Help with NTSC imports

[Polsk_aus90]

Hey guys, hopefully I have posted this in the right place. I'm looking at importing some NTSC ps2 games (namely rpg's) that were never released in the PAL format/region. As far as modifying my ps2 goes, I am currently looking at FMCB as being the best option. My TV can accept NTSC no problems, so my main question is does FMCB on its own allow me to play the original copies of these imports, or will I be required to backup and play the burnt copies. I am completely new to anything related to modding, so I apologise if my question doesn't even make sense, but hopefully someone here can help me out haha

[dlanor]

Hey guys, hopefully I have posted this in the right place. I'm looking at importing some NTSC ps2 games (namely rpg's) that were never released in the PAL format/region. As far as modifying my ps2 goes, I am currently looking at FMCB as being the best option. My TV can accept NTSC no problems, so my main question is does FMCB on its own allow me to play the original copies of these imports,

"Original copies" is a contradiction, but if you meant the original retail discs from another region, then no. There is no way for FMCB or its accompanying tools to boot such a disc.

or will I be required to backup and play the burnt copies.

No you don't have to do that, although you can do so.

The first step in making any PS2 game backup is to rip an ISO file from the original disc.
Once that has been done you can choose between different methods of using that ISO.

One way is to ESR-patch it and then burn the modified ISO file to a DVD-R disc which you can then boot via FMCB + ESR. (ESR is the device driver that allows use of burned discs.)

Another way is to use the game loader OPL to run the game from the ISO file, stored on different media that OPL supports.

One popular method is to store such ISO files on a USB drive connected to the PS2 when playing any of those games through OPL.

Another (IMO better) method is to just store the ISO files on your PC, and let OPL run the games from that storage over LAN, using SMB protocol (the native file sharing protocol of Windows).

A third method is to let OPL run the games from a PS2-specific HDD, normally only available to the old fat PS2 models when equipped with the network adapter that also adds an IDE HDD interface.

All of the above-mentioned backup methods work regardless of the game region, though the games will run exactly as from an original disc on a console of that region. So for some cases there may be video mode issues that you need additional software to solve. (Such as GSM == "GS Modeselector")

Best regards: dlanor

[Polsk_aus90]

Hey mate, thanks for the reply.

Haha, yeah I did mean the original versions (retail discs)

And thanks for the info, that is all very helpful. Just to clarify, no physical modification is required? My ps2 is a SCPH-50002 (I probably should've mentioned that in my original post). Also, regarding my model of ps2, would you still recommend the storage via LAN method?

Once again, thanks very much for the assistance

[No.47]

Just to clarify, no physical modification is required?

Exactly.

My ps2 is a SCPH-50002 (I probably should've mentioned that in my original post). Also, regarding my model of ps2, would you still recommend the storage via LAN method?

Since you have one of the old fat PS2 models (lucky you! ) do yourself a favor and store your games on an internal harddrive! This is the best way you can play your PS2 games, by far. The loading times are much faster compared to the LAN / USB method, no need for external devices or turning on your computer everytime you want to play, etc. ...

[Polsk_aus90]

Ah brilliant! Is the internal drive connected in the back in the expansion bay? (yes, I'm that much of a noob) haha

Thanks alot!

[dlanor]

And thanks for the info, that is all very helpful. Just to clarify, no physical modification is required? My ps2 is a SCPH-50002 (I probably should've mentioned that in my original post). Also, regarding my model of ps2, would you still recommend the storage via LAN method?

That model does not have any built-in LAN port, so you would first have to buy a PS2 network adapter. And then you have a choice between using the LAN port to play games stored on a PC, or using an HDD connected to the IDE interface included in the network adapter. (That interface is intended to connect to a PATA IDE drive in the internal drive bay.)

You can of course try both methods to find out what you prefer working with.

Personally I prefer using LAN, partly because it is much easier and faster to maintain game installations on a PC, but also because I have several PS2s, and this way all of them can share access to the same game collection stored on my main PC.

Best regards: dlanor

[Polsk_aus90]

I see, thanks very much for your opinion.

@dlanor , you mentioned earlier about booting with FMCB + ESR to patch. I was wondering if this method doesn't require purchasing something like hdloader, swap magic, ar max etc. As I was looking earlier on the FMCB website, and all the guides involved installers of that nature which need to be bought.

Also, I thought I would check with you if it is possible to use a free download of hdloader without having a modified ps2. All the information I have seen suggests that it ISN'T possible, but such information (that I have seen anyway) is consistently at least two-three years old.

Once again, thanks for all the support!

[dlanor]

I see, thanks very much for your opinion.

@dlanor , you mentioned earlier about booting with FMCB + ESR to patch. I was wondering if this method doesn't require purchasing something like hdloader, swap magic, ar max etc. As I was looking earlier on the FMCB website, and all the guides involved installers of that nature which need to be bought.

When you don't have any way to launch a homebrew, such as the FMCB installer, you must still find some way to do it. This may include buying special tools, or using weird tricks (like swapping between original discs and burned discs with modified disc sensors), just as a way to start the FMCB installer program.

As an alternative you can contact one of the FMCB installer volunteers to have the installation done for you free of charge. You only have to pay for the two way postage and packaging (bubble-wrap envelopes are required for safety). You'll find the volunteers in a 'sticky' thread inside the FMCB subforum, and make sure to read the first post of that thread in its entirety before proceeding to contact an installer by PM.

Also, I thought I would check with you if it is possible to use a free download of hdloader without having a modified ps2.

You don't need a physical modchip, but you do need some way to start a homebrew program or boot a burned disc, which are both things that Sony tries to prevent, so without some special measures you are not going to succeed doing so.

The most popular method today is to use FMCB to boot homebrew programs off a PS2 MC and/or a USB drive. (The basic boot files MUST be installed on a PS2 MC.)

Unfortunately Sony has blocked FMCB from working on all consoles using the latest bios, which was introduced during the third quarter of 2008, so consoles made after that switch have no chance of booting FMCB. With those consoles it is best to instead use SwapMagic boot discs to launch homebrews off MC and/or USB drives. This allows almost the same freedom as FMCB does, including use of ESR and OPL. The only real drawback is that you must have a SwapMagic disc in the drive each time you want to reboot the homebrew stuff.

Best regards: dlanor