PS1 Collecting

Here's the annoying thing about PS1 games - the software is 50hz. Not the console. So you can't just mod the console to display in 60hz like Megadrives and Saturns.

That's why it's so important to start an NTSC collection from the beginning.

Retr0gamer

Get a PAL console, mod to be region free and then buy nothing but NTSC unless it's a Europe exclusive. There's another console I need to re-buy most of my games for

Hank Scorpio

Why are PS1 consoles so cheap, most seem to be like 5 euro

Retr0gamer

nuxxx wrote: »

Why are PS1 consoles so cheap, most seem to be like 5 euro

When something is one of the best selling consoles of all time and you live in a country that was second only to Japan for PS1 consoles per capita you get a lot of supply and not a lot of demand.

johnny_ultimate

Plus the PS2 and PS3 are backwards compatible with PS1 - not a lot of reasons for anyone but the enthusiast / importer to be hanging onto the original console.

Hank Scorpio

makes sence

CiDeRmAn

If I might chime in here.
Most of my memories of PS games are from PAL titles.
And there were a lot of them!
Sure, there might be some loss of speed or some letterboxing, but I have a pretty good selection of PS titles, nearly all PAL, and I'm pretty happy with them.

I suppose the big difference for me is that I picked up almost every PS title via browsing through stalls at markets or through the game shop shelves themselves some 6 or 7 years ago.
I prefer that to buying online, at least in this instance.

I can see the logic in, if starting out, just getting NTSC, and hope you enjoy building your PS collection!

One last word though, be prepared to be a tad disappointed in the visuals of many titles.
Early PS games from the mid 90's look pretty dreadful while later ones don't look bad.
Just don't lose heart when you excitedly pop in Wipeout or Destruction Derby and are treated to a screen full of broken polygons and massive pop up!

Jack burton

Ah I'm well used to playing PS games don't worry.

See if they were still available to buy around the place I'd get PAL but since I have to go online to get most of them night aswell get the NTSC

So console mod? Need a mod chip for that?

Jack burton wrote: »

So console mod? Need a mod chip for that?

Yep, you will need it chipped.

Eurasia is good for PS1 chips. If your using the Phat type PS1 get the MM3 for your region. If your using the PSone, get the ONEchip

http://www.eurasia.nu/shop/default.php?cPath=52&PHPSESSID=24c76148da1544ecb8f3523ec074b805

There was a chipped ps1 on adverts recently for €25. Worth seeing if it's still there.

CiDeRmAn

Word to the wise, original style Playstations are far easier to install a mod to compared to the PSone.
I know a seasoned soldered who get his knickers in a twist trying to mod a PSone for me.

Haha!

I think there was a wire on the modchips for the region lock that didn't have anywhere on the PCB to connect to?

It was the same with my PSone. Plays backups grand, you just need a boot disc to change the region.

/Edit - just remembered, you can also boot patch the images to the correct region negating the need for a boot disc.

o1s1n wrote: »

Haha!

I think there was a wire on the modchips for the region lock that didn't have anywhere on the PCB to connect to?

It was the same with my PSone. Plays backups grand, you just need a boot disc to change the region.

/Edit - just remembered, you can also boot patch the images to the correct region negating the need for a boot disc.

Your PSone has the MM3 chip, which on the PSone needs a boot disc. The ONEchip is designed specifically for the PSone & gets around that problem so no bootdisc is required.

This is something I will probably look into soon as well.

I did manage to pick up a PSOne that has been chipped in travels but I don't know if thats for 60hz as the guy who sold it to me said it was for playing downloaded games (which he gave me a stack of on CDs).

Would this likely include the 60Hz mod?

Also, where are people buying NTSC PS1 games from?

RedXIV wrote: »

This is something I will probably look into soon as well.

I did manage to pick up a PSOne that has been chipped in travels but I don't know if thats for 60hz as the guy who sold it to me said it was for playing downloaded games (which he gave me a stack of on CDs).

Would this likely include the 60Hz mod?

Also, where are people buying NTSC PS1 games from?

Read above, there is no 60hz mod :pac:

You mod the console so it can play backups and discs from other regions. If you put an NTSC disc on a region modded PAL 50hz console then it still displays in 60hz.

EnterNow wrote: »

Your PSone has the MM3 chip, which on the PSone needs a boot disc. The ONEchip is designed specifically for the PSone & gets around that problem so no bootdisc is required.

Ah, that's what it was!

If I remember correctly, the image patcher I used can change the game's region to PAL to get around the boot disc, while still displaying the 60hz image.

So you in affect end up with a PAL region 60hz disc.

I think.

Will have to look back over my notes to confirm, it's been a while

o1s1n wrote: »

Read above, there is no 60hz mod :pac:

You mod the console so it can play backups and discs from other regions. If you put an NTSC disc on a region modded PAL 50hz console then it still displays in 60hz.

Ah ok, think I just said it arseways, what I mean is if my PSOne has been modded to play backups, it can probably play NTSC as well?

o1s1n wrote: »

Ah, that's what it was!

If I remember correctly, the image patcher I used can change the game's region to PAL to get around the boot disc, while still displaying the 60hz image.

So you in affect end up with a PAL region 60hz disc.

I think.

Will have to look back over my notes to confirm, it's been a while

It could be that yeah. If anyone here is ordering from Eurasia you should ask can they order a ONEchip for you & we'll swap it out to save all that boot disc hassle

RedXIV wrote: »

Ah ok, think I just said it arseways, what I mean is if my PSOne has been modded to play backups, it can probably play NTSC as well?

It depends what chip was used in the mod. As Enternow was saying, if you use the ONEchip in a PSone then it lets you boot NTSC games.

If you use the MM3 chip in your PSone (like in my one), you can play backups, but you still need to use a boot disc for NTSC games.

o1s1n wrote: »

It depends what chip was used in the mod. As Enternow was saying, if you use the ONEchip in a PSone then it lets you boot NTSC games.

If you use the MM3 chip in your PSone (like in my one), you can play backups, but you still need to use a boot disc for NTSC games.

Gonna be fun figuring this out

If I have the wrong chip, I assume it can be easily switched?

RedXIV wrote: »

Gonna be fun figuring this out

If I have the wrong chip, I assume it can be easily switched?

The wiring points on the motherboard are likely to be different between the two types of chip, so its likely a reinstall

EnterNow wrote: »

The wiring points on the motherboard are likely to be different between the two types of chip, so its likely a reinstall

Cheers for all the advice on this, I'll investigate it tonight and see what I have. Will let you know o1s1n in case you want to double up on order from Eurasia