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The ultimate Sega Saturn-Mod (v2)
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.
To get the code, send me an email. 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!
What is it good for?
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 |
This is how everything's controlled:
| 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!