I'd like to buy a Ps2 Test Unit (Dtl) that: 1)can play original Ps2 games from all regions 2)can play original Ps1 games from all regions (don't know it's possible) 3)can boot from HDD (softmod freemcboot) ps2 games patched for 480p (don't know it's possible) I found this thread https://assemblergames.com/threads/the-many-unusual-types-of-test-ps2.7223/ and I hope that somebody can show me the right model (DTL: 30102 / 30001 S etc...) for my needs.
Pretty sure the DTL-H10000 can do all of that, someone correct me if I'm wrong. I had a Japanese one that played PAL PS2 games, but I don't remember testing PS1 games with it.
I'll check the number on mine but I can do at least 1 and 2. Also I can play PS1 backups if I remember correctly.
You need a newer DebugStation console. It would be a DTL-H101xx, DTL-H301xx or newer (DTL-H50xx and so on). The original DTL-H10000 and DTL-H300xx have no support for MagicGate file decryption (and hence have no support for FMCB/FHDB).
Thanks a lot to everyboy for the fast replies! My "ideal" DebugStation is able to read games (both ps1 and ps2) from any regions (so the right speed for 50hz pal games), I don't care for backups (I will use th HDD only for gsm 480p). I've found this: Is the process of installing harder (or just different) than a "normal" ps2? Is there any discussion (not only here) where someone install with success FMCB on a test unit?
You could in theory use FCMB on older debugging units (3000X or older or some newer 9000X units) by using a boot (master disc) disc with ULE on it to start the softmod from the memory card after installing FCMB on it (Installing FCMB can be done from an old debug unit) (You can eject the disc to save your laser after loading the softmod), so it's possible, with newer debugging units (3010X - 7500X) you can run ULE from a master disc, install FCMB and it will work like a retail in the sense the softmod will start without the disc, just keep in mind FCMB memory cards made on debugging units don't seem to work on retail PS2 units. In relation to PS1 games if your debug unit is an NTSC-U unit for example, it will only play NTSC-U PS1 games perfectly, it will boot PAL and NTSC-J but they may not display correctly/play at the correct speed, also i think japanese debug PS2 units will only start NTSC-J ps1 games unless they're patched with a japanese region flag (though i could be wrong) also PS1VModeNeg ( https://assemblergames.com/threads/ps1vmodeneg-release-thread.52777/ ) may correct playing PAL games on an NTSC -U unit and vice versa in all ways, but i personally haven't played around with it. ALL PS2 (NTSC-U NTSC-J and PAL) games will play flawlessly as intended on any NTSC-U or PAL debug (Retail or master disc), except Japanese (At least older ones, not sure about newer ones) debugs which will only play retails from Japan and master discs from anywhere, and I've heard that NTSC-J debugs can be iffy with PAL games if you get it to boot as they were manufactured before the other two regions were standardised. Anyone, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong anywhere, this is just my interpretation of it.
Not really. The FMCB KELF cannot even be installed because the early DEX will reject the KELF-related commands. The late SCPH-90000 is a different case; the MECHACON supports KELF-decryption, but the ROM does not support updates. Even if the early DEX can somehow be used to sign a KELF, using a Master Disc to boot FMCB defeats the purpose of using FMCB because he would have to do it everytime the browser is booted (either because he resets the console or the software quits). Indeed. They are non-transferrable.
Thanks a lot for your help! For my needs I'm torn between the: DTL-H50001 E and DTL-H30102 (no letters at the end) In both cases I can install the FMCB, can you confirm? What is the main differences between the 2 models (regarding E/NO letters) ? What about the slim models DTL-H75000A? The "A" stands for? Is is possible to install FMCB? Thanks in advance-
A i believe means American (J means Japanese) on the 75000 (A/J) units. Not 100% sure on any major differences though, PS3/PSP dev hardware have the same distinctions. Either unit will work well to be honest the 3010x does support i-link however (A handful of games that allow you to play multiplayer on multiple consoles by linking using the i-link cable) whereas the 5000x lacks the i-link port. All of them should run FCMB fine once installed. The E in your 50001 means it's an NTSC console adapted to European voltages (240v 50hz), otherwise it's identical to it's non E counterparts.
Thanks for your reply! Can you confirm that the differences between the DTL-H50001 E and the DTL-H50002 are ony in the different voltage? So they are both NTSC machine (no pal ps1 at the proper speed), right? Do you know if the 75000 unit has the same hardware of the "retail" 75000? I'd like to have a 70000 because it has the same chip of the fat for the ps1 compatibilty, but I've never found a DTL-Test one. Do test units has a "hour counter" like a Bvm monitor, for example?
The DTL-H50001 E and DTL-H50002 are the exact same voltage, E like i said means it's adapted to work 240v/50hz so for example UK devs which use 240v/50hz could use an NTSC-U debug in the UK without using a step down transformer a normal DTL-H50001 with no E uses 120v/60hz whereas DTL-H50002 is originally made for a 240v/50hz country and hence it's not converted, a DTL-H50002 U would run at 120v/60hz so a US dev could use a PAL console without a step up transformer. The only real difference between the DTL-H50001 E and DTL-H50002 is the default video mode which the console displays in, this only really affects PS1 games and the console boot/menu screens (the console startup and browser/system config menu) which will always display in the console's default video mode normally as said any PS2 game retail/master from any region globally will run perfectly on either of those as the game was intended to be played by the developers as either console as the console will change video modes only for PS2 games if needed. PS1 games, like you said the console will use the console's default video mode to run PS1 games so only the matching console regions games will display right (e.g. NTSC-U PS1 games will display correctly on an NTSC-U debug PS2), but the console will allow other region games to boot/load whether they display correctly or not, PS1vmodeneg may help you play different region PS1 games for what your console was made for as it may allow you to force the console to switch video modes games not for the consoles display mode. It's also worth saying, NTSC-J PS1 games are largely compatible with NTSC-U PS2 debugs with only slight brightness differences read this for the subtle difference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTSC-J As quoted from that wikipedia article "a slight change of the brightness setting is all that is required to enjoy the "other" variant of NTSC on any set as it is supposed to be." So if you don't mind the subtle difference NTSC-U and NTSC-J games can be interchangeable when talking about video modes for PS1 games. So all in all, the only reason you would need to choose between the DTL-H50001 E and DTL-H50002 is what PS1 games you'd like to play easier (Like i said you may be able to switch video modes for PS1 games with ps1vmodeneg to play PAL PS1 games on an NTSC-U PS2 debug and and to play NTSC-U (and pretty much NTSC-J) games on a PAL PS2 debug but it's not guaranteed) if you prefer playing NTSC-U (and NTSC-J pretty much) PS1 games correctly grab the DTL-H50001 E if you prefer playing PAL PS1 games correctly get a DTL-H50002 With the 75000 units when you mean hardware i'm assuming you mean the EE and GS, main console components, don't take this for 100% certainty as i don't know for sure, but i believe they would have made the same main hardware so the debug hardware resembles the retail hardware as closely as possible so they knew retail machines would run the games when they went golden and into production, i believe the MECACON and syscon? and another thing i think are different, mainly relating to the security system on the console basically, if someone who knows more in this area, please correct me I'm only going off the knowledge i have. I personally haven't seen a DTL-H70000 (A or J) so i don't know if one exists. Sorry if i repeated myself a few times and have information all over the place but i kept revising this as i went along, i hope you understand it all, if you need clarification, let me know.
On PAL Test Consoles the picture will be squeezed together (fat black bars on top and bottom) on NTSC PS1 Games, pretty ugly and impossible to play Lightgun Games. PS2 is no prob, as already said. Im running OPL from a MASTERDISC signed cdr to start games from hd.
