Hi I currently own 2 megadrives, one of them is a standard "high definition" model from PAL region. The other one i own has a PAL label on it but looks exactly like a Japanese "AV Intelligent Terminal/High Grade Multipurpose Use" model. I opened it up and it looks like someone already connected some of the region jumpers. Also it has an extra (audio?) port on the inside of the console wich cannot be accessed without opening up the housing. I would like to region mod it so I can play NTSC games but none of the tutorials seem to mention this model. I was planning on just modding without a switch since I have 2, I'd keep one PAL the other NTSC. Please see the attached pictures for more information. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Did some digging. -It seems PAL-B region is everything between europe and japan. -The console is running 50Hz (music is slow on sonic) -The mystery connector is an RF-modulator (wich sucks balls compared to my other megadrive, no surprise looking at the solders) -It has the sega splash screen. -with an everdrive MD it shows up as JAPAN PAL in the device info under toolbox -Can't run US games. -Console had no shielding installed when I opened it up. It seems its been imported or something by the previous owner. I bought it in a lot of 4 megadrives with a 32x and segaCD found info on: http://segaretro.org/Mega_Drive_consoles_in_Asia can anyone shed some light on how i need to get the jumpers wired up to provide english NTSC? on the back side i can see traces run from JP1 and JP4 the one on JP4 has been cut
just unsolder the jumper thats on it and follow the normal guide to install switches, basically the 60-50hz part is hardswitched to 50hz while still being set to JP to play Japanese software.
I was actually wanting to do more of a region conversion than a switch install. so wich jumpers need to be connected to get a NTSC US model?
I haven't tried it, but I've always assumed 50hz in JP is in fact completely implemented/functional. Despite Sega not using it, and lack of interest from modders or emulator authors. Myself I like the novelty of it being Japanese. For us yankees, Genesis is a dime a dozen.
Congratulations you got yourself an 'asian PAL' unit, it's a japanese unit that has been slightly modded to output PAL video through the added RF modulator. You'll have to change the jumpers to your preferred setting and on the underside there will be a crystal added and two traces cut. You can just remove that and bridge the broken traces. Here's a video i found very helpful when i got mine.
It might be a bit more work but u could install a switch less mod to your MD1. http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/console/sega/md1-switchless.htm This would give u full control over which region and language. If u can flash the pic chips, Bad_ad84 has pre flashed ones for sale.
Allright thanks for the info guys i've desoldered the bridge on the jumpers and cut the last trace. now I can play NTSC US games. I will take a look into the switchless mod for now i'm just using it as a second console since i have another "high definition" PAL model. I do find it strange why they would go to the trouble to add an RF connection wich you can't even get to without opening the console. seems like a waste of money on their part . Another thing i've noticed was that on the connector for the segacd all the traces are black? Not shiny like my pal system, Is it even compatible with segacd?
thats normal for some of the japanese units, my VA3 is like that also, just carbon traces instead of copper. works 100% with my hybrid sega cd/mega cd.
Normally there should be a cable attached to the RF modulator that exits through the hole in the back of the system that the powerbase converter screws into, somebody must have removed that on yours already.
