Which Region Mod Method is best for Sega Saturn?

i like the switchless 50hz/60hz + region free bios. No case cutting and no switches to break.

 

Doesn't really matter. Either way if broken I'll be out over $20 in shipping cost to fix it.

 

It's been a while since I modded that Saturn, and I've sold it since, so I can't really check. That being said I'm sure that I cut the trace before the pin, and checked that there was no connection. So the trace was connected to something else going under the chip. I never checked what it was, it worked after I lifted the pin instead. I don't particularly enjoy lifting pins like this, but I have hands like a princess so it's never been a problem for me. Next time I'll try measuring how the pin is connected with my multimeter and not lifting the pin. It will look tidier too

Have you successfully modified other VA5 consoles? I can check later what revision my EU one was.

Sorry I'm not sure I understand. What PLL pin 1?

 

x

 

And normally it will switch accordingly to the master clock, right? Because I have never had to do anything regarding that chip, and I've never seen 50/60Hz guides that referred to it either.

 

x

 

I understand most of the logic just fine. It just blows my mind that I've never seen it mentioned in any of the guides I've used before if it's so important.

So if I just lift the VDP pin on a native 60Hz console would that mean that the PLL pin is connected to 5V? As I recall it 5V on the VDP pin = 60Hz and GND = 50Hz. So my Saturn's PLL pin 1 is probably connected to 5V. Why don't I have any problems running games in 50 and 60Hz on it?

 

I used a rocker switch for my mod, since I'm dubious about the pointy switches. I'd like to see a rocker that's through hole rather than me use a dremel or a file.

 

x

 

I use RGB cables. Always. But I'm using the original SEGA cable I got when I was young for my EU Saturn, with my Japanese Saturn. What AV-mod are you referring to?

I cut the composite video trace on the AV-out and soldered composite sync to that pin instead, to get clean sync so there wouldn't be any problems with my XRGB.

 

x

 

Yeah. I bought a HST-3220 Saturn over at shmups.system11 and it hadn't had the mod done so it was dodgy with a SCART lead on my Trinitron - I assumed the guy always used it with an XRGB. Most annoying part is that I had to perform that mod before I resold it as the cable supplied was a cable from a model 1 PAL Saturn..

On my own HST-3210 though I removed that component and took 9v directly from the PSU pin pads to the AV ports instead of composite sync. Works a charm.

 

Yes of course. I knew that mod No the XRGB doesn't give shit about any voltages in the RGB cable

Thank you very much for you help regarding this subject. I really appreciate it

 

I've heard this before but I haven't seen any pics, I have a Japanese model 1 right now, I suppose I'll have to open her up and see how it goes.

Another question, if I go the region free BIOS route, can you force PAL games in 60 Hz, or is that only certain ones?

 

A region free BIOS has nothing to do with 50/60hz. All games are forced into your Saturn's original mode, whether or not ideal.

 

Anyone know of a good place to get a few of these 16f630 PIC chips which have already been pre-programmed - I'd like to try this mod but do not have a PIC programmer

 

I would try Bad_Ad84 on the forums here: http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?39971-For-Sale-Modding-parts-chips-etc

 

Any way to tell by model # which ones let you pop the eprom out?

 

So, I tried this region mod method:
http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/sega-saturn-country-mod-3/

But it did not work!
I'm pretty sure I followed everything by the book as described in the link, but the console refuses to switch between the 3 regions, some times it will switch rendomly.

I could not find a motorolla Hex invertor, but only an equevelant SN74LS04N of a different brand.
So is the hex inverter actually needed and can anybody verify that this modding method actually work?! Before I mess up my Saturn?!

Thanks in advance