PAST NEWS
Sunday , December 2, 2001
view past news
-
PS2 Price Reductions:
The attached article
which appeared in the 'The Dominion' (Wellington)
newspaper on 1 Dec 2001 lists the cheapest stores for buying a PS2 in Wellington
with Dick Smith Electronics being the cheapest at NZ$648.00 and the article
also advises advises that Sony NZ plan a further price
reduction next year once the Gamecube
and X-Box are released in New Zealand. So do you buy a Ps2 for Christmas or
do you hang off for a while?
-
Tuaman's PS2:
In the New
Zealand Performance Car Magazine (#60) Demember 2001 issue it has an
article about David "Tuaman" Tua and his V12 S600 Mercedes. In
this article it's mentions that David has had a PlayStation 2 installed into
his Merc. The PS2 is fitted under the dash on the front left passenger side
of the Car, with 2 Alpine TME-M750 video monitors driving the
video - a video monitor mounted into the back each of the two front seat's
head rests and the audio being driven by the factory fitted head unit and a
Bose amp driving a 2 way and 3 way factory speakers along with a couple of
Alpine MRU-T757's for the bass. With the controllers stashed away in the
factory mounted bins in the arm rests. The PS2 is also used for DVD movie
playback. I wonder if he needs a Messiah Chip so he can play his USA
game imports and Region 1 DVD movies on his various trips between the States
and New Zealand? Unfortunately the NZPC's web site has not been updated with
this issue so you will have to wander down to your local magazine store and
buy the magazine or read the article.
Friday , November 30, 2001
view past news
-
PlayStation 2: Messiah Chip
This solution is basically out of the beta testing stage in the UK and
passed with Flying colours with only 1 or 2 failures (faulty, dirty or bad
patches on the CD's/DVDR's) with all formats direct loading including the
Jap swap disk ones which they thought may have caused problems and a some of
the current releases that where having problems loading with the Origa chip.
The beta version of the Messiah does not have the DVD movie function built
into it yet but will be in the final ver2.0 release. Tentative pricing has
been released looking in the range of $200.00 mark for a Messiah chip. I can
not comment on the installation cost, until a few things are sorted out with
the flexiconnector and soldering locations (diagrams will be released by the
Messiah Dev team on the release of the chip) But more on this in a later
update once I know the release date etc
-
Rumors:
The SCPH 30002R is meant to be released in New Zealand for
Christmas time. This should be bundled with a Sony DVD remote controller and
updated DVD drivers. Apparently this model can either have a V4 or a V5
mainboard in it. The Neo4 DVD function will not work in the V4 board and the
NEO4 will not work at all in the V5 Board. The Messiah will work on the V4
board (DVD functions have not been tested) and the Messiah people are currently
looking at the V5 board.the Messiah mod
Sunday , November 18, 2001
view past news
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PlayStation 2 - PS2 ModChip Page Update:
Messiah: This is my PlayStation 2
Modchip solution of Choice: 100% NON Swap!! - All formats!
The Messiah is nearing completion, with beta testing about to
commence on the 20 November. I will be reselling this chip and should have
more details on Mod pricing, Install pricing and availability in the next week
or so.
The NEO4 is slowly making it way around the world and but still is not available
in New Zealand yet. But is being offered by 2 NEO4 resellers in New
Zealand ranging from $195 - $240 for the chip plus installation costs. The
NEO4.1 is about to be released as the new SCPH 3000xR PS2 has defeated the DVD
multizone movie playback in the NEO4
Please read the updated PlayStation 2 page for
more information on the PS2 modchip solutions.
-
Rumors:
A new Playstation 2 model SCPH3000xR are now starting to
appear in USA and Australia. The model SCPH 30002R (NZ/Australian) version
is has been tested with a NEO2.2 modchip and the following Action Replay
cartridges versions 1.3, 1.7 and 1.9 and also the Region X DVD cartridge -
It will not function! Also NEO4 DVD multi-zone playback will not
function with this model. Some new PS2 titles have defeated the Origa
modchip.
-
PlayStation 2: Macrovision
Removal Mod $9.00
incl P&P
This
chip will remove the problems experienced when you make a copy of a DVD
movie from your PlayStation 2 to a VCR. A simple 4 wire installation. Installation available
from $40.00.
-
PlayStation 2: Fibre
Optic Cables for Digital Audio only $25.00
incl P&P
Connect
this cable from the digital output on your PS2 to the digital input on your
audio equipment and enjoy some quality sounds from your PS2.
I paid NZ$70 for my cable from a
retail store few months ago now you can have one for just over a 1/3 of the
price.
-
Modchip Pricing:
Cleaned up the Modchip Pricing page. Don't forget the I will match or better any Modchip price (except NEO4) in New Zealand.
Just
E-Mail
me the Website's URL and I will check and come back to you with a price.
-
Installation
Page:
I have just done a quick clean up of the Installation
page . Added the Multimode v3.x diagrams and Neo 2.2 diagrams etc.
-
Service Page:
Also cleaned up the Service
page. Listed price by area. Welling Area, North Island and South
Island
-
Website Update:
This will be my last update for this old site (except for messiah updates
:o), as all efforts are going on
the new site up in time for the Messiah release.
Saturday , October 13, 2001
view past news
-
PlayStation 2 - ModChip Update:
It's getting exciting !!! - The "Messiah" and "NEO4" are the two main contenders in the PS2 Modchip battle.
Both solutions now DO NOT require the use of: Action Replay 2, DVD Region
X or MegaMem systems to load PS2 games. I have updated my PlayStation
2 page with current information and a comparison chart of the two
leading solutions. I am not biased towards any solution but the 'Messiah'
looks like the one I prefer at present but anyway have a read and decide for
yourself.
Word of Warning: I highly
recommend that you do not rush out and get the first solution available.
Wait and see what the other solution/s offer, any problems that the
solutions may have and give things a chance to settle down. You are going to
have to part with a nice sum of money for your solution and installation and you will want to ensure that you have spent your money
on the best solution.
For example a NEO4 solution will cost something like: NEO4 NZ$190/£55 plus installation
NZ$155/£45) plus another NZ$80-$100 if you want to play your Import
Originals - requires Import Player addon chip) this is based on NEO
Technologies pricing. I can not comment on pricing for the Messiah solution
as this has to be finalized yet. It is a whole different world to the PSX/PSone family
of chips.
-
Web Site Update: Unfortunately I have been made
redundant by my employer and so this presents a good opportunity for me to
concentrate on getting the new site sorted out at long last before I look
for a new job - so you will start to see some changes on the next few weeks,
unless the wife puts pressure on me to get a new job :o) Also I will be
giving this current site a good clean up and uploading my new Multi-Mode
v3.0 diagrams etc over the next few days - It's so nice to have this extra
time.....
-
PlayStation 2: Link Cable only $25.00
incl P&P
PS2
Link Cables now
in stock. For all models of PlayStation 2.
Cables are IEEE1394 compliant and are the
4 pin
to 4 pin type. Suitable for connecting two PS2's together - Ideal for playing
Gran Turismo - A Spec.
-
PlayStation 2: DVD Remote Control only
$38.00 incl P&P
If
you are like me and get annoyed with having to use your PS2 controller to
drive the DVD side of your PS2. Now with this product life is back on easy
street, sit back and enjoy your movie without having to remember what
button does what on the controller.
-
PC: PSX/N64 Controller
- USB Adaptor only $45.00 incl P&P
This
adaptor plugs into the USB port on your PC and allows you to use either a
PSX controller or a N64 controller to play your PC games. Excellent for
using with your console emulators. I use to play
one of my favourite all times coin-op games "Galaga" (showing
age here :o) using MAME. (for more info on MAME visit MAMEWorld).
This shipment has nearly sold out due to 'word of mouth'
Sunday , July 30, 2001
- PlayStation 2 - ModChip Update:
A few days ago playstationmods.com
announced the NEO4. This will be a 'No-Swap' solution for all
models and variants of the NZ/AUS, UK, EURO, USA and Japan PS2's. (some
models are still to be beta tested.) This solution now does away with
the Datel products (Action Replay 2 etc) that were required for the NEO2.x
Modchips.
Below is a list of what the NEO4 does support so far:
PSX Backups - No Swap
PSX Import Originals - No Swap
PSX Silvers - No Swap
PS2 CDR Backups - No Swap
PS2 DVDR Backups (With swap at the moment but still under development)
PS2 DVD Silvers (With swap at the moment but still under development)
Macrovision Copy Protection Disabled
What the NEO4 does not support:
PS2 Import Originals - most likely will not be supported in the NEO4 release
DVD Region Free - will be supplied as a add-on at extra cost
The NEO4 is due for release about 25 August 2001.
The current price that has been quoted is: £55
(approx NZ$190.00) and that price does not include the
DVD multi-zone option or the installation of either. For a full solution you
are presently looking at having to part with about NZ$300-$350.00
The installation price will be much higher due to the fact
that the solution will require in it's present form a total of 28 wires to be soldered to the
PS2 mainboard and if it's anything like the ORIGA 'No-Swap' Jap PS2 Mod then it is not
for the faint hearted.
What are my thoughts on this NEO4 solution. For me the ideal PS2 modchip
should be able to at a minimum allow a PS2 to: Play PS2 Import Originals and
be DVD Region Free - Anything else would be a bonus. Unfortunately for
me the NEO4 does not meet my minimum requirements to warrant paying out a
large sum of money for what a NEO2.2 modchip and a Datel DVD Region X solution
can do. Only advantage that the NEO4 has is: Direct loading of PSX import
games and PS2 CDR games without having to swap CD's anymore. The Macro-vision
removal feature is only useful if you are going to record a DVD movie on to
a VHS tape and lets face it VCR technology is on it's way out. And to get
Region free DVD you still have to pay out probably an extra NZ$30-$50 for
the DVD modchip on top of the NZ$190.00 price for the NEO 4.
But with still about 3-4 weeks to go before the NEO4 release it's features,
numbers of wires and price are all subject to change. There has been a fair
bit of debate on the price of the NEO4 on the forums but playstationmods.com
seem to be set on charging approx
NZ$190.00 .Depending on what the
final features and price of the NEO4 will be - will be the deciding factor as whether
I will stock this chip or not.
What's happening with the NEO3? The NEO3 was being developed by Channel
Technology for playstationmods.com but now that playstationmods.com own
team of developers have announced the NEO4,
they have shifted there efforts to this. But Channel Technology are still
continuing on with the NEO3's development. The NEO3 is not available in a
DIY option and only as a workshop install and since they are based in the UK
I can not see to many Kiwis sending the PS2's over there for a NEO3
install.
Revamped web site: Still coming together, hoping to
upload it late August.
Monday , July 16, 2001
Another hot product from Datel.
The DVD Region X is the best DVD Multi-Zone solution for the New Zealand PS2 (SCPH
30002 - all versions) to allow users to view DVD movies from all zones
(0-6) including
titles that incorporation the RCE system. The product consists of a CD and
Dongle. No user guide was provided with the units Datel supplied but it
is very easy to use. Simply plug the Dongle into a memory card port, load the
DVD Region X CD, select the zone of the DVD movie you wish to view, Remove DVD
Region X CD insert DVD movie, DVD movie loads. From my personal experience I
have had no trouble loading and viewing movies from Zone 1 (USA) and Zone 2
(UK). Datel have a support site at: www.dvdregionx.com.
You do not need a ModChip to use this system. But if you have a ModChip
install or thinking about getting one the DVD Region X CD is compatible with
the NEO2/2.2 ModChip. You can use your DVD Region X CD in place of the Action
Replay 2 (AR2) CD/Dongle to load PS2 backups using the standard or EA method
(See EA Patcher).
What do they cost and where do I get one from?
They cost £19.99 + £ 8.00 Air freight (Approx NZ$100.00) and takes about 5 -
7 days to arrive from the UK. I order mine directly from Datel: www.d3world.com
and you will most likely find them on your local gaming store soon for about
$110.00-$120.00.
EA Patcher for
PS2 - A New Tool for the NEO 2/2.2 ModChip:
eapatcher.com have
released a new patching utility for the PS2 to patch EA games so you no longer
have to hold the reset button while using your NEO2/2.2 and AR2/Extreme/DVDRegionX
CD to load your EA games. Just patch the game and load using the standard
method. Also using the EA Patch will allow you to do away with the Brake wire
(required for v1.4, v1.5 and v1.6 AR2's) on the NEO2.2 and also the 2 wires
going to the motor controller chip as you will no longer have to do the
RESET/EJECT. You can download the EA Patcher from eapatcher.com
which also has a forum for this Patcher. Be sure to have look.
Game Enhancers back
in stock:
2 Meg Game Enhancers in
stock at a special price of:
$25.00 incl
P&P while stocks
last - Very popular item.
Use it like a ModChip. Comes preprogrammed with codes for EURO/USA/JAP games
and you can be program in your own game cheat codes. Additional built in
features. Comes with my User Guide. Only compatible with SCPH1002, 5502, 7002
and 7502. Not compatible with SCPH 9002 and 102 (PSone).
Multi-Player Adaptors
back in stock:
In
limited quantities - $45.00 including P&P
Attaching one of these to your PlayStation controller port allows you
have have up to 5 controllers, add another one and get up to 8 controllers
and play those multi player sports games i.e. Jonah Lomu Rugby etc.
Monday , June 25, 2001
- No
capacitor needed anymore (Conflicting reports - I left my one in :o)
- Enhanced SCE management code
- PSX Originals & Backups boot automatically - no need to hold
reset on either
- CD Brake for the EA METHOD (OPTIONAL WIRE - Useful for v4 PS2's
using AR2/GS2 v1.4+)
- All timing issues resolved - PSX and PS2 games boot reliably time
and time again
- Extra time allowed for EA METHOD (tray stays out for 6 seconds)
- The whole mod is still on a 12c508 with same points as NEO2 for ease
of upgradeThe
installation of this chip is pin for pin as for the NEO2 chip. So is nice and
easy to install especially if you already have the NEO2 installed simply
unsolder from old chip and solder the wires onto the NEO2.2 - should only take
you 5 - 10 mins. I definitely found it a big improvement with the NEO 2.2 for
loading reliability.
Note: This Modchip still requires a AR2 v1.3+ or Extreme FM hardware
New: CaN
Colour Corrrection Module for the old 1002 and 5502 series.
This CaN
(Cheap and
Nasty) Colour
Correction Module is a cheaper version of my current Colour Correction Module
now to be called the 'Deluxe' model'. The CaN Mod will be about
$10 - $12 and only uses 3 components. The CaN Mod is not as
reliable as the Deluxe version. Due to the way that the CaN mod works
people may experience problems with the colour fading/drifting as this mod uses
a 'Divide by 12' IC to divide a 53.2Mhz oscillator on the mainboard to derive a
freq of 4.433333Mhz, but the PS requires a freq of 4.433619 Mhz (PAL Colour
Burst) for reliable/stable operation. As the Deluxe version uses a
oscillator freq of 4.433619 Mhz it does not suffer from reliability problems. So
now you have two options 'Cheap and Nasty' or Deluxe - the choice is yours.
New: Replacement ICP Fuses
- Genuine Part:
I
now stock replacement ICP fuses (all values) used by the PS, PSone and PS2 main boards.
These
are the little surface mount fuse/s that 'POP' if you have a fault ie most
commonly associated with dead controllers.
These fuses are NEW and the Genuine replacement part and NOT recycled from
old main boards.
Tuesday , June 19, 2001
-
New Products:
- A Laser Sight
for the Namco G-Con 45 light gun. These clip onto the front of
your G-Con gun and are powered by 2 x AAA batteries. Easy to use. My
son and his friends have endless fun and find it easier to play their
gun games.
- 15 Block Memory Cards, these
cards are equivalent to the Standard Sony 1 Meg cards and are true
1 meg cards.
-
PS2 DVD Modchip Update:
Still
no chip for the NZ/AUS model. Possibly within the next two months once the
NEO3 has been released.
But the guys behind the AR2 CD/Dongle and Extreme FM CD - Datel
will be releasing a CD/Dongle based 'Region Free' DVD solution at the end of June
2001 but late July has been mentioned.
-
PS2 ModChip update: The NEO3 is nearing
completion and the Starchip has been released along with a 'Spindown' mod.
I will be updating the PS2
page with a more in-depth look at the situation out there.
-
Game Enhancers update: 1M and 2M
version GE's are still on back order.
-
New Web Site update: The new
site is coming along nicely now :o). It is an immense improvement over
this site and a lot more comprehensive. I can not give you a time frame
when I will upload as I still have a lot more work to do yet. But I am
pleased with the way it is going :o)
Thursday , May 31, 2001
-
I change to a new host for
my site the other week and everything went smoothly. My site upgrade is
nearing completion but is taking a a lot longer than I would like but it's
getting there.
-
PS2 DVD Modchips - No
chips out for the NZ/AUS models yet but coming soon. See the PS2
page for more information on what is happening out there.
-
New product: Mini-PlugMod,
just like the PlugMod I previously sold with the same features but smaller
- Only $17.00 incl P&P
-
Price reduced on the PSX
Laser Spindle/Hub - Now only $18.00 incl P&P
-
PSX Power Supplies and PSX
Hubs back in stock
-
Game Enhancers 1M and 2M
version are on back order and should be here about 06 June 2001
Tuesday , April 17, 2001
I have decided to do a total re-vamp on my site and will be working on this over the next 4 or so weeks. I changed hosting companies earlier this year and will move Fatcat.Co.nz across to my new host once the new site is ready to go live.
Friday, Decemeber 15, 2000
- PSone Documentation is now online
- Game Enhancers and PlugMods now back in stock
- Will be updating the PS2 page tomorrow
Wednesday, November 8, 2000
With only about 3 weeks to go before the PS2 is released in NZ things are starting to heat up. See my PlayStation 2 page for the rumours.
The PSone was release in New Zealand on 1 November 2000. This machine can be modified and I have done so. Chips starting from NZ$9.00 each. See my PSone page for more details on this model.
- I now have a Forum in place. Feel welcome to post a message and I am sure someone will be able to help you out.
At present I have 4 message areas setup:
- General Discussion - Any PlayStation topic you wish to discuss
- PlayStation and PS One - Any topic related to do modifying the PlayStation and PS One series of PlayStation
- PlayStation 2 - Anything topic to do with modifying the PlayStation 2
- Game Enhancer And PlugMod - Any topic to do with Game Enhancer and PlugMod
- Price REDUCTIONS on some installations. See the Service page for price changes.
- Fixed up a few broken links and tidy'ed up a little
- WANTED: Dead/non working PlayStation consoles only - any condition. Please E-Mail Me with what you have and we will discuss a price.
Monday, September 4, 2000
As you can see I have given the site a-bit of a face lift and tidy up, and will be carrying out other various changes over the next few weeks. Any glitches please email me.
Wednesday, Febuary 9, 2000
Friday, January 21, 2000
- I have provided a Links pages covering various things from Reviews sites, GE codes sites to Hardware hacks and more. I have quite few more sites and categories to add but these should get you started.
- Also i have amended my Disclaimer page and added a Terms and Conditions. Please read.
Monday, January 10, 2000
- Finally uploaded the updated Install pages. These pages are applicable to the Multi-Mode v2.xx chip only which is the current chip i supply. I still have 2 documents and 2 drawings to do yet.
- Added a new page with questions and answers for the Multi-Mode 2.xx chip.
- Reduced the prices on some Products and Services.
- Will be adding a few new Products in the next week or two. I would like to added Light guns to the products list, but have been unable to find anything that is as good or equal the to Namco G-Con gun so i will not support those products.
- Now that the majority of the Installation section is finished, I can now to back to work on my Game Enhancer and PC Comms link section. I have also started work on Link page as well.
- Less than 2 months to go b4 the PlayStation 2 is released in Japan with an estimated 1 million units being shipped between the 4th and 5th March 2000.
Thursday, November 18, 1999
- Made changes to the Product page and added a new product "PC Comms Card"
- Made changes to the Service page
- Just about finished re-doing to the Install page due the Multi-Mode v2.02 chip using a different pinout and soldering points.
Monday, September 13, 1999
- Added the Logo Competition page at long last.
- Added a new product "NTSC-Pal Convertor" and made adjustments to the Product page.
- Added following installation doc's
- SCPH 1002 - Stealth Chip
- SCPH 9002 - Stealth Chip
Monday, August 23, 1999
Added the following documents to the installation page.
- SCPH 1002 - ColourMod
- SCPH 7002 - 4 Wire ModChip
- SCPH 9002 - 4 Wire ModChip
Friday, August 20, 1999
- Cleaned up my HTML code to make it more compatiable with Netscape. The large font problem should now be sorted out that appeared on some pages.
- More doc's to be added later tonight.
Tuesday, August 17, 1999
Monday, August 16, 1999
- Made some small changes to the Products and FAQ pages.
- I have updated the install page and have started to add the install documentation.
- I have added a Game Enhancer page. At present this only has my Game Enhancer User Guide.
Wednesday, August 4, 1999
At long last i have uploaded the site. I still have alot of work to do on it yet, but thought i might as well get it up in this state and update it as i go along. At least this way the people are able to find out what a ModChip is etc. I will be adding the Installation section next then a Game Enhancer & PC Comms Card section after that. (once i have had a good play....)
Neo Technologies have released the
NEO 2.2 with the following new features and enhancements: