Laseractive PAC-N1/PCE-LD1 and hucard adapters

[Vlcice]

Someone on eBay is selling a Japanese PAC-N1, which they claim is compatible with North American hucards using an adapter. To my knowledge, no unmodded Japanese hardware is compatible with North American hucards, even with an adapter, because of the region detection. Is there something different about the PAC-N1, or is he just mistaken? I'm guessing he's probably just wrong, but you never know.

I already own a PAC-N1, so I'm not looking to buy his, but it'd be kind of nice to find out that I'd have the option to play NA games after all.

[Ed Oscuro]

using an adapter.
The answer probably lies somewhere within this quote.

The "Kisado" is an (expensive) example of this type of device.

[Vlcice]

I know there are adapters, but they generally work one way - Japanese hucards on NA hardware. Japanese hucards don't have any region protection beyond the pin layout difference, but NA hucards perform a region check for Japanese hardware and refuse to run unless a hardware mod's been performed to defeat that protection.

[Ed Oscuro]

Augh, I read the topic wrong. Sorry!

A couple pins on the cards are flipped from the JPN to US release, and the US release cards additionally have region detection. You need to modify the hardware to get US stuff to work. It's doable and shouldn't damage the original hardware if done right, although I think it's a bit extreme and dangerous just to be able to play the updated Magical Chase on a JPN system.

[Vlcice]

Yes, I know that's usually the case! I just noticed that this seller was claiming that their unmodified Japanese PAC-N1 would play US hucards with an adapter - which, like you and I were saying, usually won't work on unmodded Japanese hardware. I just wanted to know if there's something different about the PAC-N1, or whether the seller's wrong (which is probably it).

Checking the auction (http://cgi.ebay.com/cld-a100-laserdisc-laseractive-pc-engine-module-nec-HE_W0QQitemZ190297830497QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Defa ultDomain_0?hash=item190297830497&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50) again, it looks like this is the PCE-LP1, NEC's branded version. Can't imagine there's a difference in regioning there though.

[vincewy]

Yes, I know that's usually the case! I just noticed that this seller was claiming that their unmodified Japanese PAC-N1 would play US hucards with an adapter - which, like you and I were saying, usually won't work on unmodded Japanese hardware. I just wanted to know if there's something different about the PAC-N1, or whether the seller's wrong (which is probably it).

Checking the auction (http://cgi.ebay.com/cld-a100-laserdisc-laseractive-pc-engine-module-nec-HE_W0QQitemZ190297830497QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Defa ultDomain_0?hash=item190297830497&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50) again, it looks like this is the PCE-LP1 (PCE-LD1), NEC's branded version. Can't imagine there's a difference in regioning there though.

They are supposed to be identical, but from one EGM back in early 90s reported a few PC-E ACD games don't work on PCE-LD1 when you plug in Arcade Card Duo.

edit: I was thinking about Pioneer's LD player, yes, they have their own version of LD player that works exactly the same as Pioneer's CLD-A100, called PCE-LP1

[jsiucho]

I just got a message from the seller claiming he has a Jp to US converter. I didnt know they existed, who knows


JS

[Vlcice]

Vincewy:

Sorry, I mixed up the model numbers. Right, I remember hearing about that incompatibility before too.

Jsiucho:

First I've heard of those too! Wonder if it does exist - and what extra it does to work, if it does.

[vincewy]

I just got a message from the seller claiming he has a Jp to US converter. I didnt know they existed, who knows


JS

Yes they do, it's called Kisado converter, however, I'm never fond of those bloody things, sometimes games don't work because it's not inserted perfectly, with the cost I'd rather get another stand alone TurboGrafx system. This applies to Neo-Geo, it's either original AES or MVS carts only, in this case, you also have to worry about possible damage to the carts when you insert and remove converters.

[jsiucho]

Yes they do, it's called Kisado converter, however, I'm never fond of those bloody things, sometimes games don't work because it's not inserted perfectly, with the cost I'd rather get another stand alone TurboGrafx system. This applies to Neo-Geo, it's either original AES or MVS carts only, in this case, you also have to worry about possible damage to the carts when you insert and remove converters.

Sorry may be I wasn't clear, I meant to say he claims to have a converter to play US Hucards on the PCEngine. I know the Kisado works with PcE games on US systems.


JS

[vincewy]

The auction for PCE-LD1 ended, ouch! $400, I was putting a competitive bid and there's no way I could win this unless I'm willing to put over $500.