NTSC PS1 Games via PAL PS2 FMCB

[Hirst]

Quick one - surprisingly I can't seem to get a clear answer on this online and wanted to know before I commit to any actual costs.

I've got an old PAL PS2 kicking about that I got from a charity shop and it isn't doing much useful. I'm interested in installing FMCB onto it and running games off a hard drive. I understand all that part.

The big question - I know that you can run any region PS2 game and it'll auto switch to 60Hz on a PAL model. I also know that you can run PS1 games in the same way. But what I'm finding unclear is whether they will switch to 60Hz or not. PS2 ones definitely do. PS1 games I can't get an answer.

Say for example I want to run a romhack translation of a Japanese PS1 game (that I own!). Will it run at 60Hz on the PAL PS2 via FMCB? Or will it be stuck at 50Hz due to the hardware?

[Cepp]

It'll run at 60hz assuming the original is NTSC, just like on PS1.

I didn't play many PS1 games on my PS2 when I had one, but I do remember trying Final Fantasy Tactics and the fan translation of Tales of Phantasia just to see how they ran (they had no issues and ran at the correct speed).

[speedlolita]

That isn't actually true.

A PAL PS2 will play all PS1 games at 50Hz and an NTSC machine will play all PS1 at 60Hz. Modchips have code to compensate for these differences.

However, this may not be the case via POPStarter as playing PS1 from the HDD is not native as the PS1 CPU is used as the interface chip for the HDD. I imagine you'll be able to make the necessary adjustments to video output but just keep in mind that you're essentially emulating the PS1 via this method.

[Hirst]

Thanks both - sounds as though in these instances I'd be better off having a dedicated solution to the PS1 rather than going in via the PS2 just on the basis of how the HDD interface works.

Guess I might have to break down and get a PSIO or something...

[speedlolita]

I would not suggest buying a PSIO. The developer is paranoid about cloning and as such hasn't released a public update in nearly 2 years, the compatibility is quite poor too. xStation is the way to go forward if you ask me. I have been using mine more than a year now and I don't think I could go without it.

[Cepp]

My bad, I guess the modchips were doing more than I thought!

[speedlolita]

Yeah there aren't many cases when you're going to be booting out of region games without a modchip so it makes sense. I only learned of it myself with my experience using debug consoles as they have no region lock. Luckily my debug PS2 is an NTSC one.

[amaan]

I thought the PS2 output was based on software, so for example playing an NTSC disc on a PAL PS2 using Swap Magic would output 60Hz.

Or would that only be for PS2 games, not PS1?

[speedlolita]

Indeed, that is only for PS2 software. Any region of PS2 will give you proper PAL or proper NTSC (not out of spec) depending on the software you're playing. Even the 60Hz mode in PAL software is technically outputting NTSC.

[Hirst]

I thought the PS2 output was based on software, so for example playing an NTSC disc on a PAL PS2 using Swap Magic would output 60Hz.

Or would that only be for PS2 games, not PS1?

Yes that's right - the PS2 video output is based on software (as it can switch), the PS1 is around hardware.

[amaan]

Ah ok, in that case is there a recommended loader to run NTSC PS1 games at 60Hz off the PS2 HDD on a PAL unit?

[Giga_Death]

I came across an old PAL PS2 recently and was thinking of doing this. Will read more up on it and update if I ever get round to it.