From: jonathan@comp.lancs.ac.uk (Mr J J Trevor)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video
Subject: Using a raw US machine in the Uk: Its easy!
Date: 16 Oct 92 10:45:41 GMT
Organization: Department of Computing at Lancaster University, UK.


This is just a report on getting a US machine (imported directly to my
house from the states) to run in the UK - probably should go in the FAQ
file.

My reasons for doing this are:
US machines run 17.5% faster than Uk ones
Uk ones have a shrunk screen (like a picture box VHS)
A majority of available carts in the Uk are imported from the US
US machine costs $99.99 (no cart, one controller)
This means you can get a machine+2 controller+cart of your choice for
approx. $160. Thats half the price of the Mario machine in the Uk (I
bought it when the exchange rate was 1:2).

The main problem with an unaltered US machine in the UK is that you
require a TV or a monitor that copes with a 60Hz scart signal and has
the 20 something socket at the back. My Philips monitor and a Sony
Trinitron TV both do, so do most newer TVs I should think.

Given you have this all you need to get a machine running is a 240 to
110 mains converter (cost approx. 15 pounds) and a multiout scart cable
available from 3rd party suppliers (I have had quotes of 35 pounds, but
got one for 20 in the end). Make sure it has the extra items (below)
added to it!

This is not a straightforward cable as the following adjustments (thank
go to Mike Wookey) are required in order to stop the red,green and blue
signals being too bright:

You need 3 x 100 micro Farad 16V capacitors.
Unsolder the red green and blue connects on the scart end
insert the negative end of the capacitor into the socket
(where the wire came from) and solde the wire onto the
positive end of the capacitor.

Just plug it in and off you go!

Many firms in the Uk claim that internal modifications are required. I
cannot imagine what these are since my machine works fine. The only
explanation that seems logical is that the conversion is from 60 to 50Hz
if you want to use pal. This defeats on of the advantages of a US machine
anyway!

A note a compatability between systems.
---------------------------------------
All the different versions of the SNES (Uk,US,Famicom(Jap)) have lockout
chips in them that will only allow cartridges of the same country to be
used on them (although Jap and US carts are interchangable). A majority
of carts available in the Uk are from the US anyway so these can just be
plugged into a US machine. Uk carts can be used (and US carts on uk
machines) by buying an adapter (approx.15-20 pounds). These plug into
the machine and have TWO cartridge sockets. One socket contains the
lockout test line. in this one you plug a cartridge of the same machine.
In the other you plug in the cart you want to play. This means when the
machine tests the nationality of the cart it always finds a cartridge of
the right one!

Hope this helps anyone thinking about doing this

Jonathan

-- 
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  |onathan   Phone: +44 524 65201 x3793 Address:Department of Computing
'-'________    Fax: +44 524 381707              Lancaster University
            E-mail: jonathan@comp.lancs.ac.uk   Lancaster, Lancs., U.K.
Newsgroups: rec.games.video