PAL a1200 on a NTSC CRT display?

[Foster]

Hi all,

I've searched pretty extensively for a solution to my dilemma to no avail. I'm hoping the fine minds here might be able to shed some light.

I'm a gamer in the USA and I've got a PAL a1200 that I've been using with a 1084 but I'd like to use it on my larger NTSC CRT via s-video. Obviously going straight in will result in a b&w scrolling screen. I know I can simply boot the a1200 in NTSC but I much prefer PAL due to the broader resolution and plethora of great PAL software.

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Here are two options I'm exploring:

(1) Amiga to Scart cable (http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/...roducts_id=226)

and then a Scart RGB to S-video converter (http://www.shinybowonline.com/index....=69&Itemid=117)


(2) Indivision Scandoubler (http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/...roducts_id=821)

and then an active VGA to S-video converter (http://sewelldirect.com/PC-to-TV-Con...roduct=SW-4262)

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First off, will either of these options even work coming from a PAL machine and feeding a NTSC monitor? Any idea which would produce better quality throughput?

No doubt option 2 would be more expensive but would result in having solid VGA output allowing me to plug into a high-res monitor should I have the desire. At this point I'm mainly a gamer and really prefer a nice CRT.

Does any of this make sense or might I be well-advised to just stick with my 1084?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated,

... Steve

[kipper2k]

Hi Steve,

I'm in Canada and i am running a Pal A1200 using the indivision VGA Scandoubler on a LCD monitor. It works perfect in both native Pal and NTSC modes. The cost of the indivision is well worth it and almost any LCD VGA computer monitor will produce a blilliant picture. Its the best way to go. There are LCD monitors that also have S-video and composite inputs too so that should satisfy your other gaming needs. Once you actually see the A1200 using the Indivision you will really wonder why you waited so long to switch

[amigakit.com]

@kipper2k

Glad you are enjoying your Indivision!

[Foster]

Thanks for the advice kipper2k. I've done some extra research and am confident that the Indivision is a great product. However, I'm still not completely clear on how PAL modes are displayed on VGA monitors. More specifically, how does PAL: High Res (640x256) look with your Indivision?

Thanks,
.. Steve

[Jope]

Like NTSC: High Res, except it has 56 more vertical lines.

[Foster]

Thanks Jope. I just have one last question before committing on the Indivision. How is the scrolling in games like "Shadow of the Beast"? Is it smooth or do you notice hiccups/tearing? ...Thanks

[kipper2k]

Scrolling really is smooth, Shadow of the Beast plays perfect for me using the Pal 1200, and even the NTSC A1200 works fine. All games run fine, i havent seen one that shows screen tearing or shearing. Only bad thing i can say is if you have a HP "Lisa" chip it can be a pain to get the indivision to mount securely. (I ended up using hot glue to tack the corners once i got it seated).

[alexh]

Originally Posted by Foster

I'd like to use it on my larger NTSC CRT via s-video. Obviously going straight in will result in a b&w rolling screen.

Depends how new your TV is. Some are now multi-standard. If you use the composite video out (Yellow RCA) and it is in colour and not rolling then you can search for an cheap S-video solution.

Originally Posted by Foster

I know I can simply boot the a1200 in NTSC but I much prefer PAL due to the broader resolution and plethora of great PAL software.

Booting in NTSC may solve the rolling screen, but it wont fix the colour problems. The composite video encoder in a PAL A1200 cannot display colour on an NTSC display.

Originally Posted by Foster

(1) Amiga to Scart cable (http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/...roducts_id=226) and then a Scart RGB to S-video converter (http://www.shinybowonline.com/index....=69&Itemid=117)

If you screen does not roll when using composite straight from the A1200 then this is an option.

Originally Posted by Foster

(2) Indivision Scandoubler (http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/...roducts_id=821) and then an active VGA to S-video converter (http://sewelldirect.com/PC-to-TV-Con...roduct=SW-4262)

That will work but scrolling will not be smooth due to 50Hz->60Hz conversion and it is DAMN expensive.

[Foster]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Your advice has been enlightening and helpful. At this point I'm probably going to follow your lead kipper2k and pick up an Indivision and a LCD display that accepts VGA input. That sounds like a pretty solid setup for both NTSC and PAL.

... Steve