Freeloader NTSC-U (US) for Panasonic Q

**HamStar50** · 12-22-2011

Hi folks,

I'm in the UK and recently got a Panny Q. It plays NTSC US games (some came with it) but i'm after an US format Freeloader disc to allow me to play my native PAL games on it.

I'm not looking to open her up at all so no modding etc. I bought a Freeloader disc (also compatible with wii it says on the box) but it was region specific and only boots on PAL units - I didn't realise they were region specific beforehand.

Naturally I'll need it shipping to my home here in the UK.

Any takers?

Many thanks.

**Shinebi** · 12-23-2011

You got the newer version (which seems to be region-locked)?

I'm pretty sure that the old (original) version would work though...

Make sure to look for PAL games which have the 60 Hz option, because your only chance of displaying 50 Hz on the Q in color is having a modified custom RGB-scart cable!

**Tchoin** · 12-23-2011

This version is your best bet:

The older versions are region free, and this one works wonders with Panasonic Q, this is the one I use for my NTSC-US Gamecube and my NTSC-J Panasonic Q.

BTW, have you tried playing the PAL games directly? It's strange it already plays NTSC-US games by default, it might already be modchipped.

**HamStar50** · 12-23-2011

Hi,

Thanks for you reply. Mine looks like its been modded as it plays my PAL DVDs as well as US games (it came with all the Resident Evils in NTSC (US) and Metal Gear Twin Snakes NTSC) but it said unknown disc when i put one of my PAL games in.

As you've pointed out, i bought the freeloader (1st pic) which is compatible with wii but this is for a PAL unit to play other regions - not the other way round. It seems the original freeloaders are getting rare(r). I'll keep my eyes peeled on fleebay for a copy.

On a side note, as the Q is NTSC, it should ne able to take advantage of a component cable - you wanna see how much they go for! it's ridiculous for a gamecube component cable!

The things we do for a bit of gaming pleasure hey!?

**Shinebi** · 01-02-2012

Most Q's supplied by Asian dealers like Lik-Sang or SuperUFO were modded on the powerboard:
short push = NTSC-J game region & Japanese PANA menu
long push = NTSC-U game region & English PANA menu
This could easily be inversed with 1 wire to the main mobo (same idea as the regular GameCube region switch solution)

When I installed my Viper for PAL games, I instantly set the default region to NTSC-U to have no more memcard erasing problems and an English PANA menu.

The Q's DVD playback should be regionfree also when it's modded by some Asian dealership. If you'd like to make sure, check with another region DVD, because Japan and Europe have both 'Zone 2' classification (different signal though).

Strangely enough, I think I lost my MP3 playback when I desoldered the powerboard chip. Or my CD's were rotten after a while...
(Doesn't matter, as you could install a plug-in on the Viper if you'd really like MP3 playback.)
Dunno if VCD still works either, but it should...

**CRTGAMER** · 01-02-2012

I have a NTSC setup and also had an issue getting a PAL game to display properly at 60hz. I tried the built in Freeloader in SD Media Launcher and Freeloader in the newer Action Replay. Both would bypass the Region Lock and boot the PAL game but would display the rolling 50hz screen. Unplayable on NTSC.

The game is PAL Doshin The Giant, exclusive to Japan and Europe. The work around was using the OLDER Code Entry Action Replay which has an older Freeloader. It bypasses the Region Lock and more importantly CONVERTS the PAL 50hz signal to NTSC 60hz! I would like an alternate backup bootup method, the older Action Replay is rare to leave out all the time.

Does the newer stand alone Freeloader work with PAL Doshin The Giant?
.

**Shinebi** · 01-03-2012

Hah, I also fixed to Q mainly for Doshin. :)

But on the Q it WILL be a coarsely rastered B/W image, as the machine will output in NTSC 60 Hz and its only analog output is composite. Even on a PAL TV: it's the way the Q is internally wired.

You need to obtain an RGB image to display the 50 Hz correctly.
A cable mod solved it.

I doubt the Freeloader will solve this... but then again, a normal cube could possibly manage to pull this off because of the standard GC-cable output... but I don't know if NTSC consoles have all connectors wired up the same as with a PAL console, granting use of such a cable. Have you already tried an RGB cable?

**HamStar50** · 01-03-2012

Originally Posted by Shinebi

Hah, I also fixed to Q mainly for Doshin. :)

But on the Q it WILL be a coarsely rastered B/W image, as the machine will output in NTSC 60 Hz and its only analog output is composite. Even on a PAL TV: it's the way the Q is internally wired.

You need to obtain an RGB image to display the 50 Hz correctly.
A cable mod solved it.

I doubt the Freeloader will solve this... but then again, a normal cube could possibly manage to pull this off because of the standard GC-cable output... but I don't know if NTSC consoles have all connectors wired up the same as with a PAL console, granting use of such a cable. Have you already tried an RGB cable?

Just for reference, I bought a new Gamecube and Wii compatible Freeloader (like my first PAL one as pictured in the first pic but a US version). As you've mentioned, it works but with a course Black and White pic. Would a 'digital' port component make any difference, does anyone know?

**Shinebi** · 01-03-2012

AFAIK, none of the PAL games work with component output.
That's why you need to get RGB obtained from a H/V sync from the digital output along with the video signal from the analog port.

THIS

On mine, I also integrated an output connection for audio from TV to my Stereo while I was at it.
It's a tight fit, but worthwile.

EDIT:
when I bought my D-cable, it was already modded for VGA, but again, only NTSC-games could use this (same as component signal).

**Lum** · 01-03-2012

Huh. Doesn't a PAL Gamecube already output RGB from the analog port?

And I thought PAL games just removed 480p mode in software (allowing some to be forced with a modchip), not support for component output entirely?

**HamStar50** · 01-03-2012

Originally Posted by Shinebi

AFAIK, none of the PAL games work with component output.
That's why you need to get RGB obtained from a H/V sync from the digital output along with the video signal from the analog port.

THIS

On mine, I also integrated an output connection for audio from TV to my Stereo while I was at it.
It's a tight fit, but worthwile.

EDIT:
when I bought my D-cable, it was already modded for VGA, but again, only NTSC-games could use this (same as component signal).

Thanks Shinebi - that's been very informative.

**Shinebi** · 01-03-2012

@ Lum: you missed the part that he's got an NTSC Gamecube.
@ HamStar50: NP. The guide should be easy to follow, but prepping the actual cables to correct length might be quite annoying though. Been checking for GC component cables for you... Originally they costed about € 55, modded they went for about € 85... Good luck.

**Lum** · 01-03-2012

Well hmm. I'd suggest trying an ordinary PAL Gamecube and RGB cable then. Should cost vastly less than the component cable.

**Bad_Ad84** · 01-03-2012

Originally Posted by Shinebi

You need to obtain an RGB image to display the 50 Hz correctly.
A cable mod solved it.

A lot of TV's in the UK will display NTSC/50 fine. This is just due to them support both formats. But its certainly not guaranteed to work, as its not a real standard/combination.

Lum,

There is no PAL Panasonic Q

**Shinebi** · 01-03-2012

I'd like to see you display 50 Hz games on the Q IN COLOR without that cable.
NTSC 50Hz does simply NOT exist, as it's a minimum of 60 Hz.
Also: he's in the UK and bought an NTSC-model, what's the point of that? Does nobody read anymore?

EDIT:
YES, I know I can pull 50 Hz from my NTSC-J Saturn.
(been through such a discussion before, hence this edit...:fresh: )

**Lum** · 01-03-2012

Originally Posted by Bad_Ad84

A lot of TV's in the UK will display NTSC/50 fine. This is just due to them support both formats. But its certainly not guaranteed to work, as its not a real standard/combination.

Lum,

There is no PAL Panasonic Q

Which demonstrates my point. This investigation isn't complete until a PAL system does get tried.

**Bad_Ad84** · 01-03-2012

Originally Posted by Shinebi

NTSC 50Hz does simply NOT exist, as it's a minimum of 60 Hz.

Its not a real specification, but it certain does/can exist and some TV's will accept it. Refresh rate and colour carrier are separate from each other.

Originally Posted by Shinebi

Also: he's in the UK and bought an NTSC-model, what's the point of that? Does nobody read anymore?

Because if you want a Panasonic Q, what else are you going to buy? a PAL version does not exist. Also, NTSC60 works fine in the UK on almost all TV's. Hes just looking to play his existing games on it - no crazy mystery here.

**CRTGAMER** · 01-03-2012

PAL DOSHIN CAN WORK ON NTSC GAMECUBE COMPONENT!

Apologies about the yell, seems my Reply might have thrown this off. Composite will also work if you use the right boot disc. Read the entire paragraph, quoted below.

Originally Posted by CRTGAMER

The game is PAL Doshin The Giant, exclusive to Japan and Europe. The work around was using the OLDER Code Entry Action Replay which has an older Freeloader. It bypasses the Region Lock and more importantly CONVERTS the PAL 50hz signal to NTSC 60hz! I would like an alternate backup bootup method, the older Action Replay is rare to leave out all the time.

Does the newer stand alone Freeloader work with PAL Doshin The Giant?
.

I posted a review and the workaround with pics here:
http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewt...537000#p537000
.