Amiga CD32 NTSC to PAL conversion

[kludge]

Somewhere around six months ago I bought a really nice CD32. Boxed, unused, protective plastic film still intact, no leaky caps... But it soon became apparent that all was not what it seemed. It was a NTSC model. CD32 was never really sold in north america. Well, it was. But too late. A NTSC CD32 is more or less useless, at least here in Europe.

As I am someone who like to use my stuff instead of just displaying it, I felt that I had to do something about that. Following the BOM in the CD32 service manual, and a guide on using the CXA2075M video encoder instead of the CXA1145M that's in the CD32/A600/A1200 (bypassing the need for the #unobtanium that is the Z221/Z222 bandpass filter and delay line) I could make a list of what components would have to be removed and what had to be installed.

And what to you know? Great success! I now have a really nice PAL CD32!

I have published a guide with what you need and what you need to do to make this modification. You can buy everything you'll need from the same place (swedish shop, but he ships internationally as far as I know), links are in my blog post.

Converted NTSC CD32 playing PAL game.jpg

[kludge]

...I hope this is the right forum section for stuff like this :)

[Maximilian]

Nice work!

Thanks for documenting this :dualthumbup:

[kludge]

Nice work!

Thanks for documenting this :dualthumbup:

Thanks, and you’re welcome! I had to write something up anyway, to keep track of everything, so I could just as well tidy it up and publish it. Might be an inspiration for someone, at least :)

[sugar]

I have had this done to my CD32 and it produces a nice crisp picture through composite. However, in interlaced mode (ie boot screen) there is this phenomenom where bright pixels offset one pixel horizontally every now and then. Have you faced such issue?

[kludge]

I need to check. It’s not something I noticed when trying it after the mod, but I haven’t used it much since.

On what type of monitor are you using it? I tried it on a Sony PVM. I guess the flickering from interlaced modes would be more noticeable on a flat screen.

Do you have a “real” PAL CD32 to compare against?

[sugar]

I'm using my LCD telly, I should check with a proper CRT but the bright pixels snapping only happens with the units that have the CXA2075M chip changed in but I don't have a true PAL console with the mod, only the NTSC and the FRENCH ones. I think the fella who did the mods had the same thing on his display. The issue is not present on RGB out.