Strange Dreamcast......problem (?)

[dreamcaster]

I have a query, which I'm pretty sure only applies to PAL Dreamcasts.

My two televisions at home always have problems receving the 60Hz signal from my Dreamcast. When on 60Hz mode, the top area of the TV display always flashes brightly (even more so on some games). I figured that, despite accepting Xbox, PS2 and GCN 60Hz signals without problems, that the DC's 60Hz signal was slightly different, and as such, were not fully compatible. This was confirmed when I took this Dreamcast to my friend's place, who has a much newer television - and his TV had no problems with the DC's 60Hz mode.

I resigned myself to the fact that until I get a newer TV, my DC will have to run in 50Hz crappiness.

Until recently - I bought another Dreamcast, this time a much newer model. After having it for a few days, I decided to see if my TV's still did the same thing with this DC. Amazingly - the TV worked perfectly! The 60Hz signal displayed exactly the way it should - not flashing, just clear and crisp.

In conclusion, I have deduced that either;

1. Earlier model PAL Dreamcast's had less widely compatible 60Hz signals

or

2. There is something wrong with my earlier Dreamcast.

I'm leaning towards deduction no.1 - but, any help you guys can give will be appreciated.

[hydr0x]

have you tried exchangig the cables?? it might only be a cable thing :o

[dreamcaster]

have you tried exchanging the cables?? it might only be a cable thing :o

It's not the cables, as I was using the old Dreamcast's cables on the new Dreamcast, and everything was fine. I then used the new cables on the old Dreamcast, with the same flashing result.

[goatdan]

It's probably just a difference in the Dreamcast. Sega revised the hardware about 2.3 million times (well, not that much, but it seems like it) and systems don't tend to do everything exactly alike. I've got some systems that won't run early games, and others that will.

I see that you like the Dreamcast a lot too :) Keep your eyes open, as someone will be posting some big news for this good system soon ;)

[hydr0x]

well, i do know there was a major change in production once, they exchanged the disc-drive, the cooler and some other things so this might be the reason

[dreamcaster]

Yeah, I figured this would be the case.

The newer DC of mine has a different laser assembly and is a little quieter - so this would be one of the revised models.


I see that you like the Dreamcast a lot too Keep your eyes open, as someone will be posting some big news for this good system soon

News?! What kind of news??

I have heard of a few newly released games coming out in Japan if that's what you mean?

[goatdan]

I see that you like the Dreamcast a lot too Keep your eyes open, as someone will be posting some big news for this good system soon

News?! What kind of news??

I have heard of a few newly released games coming out in Japan if that's what you mean?

It isn't the Japanese games...

Here's the hint -- FoF was the first of many 8-)

You can figure out the mystery from there... perhaps. I'm going to put up some more details and make some posts tomorrow sometime about this as long as I have time :D

[hydr0x]

damn i still have to buy FoF, but that news you are speaking of is GREAT, Dreamcast lives :)

@dreamcaster

yes, the newer ones are less loud, BUT they are the cheaper build ones, plastic cooler and all such cheap stuff :-/