Shinebi's wonderous Saturn adventures

[Shinebi]

OK, I've read up on all the threads concerning this, none of them have a possible answer.
(this is mainly a question for Chaotic)



I wanted to check if this can be done (a 50/60Hz switch) on a Japanese Saturn.
The mod works, but as expected, it outputs 50 Hz NTSC (B/W on NTSC television), even when put in UK mode through the region mod.

I had the same thing happen with a chipped Panasonic Q, this could be resolved through the RGB cable. So, now is my question: is there a fix (bridge on the mobo or cable mod) for this??
Maybe extra jumpers/voltage on the scart?


I know: why would I want 50 Hz?
- Well, just to check if it can be done (modding a JAP Saturn for a guy in Holland and want to give him the full shabang)
- Some PAL games are already optimised fullscreen, so....


Thanks to anyone who knows.




EDIT:
according to this link, http://www.geocities.com/myersxxx/saturnmod.html, I'll have to install both a new crystal (with a switch to change from the new to the old) for the scanrate and an extra cable to lifted pin 7 of the (SONY) Video encoder chip. The crystal for a US Saturn is apparently the same as a PAL unit, these can handle both signals, so the extra crystal is only needed for a JAP unit.


This would be the answer:

14,3 Mhz crystal selected + 5V to both pin 79 & pin 7 = NTSC 60 Hz
(original)

14,3 Mhz crystal selected + Ground to pin 79 + 5V to pin 7 = NTSC 50 Hz
(current situation)

17,7 Mhz crystal selected + Ground to both pin 79 & pin 7 = PAL 50 Hz
(to obtain)

17,7 Mhz crystal selected + 5V to pin 79 + Ground to pin 7 = PAL 60 Hz
(optional, only good if you have an old telly)


Gonna try this out when I remember to get me another crystal

[Jei]

Raven Games did my Jap Saturn with the full Region and 50/60hz switch no problem.

Personally i'd check your cables first because i've always been under the impression that the Saturn Motherboards are exactly the same with only Soldered Jumper Switches defining the region, And the 50/60hz capabilities.

Edit : - This guide may help

http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/console/sega/saturn5060.htm

[chaoticjelly]

Interesting, the link says that its only V-Saturn and Hi-Saturn that act in this way, well, I haven't ever modded either of those so I can't comment.

I suppose you should follow the instructions at the above Geocities link..

[Shinebi]

@ Jeimuzu: that's where I got my guide, and he's working on a PAL VA09 board...!

Mine is a JAP NTSC VA07... didn't find any guide for that one though.
I anyone does find a guide for this, pls link here.


@ Chaotic: did you ever mod a "regular" JAP board with a 50/60 Hz switch then and did it work just as on a PAL one?

[chaoticjelly]

@ Chaotic: did you ever mod a "regular" JAP board with a 50/60 Hz switch then and did it work just as on a PAL one?

Yes many times, and yes..

I've done both white and grey..

But like I said, I haven't had a V-Saturn / Hi-Saturn..

[Shinebi]

Strange, I'll check what's printed on the crystal then...
(mine's a white VA07, maybe it's an inbetweener?)

[Shinebi]

OK, I checked last Saturday, it has a 14,3 MHz-only crystal.

Chaotic, any chance you can check one of yours if you've got a JAP one in the vacinity?

[chaoticjelly]

I'll try and check later on..

[chaoticjelly]

Sorry, I didn't have chance to check yet. Did you get the parts for the xtal mod? It looks like the same kind of mod that is used on the 50/60hz mod for the later revision SNES (1 Chip Type) did you see that mod?

[Shinebi]

No prob, not in a hurry anyway, I just hope that the bloke who's gonna send me his console to mod has a 'regular' one...
(I closed mine up for the time being, got a possible buyer, he wants it unmodded, it's gathering dust when its innards are exposed )

Didn't see the guide for SNES, neither did I get the Xtal, maybe worth trying out at some other point... but I'll still wait for you answer, though!


Thanks.

[Shinebi]

Ah, problems...

Yesterday I received the bloke's white JAP Saturn. After testing, I opened it up... yet another version to stumble upon!
Apparently, this is a HongKong version(?), at least, this one is made in China instead of Japan. Also, at the back it says 670-8063L in the bottom right corner. (My JAP Saturn says H, maybe means Hitachi? This may explain the 50Hz problem at least).

I haven't tried a region mod yet, because I first wanted to check if a modchip would work on it... The weird thing is, the innards look entirely different to what I'm used to: the CD-drive is simplified and there's something which looks like it's a modchip (old model), but is something labeled genuine SEGA (1996), it has a connection that looks like it's carrying 5V... When i connect the modchip before or behind that board, it doesn't work. (21 pin cable, fits like a glove)

This is beginning to freak me out
I'll try to post some pics this afternoon...

[S3M]

The only reason you would want 50hz is to play some PAL games which have issues.

You can find a list on my website at www.geocities.com/shining3master/titles

For PAL titles that have problems, I'm suprised anyone would want to add a 50hz switch to a Saturn.

Me and my brother need to update that list. As we have got quite a few more games on it.

[chaoticjelly]

Hey Shinebi.. sounds like the CD drive is made by Sanyo. Correct?

And the small board is probably labelled "PC-TRAP" or similar.

Its a very late revision, and its believed that the PC-TRAP board might be some sort of extra protection. Ive heard that a couple of people have successfully modded it with a modchip, but I've tried at least 3-4 of these and my conclusion? un-modchippable.

You can do the other mods OK though. Bad luck old chap, heh.

[Shinebi]

Ah, you are so spot-on!
no need for the pics then... but I have two different types of modchip...with a bit of luck...

Otherwise I'll just have to swap the contents of my JAP with the ones from the Chinese... bummer

Thanks again, Chaotic!


PS did you ever install a modchip on a 64 pins Saturn with success? (can't recall if I asked this already) Checked on robwebb's site, he's got a new guide available for those....I always tried to do it like the guys from konsolenprofis, to no avail.


EDIT:
@S3M: I know, I always noted "somewhere" what settings where best for each game. If you've updated your list, let me know, I'll check for other games you can maybe add...

[chaoticjelly]

You don't need a special chip, I have the regular chips with a blue PCB, and you can mod the modchip so it works on 64 pin units with absolutely no problem.

You just cut a few tracks and put a few wires on using kynar wire (the thinnest you can find) oh and you file a pin off.. its really quite easy, but a little fiddly.

There is a diagram over at Segaxtreme forums if you can find it, otherwise I can try and scan my annotated one and post it here..