amiga 1200 pal , now what

[bomrat]

hi, i got an amiga 1200 pal. has a wierd keyboard layout as well.

1.  How do i use the pal system in the us. i got the powersupply figured out.
   can i get the internal scan doubler and just change frequencys in software?

2:  keyboards?  can i pluck keys and change them around and then use us locale?
  or use that external keyboard adaptor and use a standard keyboard?

thanks
arlan

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

PAL is a screenmode, not a physical keyboard layout.  Keyboard layout could be any of a dozen-or-so different types manufactured for different European countries.  The UK one is pretty similar to US, just a couple extra keys.  If you have something wacky like Greek or Spanish, then all bets are off.    Yes, you can just pop one out and replace with another if you'd prefer.

Try the usual sources: AmigaKit, Ebay, Amibay, etc. for a North American-layout keyboard, and set your Workbench keymap appropriately.

Same thing for a North American power supply.  A500 PSU's work also, and are pretty common.  Or you can mod a PC PSU.  Instructions are on the net.

Recommend Indivision for connection to any sort of modern display, or A520 if you want to connect to a TV.  There's other types of boards like the GBS-8200 (google it), but they're more complicated.  Your other option is to just use a native Amiga monitor like something from the 1084-series.  Most of those can natively sync to both PAL and NTSC display frequencies.

Really, just get yourself an Indivision and save a whole lot of hassle & headache.  

[smerf]

hi, i got an amiga 1200 pal. has a wierd keyboard layout as well.

1.  How do i use the pal system in the us. i got the powersupply figured out.
   can i get the internal scan doubler and just change frequencys in software?

2:  keyboards?  can i pluck keys and change them around and then use us locale?
  or use that external keyboard adaptor and use a standard keyboard?

thanks
arlan

PAL and NTSC are two different video standards, the former being European, and the latter being American. PAL has a slightly taller screen (256 lines non-interlaced, non-overscanned) as opposed to NTSC (200 lines), so if you see the bottom portion of a program's screen getting cut off on your American machine, chances are the program was written for PAL, and is running on your shorter NTSC screen. PAL and NTSC differences are somewhat less important to European users; since their machines default to PAL, running an NTSC program is no more than a minor annoyance having the screen only appear in the top portion of the display.

Therefore, for us NTSC folks, switching into PAL mode becomes important to avoid loss of some picture on Euro Demos, etc.

First, the most common misconception about switching between PAL and NTSC is that you need a Multiscan or special monitor for such a purpose. Not so! Just about any monitor can handle the minor signal difference between PAL and NTSC (50Hz vertical refresh versus 60Hz). The 108x, 19xx, and 20xx series, and even most TVs, can display both PAL and NTSC. Sometimes it is necessary to perform minor tweaking of vertical hold and/or v. size on your monitor to achieve full display, though this is trivial.

What IS needed to switch between PAL and NTSC in software, is a "Fatter" (1MB) Agnus or better. If your system has more than 512K of CHIP RAM (use the avail command to find out) you have this chip. If you do not, ou can still construct a hardware switch (see below).

The following directions assume you're an NTSC user who wants to switch into PAL mode, but the procedure for going from PAL to NTSC is much the same.

The most common use of switching into PAL is for self-booting games, demos, etc. The best way to accomplish this on pre-3.0 systems is to use Chris Hames' Degrader program (most recent version: 1.30). Once you have procured this program, the switch is as simple as selecting "50Hz", and "50Hz System", then installing the program's ROMTag (little program that runs at boot-time) by pressing the "Survive Reset(s)" button.

AmigaDOS 3.0 added a PAL/NTSC switch feature to its Boot Menu, and all you need to do in order to access this is hold down both mouse buttons as the computer boots. Select Display Options, Display Mode/PAL, and then Boot. If the program still fails to go into PAL mode (Zool is one I've found), you may wish to get Degrader anyway and try that.

Software PAL/NTSC switching is easy and painless. Some people have gone even further by installing hardware PAL/NTSC switches. This results in a system which even the most nasty hardware-banging programs can't bring to its original configuration (if it has been switched). The procedure is simple - most Amigas have jumpers already - but beyond the scope of this document.

Therefore, if your screen is too short or cut off, seek the different screen mode. You'll "see new horizons", literally!

(Joseph Luk, jluc@eis.calstate.edu)

(1)

---------- Footnotes ----------

(1) PAL/NTSC switching with a MultiSync monitor is possible on 2.0+ and easily accomplished by moving the PAL monitor type to (or NTSC, as applicable, I have them both in) the Devs/Monitors drawer (from the Storage/Monitors drawer), reboot, then go into the Prefs drawer and select the ScreenMode program. You will see at least two PAL modes available (PAL and PAL Interlaced). Simply select one of the (usually non-interlaced for demos) and select "Use". All windows on the Workbench will close, the video mode will change, and then the windows will reopen - that simple!

Allen J. Newton, anewton@alturia.abq.nm.us



Read more: http://stason.org/TULARC/pc/amiga/faq/3-4-How-do-I-switch-between-PAL-and-NTSC.html#.VWzlhM9VhBc#ixzz3br3qmD5I

This is a little something I found on the net, I just put in a switch on my Amiga 1200, that way I just put it in pal or ntsc mode with the machine off, and then I turn it on, and it is there. There is a pal and NTSC utility on aminet also. Anyway hope this helps. BTW you have to look at the schematics on the A1200 to find the pad or pins so you can hook up the switch, Enjoy.

[danbeaver]

You could output to: a SCART-to-HDMI convertor using a $20 USD SCART cable and a $45 USD convertor, or use a FrameMeister, or possibly a SCART-to-Component adapter.

Or build/buy http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amiga-ScanDoubler-RGB-to-VGA-500-600-1200-1500-2000-3000-4000-CDTV-SX-32-sx-1-/141508641338?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20f292823a.

The build uses Mike's suggestion.

[smerf]

Hi,
@olds, and bomrat,
 
If you are any good at building electronic projects, get that $39 board off ebay, and a 23 pin video plug, this board takes your RGB signal out of the back of the Amiga, and converts it to VGA where you can use an LCD monitor, been using it on my Amiga 4000, A1200 and A500, lets not forget my CD32, or my A1000, did I mention my C64 oh my SEGA. Anyhow if you don't mind using the whatever display size of what you are using to vga. It is a cheap solution to hooking up whatever to a monitor, and also you can use this until you save up enough money for that indivision board, which just divides you from your money.

smerf

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

As you can already see, there's lots of ways of getting modern video output out of an Amiga 1200.  And lots of opinions.  Now if I owned an Amiga 1200, here's what I'd do, hands down:



Replace that useless RF output box with a nice, modern HDMI output.  Obviously there are cheaper alternatives.  But for my money, there's none "cleaner".  

And while you're at it, this is a sweet little board, as well.  The right-angle one, not the other one.

[smerf]

You could output to: a SCART-to-HDMI convertor using a $20 USD SCART cable and a $45 USD convertor, or use a FrameMeister, or possibly a SCART-to-Component adapter.

Or build/buy http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amiga-ScanDoubler-RGB-to-VGA-500-600-1200-1500-2000-3000-4000-CDTV-SX-32-sx-1-/141508641338?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20f292823a.

The build uses Mike's suggestion.

That is what I use, but I built my own for 39 and a 23 pin plug.

smerf

[bomrat]

decided to get the mk2...

what is the difference between uk and us keyboard layout?

[NovaCoder]

As you can already see, there's lots of ways of getting modern video output out of an Amiga 1200.  And lots of opinions.  Now if I owned an Amiga 1200, here's what I'd do, hands down:



Replace that useless RF output box with a nice, modern HDMI output.  Obviously there are cheaper alternatives.  But for my money, there's none "cleaner".  

And while you're at it, this is a sweet little board, as well.  The right-angle one, not the other one.

I vote for this too!

Maybe I should do this, it's so neat.

Actually come to think of it, I already did

With the right config tool you can even get smooth 50Hz scrolling in games.

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

decided to get the mk2...

what is the difference between uk and us keyboard layout?

Excellent choice.  

UK keyboard layout includes the pound sign and a couple useless blank keys:

[bomrat]

just ordered the mk2 scan doubler, and a new uk keyboard.

i picked up this system from.
cosmos

has an accellerator. 020 with 4mg
16gb cf.

good start.

i used to have an a2000 with flicker fixer, ide drive, csa darranger 030 50 with 32mb.  i miss that.

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

just ordered the mk2 scan doubler, and a new uk keyboard.

i picked up this system from.
cosmos

has an accellerator. 020 with 4mg
16gb cf.

good start.

i used to have an a2000 with flicker fixer, ide drive, csa darranger 030 50 with 32mb.  i miss that.

Ah, he's a good guy, and active in these forums.  I've got a half-dozen or so of his updated libraries running on my systems, they're great!

What file system are you using with that 16GB CF?  I assume he set you up with something other than FFS, either SFS or PFS would probably be good.  

(you can check this in HDToolbox, just don't save any changes until you're familiar with the software! )

I love my A2000 but occasionally do wish I had AGA for a few games or demos, and the faster bandwidth.  I think you'll be quite happy with your A1200 once it's done.

*disclaimer - Amiga's are never done.  

[giZmo350]

*disclaimer - Amiga's are never done.  

 You are CORRECT! (Best Chris Farley voice).     Amiga's are, and always will be, my hardware addiction!

[Fats]

AmigaDOS 3.0 added a PAL/NTSC switch feature to its Boot Menu, and all you need to do in order to access this is hold down both mouse buttons as the computer boots. Select Display Options, Display Mode/PAL, and then Boot.

AFAICR pressing tab also switched between PAL/NTSC (or was it space).

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Didn't they add the early startup controls in 2.0?  I can't remember, it's been years since I've used that version.