Gamecube Q - modded or not ?

[aandrew]

So a couple weeks ago I Swapped some duplicate games I've picked up this year at the boot sales for a boxed gamecube Q, only problem was it had no stepdown or digital lead.
Today I received a correct 240v - 100v stepdown and fired it up, it works great and I got it working on my tv with a composite lead (yeah not ideal) it had a JP wave race in the tray and that worked ok.
The guy I swapped it with claims it was imported from LIk sang and a few bits of paperwork in the box back that up, he's sure it's modded to play US games and there was also a US metroid game in the GQ box which kinda backs that claim up to...but try as I will I cannot get it to play the US disc.
Tried holding the power button on switch on but that doesn't work, the remote doesn't have a English overlay either.

Does anyone know the proper way to switch the region over ?

There is also this sticker on the back which I haven't seen before on other GQs (see enclosed photo) I wasn't sure if it was a panasonic factory build date sticker or possibly someting LIk sang put on if the case was indeed opened prior to export to fit a mod chip.

Thanks for any help here ...

[HomelandReloaded]

I think there has to be a hardware switch to swap the region over. If it could be controlled by the Panasonic Q firmware then it would be done automatically. Instructions on how to do such a mod have been posted somewhere.

It probably can play US videos (mine can), but not games. I'm not sure about the sticker, sorry.

[manic.blood]

Damn, I always wanted one of these back in the day, but one look at the steep price
no way, just got GC and PS2

So it cannot simply be hacked like an ordinary GC, to use Mplayer.

[megalomaniac]

with that sticker on there, it looks like it was never opened...
if it has not been opened, then chances are it is not modded to play out of region titles..

you can either attempt to install a region switch mod, install a modchip, or maybe just purchase a pre-modded gamecube?

[emu_kidid]

that sticker isn't on unopened Panasonic Q's, looks like it was added after.

The region free on Panasonic Q's is done via a PIC chip to avoid a ugly switch and will toggle between the USA and JAP IPL via a button press, but I forgot what triggers it, maybe it's the reset button?

[jlo138]

This guy has two of them and one is modded. He says you have to hold the power button as you said you did but didn't work for you. It's at about the 4:15 mark or so. http://youtube.com/watch?v=2bTRMySEEQc

[HomelandReloaded]

That thing with the power button worked: I can load a USA Baten Kaitos Origins disc! Thanks, I've learned something.

[aandrew]

Thanks for the replies - pahh I think mine must not be modded.

I'm off to build a all region machine now....what will I need for that, new thread I think

[megalomaniac]

why not post your progress in this thread?

[emu_kidid]

All region, just stick a Qoob in there.

[aandrew]

Ok, where will I find one ? Anyone got one for sale?
Going to need a bit of help but willing to give it a go, will a PAL machine be ok do this with (does that matter?)
Also Been looking at trying to illuminate the GC ports like on the GQ I think it's kinda possible

[emu_kidid]

Oh I think I misunderstood. If you're making a modded cube (not modding this panasonic Q), make a new thread

For that, just get a XenoGC and boot Swiss or backups.

[theclaw]

Ok, where will I find one ? Anyone got one for sale?
Going to need a bit of help but willing to give it a go, will a PAL machine be ok do this with (does that matter?)
Also Been looking at trying to illuminate the GC ports like on the GQ I think it's kinda possible

The choice has compatibility differences.

NTSC machines output s-video. No language menu so PAL games who use the system setting default English.
50hz mode needs a component cable to look right.

PAL machines output RGB instead. Native Japanese support was removed, which affects some games (you can't region switch mod either into PAL or from PAL).

[emu_kidid]

Ok, where will I find one ? Anyone got one for sale?
Going to need a bit of help but willing to give it a go, will a PAL machine be ok do this with (does that matter?)
Also Been looking at trying to illuminate the GC ports like on the GQ I think it's kinda possible

The choice has compatibility differences.

NTSC machines output s-video. No language menu so PAL games who use the system setting default English.
50hz mode needs a component cable to look right.

PAL machines output RGB instead. Native Japanese support was removed, which affects some games (you can't region switch mod either into PAL or from PAL).

I believe your facts are slightly askew.

You can use change the language for PAL multi compatible games on a NTSC machine by changing the language of the IPL via Swiss.

Native Japanese support? I assume you're referring to the Japanese fonts in the IPL? they are also present, again, just use Swiss.

[theclaw]

Yeah that's no surprise, a similar kind of options bypass has to be done on PS2.

[HomelandReloaded]

That thing with the power button worked: I can load a USA Baten Kaitos Origins disc!

By the way, it only works with USA discs - not PAL.

[Benni]

Yes!
For PAL you need to upgrade RAM and you need a special Disc from Panasonic to "flash" the Qoob to PAL.

[emu_kidid]

the power button thing is only going to region switch the IPL from NTSC-J to NTSC-U. There is no PAL IPL on the Panasonic Q (same as NTSC-J/NTSC-U) consoles, so you will need a Qoob. There's no way to "flash" the Qoob to PAL, if you have a Qoob then you can play PAL anyway. Check this page: http://www.gc-forever.com/wiki/index.ph ... ng_Imports

[Benni]

Sorry - not qoob only Q
a mistake...

[theclaw]

Sorry - not qoob only Q
a mistake...

You're thinking of DVD movies.

[Benni]

Yes - for DVD..
This is not the same for the Gamecube feature?

[emu_kidid]

You need to upgrade the RAM on the DVD Player PCB because the framebuffer or something for PAL doesn't fit in the amount of RAM present at stock RAM level. Also the DVD disc is to firmware upgrade the player to support PAL and have a english menu.

[aandrew]

You can actually change the DVD menu language to English in the DVD settings, it doesn't affect the game cube side though.

[Benni]

O.K.
So for the Gamecube part a qoob will do PAl and NTSC..