Playstation 2 IMPORT question
 

Here's the deal:

I live in Europe and I'm planning on buying a PS2 now that they're REALLY cheap. And because I want to play FFXII.

However, European versions of Final Fantasy games (and quite frankly all games) are crap because of the NTSC to PAL conversion. Sloooow framerates and big black borders are just too much... So I want to import a ps2 from America.

I just don't know what I have to consider doing this. I already know I need a TV that can display a 60hz and NTSC image, and that I'll need to import all my games as well. But how about power supply and maybe other things I didn't really consider...

Some help?

Thanks,
-MV

I'll do my best to cover the subject as thoroughly as possible. There are several options, ya see.

Your options are:

1) Get an American PS2

This is the easiest option. You will find that almost any high-quality modern TV is capable of displaying an NTSC image. My TV wasn't very expensive, but it displays NTSC just fine. All you need to concern yourself with is a voltage converter for the power supply. They are easy to find, and this link is an example of what I'm talking about.

http://www.beststuff.co.uk/voltage_conversion.htm

2) Use Swap-Magic.

You can use Swap Magic to play American games on your European PS2. I used to do that a lot. If you have the older, chunky PS2, you will need to install a flip-top, so that you can swap out the bootdisk for your imported game. You can also use the slide tool.

This option is easy, but I don't really recommend it. It works OK, but it involves a lot of extra screwing around.

3) Use HDLoader

If you have the chunky PS2 I would suggest you find yourself an official Network Adapter. With this piece of hardware, you can then connect an IDE HDD to your PS2, and load your games directly from the HDD. Games loaded from the HDD can be of any region, so you can run Japanese, American, and European games in this way.

I use this method. It's simply the best. It requires a small investment of time to get it working, but once it has been set up, it is effortless. It's also a much smaller financial outlay than purchasing an American PS2, and yields more flexibility.

I'll be happy to help you with all aspects of setting up the HDLoader should you go that route.

It's actually easier to buy a slim PS2 and the latest version of Swap Magic and those parts (magic keys v.something or other) you put in that come with it.

I'm told they're plastic this time around so you won't short your console like a friend of mine managed with the metal pieces.

That, or buy a pre-modded PS2 used, if no one installs modchips around there.

As for the game, I just ordered my FFXII from dvdboxoffice and it cost less than a new European game :(


Again, I don't think it's worth buying a US console just for one game, unless you plan on importing all of your games from here on. As for the TV, as long as it has a scart socket and isn't older than five years, it'll display NTSC just fine. You can always consult the manual (or the store if you're buying) for such info. Most European TVs display NTSC, in any case.

Hah. I meant to write about the method for using Swap Magic with the slim PS2, but I forgot, and moved swiftly on to writing about the HDLoader, which owns.

But getting those files to memory card isn't exactly easy, what with compiling the install CD and finding an already modded PS2 for it unless he has an Action Replay Pro or whatever that thing is called.

It's still totally worth it and that's why I always recommend people to get HDLoader. Not only does it allow you to play imports and backups without a modchip, but it also virtually eliminates loading times and saves your laser from wearing out.

The easiest way of installing the thing is to have a friend with a modded console transfer the stuff to your memory card or use other means of transferring savegames. You need to do this because HDLoader is essentially triggered from a memory card exploit.

It's not the easiest thing in the world, but once you have it up and running, you'll never want to miss it. And again, it's totally worth the hassle.

I'm sure that getting hold of a modded console or SwapMagic might be the more difficult task for some people.

It's too much hassle swapping discs with the Swap Magic every fucking time you want to play an imported title. I went through this for almost a year and it drove me to the brink of insanity. You're better off getting yourself a modchip or having one professionally installed. Assuming you can't do it yourself.

If you're planning on playing american only titles, buy the NTSC/UC PS2. But since japanese games > american ones, most of the time anyway, you might want to check them out. So there isn't an overall solution for playing games worldwide which isn't the modchip and which isn't annoying.

Seriously, dude. I'm telling you that there is. The HDLoader is almost completely effortless once it has been set up. You can get someone else to do the setup for you, since memory cards can be sent through the post.

If you're thinking of getting Swap Magic - get version 3.6, not 3.8. Unless you want Action Replay - however, some games that work on 3.6 don't work on 3.8.

Maybe he wants to buy the games instead of downloading them?

Of course HDLoader is the best overall solution for all import/backup needs, but people who've never used or seen it tend to think that it's too complicated to set up. Sadly, they hardly know anything about HDL at all.

And what exactly is it that makes you think HDLoader would prevent him from doing so?

I never said it would prevent him from doing so.

There doesn't seem to be much logic in importing games if you can simply download games and put them on HDLoader.

There is plenty of a point if he still wants to. Getting a HDLoader doesn't necessarily mean you have to run off and become a pirate, you know?

Yeah I'm well aware of this, but it's just cheaper to have his current PS2 modchipped by someone. It would be perfectly fine if he wants to start shelling out $176 for a 80 GB PS2 compatible HDD and HDLoader, instead of having it professionally modchipped by someone and importing games directly.

For the price of getting it initialized you could've bought yourself an extra game in the process.

Wow, ok, this is alot of info to consider all at once.
I think I should have mentioned that I sold my PAL PS2 years ago. But I always wanted to play games on it the way they were meant to be played. So yes, I still have to buy a new PS2. I guess the question then is, what option is the cheapest (in the long run) having to start from zero.

Also, how exactly does this HDloader thing work? Do you copy your games onto it? Or do you just download entire games. Isn't that illegal? :-D

Lix, I wonder where you're getting your figures from. $176 for a standard 3,5" 80 GB IDE harddrive? Where do you buy your stuff!? Also, HDLoader is free (at least the most updated version is). Shows how much you know about HDL.

Of course, if you don't already have a network adapter and a spare IDE drive, the HDL setup will cost you. But not much more than an average modchip installation. Plus, it's totally worth it in the long run if you plan on doing some serious gaming.

For the casual gamer, SwapMagic might be the better alternative, though.

Of course it's illegal. No more or less than having your PS2 modchipped. HDLoader reads original discs and copys them straight to the harddisk. You can also transfer game backups from your PC via the network interface.

Their main website is telling me that one of their packs, which seems to be the cheapest, is $176.

Well I'm not going to be doing heavy duty gaming... I'm starting work in a short while and I'll only have limited time to game... So how does swapmagic work exactly? Since that would be the better option for casual gaming.

Also, does swapmagic allow me to have the complete original experience of US games? Or is it more like an emulator that isn't really going to give me the original experience.

It's pretty simple to use it. The Swap Magic basically works like a boot disc. You stick it in, it loads, you pull the tray out, swap discs, push the tray back into place, and press X.

Then it just runs the entire game you have. I think it also works for burned games as well, but I don't recall trying. The majority of my games are imported and they all work with the slide tool/swap magic 3 just fine.

There's some instances where blue based discs wouldn't work in my machine using the swap magic, but I don't have a large amount of them to worry about. Plus, I had mine modchipped, so it's pretty much sorted now.

There's also a compatibility list on swap magic's site which shows which games can and can't be played.

Oh ok, that seems like a very easy solution to my problem. And I'd be able to buy my PS2 right here without having to mess with it.

But then the output signal would still be ntsc? So I'd still need a compatible tv, right?

What exactly is that slide tool they're talking about? Since you just have to open the disc tray...

Oh and that link you gave me doesn't work...

Almost all televisions these days support NTSC -- I don't see this being an obstable.

As for slide tools and whatevers, watch these:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgON_aPWKGw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jonYb8eBEbQ

Demonstrations on how to properly install and use the swap magic. When I bought mine, instructions were included.

You could just google "swap magic", you know.

aha ok, I can see now. This seems like the best way to go for me.
However, I though you could just press the disc eject button to open the tray, apparently not :-D

I'll look into buying swap magic.

Yes well, with the old fat PS2, pressing eject also resets the machine, so the slide tool is used to pull the tray open without the machine noticing. It'll eventually wear the motor out and I personally don't like it.


With a slim PS2 though, you install three little pieces that let you open the cover for disc swapping without the console resetting. It's certainly more appealing than slide tools, not to mention fat PS2s are harder to find these days.

People have had trouble with the pieces though. Some people get it right on the first try, others never got theirs to work, so it's a bit of a gamble. I'm sure there's helpful tutorial videos out there, but since my console is chipped, I never had interest to look it up.

And as far as I understand, Swap Magic let's you play copied games as well. Just as long as you use a DVD-/+R brand the PS2 isn't picky about. For instance, I've used TDK+Rs ever since getting my console modded, and my friend's modded PS2 has never loaded them, while mine reads them perfectly.

See my argument is that Swap Magic is a pain in the ass, if you are using the slide tool. It's only worthwhile if you have a slimline. The slimlines are much easier, once the three tools are in place. Fitting those tools can be a pain in the ass, though. On some models of PS2 it can even require you to open your console, which isn't to everyone's taste.

I have to agree with Lix about one thing though. It's more than likely your TV will support NTSC. Unless it is seriously ancient.

Double Post:
Dude... that's not their main website. PS2 HDLoader started out as a homebrew product. You don't need to buy their stupid pack. You need a regular IDE HDD which will cost you about 42 bucks (for 80GB) from NewEgg, and a PS2 Network Adapter for 24 bucks from... say from Divineo.

The HDLoader and the exploit is installed onto your memory card, and you trigger the exploit using a PS1 game. Any PS1 game will do, you just need to configure the exploit for the game you are using. It takes no time at all, if you already have a Swap Magic disc, or if you don't have that, then a friend could help you out with that part.

Even if that involves your friend shipping you a memory card set up with the exploit, that comes to a total of just over 80 bucks. Plus shipping and handling on all items, of course.

Well, my tv happens to be ancient. :-D I bought it in 2000 for a really cheap price, since I was still studying then and couldn't afford anything more. It doesn't support NTSC. It doesn't even support 60hz. :-D Good old days...

I just saw the compatibility list for swap magic. Makes the decision even harder. Some games aren't supported that I would like to play... So I might end up importing a ps2 from the us in the end after all. Decisions decisions...

That and I have to buy a new tv. This is going to end up being expensive :-D