Trying to sort it all out

[Zoltek]

Hey guys,

Spent the last week or so researching modchips and DVD burners and media and despite a lot of information, I'm still having some trouble narrowing it down to something that will work for me.

First, I have a v1 PS2 with essentially limited soldering skills so I'm gonna try and find a pro to install.

In any case, it appears my top choices for modchips come down to Messiah 2, Magic 3.1, or the DMS3. All I really want to be able to do is play backups (PS2 and PS1(not that important) of both CD-R and DVD-R games). Original imports and DVD multi-region stuff is not that important. If it comes with the chip, then all the better.

Which of the 3 chips will work best with my system...price-wise, working-wise, and installation-wise. The price ranges from least to most expensive appear to be Magic 3.1, Messiah 2, and DMS3. With that said, will the Magic 3.1 work on my system for all games (i.e. GTA:VC which I heard doesn't work with some chips)?

As for DVD-burner and media, I kind of have it down. Just to make sure I'm not going off the deep end with my choices, let me know if this is all right.

DVD-R: Pioneer A04 (What level can I upgrade the firmware to?)
DVD-R Media: TDK, Verbatim....and the 2X certified Meritline.

If you got this far in the post, thanks, and if you could help me out, even more thanks.

[pico996969]

well if it's the 010 bios, i think the messiah would be your best bet, the magic seems to make the color inverted on the ps2 logo(that's the only real problem), the messiah is nicely priced now, it's definately worth the money, and if you aren't going to use the dms3 features you don't need one....i can do your install on the v1 if you want me to, i've done quite a few v1-3's

[Zoltek]

Sweet. Thanks for responding. I think I will go with the Messiah, just to be sure everything works. I'm guessing the version to get is the 1.3.

So how much do the Messiah's run for? The only place I've seen them under $40 is at foundmy.com, but they always seem to be out of stock.

How much would you charge for installing...well, maybe that's a better question to ask in a pm or something.

In any case, thanks for the help.

[bighap]

Modding a v1? You would be beter off selling it and buying a nice new v7. V1 lasers were horrible, so it is common to having problems playing dvd backups.

If you get an A04, use firmware 1.31. It allows you to burn the ever so popular 1x Ritek media (G03) at 2x. Works flawlessly. 1.31 is also the most stable of the A04 firmwares.

[Zoltek]

I heard that the 1.40 update works just as well, if not better....is that true?

[pico996969]

i've seen quite a few v1's 2's, and 3's come through that were great working, 99% of them were clean as a whistle though, that might have something to do with it....but if your v1 is your pride and joy i'd say keep it, and replace the laser when the laser needs replacing... my price on an m2 for chip/install/shipping on a v1 is 105 shipped

[bighap]

Originally posted by Zoltek
I heard that the 1.40 update works just as well, if not better....is that true?

Nah. I tired it and so has some other people I know. We all switched back to 1.31 as it is more stable and better for burning Ritek.