Help! NTSC Gamecube question

[popabawa]

Help!

I though I'd done all my homework on this but.....

I have an import GameCube JAP console (modded to play US games via a switch on the back). NTSC games work fine.

Tried Freeloader with PAL Pikmin today and I get a black & white picture. Not good.

My TV DEFINATELY supports 3.58 NTSC and RGB (I thought this was enough...). If I change this to 'Auto' or 'PAL' on the TV, the picture just gets a bit blurry but stays B&W.

I'm connecting the GC through my AV amp (NAD T751). At the moment I'm just using the standard composite cable. (i think that's where the problem is but that's the advice I'm looking for!). My AV amp outputs to the TV via a SCART cable

What I CAN do...

My DVD player will happily output NTSC region 1 DVD's in full colour, I *think* that means the AV amp is outputting an RGB signal and the TV is happy to accept it.

I also have a PAL Dreamcast (connected to the AV amp via composite) - import games play in colour through that connection. Not sure if that helps or not.

Any ideas? I can input to the AV amp via composite or S-Video, would an S-Video cable for the GC help?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Cheers, Iain

[charlaph]

Does PAL Pikmin have a 60hz mode. If it's only locked to 50Hz then your NTSC cube won't be able to display it properly as it only outputs at 60Hz (I think - I don't have any PAL games so I can't prove it, but it sounds right off the top of my head)

[popabawa]

How can I tell? Is there a list of games that support 60hz?

If it doesn't, is there any other way this will work?

[Salsa Party Animal]

Sell Pimkin and freeloader, and use the money to import one or look for one in ebay

[choddo]

it should say in the manual if it supports 60Hz, try holding down B as the game loads, that sometimes works on PAL games.

Or if you get a modded RGB cable for your cube you should be ok.
C

[Tiger]

If you use an RGB cable, you will get a coloured picture.
I think it has something to do with PAL 50Hz being displayed in NTSC-mode. NTSC has no 50Hz mode afaik...

So if the game has e 60Hz option, use that. Otherwise, get yourself an RGB cable. (Not a PAL RGB, because that won't work on an NTSC cube. )

[popabawa]

Thanks guys, I understand now.

No 60hz mode = no colour.

Ta!

[charlesr]

I you are connecting to your AV amp with a composite lead, there's no way you are going to get RGB to the TV. You need a modded scart cable (around ?45) to get RGB from an ntsc GC. Buy one from jpngames.com or play-asia.com
Don't waste any time playing games using composite. You will be shocked by the difference. And once you get one, check the lead is going into the correct socket on the TV.