Messiah 2 V1.31 review

[precisionmods]

This is a review for the Messiah 2 Pro in a Jap SCPH-50000 console.

Console tested: Jap SCPH-50000 with integrated IR.
Chip: Messiah 2 Pro V1.31 evaluation chip

Games:
PS2:
{DVD based media}
DMC Demo US original: YES
Japanese baseball game Jap original: YES
GT Concept 2002 Tokyo - Geneva Jap original: YES
Xenosaga US original: YES
Hot Shots Golf on Apple DVDR: YES
War of the Monsters on Princo DVDR: YES
Splinter Cell test on Ritek DVDR: PASSED

{CD based media}
Tetris Worlds US original blue bottom: YES
Ridge Racer V Jap original: YES
Auto Modellista Jap DVDRIP on Fujifilm CDR: YES
Soul Caliber 2 Jap DVDRIP on Memorex media (dummy file, fake TOC test): YES

PS1:
{CD based media}
Eidos Demo disc 5 US original: YES
Dynamite Boxing Jap original: YES
Spyro 3 US backup UNPATCHED: Booted to red circle
PS1 stealth add-on untested with this console.

Overall impressions:
Given how fast the new 50000 authenticates the media and boots the game, this includes DVD9 media, the Messiah 2 boots games well. I did get 1 or 2 red screens and a non response when inserting the media and closing the tray, but it was only 1 on or 2 discs and once reset was pressed, the game booted just fine. Also it's been recommended that the RST line now be connected to the EJECT point on the mobo. This proves that the RST line on the PS2 is an unstable point and adding additional voltage will cause the system not to respond to a press of the reset button. This is because the line is flooded with addtional voltage and the console cannot detect when that line goes low to actually reset the console.

Observations:
The console boots games much faster, very fast indeed. The media check is very quick and this includes DVD9 media where it boots just as quick. Also, the remote is nice. The unit can be powered on and off via the remote and you can even open and close the tray!! The fan is much quieter, in fact, you cannot hear the console at all!! The fan does not immediately start turning when the console is powered on. Instead, there is a 3 second delay.

[AnoIkasuJin]

Nice Review.

[precisionmods]

Update:

I've had a few inquiries as to whether the remote for the Jap unit works on the US 50001, and the answer is that I don't know. I don't have a 50001 to test, so next time I see a demo unit 50001, I will bring my remote and test it out. My guess is that it will work, but I won't know until I test it out!!

It's a good question because as of yesterday, I don't see a remote for the US 50001 series. Not sure why they released a console without the remote. Perhaps the remote will ship soon.

[charlie_ps2]

Given the above review, I'm surprised to see your recent posts going on about poor Messiah 2 reliability in the 50000. Maybe I've missed a further report - but you really do seem to be down on the chip.

What exactly is the problem?

On the RST point, the reason it moved to EJECT was that Sony have change the behaviour of RST so that it actually switches the PS2 off before it can switch the Messiah 2 off. Nothing more than that.

[precisionmods]

Originally posted by charlie_ps2
Given the above review, I'm surprised to see your recent posts going on about poor Messiah 2 reliability in the 50000. Maybe I've missed a further report - but you really do seem to be down on the chip.

What exactly is the problem?

On the RST point, the reason it moved to EJECT was that Sony have change the behaviour of RST so that it actually switches the PS2 off before it can switch the Messiah 2 off. Nothing more than that.

Well on these initial tests, I did get what I reported. But I also got 1 or 2 red screens and 1 or 2 instances where I inserted the disc, closed the tray and after the media identification, the system acted like it was going to boot, but then just froze on a black screen.

I want to report my actual experiences with the chip.

True, if you treat the Messiah 2 1.31 like a Magic and tap reset for all games, you will get a higher boot success percentage, but hey, this is a Messiah, you shouldn't have to tap reset but only 1 out of 50 or 60 times.

On previous versions, I never have to tap reset. It properly controls and has the right timing. That is all.

Those were my experiences with it.