10 replies to this topic

[Moonpig]

Got some Noob questions, I live in the UK and am thinking of getting a NTSC console and a Harmony cartridge.

Are NTSC consoles better because they play games 20% faster and they will be in full screen if my TV supports 60 Hertz?

Can i buy a NTSC console and then use a UK PAL power supply? Or would I have to use a NTSC power supply with an adapter plug and some sort of step down converter?

Would UK joystick and paddles controller work in a NTSC console?

Would a PAL console have problems playing some NTSC roms through the Harmony?

Would modding the Atari to composite produce a better picture and sound over the RF cable or is the mod only useful if your modern tv does not have a RF plug?

Thanks

[Thomas Jentzsch]

It's not the consoles which make the difference regarding speed, its the games. So a NTSC console won't help at all.

Also the TV colour signal created by a NTSC console is not PAL compatible, so everything will be in black and white.

I suppose that makes all other questions irrelevant.

[Moonpig]

Thanks for fast reply , sorry for noob questions i thought it just might work like a NTSC N64 which i use in the UK with no problems.

Also

Would modding the Atari to composite produce a better picture and sound over the RF cable or is the mod only useful if your modern tv does not have a RF plug?

Thanks

Edited by Moonpig, Mon Jan 30, 2012 3:49 PM.

[snstay]

I modded my 2600 and play it on a regular tv and i can tell a big diffrence from the old rf video.
It is well worth it my friend.


Scott

[maiki]

If you want NTSC console you have 2 choices:

1. multi standard TV that has a NTSC tuner
2. modify the console for composite video output so that you do not need any NTSC tuner

[Amstari]

If your TV supports NTSC then it will work. If your NTSC N64 works then the 2600 should work.

You can play PAL or NTSC roms from the Harmony cart. You will just get the wrong colours but you can still play them.

Joysticks and paddles are the same everywhere so they will work.

The power supply will be different due to US using 110 volts but you can use a power supply from a PAL 2600 with a NTSC 2600.

[Matthew]

PAL is the better format as it is used by superior nations (Australia, UK, Europe) . Don't waste your time with NTSC, with the imminent collapse of the US, the format will fade into oblivion.

Edited by Matthew, Tue Jan 31, 2012 1:11 AM.

[maiki]

I would say that both NTSC and PAL are fading out.. because analogue TV broadcast is pretty much dead now, and the new TV sets do not support them anymore.

[Prab]

Living in the UK take it from me, the only way an NTSC 2600 will display in the UK is over composite, so it would need to be composite modded, an NTSC system won't tune in on RF.

Ignore anyone saying the ntsc system won't display on a PAL tv, most tv sets since the early 90s can accept NTSC signals

The PSU you can just use a uk one

Prab

[high voltage]

Do NTSC consoles in the USA use the VHF waveband?
My German VCS didn't work in the UK because the UK TVs don't have VHF, only UHF. In Germany all older consoles used the VHF waveband.

[Mayhem]

They used to tune down in the VHF in the past, but yes, in the UK, TVs are UHF only on RF now, they start around channel 13.