Wednesday, 6 August 2008

XCM Custom Hard Drive Shell Installation Tutorial

For anyone interested in customizing their Xbox 360 Hard Drives but not sure if they've got the skillz to fit the case, we've added a comprehensive tutorial guide. They're actually really easy to fit and the package includes everything you need for installation - check out if you think you can install it right here.

We've also added a brand new crystal clear colour for just £12.95

Labels: , , , ,

Thursday, 10 July 2008

Using RGB Scart on the SNES, N64 and Gamecube


If you are trying to get the best picture possible from your SNES, N64 or Gamecube, using an RGB Scart cable is the best quality solution. The resolution and clarity that you get with the RGB Scart cable is much better than S-Video or standard AV, however there are some compatibility issues.

Nintendo has engineered some of their systems so that RGB output is restricted. Here are the basics on which systems restrict RGB Scart output, and of those which ones can be upgraded or modified to use RGB Scart.

The SNES, N64 and Gamecube all come in two versions: the USA / JAP version which is designed to work with NTSC style television signals, and the PAL version which is used throughout Europe and other locations where the PAL standard is followed. If you have a SNES which is USA / JAP, or a Gamecube which is PAL, you will be able to get RGB Scart output simply by getting an inexpensive RGB Scart cable to plug in.

If, on the other hand, you have a SNES from the PAL region, the cables will need to be modified before it will work. It’s a fairly simple modification that just requires soldering out some resistors.

With a USA / JAP N64, you will need the console itself modified to work with the RGB Scart cable. This is a lot trickier and we advise only the experienced to go down this route. A PAL N64 cannot be modified to work with the RGB Scart cable.

Surprisingly, Nintendo of Europe gave us UK gamers a break, as PAL ‘cubes require no modifications to work with RGB Scarts straight out the box. However, if you own a Gamecube from the USA / JAP region, there’s a cable mod that can be performed to enable RGB.

Labels: , , , , , , ,

Thursday, 19 June 2008

Guide to Using the Japanese PSN From Your PC

You don’t need to use a Playstation 3 to access the Japanese Playstation Store – with just an online account you can buy all of the PSP and Playstation import games that you want! Here’s how to set up an account and access the Japanese Playstation Store online with your PC.

1. First, you need to buy a Japanese PSN card. Gamepointsnow.com sells a variety of Japanese Playstation Network cards in different amounts. You will be instantly emailed a code that you can redeem on the Japanese PSN. They also instantly email Xbox 360 codes (points and subscriptions) and Wii codes for most regions. First, though you need to create a Japanese PSN account - the store will not let you login unless you have a Japan-registered address.

2. Next go to the site http://store.playstation.com/ The first thing you will do is select Japan as your region. This means that the text will all be in Japanese, but don't worry if you don’t know a lot of Japanese, just follow these instructions and you can make it through.

3. Then, you'll need to register an account. Just click the 'register' button shown below:

4. The first registration page will have a block of text with some buttons below it. Click on the bottommost of the buttons below the text (it should be centered). The next screen will contain some drop down menus, including a birthday entry. Put in a birthday which makes you older than 18 years old, then of the two buttons below the date click the one on the right one.

5. On the next screen, click the text at the very top, before the paragraph about PLAYSTATION Network. You will come to a disclaimer page with two buttons below the disclaimer. Click the one on the right again to proceed.

6. The next screen is a captcha page: type the letters that you see in the image into the box to confirm that you are a real person, then click the button below.

7. Next is a screen for entering contact information. Put your VALID email address into the first box, come up with a password for the PSN account and put it in the next two boxes. The remainder of this page lets you select a question and answer for if you forget your password, but it’s in Japanese, so just write anything in the bottommost box and then click the centered button at the bottom to continue.

8. Go to your email and click on the confirmation link from store.playstation.com. You’ll be taken to a screen where you enter a username – very simple. The next screen after that is complicated: it asks for a Japanese address. Guess what – you don’t have to put this in! Fill most of the slots with gibberish. However, there are two required fields: the first field after the break in the form should be filled with the number “123”, and the drop-down menu directly after it should have the first option selected. Again, click the right hand button at the bottom of the screen when you’re done.

9. The next screen has a block of text followed by two options. Choose the second one and continue. Continue through the next two screens by clicking the right most of the two bottom buttons each time and you’re through! Now you can go to the Playstation Network store at http://store.playstation.com/ . Login with your username and password at the top of the screen, click on your username once logged in, and choose the second text link in the second section of the resulting page for a screen where you can enter the PSN code you got from Game Points Now to redeem your card! Now you can order whatever Japanese games that you want from the Playstation Network store using your PC!

Labels: , , , , , ,

Tuesday, 11 March 2008

Wii Freeloader UK PAL Euro Instructions

The Wii Freeloader (£9.99) is a fantastic disc for playing import USA/JAP games on your UK Wii, but there are a few instructions you must follow to get it to work. See this guide for a step-by-step tutorial on how to play imported games on your Wii:


Loading a Game

  1. If the Game that you wish to play is from an NTSC region then you may need to first set the display setting to 60 Hz. This setting is found in the Tools Menu on your console.
  2. Insert the FreeLoader for Wii™ disk and it will automatically load and run.
  3. Multiple colour bars on the screen will indicate that FreeLoader for Wii™ is in operation. The colour bars will appear twice then the drive will stop.
  4. Eject the Freeloader disk and now insert the NTSC game that you want to play.
  5. The Game will play as normal.

Console/Firmware upgrades on Game Discs


Most games have an upgrade program which is loaded before the game application itself. The purpose of the upgrade program is to update your console, where necessary, with new firmware modules. When loading a game from another region on your console this upgrade program may have unpredictable results if loaded.

FreeLoader for Wii™ will automatically prevent this upgrade program from being loaded and will only load the main game application.

A number of games will not function unless the upgrade program has first been loaded and so FreeLoader has an alternate. See below for the selective alternative load method guide for these games.


Alternative method: For Games which require a firmware update

  1. Insert the FreeLoader for Wii™ disk and it will automatically load and run.
  2. Multiple colour bars on the screen will indicate that FreeLoader for Wii™ is in operation. The colour bars will appear twice then the drive will stop.
  3. Eject the Freeloader disk and then RE-INSERT / RE-LOAD the Freeloader disk once more.
  4. The multiple colour bars will appear twice more and the drive will again stop.
  5. Only after the Freeloader disc has been separately loaded twice, eject the Freeloader disc and now insert the Game Disc that you want to play. The Game will play as normal and this time the upgrade program will be selectively loaded.
CAUTION: Please be aware that allowing the upgrade program to run may, in a number of cases, still cause unwanted effects.

Since any game updates can create unwanted results or even incompatibility with Freeloader, it is recommended that all new games, even ones from your own region, are loaded via Freeloader’s alternative selective upgrade method.


Online Upgrades: A Warning

FreeLoader for Wii™ works with all current versions of Wii firmware at the time of its release (11/03/08).

No guarantee can be given of compatibility with future firmware releases so if Online Updates are performed on your console this may prevent Freeloader from functioning correctly.

We recommend that you consider the benefits of any Online Upgrade against the possible loss of compatibility with freeloader and its functions.


Has this helped you out? Let us know by leaving a comment!

Labels: , , , , , , ,

Thursday, 1 November 2007

PS3 on the Mayflash 1080p RGBHV to YPbPr Transcoder (Component to VGA Converter)

In the follow up to our guide on how to setup the popular Mayflash 1080p YPbPr to RGBHV Component to VGA Converter with the Nintendo Wii, we now present a step by step guide to getting the Playstation 3 to work with the Mayflash VGA Transcoder. If you're having problems setting it up, just follow our simple ten step guide. This tutorial works with all types of monitors - LCD, TFT, CRT etc.

Please note: not all monitors support 480\ progressive/interlaced so you may find that PS2 games/DVDs won't run on your monitor, as they display in 480p/i. It will play all your PS3 games perfectly in 720p/1080p High Definition though..

The advantage of using this type of component to VGA transcoder over a HDMI to DVI cable
is that your monitor doesn't need to be HDCP (High Defintion Content Protection) compliant, as the PS3 only enforces this when played through HDMI cables.


Anyway, on with the tutorial:


1. Connect your PS3 to a conventional TV using either a SCART, Svideo or composite cable.

2. Turn on your PS3. In the main menu, scroll across to 'Settings' and then select 'Display Settings' and 'Video Output Settings'.

3. You're offered various choices of connections. Select 'Component / D-Terminal'. The screen will go blank for a few seconds while it recalibrates and you'll be asked whether you want to keep these settings. Select 'Yes.'

4. The next screen will ask you what resolutions you want to select. Working within the parameters of your individual monitor, check each box.

5. Press right on your controller's D-Pad. You will hear a 'click' sound and the screen will go blank. You won't be able to see the screen, but press left on the D-pad and then press X.

6. With your PS3 still turned on, unplug the video cable from the back of the PS3 and plug in your PS3 Component Cable where the AV cable was before.

7. Plug the red/green/blue ends of the component cable into the approprioate sockets of the Mayflash VGA box.

8. Plug your monitor's VGA cable into the 'VGA output' socket on the Mayflash VGA box and plug in the AC power adapter. A yellow LED should come on to indicate it's receiving power.

9. Make sure the switch on the VGA box is set to "YPbPr".

10. The PS3 will now be displayed on your monitor in glorious High Definition. You should be at the 'save settings' screen, which will then lead you onto the audio output options. The spare red/white phonos on the component lead will provide your speakers with analog audio.

Labels: , , , , , , , ,