Sega Saturn Region Free BIOS

It don't work right, none of my frequency switch attempt worked. :evil:
I double check each time shorts and everything I could, honestly I don't know why It don't work.
JP1-2 simple switch should work, I don't understand.

 

Hi, any more info on the resistor? I'd like my Saturn to output NTSC instead of PAL60.

 

x

 

I only ever use RGB. But, a crappy TV tells me that my console is outputting PAL60 instead of NTSC.

I figured there's a resolution difference?

 

x

 

Good idea, but I just checked switch and wire, they work well.
Maybe trying genesis controller chip for switchless 50/60 broke something.
Weird I know, my saturn is working right now...
Thanks anyway.

 

x

 

I used to be able to switch 50/60hz while the console was on using leg 79..

Maybe go that method?

 

x

 

That might work. I poured over that datasheet when building a S-Video encoder for a TG16 and from what I gathered pin 18 was a mode select of sorts. The chip does get fed SCIN and SYNC elsewhere which in a PAL Saturn would remain at 4.Xmhz as opposed to the 3.8mhz or so (numbers nowhere near exact) that NTSC uses for SYNC and SCIN generation.

Don't have the datasheet in front of me so don't take any of that as gospel. Would have to take a good long look at the chip's precise schematic page to see exactly what swapping the resistor does to the chip itself. For all I know it needs to have SCIN and SYNC match the PAL/NTSC resistor.

Personally I'd just use an RGB cable and call it a day.

 

x

 

Wouldn't be impossible to wire up dual crystals but it might not be such a good idea to have very long wires head off to a switch somewhere.

 

If your TV can do PAL, there is no need for both anyway. PAL50/60 will cover everything?

 

I'm wanting to hard mod mine to NTSC as I only really want it for US/JP titles. I understand the difference is colour but still. So we think replacing the X1 crystal would switch a Saturn from PAL60 to NTSC60?

 

x

 

About that switchless 50/60Hz mod. Wouldn't it be fairly simple to modify Seb's ultimate Saturn mod code to only switch between 50 and 60Hz? As well as only needing to be soldered up to 5V, GND, leg 79 and the reset button?

Still working something like this:

Quick press: Reset
Hold: Switch between 50 and 60Hz, without resetting the console when releasing. Storing the setting in EEPROM when powered off, naturally.
LED: Red: 50Hz, Green: 60Hz

Isn't that what Emperor Udan was trying to achieve? I think it would work very well with the region free bios
?
http://seb.riot.org/saturnmod/

 

I'd be willing to try it. Do you know the value of the new resistor? Taking into account my console is PAL.

 

x

 

He doesn't provide his source I believe. But anyway it's something really easy to code.

So you could:

1- Email that guy to ask him to modify his code.

or

2- Find someone willing to code this.

or

3- Learn PIC programming and do it!

 

His source is available. mmmonkey has modified it to do only 50/60hz switching.

See the end of this page: http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/console/sega/saturn-regionfree.htm

However, it doesnt work the way I want it to (and it only works with the switch pulling low, not high like some consoles).

I am in the process of rewriting it and making it more flexible.