PAL to NTSC - Amiga 2000

[mistermsk]

Hi All,

 I was looking at making a PAL motherboard work with a Video Toaster. I saw that all I need to do is remove PIN 41 on the Agnus (actually probably install a switch). Anyway, is there any crystals I need to change or anything else to make it a NTSC motherboard. I have a non-working NTSC motherboard and possibly can salvage parts from it (such as an Agnus off of a NTSC motherboard). I want to try to make the board either for playing games and be able to go to NTSC for the toaster.

[videofx]

Thats one of the things that makes the Amiga great! Is being able to just move a jumper on the motherboard to switch from PAL to NTSC.
 
If you move the jumper to NTSC and you connect your NTSC monitor (15khz or multisync) you should get a workbench screen then you will have no problem with your video toaster.
 
Bill

[Zac67]

For general use just opening/closing the jumper is fine. For full video timing compatibility (genlocking, A2024, ...) you'll need to change the oscillator as well.

[ChaosLord]

Make sure you set your powersupply to North America mode!

Installing a PAL switch into all Amigas is always a good idea!  You will want PAL mode for playing most games.  But some games require NTSC or are just plain better in NTSC mode.

None of my A2000s had a simple jumper on the motherboard to toggle PAL/NTSC so I never had a PAL switch on those machines.

My A3000s had a jumper on the MB that allowed setting PAL/NTSC and it was dead ez to plug a switch with long wires onto that.

[mistermsk]

Thanks, All. So, it sounds like I need to install a switch on J102. Also, a switch that will switch between the 28.3MHz and the 28.6MHz Oscillators.

I'll let you know how it works out.

[mistermsk]

Hi All,

 I took the advice of Zac67. And installed a switch, not just on the J102 line, but on the oscillator. I attached the images. It works great. My Video Toaster works fine with the 28.6363 MHz oscillator selected and J102 jumped. For PAL I can just throw both switches. I also made J102 a separate switch. I obtained some interesting results. The computer came with an old version of SysInfo. If I have the oscillator that matching J102 the program works fine. If I have the 28.6363 MHz oscillator selected with J102 unjumped, SysInfo Guru Errors. BTW, I soldered the 4 wires attached to the oscillator spot on the motherboard under the motherboard so I didn't have to worry about them getting in the way.

I hope you guys likes the pictures. I am currently waiting on a lithium coin battery assembly (with battery) and a Megachip for the A2000HD.

[Zac67]

Great - nice to see it works out.

I'd rather make a small circuit board for the oscillator socket though with a gate to select the clock speed - running ~30 MHz through some piece of wire doesn't necessarily do the main clock signal any good...

[mistermsk]

I'd rather make a small circuit board for the oscillator socket though with a gate to select the clock speed - running ~30 MHz through some piece of wire doesn't necessarily do the main clock signal any good...

I was thinking the same. However, I am using 18 gauge wire to make sure I don't have an issue. Also, the switch I bought is sound (luckily). I had a switch for the crystal in my C=64 with 22 gauge wire. It messed up a lot and if I just tapped the switch I would get a blank screen. I do not have this problem on the Amiga with the setup I have.

[persia]

Is there any reason to run NTSC?  I got rid of my Video Toaster some time ago...

[Zac67]

I was thinking the same. However, I am using 18 gauge wire to make sure I don't have an issue. Also, the switch I bought is sound (luckily). I had a switch for the crystal in my C=64 with 22 gauge wire. It messed up a lot and if I just tapped the switch I would get a blank screen. I do not have this problem on the Amiga with the setup I have.

Just don't forget about it if you do happen to run into problems later on. I wouldn't take the chance but mainly I go for cleaner setups. It's just a 7400 (or whatever is around).

[Iggy]

Hi All,

 I took the advice of Zac67. And installed a switch, not just on the J102 line, but on the oscillator. I attached the images. It works great. My Video Toaster works fine with the 28.6363 MHz oscillator selected and J102 jumped. For PAL I can just throw both switches. I also made J102 a separate switch. I obtained some interesting results. The computer came with an old version of SysInfo. If I have the oscillator that matching J102 the program works fine. If I have the 28.6363 MHz oscillator selected with J102 unjumped, SysInfo Guru Errors. BTW, I soldered the 4 wires attached to the oscillator spot on the motherboard under the motherboard so I didn't have to worry about them getting in the way.

I hope you guys likes the pictures. I am currently waiting on a lithium coin battery assembly (with battery) and a Megachip for the A2000HD.

Where did you find that in stock?
I wouldn't mind getting one myself.

[mistermsk]

Where did you find that in stock?
I wouldn't mind getting one myself.

In regards to the Megachip, I was watching amibay and got it off of there.

Here is the thread.

[Iggy]

In regards to the Megachip, I was watching amibay and got it off of there.


Here is the thread.

OK, I'll have to keep an eye out for one.
No one seems to have new units.