PALGrafx - dumb questions, restore to NTSC?

[Punch]

Is it possible to convert PAL TurboGrafx units to NTSC? If yes, is it complicated, how?

Besides speed differences in games, is there any other problem (besides having PAL signal output)? Can it be used to play CDROM games with the expansion dock?

I ask it because not only UK units are beautiful but also because there's plenty of unused units still unsold, it's easier to obtain one.

EDIT: 110, 220V or dual voltage? This is important.

[schweaty]

Is it possible to convert PAL TurboGrafx units to NTSC? If yes, is it complicated, how?

Besides speed differences in games, is there any other problem (besides having PAL signal output)? Can it be used to play CDROM games with the expansion dock?

I ask it because not only UK units are beautiful but also because there's plenty of unused units still unsold, it's easier to obtain one.

EDIT: 110, 220V or dual voltage? This is important.

They are 220V.  No one hear has been able to verify one has been successfully converted.  The biggest hurdle that hasn't been jumped is finding a PAL schematic. 

This company claims they can do it:

http://www.otakus-store.net/en/nec-pc-engine-gt-duo/48-turbografx-16-rgb-60hz-region-free-mod.html

I contacted them and they wanted 100 Euro plus shipping (from France to Germany which is not cheap) to do it for me.  I was going to get it done then post what they had done here but the price was just too steep.  Maybe if we could get a few of us to pitch in, we could make something happen (just spitballing here)

check my thread in the mod section for additional details.  this has been gone over before

[mickcris]

According to the link below, it has a CXA1145:
http://nfggames.com/forum2/index.php?topic=1306.0

So, I would think you would just have to replace the crystal and put the CXA1145 into ntsc mode (for composite video).  If you were using RGB only, you would probably just have to replace the crystal only.  I could be missing something though.

It will come with a 220v supply, but you can still use a JPN or US supply with it.  Or a Genesis model 1 supply.

[schweaty]

According to the link below, it has a CXA1145:
http://nfggames.com/forum2/index.php?topic=1306.0

So, I would think you would just have to replace the crystal and put the CXA1145 into ntsc mode (for composite video).  If you were using RGB only, you would probably just have to replace the crystal only.  I could be missing something though.

It will come with a 220v supply, but you can still use a JPN or US supply with it.  Or a Genesis model 1 supply.

as far as i can tell, no one in that thread was able to convert a PAL TG-16 to 60hz.

my thread from last year is here:

http://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=18099.msg382434#msg382434

[mickcris]

double post

[mickcris]

Kind of hard to tell, but this guy may have sort of as I think hes saying RGB worked, but didn't say if he put pin 7 of the CXA1145 to vcc to put composite into NTSC:

"I have acquired a PAL Turbografx.
Opening it reveals the same insides as the pictures above, I replaced the crystal with one of correct frequency for 60hz - I receive a black and white (NTSC?) picture over composite video.
I RGB modded the PAL Turbografx and I receive a colour picture over RGB.
So it seems this crystal is for PAL/NTSC only.
How may I set the PAL Turbografx to 60hz?  "

Looking at your thread, there may be a bit more to it though.

[schweaty]

my interpretation of his post is he tapped the RGB right off the chip, but it was still in 50hz mod.  Hence, the "how do i make it 60hz?" question at the end

[pulstar]

110, 220V or dual voltage? This is important.

Surely the actual machines will be 9v as always, but the PSU that comes with the console should be 220v input, 9v output.

I've not seen the internals of a TG-16 but I would assume it would be as easy as changing the crystal if you're using RGB. Maybe more complicated and involved if you wanted to use composite or RF, but with RGB it should be easy, shouldn't it? Or are there additional problems I'm overlooking.

Edit:

Reading your last thread about it, it seems like it wouldn't be as simple as that. It seems that the VDC has no native 50hz mode and needed additional ICs to adapte the 60hz down to 50hz. It won't be as simple as just changing over the crystal it seems.

[Punch]

The fact that only a PAL signal can be used with the machine's composite output isn't much of a problem to me. The issue comes from games slowing down, glitching, etc. I couldn't find much about that, not many posts about it. Is it true that CDROM games have audio sync issues?

I thought the PCE video chip outputted NTSC video directly just like it does with RGB, and the CXA chip just converted RGB -> PAL directly. Looks like no one tried to mess around the PAL Turbografx. A shame, really.

[thesteve]

if someone wants to send me one i will convert it and tell everyone how
until i have one here i can only speculate

[mickcris]

GreatFunky posted this link over on assemblergames modding subforum:
http://circuit-board.de/forum/index.php/Thread/15869-Tutorial-TurboGrafx-PAL-60Hz-und-RGB-Mod/

May have some useful info.  Looks like it still may be outputting PAL, but at 60hz.

[schweaty]

GreatFunky posted this link over on assemblergames modding subforum:
http://circuit-board.de/forum/index.php/Thread/15869-Tutorial-TurboGrafx-PAL-60Hz-und-RGB-Mod/

May have some useful info.  Looks like it still may be outputting PAL, but at 60hz.

hmmm... this is extremely promising.  it appears the steps are:

1. solder a 21.47 mhz crystal to pin 15 of the PCZ80-119
2. tap the CXA1145 for RGB and run it through an amp
3. put in a new 8 DIN socket and build a cable

can we get the smart folks to look at this?  thesteve et al

[Punch]

1. solder a 21.47 mhz crystal to pin 15 of the PCZ80-119

Is this what I think it is? WTF is a Z80 doing in a turbob?

Thanks for the link. At least you can grab RGB output (and maybe even component with obey chip) when doing a 60hz mod. A NTSC picture on composite would be preferrable though!

[mickcris]

I wonder if all thats left is to change the other crystal for color subcarrier frequency and then put the CXA1145 into NTSC mode to get NTSC composite.

[thesteve]

that sounds right
the system has an extra chip,that will need to be looked at
there is no Z80 in a TG16