Converting a NTSC 5200 to a PAL 5200

[+Allan]

I was just continplating how easy/hard this would be considering the following:

 

1. Two pal roms are available now.

2. (I believe) all the NTSC 8-bit graphics chips are available in PAL versions and that 5200 and 8-bit NTSC graphic chips are interchangable.

3. The rest of the 8-bit hardware is so similar to the 5200's.

4. The 5200 OS has the PAL detection built in already.

 

Any thoughts on this?

 

Allan

[Bryan]

Since there's a PAL A8, it could be easily copied to make a PAL 5200.

 

-Bry

[+Mitch]

I believe the 2port 5200 has the places for the extra PAL componants on the board. You would just need to figure out what goes there and what needs to be swapped out.

 

Also, one of the 5200 coders (sorry I forgot who) said that several of the 5200 games have both the NTSC and PAL code in them. You just need to change a couple of bits to enable the PAL version.

 

If you decide to try it. Let us know how it turns out.

 

Mitch

[+Allan]

Unfortunately it's a little bit beyond my knowledge to try it. Plus since I live in the United States I don't have a PAL TV easily available. I'd certainly like to see someone in Europe try it though. Besides, I have to many other 5200 projects I'd like to try once I learn how. I was just wondering the feasability of it. It stinks that the people in Europe have to get an NTSC compatible TV to enjoy the 5200.

 

Allan

[frax]

It stinks that the people in Europe have to get an NTSC compatible TV to enjoy the 5200.

 

Building a PAL 5200 has been on my todo list for years.

 

My plan is to take the videosection from an PAL A8 computer and implant it into a 5200. Burn a new bios that identifies itself as PAL.

 

If only I had some more time...

 

/frax