N64 PAL/NTSC Possible ?

The lines probably aren't bidirectional, so really all you need to switch are output signals keeping everything else connected. Switching the chips via VCC isn't very effective and will positively add instability to the device. You definitely don't want to switch all lines though, that would be ridiculous. Depending on the number of true outputs, I would switch using either multiplexers or tristate buffers, of the 74ACT family. They are certainly fast enough unlike the 4066. 4000 series isn't even suitable for the N64's low voltage.

Really I wouldn't bother with this at all, I don't know exactly how the existing software adapters are implemented but I think boot emulators work across regions, so all you need in theory is a plugin cart to start the code. The obvious benefit of the boot emulator is that you don't need a convoluted mod in your console, or need manual switching, or even need the original CIC at all!

This is only the case if the EEPROM is wired to the boot cartridge (originally seen as a feature), reworking a couple signals in such an adapter will fix this.

Considering how N64 cheats patch RAM once the game is running, and that the firmware ROM is on the entirely separate cartridge bus, and is FlashROM which takes multiple magic word writes to erase, this is VERY unlikely.

 

I created that schematic myself years ago and I have to tell you one thing: It's utter crap. I can't recommend performing that mod to anyone. It somehow worked at the time, but that one was created back when I didn't know shit about electronics.

If you are serious about such a mod, get the proper PIF-pinout and try to work out something from there, preferably using the Reset-circuitry or proceeding as Caplis suggested.

 

No you cannot "mechanically detect" cartridge cause both pal and japan cartridge have the same plastic casing like you said. But i think it would be possible to detect the game region in the same way n64 know that you cartridge region is wrong using the CIC.

 

Yes, it would be an even neater mod if the cartridge was auto detected.

 

I'm no expert but I'm pretty sure that would be a mounstruous mod.

The N64 uses a security scheme in which there are several components involved.

Apart from the tabs in the cartridge bay, the electronic measures consist of this.

The console has the PIF, which stands for Peripheral InterFace, for which there are two kinds, PIF-NUS and PIF(P)-NUS (NTSC and PAL respectively), which take care of controlling the peripherals, like the controllers, and one very special kind of peripheral, the CIC microcontrollers located on the cartridges.
These babies not only have NTSC and PAL variants, but also there are at least 5 variants for each zone, and each game works with ONE and ONLY ONE of these. There's some communications going on between the PIF the CIC and some checksumming involving the game's ROM that should come out right for the game to boot (some games with extra protection also make additional checks during the game, like PD, and will degrade the experience if this fails, which happens with bootloaders which can only patch the initial check for booting).

An autoswitching mod would involve some kind of PIF clone capable of communicating with the CIC, make some voodoo to determine it's region and then activate the corresponding real PIF, all of that before the main deck becomes too impatient and decides "authentication" has failed.

Too much for something that can be solved with some simple switches.
I think it would probably be more feasible to develop an N64 clone with the low-level info that some individuals at the emulation scene are reverse-engineering, than making such a monstruous mod and have it coexist with the existing hardware.

 

So....anyone good at voodoo, LOL? Oh well, thanks for enlightening us with your N64 know-how. You guys man, you really know the ins and outs of these things :thumbsup:

 

This shouldn't be too difficult in theory.

Within 1 second of the N64 being powered on with a valid cart, a sync pulse(~15kHz) is output to pin 3 of the A/V socket, but with a wrong region cart, the pin just goes high, no pulse.

So, you could use an LM1881 to check for the sync pulse after a 1sec delay (using an NE555).

If sync is present, then no action is required and the game will boot as normal.

If the sync is not present, this could drive the appropriate logic ic's, perhaps a bus switch, to switch over to the opposite PIF chip while triggering a reset.

No doubt, it's not a simple project, but do-able for the stubborn ones among us.

 

If I get an UK game it won't work on my Spanish system?

 

The N64 is split into 3 regions:
NTSC-US
NTSC-JAP
PAL-EUR

The NTSC US and Japan carts are electronically the same, the only difference is the shape of the carts.
A US cart wont fit into a Japanese console and vice-versa, however, by removing the lugs inside the cart slot, you can then play US games on a Japanese console and vice-versa as the carts both identify themselves as 'NTSC' regardless of US/Japan.

UK carts identify themselves as PAL and will not run on any NTSC console, unless you use a passport adaptor or perform the mod detailed earlier in this thread.

The chips being discussed in the post you quoted are more to do with security, rather than region locking.

 

Of course it will work.

bobzee already explained the region lock scheme nintendo made for the n64, but I want to clarify what I meant with "5 variants for each zone", since it seems you misinterpreted it as the PAL and NTSC zones being subdivided again into different zones, and each being asigned one chip. But that's not what I meant.
As CIC chips are concerned, there are ONLY two zones, PAL and NTSC, but there are variants of the chip and a game developper could choose which one to use in an attempt co counter the method that backup units use to run games, which is "piggybacking" a cart to use it's cic chip to boot the rom loaded into the backup unit's memory.

NTSC - PAL
6102 - 7101 (not a typo) This is the first and most common chip that is used by games like mario64, pilotwings, goldeneye, and many others.
6103 - 7103 Used by Banjo Kazooie, for example
6105 - 7105 Both Zelda games, Perfect Dark...
etc.

This means that, a NTSC game that uses one of these chips, will (most likely) use the equivalent PAL version in their PAL release (Europe, Australia, etc). NTSC CIC's won't be accepted by a PAL machine and viceversa.
These are the chips that are present in the games I have, I'm not exatly sure of the numbering of the other ones and their equivalence between NTSC and PAL.

 

If I get an NTSC game, desolder the CIC from a PAL game with an equivalent CIC, and put it into my NTSC game it will work in my PAL console?

Sorry for all the questions. XD

 

Yes, but the game will output video signal at 60hz make sure your tv can handle that (most modern pal tv can)

 

The TV can for sure, most of my consoles are japanese and my PAL machines output 60 Hz (DC and newer), but the Nintendo 64 will be able to handle it?

 

Yes no problem with 50/60hz, it's just a parameter set by software. Some game like zelda master quest event output pal60....

 

Can I just ask - what decides if an N64 game is 50 or 60hz? Is it the hardware or software?

I know no-one has managed to make a 50/60hz switch yet, but I just have this feeling that it 'is' possible - or am I totally wrong?

How did N64 development systems switch between 50/60hz?

TIA :icon_bigg

 

It's software driven, so no 50/60hz switch

 

Thanks for your reply. Im just wondering though - why when I play a PAL and NTSC version of a game on an emulator do I not get any borders on either version?

Is it absolutely positively software? (So no chance of there ever being a switch?) Is there nothing I could add between a PAL cart and the N64 to trick it into booting in 60hz?

Thanks again

 

In fact border is a matter of resolution, I'm not an expert but I think that all n64 game use the same resolution whatever signal encoding and refresh rate used. You see border on pal snes game cause Nintendo somewhat badly designed their pal support.

Everything is possible you know, but time and patience is rare, there might be a way to force video output to always 60hz or vice-versa but I don't think someone will take time to make research on this since you can simply buy a TV that can handle both 50 and 60hz.

Unlike snes (or older system with weird pal support) their is no benefit in "in-game speed". Only benefit is a higher refresh rate of picture on 60hz.

 

Ok, first of all I'm sorry to bring up this old thread to you guys again but I have a question.

Is it possible to somehow desolder the CIC from a PAL game and solder it into a PAL console to make it get a clear signal to start any game every single time? This would make it possible to run NTSC games as well if I'm not entirely lost here. If this is possible somehow. Could anyone try it?
To be hones I have almost no experience with electronics and such, this is just something I started thinking of while reading this topic. Again, I'm sorry to bring up this old thread.

 

You could do that if you knew how the data was recieved, and what data it was, and how long it lasted, etc. then depending on how it was sent, either cut the traces to the cartridge slot or create an IC that holds the cartridge data pins low for a short time, etc.

Much more effort than it's worth.

Another option could be to solder the CIC chip connections very near to the motherboard CIC chip, but I'm unsure of how it works in respect to getting a valid CIC code and then getting an invalid one.