A520 PAL / NTSC black and white, not colour? Different models?

[Astral]

Hi AmiBayers,

I am wondering if there are PAL and NTSC A520's? Do they show black and white on an "incorrect" display? I ask because I just got an A520 that output black and white. I don't know if it is faulty or if I perhaps have an NTSC model trying to show on my PAL TV. Mmm...

 

[miggymad]

NTSC equipment usually outputs black and white video signals on PAL TV's.

One solution is to and buy an RGB to SCART cable for your A1200, provided your TV has a SCART socket on the back.

 

[Astral]

Mmmm. Ok. I will see if I can work if it is a PAL or NTSC unit.

 

[rcade]

Yes they are different between regions...PAL/NTSC. Unfortunately, I think they share the same Commodore part number, so that's not helpful.

At least the crystal inside should be different... and probably other small changes.

As to how it will work if you change the Amiga to a 50Hz vs 60Hz mode with the "wrong" A520, I don't know that.

 

[miggymad]

If you can open the case to look at the circuit board, it looks like you can inspect pin 20 on the video encoder IC to determine whether the unit is PAL or NTSC.

The datasheet for the MC1377P encoder chip states that for NTSC, pin 20 is connected to ground. For PAL, pin 20 is left disconnected.

Link

 

[Astral]

Ok thank you everybody. I'll inspect when I get a chance.