Wanting to get into Amiga gaming with a CD32?

[bbond007]

ok so what if I buy one of these PAL amiga 1200 keyboard/computer things from ebay.uk. will I be able to plug it into my NTSC tv without video problems etc? or will I run into the same problems that I would find if I went with a PAL cd32?

I don't think you would have any problem with a PAL CD32 - Unless your TV is one of those old wooden console TVs with a record player built into the top, its probably going to support PAL video. its the NTSC CD32 I suspect you would disappointed with.

The A1200 and CD32 are essentially the same thing, except that the A1200 has an 23 pin RGB port and the CD32 has an SVIDEO port.

You'll run into the exact same sort of issues with an Amiga 1200 that you would with the CD32 if you use the composite video signal instead of the RGB port.

Most people use the RGB port connected to a scandoubler or Amigamaniac's SVIDEO adapter or a 15hz compatible monitor (such as 1084) or some other multisync.

Both SVIDEO and composite mix signals together in order to use fewer wires, so the color signal is encoded. The RGB port leaves these signals separated.

NTSC video is 425 lines at 60 frames per second and the color signal is encoded at 3.6 mhz.

PAL video is 525 lines at 50 frames per second and the color signal is encoded at 4.4 mhz.

Both the A1200 and the CD32 can change refresh rate via software (which also changes the # of lines) but the color frequency the color signal is encoded at cannot be changed via software.

It does not matter if you are using a CD32 (with SVIDEO or composite) or A1200 (with composite), if you are running PAL unit in NTSC mode or a NTSC unit in PAL mode, you are going to have non-standard video signal.

I really don't know a better way to explain it. Good luck with whatever you decide....

[bbond007]

ok so what if I buy one of these PAL amiga 1200 keyboard/computer things from ebay.uk. will I be able to plug it into my NTSC tv without video problems etc? or will I run into the same problems that I would find if I went with a PAL cd32?

I don't think you would have any problem with a PAL CD32 - Unless your TV is one of those old wooden console TVs with a record player built into the top, its probably going to support PAL video. its the NTSC CD32 I suspect you would disappointed with.

The A1200 and CD32 are essentially the same thing, except that the A1200 has an 23 pin RGB port and the CD32 has an SVIDEO port.

You'll run into the exact same sort of issues with an Amiga 1200 that you would with the CD32 if you use the composite video signal instead of the RGB port.

Most people use the RGB port connected to a scandoubler or Amigamaniac's SVIDEO adapter or a 15hz compatible monitor (such as 1084) or some other multisync. RGB also provides far superior picture than SVIDEO which is only slightly better than composite.

Both SVIDEO and composite mix signals together in order to use fewer wires, so the color signal is encoded. The RGB port leaves these signals separated.

NTSC video is 425 lines at 60 frames per second and the color signal is encoded at 3.6 mhz.

PAL video is 525 lines at 50 frames per second and the color signal is encoded at 4.4 mhz.

Both the A1200 and the CD32 can change refresh rate via software (which also changes the # of lines) but the color frequency the color signal is encoded at cannot be changed via software.

It does not matter if you are using a CD32 (with SVIDEO or composite) or A1200 (with composite), if you are running PAL unit in NTSC mode or a NTSC unit in PAL mode, you are going to have non-standard video signal.

I really don't know a better way to explain it. Good luck with whatever you decide....

[lord-denning]

ok guys....I'm just going to buy a PAL cd32 and see what happens....I have friends in england I can get it shipped to who will then forward it to me in canada. I have a 2 year old TV. lets see if it will work. should I buy an amiga mouse? or should I buy a mouse adaptor?

[Lurch]

I think I'd prefer to use an A1200 and play CD32 games off the HDD ;-)

[AmigaClassicRule]

I think I'd prefer to use an A1200 and play CD32 games off the HDD ;-)

Thank you! Smartest reply EVER!

[lord-denning]

I see your point. I should be looking at purchasing an amiga 1200 with some kind of mod that allows it to display on a ntsc television instead of a cd32. do I go for a pal or ntsc 1200 model? are there compatibility issues for games between the two much like the cd32? I appreciate all the help and advcie guys

I should also mention that I have a newish tv with a scart hookup at the back. will I just be able to plug a uk amiga 1200 into my tv straight up?

[AmigaClassicRule]

I see your point. I should be looking at purchasing an amiga 1200 with some kind of mod that allows it to display on a ntsc television instead of a cd32. do I go for a pal or ntsc 1200 model? are there compatibility issues for games between the two much like the cd32? I appreciate all the help and advcie guys

I should also mention that I have a newish tv with a scart hookup at the back. will I just be able to plug a uk amiga 1200 into my tv straight up?

Last I checked the problem remains the same on the A1200 as the CD32, is well.....because they are the same. You see, the CD32 IS an Amiga 1200 without keyboard. That is why I call my  A1200 A console IT IS BECAUSE IT IS.

[lord-denning]

I know that they are essentially the same. It seems however (from what people online have been saying) that lots of modern ntsc televisions come equipped with the ability adequately project scart. I have 2 modern tvs available which both have scart connections in the back of them. I also have seen mention of an s-video output hack for the 1200.

[alexh]

If you have SCART then you'll do RGB. Cables are cheap. No hacking. Easy to put Amiga A1200 into 60Hz mode if necessary. (Hold both mouse buttons during reset and press space)

[spaceman88]

I know that they are essentially the same. It seems however (from what people online have been saying) that lots of modern ntsc televisions come equipped with the ability adequately project scart. I have 2 modern tvs available which both have scart connections in the back of them. I also have seen mention of an s-video output hack for the 1200.

I didn't know you could get a SCART TV here in Canada. Since your in Canada it would probably be cheaper to get an NTSC 1200 (change it to PAL by holding down two buttons, sort of).

[AmigaClassicRule]

I didn't know you could get a SCART TV here in Canada. Since your in Canada it would probably be cheaper to get an NTSC 1200 (change it to PAL by holding down two buttons, sort of).

I live in Canada and I get a european Amiga 1200, in fact the motherboard comes sweetly from the UK. It starts as default as beautiful PAL and runs ALL the Amiga app/games and I solved it by getting this beautiful...sexy...sweet color producing, high end quality images with awesome steroe sound Commodore 1084s and my problem is solved.
 
I get to enjoy it fully....yeah baby!!
 
But everytime I turn my machine on I have to keep holding the mouse button to switch from NTSC to PAL and it is not even real PAL is not something I want to do. Even then there is compatibility issue with games as such games are smart enough to want the REAL PAL machine.

[spaceman88]

I live in Canada and I get a european Amiga 1200, in fact the motherboard comes sweetly from the UK. It starts as default as beautiful PAL and runs ALL the Amiga app/games and I solved it by getting this beautiful...sexy...sweet color producing, high end quality images with awesome steroe sound Commodore 1084s and my problem is solved.
 
I get to enjoy it fully....yeah baby!!
 
But everytime I turn my machine on I have to keep holding the mouse button to switch from NTSC to PAL and it is not even real PAL is not something I want to do. Even then there is compatibility issue with games as such games are smart enough to want the REAL PAL machine.

I used to have a 1084s until it died a couple of years ago (now have a Dell flat screen). Back in the day (1995) I had hundreds of games, but most were the NTSC versions, I only had a dozen or so that needed to be booted into PAL mode. Now if you download a game you seem to be more likely to get a PAL version.

[lord-denning]

guys I should be honest. I'm all about having a dope shelf of amiga games. I have an fairly impressive neo geo aes and snes collection but I have always dreampt of having a shelf of lucasfilm and sierra style point and click adventures to call my own. **** I love those cardboard boxes they come in. does any one have any pics of their shelves full of adventure games in their boxes so that I have something to wank to?