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Hello, everyone! The following pages describe the updated modification I've done to my Sega Saturn. The difference between the old and the new version of the mod is that I now use a PIC16F630 which has more output-pins. Thus, almost no external circuitry is needed anymore.
You should have some practice in wielding a soldering iron - if you don't you better ask a friend who has. I take no responsibility for any damage you might inflict on yourself, your Saturn or your pets. All I can say is that the Mod works fine here.
The software/information provided is for non-commercial use only. If you plan on commercially deploying this Mod you will have to contact me.
The code is available for download at the last page. I might also sell or trade a preflashed PIC, if I have PICs available.
Everything here is Copyright © 2004 by me, redistribution is not allowed without prior permission of the author.
Ok, enough of that, have fun and good luck!
Absolutely nothing!- "War" by Edwin Starr
How to mod a Saturn to switch between 50/60Hz (vertical retrace rate) and to set it to a region (EUR/US/JP) is common knowledge and nothing special as such.
Doing it with normal switches that are somehow mounted to a more or less maltreated chassis is the easiest way, but real console lovers are not really fond of changing the exterior of their babies.
So here it is: The all-in-one-no-external-modification-ultimate-mod!
It's done by exchanging the green power-LED with a multicolor LED (I've used a 3-pin red/green-LED, which gives colors red/green/orange) and by multiplexing all needed functions on the Reset-Button.
The colors indicate the current region-setting:
| Region-setting | ||
|---|---|---|
| Color | Region | Default retrace-rate (Hz) |
| green | Europe | 50 |
| orange | US | 60 |
| red | Japan | 60 |
| Reset-Button functions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| button-push-time t in msec | LED behaviour | function | LED behaviour after button-release |
| t < 250 | no change | normal reset | none |
| 250 < t < 1250 | turn black | 50/60Hz on-the-fly toggle (no reset!) | retrace-indicate-flash |
| t > 1250 | region-color | As long as the button is pressed, the regions are cycled through (1sec each). After the button is released and the region-setting has changed, the Saturn will get reset so the new region-settings take effect. | retrace-indicate-flash |
| Retrace-indicate flashes | |
|---|---|
| Flashing | Retrace Rate (Hz) |
| Slow flashing | 50 |
| Fast flashing | 60 |
On region-change, the default retrace-rate (see table above) is set, too. Of course the Mod stores it's last setting in EEPROM, so if you have your system set ie to Europa/60Hz then this setting will be restored the next time you play. On power-up, a "retrace-indicate-flash" is done.
Sounds good, doesn't it? Now it's time to get your soldering iron heated up and proceed to the next section!