HK Messiah 2 Test Results:

[Relayer]

Ok. I had quite a bit of hassle in finally getting this test completed. I won't bore you with details, I'll just get down to it.
I'll leave my equipment details and game test list till last and give you the facts straight off.
This Hong Kong Messiah 2 is supposed to work as well as the original M2's, but with the added feature of multi-regioning for DVD movie titles. Here are my findings:
It does NOT multi-region DVD movies, so this ones a crock.
It does have the feature of disabling the chip, but it was a little erratic on getting it out of this mode. I had to turn the power off on the PS2 for at least ten seconds before it behaved itself.
It works well with the Action Replay 2 ver. 2.0, with and without codes.
I couldn't get the DVD movie player feature going, as the V7 machine I tested, it came up with, "unknown DVD type". I looked on the codejunkies web site for an answer to this problem, but I couldn't find anything, so I let it slide.
Out of fourty-one (41) games I tested, only four came up with the "red screen of death". But all worked when I tried the second time. I also re-tested those four when I'd completed my tests and they booted fine. Three were on Apple media and one on Verbatim.
I tested GTA Vice City and GTA3 using a saved game and the AR2 cheats, and played each for approximately fifteen minutes. All worked well.
I tested Dick Tracy (a DVD movie) and let it run for approximately ten minutes, with no problems what so ever.
The HK Messiah 2 does not correct the picture shift when playing PSX imports. I was a little disapointed with this finding.

Summation and opinion:
The installation went quite smoothly and wire and chip placement I was happy with. It wasn't awkward to do.
I tested all the voltages as per Charlie_ps2's request, but they meant little to me as I've never had a need to monitor these.
I was quite surprised that the chip booted reliably, as I was expecting booting issues, left, right and centre.
I was also happy that the Action replay 2 worked so well and I'm assuming that a Gameshark 2 will work just as reliably.

In my opinion, I feel that this chip worked extremely well and its a great contender against the Apple 2 and the Magic 3's, but unfortunately NOT against a true Messiah 2 or an old Messiah.
You'll more than likely pin me as "pro-Messiah" and anti anything else, but let me just say this:
I've installed more than 250 Messiah 1's and around 20 Messiah 2's and I've yet to find any of my customers complaining about them. I have peace of mind that I have approximately 270 satisfied people and I could only acheive that with these types of chips.
I've installed a multitude of NEO 2.2's, NEO 4's, Origa's, Apple's, Magic 2's, Magic 3's, Blue's etc. and none are as good and reliable than the Messiah.
Many people that have installed chips other than Messiah's and they swear by them, that's good. I won't argue with them. I'm comfortable with Messiah's as others are comfortable with say Magic 3's and good on them. They should stick with what they feel is best with no arguement from me.
I also felt that a picture shift correction was in order when playing PSX imports, but most don't play PSX games on their PS2's, so this point is a little moot.
Pity its claims of multi-regioning were false, as this would have been a first for a complete non-disk swap solution. (Not counting NEO 4's).
Out of ten, I would give this chip an 8, but there'll be other testers of this chip that may have a different opinion. Lets wait and see what they've got to say.
I'll post my test disk list and other details in another post.
Regards,
Relayer

[charlie_ps2]

Well done Relayer. So what were the voltages? Should have pulsed to around 3.0v for it to be "safe".

Incidentally I have no PS1 Picture Shift problems on any of my v7s with any of the non-swap modchips.

[Relayer]

Ok, here are all my equipment details, times, test disk list, voltages etc:

Hong Kong Messiah 2 tested on:
Model- SCPH-39002
Version 7 PAL (Australian)
Version of PS2 mobo- GH-022
Some other numbers: 1-686-786-11

Factory laser pot settings in ohms:
CD - 1414 ohms
DVD- 1177 ohms
No adjustments required

Mod install time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Test time: 2 hours and 20 minutes

Used: Japanese version of AR2 ver. 2.0

Equipment used:
* Hakko 936 variable temp. controlled iron with 0.2mm sharp tip
* Weller fixed temp. iron with 1.6mm chisel type tip
* "Soder-wick" brand de-soldering braid- Not needed
* 0.5mm thick 60/40 solder
* 0.8mm thick 60/40 solder
* All points excluding 5 volt and ground: 32awg Kynar wire
* Points- 5 volt and ground: 22awg multi-strand wire
* Double sided sticky tape- 2mm thickness
* Radio dial cord for tying wire bundles
* Fluke 87 digital multimeter

Voltages:
Bios-
All "M" to "V" points measured 3.4 volts

"X" and "C" points measured 3.4 volts

"B", "D", "H", "E" and "I" points measured 3.3 volts

'Reset" point measured at 3.5 volts

"SCEx" point measured at 1.7 volts

"SCEx" resistor- IC side measured at 1.7 volts

"z' point measured at zero volts

Games and Movies tested list:

DVD-R
GTA Vice City- NTSC- Maxmax- Booted ok
Dinosaur- PAL- Verbatim- Booted ok
Kingdom Hearts- NTSC- Unknown- Booted ok
Batman Vengeance- PAL- Apple- Booted ok
Wipeout Fusion- PAL- Apple- Booted ok
Max Payne- PAL- Apple- Booted ok
Ecco the Dolphin- PAL- Verbatim- Booted ok
Monster Rancher 3- NTSC- Pioneer- Booted ok
The Mummy Returns- PAL- Apple- Booted ok
Head Hunter- PAL- Apple- Booted ok
Pirates: Legend of Black Kat- PAL- Apple- Red screen of death
Grand Theft Auto 3- PAL- Apple- Booted ok
SSX Tricky- PAL- Apple- Booted ok
The Bouncer- PAL Verbatim- Red screen of death
Metal Gear Solid 2- PAL- Pioneer- Booted ok
Ace Combat 4- PAL- Pioneer- Booted ok
FIFA 2002- PAL- Verbatim- Booted ok
Onimusha- Warlords- PAL- Apple- Booted ok
Silent Hill 2- PAL- Pioneer- Booted ok
Soul Reaver 2- PAL- Apple- Booted ok
Zone of Enders- PAL- Verbatim- Booted ok
Simpsons Road Rage- PAL- Pioneer- Booted ok
Resident Evil-Code Veronica-X- PAL- Apple- Red screen of death
Dropship- PAL- Apple- Booted ok
Maximo Ghosts to Glory- PAL- Apple- Booted ok
Twisted Metal:Black- PAL- Apple- Red screen of death
Monsters Inc.- PAL- Apple- Booted ok



PS2 CD-R
Wild Wild Racing- PAL- Mitsui- Booted ok
AR2 ver. 2.0 (backup)- PAL- TDK- Booted ok

PS2 DVD Rips
2002 FIFA World Cup- NTSC- Datastream- Booted ok

PS2 Original
Wild Wild Racing- PAL- CD Based Booted ok
PS2 Greatest Hits: Vol.3- PAL- DVD Based Booted ok
Ops2M Demo 08- PAL- DVD Based Booted ok

Hong Kong Silvers
Kessen II- NTSC- DVD Based Booted ok
2002 FIFA World Cup- NTSC- DVD Based Booted ok
Auto Modellista- NTSC- DVD Based Booted ok

DVD Movies
Saving Private Ryan- Region 1- Original- Won't play
Dick Tracy- Region 4- Original- Played ok
Beetlejuice- Region 4- Original- Played ok
Activision 2 Demo Disk- Region 4- Original- Played ok

PSX Original
Need for Speed II- PAL- Booted ok
Dune- PAL- Booted ok
Grandia- NTSC- Booted ok
Legend of Legaia- NTSC- Booted ok

PSX CD-R
Legend of Legaia- NTSC- No Brand- Booted ok
Grandia- NTSC- No Brand- Booted ok

That's it!!!
Regards,
Relayer

[Relayer]

Hello Charlie_ps2,
I don't understand that you don't cop the picture shift when playingback NTSC games???
Is it possible that your using a multi-standard TV and that's the reason for the picture correction???
On all mod chips excluding Messiah, Messiah 2 and one version of the Magic 2, I get a 3cm black border on the bottom of the screen and nothing on the top. Also the picture is skewed slightly to the left. I've worked on a couple of US machines and they do the opposite if I play a PAL PSX game. There's a 3cm border on the top instead of the bottom and the picture is slightly skewed to the right instead of the left??? Damn confusing.
Are the voltages I've provided within the norm, or are they a tad too high??? I have to admit that I did get tenths of a reading similar to say 3.425 volts, but I decided to round them off.
Regards,
Relayer

[kizmet]

that was a long professional review i. has the magic 3.1 been reveiwed yet?

[charlie_ps2]

Originally posted by Relayer
Hello Charlie_ps2,
I don't understand that you don't cop the picture shift when playingback NTSC games???
Is it possible that your using a multi-standard TV and that's the reason for the picture correction???

On all mod chips excluding Messiah, Messiah 2 and one version of the Magic 2, I get a 3cm black border on the bottom of the screen and nothing on the top. Also the picture is skewed slightly to the left. I've worked on a couple of US machines and they do the opposite if I play a PAL PSX game. There's a 3cm border on the top instead of the bottom and the picture is slightly skewed to the right instead of the left??? Damn confusing.
Charlie's reply: the particular TV is PAL only. I have both PAL and NTSC PS2 as you know. In this case, the Colour Fix is set to GND to force pseudo-PAL. But it was perfect before when NTSC PS1 backups were put through the NTSC-PAL convertor). This PAL only TV resolves 60Hz and 50Hz at 4.43 MHz colour sub-carrier.

Are the voltages I've provided within the norm, or are they a tad too high??? I have to admit that I did get tenths of a reading similar to say 3.425 volts, but I decided to round them off.
Charlie's reply: In my opinion the voltages are fine.

Regards,
Relayer

[Relayer]

Thanks to kizmet and Charlie for your words of encouragement.
Thanks also for clearing the NTSC mystery Charlie.
Regards,
Relayer

[e-ghost]

Dear Relayer,
Want to ask a bit more about this HKClone. Thx!

1) Does it use "reset" button to boot, or it boot no matter how I insert the disc?
2) Does it support D9 (double layer single side) DVD backup?
3) What do you by can't get DVD movie player work but you can boot DVD movie disc?

I see there is another new and cheap modchip called NH3:
Any chance to have any comment or review on this?

Thanks again!!

[Relayer]

Hello e-ghost,
That's RELAYER, R.e.l.a.y.e.r, not "Replay".

The HK Messiah 2 needs to be reset when playing any PS2 stuff, and needs to be in standby mode, then press and hold the reset until the blue eject LED lights, for PSX and DVD movies.
Here's the booting squence in detail:

PS2 Games
(1) With the unit in standby mode, press the reset or eject button to turn on the PS2
(2) Press the eject button to open the tray, if you didn't already do it in (1)
(3) Place the game disk into the tray and either, tap the reset button with the tray open or press the eject button to close the tray, then tap the reset button. (It doesn't matter which method you use, it works well in both, provided its a version 5 or later. Otherwise you'll encounter a grinding noise when you hold or press the reset button with the tray open. Just use the eject button to close the tray, then use the reset).
(4) The game will boot

PSX and DVD movies
(1) With the unit in standby mode, press the reset or the eject button to turn on the PS2
(2) Press the eject button to open the tray, if you didn't already do it in (1)
(3) Place the game or movie into the tray and either, press and hold the reset button until the tray closes and goes into standby mode, or press the eject button to close the tray, then press and hold the reset button until the PS2 goes into standby. (Both methods work ok, but for version 4 and earlier machines, you may encounter a grinding noise, then DON'T press and hold the reset button. Close the tray using the eject, then use the reset button to send it into stanby)
(4) Press and hold the reset button until the blue eject LED lights, then release it
(5) The game or movie should now play

I don't know if the HK M2 is compatible with D9 disks, the makers of the chip didn't mention it at all.
I couldn't get the multi-region feature of the AR2 to work, so I couldn't play any out of region DVD movies.
Regards,
Relayer

[e-ghost]

Dear Relayer,

Terribly sorry for mis-spell your name~!

And thank you for your quick reply as well. I am standing right between M2Clone and NH3 as they are both look cheap. Hope Charlie will have his review on NH3 soon (it claims it supports D9 according to the vendor)