Will PAL Atari ST games work on an American ST?...

[ataridave]

On a video of Xenon, which looks like a really sweet ST game, someone posted the following:

 

"I was under the impression that all ST games are region free or more to the point region free if you use an official Atari monitor. I live in America and all the ST games i've imported from the UK work fine."

 

Do they? I'm skeptical, because that's not the impression that I got from Phreakindee/LGR's review of the Atari ST.

[NightSprinter]

From similar threads I've seen, they should work fine. Especially if using an Atari (or similar low-res color monitor with the appropriate cable) color monitor. Mostly due to the fact it can handle the 50Hz refresh that UK titles used. Now I think some hard drive conversions may also have methods to run at 60Hz, but don't quote me on that.

[ParanoidLittleMan]

Most works. Some work with issues (flickering, audio desync and like).

There are which must run on 50Hz, or 60Hz , but it is not typical.

Best is to have monitor capable for both. Especially for some titles where simple hacking helps not - whole code is made for specific framerate, and will work badly on another. Not to mention demos.

[tjlazer]

If you use a RGB monitor like the SC1224 yes, if using a TV, no.

[ataridave]

OK, thanks for the info!

[Maxxx_Orbison]

I know this thread is nearly two years old but I figured why start a new thread? Does the same go for euro programs running on us monochromatic monitors? I really need to know.

[ParanoidLittleMan]

Monochrome monitors are all same - no different refresh rate between US and Euro ones - what is normal, and stays for all computer monitors in fact.

 

Here need to add something:

"I was under the impression that all ST games are region free or more to the point region free if you use an official Atari monitor. I live in America and all the ST games i've imported from the UK work fine."

There is number of SW where not refresh rate is restricted/checked, but region - via only possible way in those times - TOS language. So, for instance if it is US one, then will not allow to run in case of some European release. Or may be that allows running only on German TOS .

Such restrictions are easy to remove.

[Maxxx_Orbison]

Very good to know, thank you for the reply!

 

I do have one more question, and I'm not sure if this is the place to ask but it seems to fit the theme of this thread.

 

Dongles.

 

Are there any compatibility issues between regions due to power regulations? Say, hypothetically, I live in the US and wanted to buy a copy of C-Lab Creator from Australia. Would the dongle fry or break my atari? I ask because I've encountered this issue with peripherals before and melted a perfectly good cubase dongle due to ignorance. I don't want to make that mistake again.

[ParanoidLittleMan]

Dongle is not connected to AC power plug, but to computer's some port - like parallel, serial - where voltages are same, regardless from region. Unless dongle needs extra power, and is supplied with PS too .

[Maxxx_Orbison]

Thank you again. You've been a lot of help. I find I'm often out of my depth with these older machines. Things I've grown up taking for granted that they should "just work" tend to be a much more complicated ordeal. It's nice to know there a community out there with the patience and willingness to share their knowledge with clueless people like myself.

[MrMaddog]

Just use a color monitor and your'e fine (might have to tweak the vertical to get both frequencies working)...

 

For 50hz only games that remove overscan boarders, if they don't have a 50/60 switch option than look for something called 50HZ.PRG

[galax]

Thank you again. You've been a lot of help. I find I'm often out of my depth with these older machines. Things I've grown up taking for granted that they should "just work" tend to be a much more complicated ordeal. It's nice to know there a community out there with the patience and willingness to share their knowledge with clueless people like myself.

 

At least in this case the older machines' games do "just work" in that most games had no region locking.

Edited March 4, 2015 by galax