Problems running an NTSC-U Wii on a PAL TV

[jrichards]

Hi, sorry for the long newbie post but needed a bit of further info with my newly purchased Wii from the US (I am based in the UK);

I own a CRT Samsung (WS-28M064N8XXEU) PAL TV. I have checked the specs from the Samsung website and it says it is a 50HZ tv and does NOT support NTSC 3.58.

I tested the Wii on my TV and It got me up to the language screen and I could see it perfectly fine. Does this mean my TV Does in fact support NTSC 3.58? (I assumed I would see no image/black screen if it did not)

The reason I want to double check is because, although it says it is a 50hz TV, I can run/test my dreamcast game Sonic in 60hz and it works fine.

Although I could see the language screen, it would not let me select anything! Is that due to the compatibility or the way I had it setup? I have confirmed the remote was synch'd according to the help guides.

Would a NTSC - PAL converter get me up and running on my particular TV if it is the compatibility? Would I need anything else? I have purchased a 100W stepdown transformer and that seems to do a good job running the Wii in the UK.

PS, are there any recommended places in the London/Herts area where I can purchase and get a Wiikey professionally installed?

Thanks in advance, JR

[Mayhem]

Well if you're seeing a colour stable picture through composite, S-video or component (how are you connecting it?) then I'd say the TV is working find with the console. Almost all TVs will support 60Hz and almost all TVs from the last ten years will do NTSC through the AV sockets. The picture was in colour right? I can't remember the language screen, is there anything there not in black and white...?

Dreamcast games were broadcast in PAL 60Hz afaik.

I can't see the picture being a problem with why you can't select anything, can you see anything moving on the screen when you wave the remote about?

[JB@XL]

Iirc you click on the language you want and then click on confirm? bottom right corner.

I take it as Mayhem asked you can see the arrow move on screen when you move the wiimote.

[jrichards]

Thanks for the quick responses,

I see the screen in colour but there is no arrow. The first screen comes up in White and Blue then asks me to press 'A', which I do then it changes to a black/white/red screen and asks to select a language.

It appears to freeze at this stage. I cannot do anything. Only power off the Wii from either the Wii itself or the remote.

I am using the default red/white/yellow composite cables that come with the Wii.

I have no component ports on my TV but I do have s-video. (no s-vid cable though).

[JB@XL]

It has been known for xmas tree lights or a bright light shining towards the bar sensor to cause problems with the wiimote.

When you move the wiimote around the arrow should be on screen and move as well.

[jrichards]

I'll give it another go tomorrow in the daytime. I have no Xmas tree up but have a low energy bulb with no lampshade around it about 6ft away so if thats the cause, it should work when it is off.

I dont see an arrow but even when I try the arrow keys on the Wiimote, there is no response.

Thanks for the help, will keep you posted on my results.

[jrichards]

Thanks for all the help guys! I moved the sensor bar to underneath the TV away from the light bulb and started all over again. It worked perfectly fine!!

If I get an S-Video cable instead of using the composite one that was supplied, will I see a major or minor improvement of picture?

Also any suggestions on where to get a Wiikey fitted? What kind of prices should I expect to pay for product and fitting?

Thanks again!

[Bort]

It's worth getting an s-video cable. It's a step up but not a massive one.

[egparadigm]

I ummed and ahhhd about getting an Svideo cable for my N64 earlier in the year, but it was worth it.

The thing I noticed first of all was the increased crispness of the image. Words in PD that had been very blurry were pretty much pin sharp by comparison.

[EvilBoris]

You lose the severe colour bleeding that your get through composite with an S-video lead.

[Mayhem]

Thanks for all the help guys! I moved the sensor bar to underneath the TV away from the light bulb and started all over again. It worked perfectly fine!!

Glad it appears to be working okay now. I find I don't get any interference from the lights in the living room here even when on full brightness, but I do get problems with even indirect bright sunlight through the windows.