Is it possible to "convert" a PAL N64 into an US N64 ?

Hi,

I'd like to get a PAL NUS-FRA N64 and do the RGB mod on it but I'm used to US games,
I couldn't find any information if it's possible to convert it into an US console ? I guess it means run all US games and output 60hz instead of 50, could someone tell if it's possible ?

Thanks

 

Not possible, but what you can do, is buy a Game Shark to get US games to work on the PAL N64. There might be a Hz problem though with the game, not sure about that.

 

Maybe if you replace the PIF from a ntsc console?

 

Thanks guys, I'll look for a replacement PIF from an US console,
while searching for PIF replacement I found a youtube guy that replaced it and it seems to work (but it's in French)

there's just the PAL / NTSC thing that still won't change and he says the speed depends on the game so I guess an US game will be in PAL 60 which may be ok,
btw would you know some online store for spare PIFs ?

 

Why not just use a US N64 and Tim Worthington's N64RGB mod board? His board works on ALL N64s unlike the old method which only worked on systems with RGB access. His board converts the digital video signals to analog RGB. There is also the UltraHDMI mod which will give the best picture possible out of the N64.

 

It's just I could get a NUS-001(FRA) so rgb could be done the "original" way but it's PAL only,
I'm waiting for the ultrahdmi stuff too

 

I actually did this during the summer. Restored the missing RGB components then replaced the PAL PIF chip and the X1 crystal with NTSC versions. (Also need to lift some legs and solder some wires to get exactly the same clock speed and colormode as a NTSC N64).

The output is way too bright and I honestly couldn't see any improvement in image quality, so I went back to using my NTSC N64 modded with this "transistor amp".
[GALLERY=media, 594]N64 NUS-001(FRA) to NTSC by Bax posted Dec 31, 2015 at 4:34 PM[/GALLERY]

Edit: If you still want to try it, after replacing the PIF and X1 crystal, you need to lift pin #7 (Frequency select) on U7 (MX8330) solder a wire from lifted pin #7 to the via, like in the photo.
Next lift pin #9 (NTSC/PAL) on U5 (S-RGB) and solder a wire from lifted pin #9 to pin #6.

Also think twice about restoring 12v to Multi AV pin #3, (the 12v zener diode, i skipped it) since it could be very bad to use with some cable variations.

I'm not knowledgeable enough to figure out the correct way to fix the brightness issue and I stupidly can't remember if it was too bright with the original PAL components as well.
Perhaps it could be related to IRE levels?

Now I'd probably go for a UltraHDMI instead but I haven't seen it yet.

 

If you swap the PIF you may run into timing issues.
mainly because PAL is 50hz and NTSC games are designed to run at 60Hz output. This may be a simple crystal oscillator swap but I'm not sure...

Some games do video mode checking also, ie it will either hang on black screen or give you a warning message saying its not supported, even though its the correct region (as far as lockout goes)....

EDIT: Opps should have read above post ^

 

The color issue can be fixed with a 60Hz color mod but this isn't needed for RGB. Might be easier to just get an NTSC NUS-CPU-04 or earlier from the US or Japan (only difference is plastic tabs in the cart slot) as those have RGB on the DAC as well.

 

Yeah one reason I wanted to try this was to see if a RGB restored NUS-001(FRA) had better image quality over using a amplifier mod or other solution, since it's the only N64 that has "official RGB" for a lack of better description(only needs components left out during manufacturing). And to clarify, I didn't notice any improvement over other mods, only it was noticeable brighter.

Switching from PAL(4.433619MHz) to NTSC(3.579545MHz) on the S-RGB wasn't needed for RGB like you say but composite video was messed up without the mod. So I mainly did it for completion and to avoid any potential? sync issues when using composite video as sync.

 

You could always try just buying a NTSC Nintendo 64.
It will save the hassle.
I am guessing you live in Australia or Europe which is why you are stuck with the PAL version and 50hz.
Just but an NTSC N64 and use a step down transformer for it to work.
On the other hand you could just buy a Japanese console which is a better choice as it doesn't require a step down transformer.

 

+1 recommendation for just getting an NTSC console. They're cheap enough to not make it worth the hassle/time trying to hack a PAL console, imho (you'd have to redo the RGB mod though, I guess...).
No need for a stepdown converter either, just use the 220v PSU you already have with it.

 

not needed, just use the 240v psu from the pal console