[gamingmatrix]

Hello everyone,

This is my first time on AVForums.com. I apologize if this question has already been asked but I could not find it by using the Search field.

I want to import a UK PlayStation 2 (PS2) (fat) console to the USA. I would like to connect the console to my NTSC Samsung LCD HDTV.

How do I go about connecting the UK PS2 (fat) to my NTSC LCD HDTV so that I can play PAL PS2 games?

What connectors and converters do I need to purchase? How do I plug in the UK PS2 (fat) to my USA wall plug?

Please let me know how this can be done. Thank you everyone.

[gamingmatrix]

Hi Everyone,

I did some research and came up with the following information. Please let me know if it is correct.

From what I have read, only a Multi-System HDTV would have the ability to have both NTSC and PAL capabilities. My HDTV is not a Multi-System. In my case, I would have to purchase a Multi-System PAL to NTSC Digital Video Converter, to get the best picture result.

Here are the details of the UK PS2 (fat) from the underside of the console;

SONY PlayStation 2 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
PAL
Model #: SCPH-50003
AC 220-240V 50/60Hz 50W

From the research I have done, I would need a Plug Converter but I would also need to purchase a Step-Down Voltage Converter since North America works on 120V.

Please let me know what you think. Thanks.

[Nick Pavey]

The PS2 will connect straight to the tv with a component lead, you will need no convertor as you are running in hd (480i). The pal/ntsc thing would only apply in standard definition.

You can buy a PS3 component lead as they are the same connector as the ps2 ones.

Also, you would need a step up convertor, not down for the voltage issue. Out of interest, why do you want a PAL console in the US?

[LJx]

this seems crazy to import a PS2, these consoles sell for under £20 here

[fallenangle]

Originally Posted by Nick pavey

The PS2 will connect straight to the tv with a component lead, you will need no convertor as you are running in hd (480i). The pal/ntsc thing would only apply in standard definition.

Sorry but I think that's not quite correct. A PAL PS2 outputs a genuine NTSC signal only when being used at 60Hz. HD has nothing to do with it and I don't think anybody would describe even 480p as HD, at best it is called enhanced (ED). 480i is standard definition (SD) in NTSC regions.

Through Component, RGB SCART, S-Video, Composite a PAL game on a PAL PS2 will still be 50Hz unless the game itself gives you a 60Hz option. That's really the problem not the colour system being used.

Quite honestly I don't know what would happen if you try to launch a PAL PS2 game on a NTSC only TV. The default refresh rate for PAL games, of course, is 50Hz and there are many early PS2 games which actually don't have a 60Hz option.

Whether your NTSC TV can display correctly at 50Hz I don't know but it is likely either to strobe or present in b/w if it can't. I'm not certain but you might even have trouble displaying the main PAL PS2 dashboard or the in-game start up menu and not be able to swap to 60Hz even if the game has that option.

So much is down to your TV so I am certainly not going to say don't do it. But I must add to the chorus and question the point of importing a fat UK PAL PS2. For one they're now getting old, secondly slimline PS2s come with a universal power supply as standard and thirdly the number of worthwhile getting UK/EU PS2 exclusives or exclusive versions is small.

In the UK there were and still are good reasons to import a US PS2 but the other way round - I'm hard pressed to think why you should want to.
Personally I'd buy a local (ie. US) fat or slimline PS2 and use it with Swap-Magic. That's what I do to play US games on my fat PAL PS2 and it works fine with none of the hassle and expense buying an import machine would have entailed.