Discs. I'm moving all my game play to Japanese so if Boot Discs would get me through my legacy PAL and NTSC USA titles without taking apart another PS2 I'd be perfectly happy.

Anyway, thanks again for the feedback, it's cleared it the cause at least.

[randombs]

this is gonna sound funny but have you enabled component out in the ps2 browser?

i've never heard of these video problems (figured green screen fix would be a likely cause though, given that the ps2 when using rgb turns green on dvds as it's just using component mode which is why it's green).

have you tried turning off all the dms's video-related fixes (green screen, ps1, pal/ntsc if it has it, etc) just to see? try it with the chip off, too, as that'll eliminate any chip-related issues if you do indeed have them...

my ps2 has that o2mod thingy and it's fine over component. i had a slimline at one point with the new matrix infinity and that was also fine, but it had problems playing ps1 games for some reason (even though i turned off all the ps1-related options like y-fix, etc) unless i booted the game with composite and then switched to component

[tom-nook]

I suppose it gives me an excuse to buy a Japanese Slimline Playstation 2, but I don't really want to mod any more consoles now I've modded two of them, it feels sacriligious and it opens a whole can of worms with online play. I know I should do more googling but I'd appreciate any opinions you all have on Boot Discs. I'm moving all my game play to Japanese so if Boot Discs would get me through my legacy PAL and NTSC USA titles without taking apart another PS2 I'd be perfectly happy.

Hopefully one of the things Billy Damashq suggests will help resolve your probs.

However, if you do go down the boot disc root then I think Swap Magic if your best (possibly only) bet. V3.6 is the latest version.

You get 2 discs; 1 for booting cd based PS2 games and 1 for dvd games. Works in pretty much the same way as freeloader on the Gamecube if you're familiar with that?

Compatability is very high but Swap Magic is not capable of playing games that are in dvd9 format. Only a small amount of games come on dvd9 discs (at a guess <20) but it does include stuff like Gran Turismo 4, God of War, MGS3 etc.

In order to do the disc swapping you need to trick the PS2 into thinking that the disc slot/ lid is closed so you will either need to fit a flip lid, slide tool (don't think they're really recommended though) or use a set of slim tools if it's a slimline PS2. All are fairly simple to fit (no soldering/ wiring etc.) but you may need to open the PS2 up. If you google on Swap Magic 3.6 you should find a number of places that sell the discs, the other bits you'll need & also a variety of fitting guides. Tools wise all you'll need is a screwdriver.

One thing to be aware of is that Swap Magic only works with PS2 games. If you want to play PS1 imports then you'll also need to get something like a Breaker Pro disc which works in the same way as Swap Magic.

If you go down this route (& assuming you buy a Japanese PS2) make sure you get a set of ntsc-j Swap Magic discs and an ntsc (works on both ntsc-u & -j machines) Breaker Pro disc as they are regions specific.

Hopefully it won't come to that though......

[edwinbradford]

Well that's a really thorough reply, I very much appreciate it. I had a rough idea of what was involved but you've clarified it very well. I've seen a few threads here on the subject, I need to really sit down this weekend if I get time and add up the pros and cons.

By the way, someone PM'd me and expressed interest in the PV3 which they'd been trying to find out about, if anyone wants more info let me know.

[tom-nook]

You're welcome.

If you need any more info just let me know. I use Swap Magic on my Japanese slimline PS2 and it works very well. I found the slim tools didn't really stay in place very well & the flip lid I bought didn't do a particularly good job. As a result I just did my own d.i.y. effort which does exactly the same job as the slim tools (only better!). Basically just involves opening up the PS2, applying small pieces of electrical tape to hold down 2 eject sensors & inserting either a small piece of plastic or rolled up card to prevent the disc brake from being applied.

If you do end up going down the Swap Magic route & want to do a d.i.y. job let me know & I can sort out a few pics for you.

[edwinbradford]

Thanks Tom,

My PC's been tempermental this week so it's taken me a couple of days to get back here. I might take you up on that offer, I ought to do a spot of googling first as I know there are a few tutorials around but if you have a method that's worked for you I'd be very interested. I'm planning on desoldering the DMS3 ground connector on my "FatLine" PS2 and testing it first, if it breaks my PS2 I'm not *that* bothered as it's a great excuse to buy that new SlimLine model in which case I'll certainly use Swap Magic based on all the helpful feedback here.

Any games that don't work for whatever reason I'll simply sell and rebuy in Japanese.

Cheers everyone -- Edwin.

[randombs]

so did you try just turning off the chip then?

[edwinbradford]

Sounds really dumb but I just couldn't find the controller key combination for Silent Mode on the DMS3... I checked everywhere on the DMS site, is it hold down Select or something?



Holy s**te, I think I just remembered, you have to hold in the Eject or Reboot button for a few seconds as it starts, I'll try it tonight. Ultimately I need the Mod enabled to play all my Region Locked games but it would be good to test the PS2 with the DMS3 off to see if it fixes the problem and let everyone know.

[JP]

I seem to remember that it was to hold triangle as it booted but it's been a very, very long time since I've done it so I could be COMPLETELY wrong!