Does Famicom Console Work in NTSC Power outlet?

[starfox316]

My girlfriend recently bid on and won a Famicom console for me for Christmas. Im stoked and can't wait for it to come. But I was completely surprised when she told me about it, I didn't even realize the obvious, does the Famicom work over here in the US? Are the plugs different? If so, is there any way to hook it up over here, or is it just going to sit there looking pretty and collect dust? I hope I can jam out on it ASAP.

[Ed Oscuro]

The plugs are the same, BUT there is one difference.

Japanese voltage is 100v, US voltage is 120 (it often drops down to 110 at the end of an extension cord, so appliances are designed to deal with this). You probably will be able to use the machine for years without any trouble. Trouble usually occurs when you put an appliance on a lower voltage line than it was designed for (same thing with wattage), which is the reverse of the situation here.

I would personally invest in a power transformer (step-down) for anything you use over a long period of time or that's worth a lot of money, but for one (common) game machine that's not going to make economic sense. Probably the best thing you can do is to unplug it when it's not in use (this will save you a bit on electricity, as well).

[smork]

A Famicom is (usually) equipped with RF output, which a modern TV sometimes has a hard time accomodating. I *think* the frequency ranges between a JP TV signal and a US one (or Europe) are different, too, so I don't think channel 3-4 would work, likely something else.

An AV Famicom is always the best choice, as AV leads work on any TV with RCA inputs.

I agree with Ed about the step-down converter -- I got a cheap one to use with my JP Neo Geo stuff, and use it with other consoles as well, just to be safe. For one FC system not much of an issue, though.

[Ed Oscuro]

d'oh, I completely forgot about the signal issue. Yeah, the original FCs are wonky, from what I hear (mine's a Sharp Twin, but even that I leave boxed up. It's either a beat-up NES or emulation for me, most of the time).

As I heard, somebody had to select something like channel 97, and - I might be remembering wrong - the sound might have been on another channel or something wierd like that. Hopefully I'm wrong.

[starfox316]

Ouch, ok. Hope I don't have some of those sound issues. I guess I'll just have to see whats up with it when it comes. I know that I have a step-down converter from my stepdad from his old audio equipment, so maybe I'll just use that to see at first.

[Damaramu]

I'm about to import a JPN PS2 Slimline. Can I find these convertors at Radio Shack or similar? Any tips for a disc based JPN system?

[Hwj_Chim]

I have a jap saturn It runs just fine. you should have no probs running your jap PS2 slimline, no extra stuff to get at all. just keep it in a well ventilated place and you should be good to go. good luck with your slimline I plan on getting one soon.

[Xexyz]

NTSC Slimlines (both JPN and US) come with a universal AC brick that's rated 110-240 volts. It's not going to hurt plugging the system straight into a U.S. outlet. I've had mine for a year with no ill effects. In fact, because both regions use the same AC brick, and because I only have one PS2 out at a time (I have a domestic slim line as well), I don't even switch out the power supplies. My U.S. slim lines AC brick has never even been used yet.

[Damaramu]

Sweet. Thanks for the advice, guys!

[MarioMania]

You could plug the Famicom in the Outlet..Just unplug it when your done

[y-bot]

US channel 95/96 = Japan channel 1/2 but I think it still depends on your television whether it's going to work very well or not. I've played a dozen or so Famicoms for 20 hours or so with an original Famicom AC adapter and never had a problem. You can also use a Genesis AC adapter if you are worried about the 100V/120V problem.

y-bot


d'oh, I completely forgot about the signal issue. Yeah, the original FCs are wonky, from what I hear (mine's a Sharp Twin, but even that I leave boxed up. It's either a beat-up NES or emulation for me, most of the time).

As I heard, somebody had to select something like channel 97, and - I might be remembering wrong - the sound might have been on another channel or something wierd like that. Hopefully I'm wrong.

[Graham Mitchell]

US channel 95/96 = Japan channel 1/2 but I think it still depends on your television whether it's going to work very well or not. I've played a dozen or so Famicoms for 20 hours or so with an original Famicom AC adapter and never had a problem. You can also use a Genesis AC adapter if you are worried about the 100V/120V problem.

y-bot

Be careful. I actually blew out my Famicom using a US NES AC adapter. Of course, when I took the thing apart, a spider had laid eggs in the power supply, so it's likely that had something to do with it. I never actually got to play it. I tried two of them, both had issues. I went with a NEX instead, which won't play Rodland. :(

[MarioMania]

Be careful. I actually blew out my Famicom using a US NES AC adapter. Of course, when I took the thing apart, a spider had laid eggs in the power supply, so it's likely that had something to do with it. I never actually got to play it. I tried two of them, both had issues. I went with a NEX instead, which won't play Rodland. :(

How did the Spider get in the Famicom...

[Ed Oscuro]

Be careful. I actually blew out my Famicom using a US NES AC adapter. Of course, when I took the thing apart, a spider had laid eggs in the power supply, so it's likely that had something to do with it. I never actually got to play it. I tried two of them, both had issues. I went with a NEX instead, which won't play Rodland. :(
No surprise, since the two are completely incompatible. You got what was coming to you for not doing your research! :P

[Niku-Sama]

my superfamicom runs fine, using the SFC ac adaptor or a NES ac adaptor

[y-bot]

I never said to use an NES power supply on a Famicom. I forget which is which but one outputs AC and the other DC. Spider eggs had nothing to do with it. I said you can use the original Famicom AC adapter or Sega Genesis AC adapter (model 1 I think).

y-bot



Be careful. I actually blew out my Famicom using a US NES AC adapter. Of course, when I took the thing apart, a spider had laid eggs in the power supply, so it's likely that had something to do with it. I never actually got to play it. I tried two of them, both had issues. I went with a NEX instead, which won't play Rodland. :(

[Graham Mitchell]

No surprise, since the two are completely incompatible. You got what was coming to you for not doing your research! :P


I was suspicious, but the employees at Pink Godzilla swore up and down that it was safe before I took it home. They were trying to save me cash by not having to sell me cords. Oh well, they took it back, at least. One of these days when I'm rich and famous I'll just get a sharp twin fami and get everything I need.

[Nescollector]

If it's a real nintendo famicom, it will have separate audio and video jacks. Like y-bot said you CAN use a model 1 genesis power supply (I have with no problems)

[rbudrick]

I've had my fc plugged in for years. It's fine.

Use channel 95 or 96, dpending where you put the 1/2 switch.

If your TV is ancient, like mine, you will probably have to adjust the fine-tuning to get it to come in.

If you TV is modern and any bit worth it's salt, it should auto-tune this for you.

If not, you will need to A/V mod it.

-Rob

[bangtango]

Ouch, ok. Hope I don't have some of those sound issues. I guess I'll just have to see whats up with it when it comes. I know that I have a step-down converter from my stepdad from his old audio equipment, so maybe I'll just use that to see at first.

Have you received the system yet and how is it treating you so far?

[Soviet Conscript]

you said a jp ps2 will work fine on a US outlet but what about a jp saturn? mine works no problem but i heard it will increase wear and kill the system prematurely. should i get a stepdown converter for it?

[link1110]

You could plug the Famicom in the Outlet..Just unplug it when your done

This is what I do with my PC Engine Duo. That tends to get hot when I leave it plugged in for a few hours. Sony systems don't have that problem for some reason though (My japanese PS1, PS2 or PSP never got hot.)

[RCS_Techie]

I've used every japanese system except for the original famicom (have the top loader for playing) on my US tv and power out here on okinawa and they all work fine. Everything from PS1 and up will take 100V - the 220 or 2xx power over other countries.