DMS3 v8 (39006) REVIEW (update 23-Feb-03 - Sleep Mode)

Here is the game test result for the DMS3 v1.1 tested on NTSC-J v8 model: SCPH-39006 BIOS 090 GH-022.

Please note that the update disk had to be created using specially padded files supplied by Divineo (who were very helpful). I used CDRWin to burn special cue/bin files and the upgrade worked. The upgrade cured Region Free problems.

The DMS3 v1.1 performs broadly like Magic 3.1 on PS2 games. It does not perform to the standards of Messiah 2. No DVD-R would boot and nor would some rips that wouldn't boot on Magic 3.x but did on Messiah 2. DVD9 and DVD9 backup were fine. Region Free worked fine. This unit also plays PAL movies OK (because HK is a PAL region). MM16 support was fine.

The Controller modes appeared to work. Sleep mode also worked. I held EJECT till the blue light came on and after inserting a CD-R game (and later a DVD Import) and pressing EJECT again, it Red Screened as expected.

The Controller Modes needed the respective buttons to be pressed for 4 or 5 seconds from pressing RESET.

Xenosaga DVD9 NTSC-J Direct Boot------------------------100%
Xenosaga DVD9 NTSC-J Booted behind AR2/GS2--------------100%
Gran Turismo Concept DVD9 "Silver" NTSC-J Direct Boot---100%

FF X NTSC-U DVD original---------------------OK
GTA3 PAL DVD original------------------------OK
DOA2 NTSC-J DVD Original---------------------OK

GTA3 PAL DVD-R (Princo)----------------------RSOD
Tony Hawks 3 PAL DVD-R-----------------------RSOD
Headhunter PAL DVD-R-------------------------RSOD

EA NBA Street NTSC-U CD-R--------------------OK
Twisted MB Kalisto Rip CD-R------------------OK
GT3 Rip NTSC-U CD-R--------------------------RSOD
FIFA 2002 Rip NTSC-U CD-R------------------OK
Tony Hawks 3 Rip NTSC-U CD-R----------------RSOD
Woody Woodpecker NTSC-U CD-R-----------------RSOD

FF IX NTSC-J PS1 Original--------------------OK
FF IX NTSC-U PS1 CD-R------------------------OK
Syphonfilter 3 NTSC-U PS1 CD-R---------------OK
Spyro NTSC-U PS1 Original (Anti-Mod)---------NO - needs Jap Original in Sleep mode
Spyro NTSC-U PS1CD-R (Anti-Mod)--------------NO

AR2/GS2 GTA3 Orig. With Codes----------------OK
AR2/GS2 GTA3 DVD-R With Codes----------------NO - DVD-R

Toystory NTSC-U Movie------------------------OK
PAL Movie------------------------------------OK

MM16 Save/Load (GTA3 PAL Orig)----OK
Boot on EJECT--------------------------------OK
Always Boot on Reset----------------------OK
Switch off Mode------------------------------OK

My overall impression of DMS3 v1.1 on the v8 PS2 was one of disappointment principally for two reasons:

1. DVD-R did not work on v8 although the DMS3 site implies support (as at 21-Feb-03)
2. Some DVD rips on CD did not work; these work on Messiah 2 on the same PS2

Great review charlie boy, to bad i cant say the same thing for the chip. if they get fixes it will be all good. how doest the memory thing work. just strait load from a game or what.

[precisionmods]

Nice write-up. Do games boot without tapping reset or any controller functions? Meaning, does it boot like an unmodified console?

Originally posted by precisionmods
Nice write-up. Do games boot without tapping reset or any controller functions? Meaning, does it boot like an unmodified console?

Yes . The DMS3 is well behaved in the same way as Messiah 2.

[Snoopy007]

nice quick review on the latest v8 machines

Was the chip installed with the new soldering diagrams (2/20/03)on the DMS3 website? I'm a newbie here so ignore me if you already knew this.

Originally posted by Snoopy007
nice quick review on the latest v8 machines

I expect a better result on v7 except for the rips - which I believe will also not boot.If Sleep Mode works (I couldn't get it to work), then on the US v7 I expect the anti-mod PS1 game to work.

Wow, so disappointing....Magic 3.1 still boots every one of my games

[seb835]

So is DMS 3 better (or going to be better) than Messiah 2 or Magic 3.x?

It seems like with a PS2 (im a relative newbie) that you cant guarantee and rips or backups with even work! My bro has an X-Box and EVERY rip and DVD back up works with the executer mod....

maybe im better of buying an x-box....what am i SAYING!

[messiahfan2003]

I will also test this. Maybe I might get the upgrade disk but its a great mod overall. Try it on the v7 charlie. The v8 laser was programmed by sony at a ohm that couldnt read dvd-r. Charlie should adjust the laser on the v8 and see if dvd-r worked.

well to bad we will get them instock on friday , i hope that they are still good, on other consoles

Originally posted by messiahfan2003
.....The v8 laser was programmed by sony at a ohm that couldnt read dvd-r........

that's not good

[UltraDude]

maybe the DVD-R games will boot if you use the update CD..if it worked that is. heh ..and as for those rips..others have them and they work just fine on magic 3.1..i do not know why it only works on your messiah2.

[arashd]

If Dvd-r wont work on V7 or lower, then we can essentially just take this modchip and place it in the trash....

I hope we can get some review for V7s and lower, because I dont see any V8s in the states as of yet.

Originally posted by oddie
that's not good

It reads DVD-R movies OK. The v8 is programmed to detect DVD-R (at least that's my theory) and to reject it.

Originally posted by UltraDude
maybe the DVD-R games will boot if you use the update CD..if it worked that is. heh ..and as for those rips..others have them and they work just fine on magic 3.1..i do not know why it only works on your messiah2.

They will no doubt have to look at their boot strategy. I'm trying to make another Upgrade disk and will try the tests again. I've downloaded some files from Divineo - they were very helpful actually.

Originally posted by arashd
If Dvd-r wont work on V7 or lower, then we can essentially just take this modchip and place it in the trash....

I hope we can get some review for V7s and lower, because I dont see any V8s in the states as of yet.

I'm sure DVD-R will work on v7. remember that my mission here was to see whether or not they had cracked v8 which is what their website implied or indeed stated. Of course the DMS3 DOES support v8 to the extent I have reported. Apart from the rips, that's more or less what the Messiah 2 can do on v8 at its current revision level.

OK - I got the Upgrade done. Now I'll test some more.

hopefully this will change things, i dont want that split order to be in vain

DVD Region Free works on v1.1
The report has been updated now for tests made with DMS3 v1.1.

[tempuser]

Just curious charlie, how did you fix the problem with not being able to update the chip?

[messiahfan2003]

Did you try the adjustments for laser. You can put a regular v7 laser to see if that works.