Amiga CD32 questions

[Everblue]

I am thinking of purchasing an Amiga CD32 console and have a few questions maybe someone can help me out

1. Can an NTSC Amiga CD32 be connected to a normal PAL TV via RGB/SCART cable?

2. Can an NTSC Amiga CD32 be force to run PAL games in PAL mode?

3. Is it possible to run WHDLOAD games on Amiga CD32 via CD?

Thanks!

[amigakid]

1. Not sure, but think so, better off buying a PAL version.
2. Yes, hold both mouse buttons down and change to PAL display in menu (must be connected to a multisynce monitor or TV that is capable of displaying PAL mode or it will just roll).
3. Not sure what ya mean.  If the game can be run at bootup instead of in WB screen?  I believe so.

Cheers

[madsjm]

3. Yes, but I believe only games which require 2 MB ram or less.

You may have heard of the 200, 350, 444 and 888 game compilations. They are bootable cds with a bunch of WHDLoad games loaded from the Arcade Game Selector frontend. Great for CD32! :-D

[Everblue]

Thanks a lot for the answers

So basically, if I could use a SCART/RGB cable, I can force the console to run in PAL and I should have no problems.

Regarding 3. , I wanted to know if WHDLoad images can be run directly from a cd-rom.... Like Amiga 500 games.... That would be cool.

Another question - can a keyboard be connected without using funky stuff like SX-1 ?

[Everblue]

madsjm wrote:
3. Yes, but I believe only games which require 2 MB ram or less.

You may have heard of the 200, 350, 444 and 888 game compilations. They are bootable cds with a bunch of WHDLoad games loaded from the Arcade Game Selector frontend. Great for CD32! :-D

Actually no I haven't - where can these be downloaded from?

- What about games that make use of the keyboard?
- Is there a way to save? (guess not )

[madsjm]

Everblue wrote:
Actually no I haven't - where can these be downloaded from?
- What about games that make use of the keyboard?
- Is there a way to save? (guess not )

Um.. They can be downloaded from Torrent sites. Obviously I cannot give any links here, but search your favourite sites for cd32.  :-)

CD32 has a keyboard port (ps2 plug). A4000 keyboards can be used directly, and A2000 and A3000 keyboards can be used with an AT->PS2 adapter.
You can also use a PC keyboard with e.g. a Lyra interface.

No, there's no way to save.

[Doobrey]

Everblue wrote:
Another question - can a keyboard be connected without using funky stuff like SX-1 ?

Yep. The Aux port is a combo of serial+keyboard ports.
There's some docs on aminet that show howto make the simple adapter needed to use a 'big box' amiga keyboard + proper serial port.

oops, forgot the link to aminet download !

[madsjm]

Everblue wrote:
So basically, if I could use a SCART/RGB cable, I can force the console to run in PAL and I should have no problems.

Should be. But isn't there any easier way than choosing PAL/NTSC in the early startup menu? I remember apps which were able to switch between screen modes, like Pseudo Ops?

Regarding 3. , I wanted to know if WHDLoad images can be run directly from a cd-rom.... Like Amiga 500 games.... That would be cool.

That's possible. I'm using it all the time.

Another question - can a keyboard be connected without using funky stuff like SX-1 ?

The SX-1 just adds support for a PC keyboard (AT plug). CD32 has support for a keyboard.

[Everblue]

madsjm wrote:

Everblue wrote:
Actually no I haven't - where can these be downloaded from?
- What about games that make use of the keyboard?
- Is there a way to save? (guess not )

Um.. They can be downloaded from Torrent sites. Obviously I cannot give any links here, but search your favourite sites for cd32.  :-)

CD32 has a keyboard port (ps2 plug). A4000 keyboards can be used directly, and A2000 and A3000 keyboards can be used with an AT->PS2 adapter.
You can also use a PC keyboard with e.g. a Lyra interface.

No, there's no way to save.

Wow thanks a lot for the reply - pity about the no saving bit, that would have been just perfect. I will get a Lyra keyboard adapter then.

Any ideas if I will have any problems whould I get an NTSC CD32? Thanks again!

[Everblue]

Ok, I found this info in a FAQ:

-----
 Q:   How can I try to convince a game to work in PAL or NTSC?

 A:   Connect an Amiga mouse into controller port 2, hold down both mouse
      buttons, and press the reset button. You'll be given a boot menu where
      you'll be able to choose either PAL or NTSC. If you have a keyboard
      then you can press any key to switch the boot menu between PAL and
      NTSC so you can see what you're doing.

      This is useful for NTSC CD32 owners who want to run games that use the
      PAL area of the screen.

      Multisystem TVs connected to any video output on or 1084s connected to
      the S-Video output will work.

      TVs/monitors connected to the CD32 through the French CD32's or SX-1's
      or CD32x's or TP9's (see diagram at end of FAQ) RGB connector will also
      work fine.

      TVs/monitors connected to the CD32 through the composite or S-Video
      outputs won't work though. The problem is that the PAL colour signal is
      still sent at the NTSC frequency.


 Q:   Are there any games with NTSC problems?

 A:   Lock 'n' Load - most of the games (about 80%) are PAL only.

      Nick Faldo's Golf doesn't let you see the bottom of the screen, so you
      can't even take shots properly because the meters are covered up.

      Video Creator has the bottom of the screen missing. Also the animations
      become slowly out of sync with the music because of the difference in
      speed between NTSC/PAL machines. Almathera MAY work on an NTSC version
      of Video Creator - Email them at the address at the end of the FAQ to
      convince them.
-----

So if I use an NTSC CD32 to run PAL games in PAL mode on a PAL TV via RGB/SCART cable, will I have the problem discussed above or I should be ok?

[Fixer]

Where are you getting a CD32? I didn't think many of them had RGB out connectors natively.

[Everblue]

No RGB? That sucks.... Well I thought it would be a cheap and neat way to play amiga games. I hate digging out the Amiga 500 with hard drive everytime I want to play, takes so much space... With an Amiga CD32 I could just leave it under the telly.

[Stedy]

Hi,

If you open up your CD32, you will find a number of PCB solder pads called TP9 near the expansion connector. This provides RGB video and Hsync, Vsync and CSync signals and of course ground.

According to the CD32 FAQ , you need some 47 ohm resistors on RGB and you need to bufffer CSync.

If you are handy with a soldering iron, get busy!

[Everblue]

Stedy wrote:
Hi,

If you open up your CD32, you will find a number of PCB solder pads called TP9 near the expansion connector. This provides RGB video and Hsync, Vsync and CSync signals and of course ground.

According to the CD32 FAQ , you need some 47 ohm resistors on RGB and you need to bufffer CSync.

If you are handy with a soldering iron, get busy!

I suddenly dont want a CD32 anymore  :-D

[Fixer]

Everblue wrote:
No RGB? That sucks.... Well I thought it would be a cheap and neat way to play amiga games. I hate digging out the Amiga 500 with hard drive everytime I want to play, takes so much space... With an Amiga CD32 I could just leave it under the telly.

Is it an NTSC CD32 you have your eye on? It's just that I spotted a fairly cheap PAL base CD32 at Amigakit.

Edit: Oh sorry I think it has gone now. :-(