CHARLIE'S MODCHIP TEST RESULTS (Updated 30-Jan-03)

[charlie_ps2]

Lik-Sang kindly sent me a number of modchips to test and here is my report on the Magic 2 v7 Clone (green pcb).

PS2 SYSTEM
NTSC v7 SCPH 39001 GH-019

INSTALLATION
1 hour + glue drying time + assembly/disassembly

Z wire NOT attached; mounting on side of metal case.

When Z was attached it prevented EJECT from closing the disk tray.

PS2 ORIGINAL IN-REGION
OK GTA 3 (DVD)
OK Medal of Honour (DVD)

PS2 ORIGINAL IMPORT
OK Final Fantasy X (DVD NTSC US)
OK DOA2 (DVD NTSC JAP)
OK Metal gear Solid 2 (DVD NTSC US)

PS2 BACKUP GAMES
OK Tony Hawk 3 (DVD-R PAL)
OK Wipeout Fusion (DVD-R PAL)
OK EA NBA Street (CD-R, NTSC-US)
OK Twisted Metal Black (CD-R, Kalisto Rip)

PS1 GAMES
OK FF IX (CD NTSC-JAP)
OK FF IX (CD-R NTSC US)

DVD MOVIE (Long RESET)
SKIP In Region movie - Sort of skipping
OK In Region movie - with 1uF Capacitor fitted to SCEx

AR2 WITH CODES
OK GTA3 Original With Codes
NO GTA3 DVD-R backup With Codes

VERDICT
90%. A clone of an earlier Magic 2 version. 5% deducted for the AR2/GS2 backup isse; 5% deducted for the need to put a 1uF polarised 35 volt capacitor on to play DVD movies properly.

TECHNICAL NOTE
The DVD movie problem arises as follows. If there is noise on the SCEx line that the processor treats as an interrupt, it will stop and deal with the event and then exit (we hope) to where it was before. It probably takes a long time because it instructs the disk to do something (like a region check) and so the movie moves along very slowly. The 1uF capacitor attenuates this noise.