The purpose of this page is to show where one can tap into the RGB video and sync signals off of some PlayStation 2 motherboards. By obtaining the signals straight from the motherboard you can get around the following issues:

• Component Video Forceback - On the PlayStation 2 the three pins that are used for RGB is also used for Component Video. You can switch between RGB and Component Video within the System Configuration section upon startup. Part of the PlayStation 2's copy protection scheme is that when you put a movie into the PS2 it will only play it in Component Video mode regardless of the RGB/Component Video settings. This was due to the fact that Sony wasn't able to properly embed copy protection signals into regular RGB video and thus the machine will switch to Component Video (which can have MacroVision embedded into it) whenever a movie is played and will remain in Component Video as long as the movie is in the drive. Although DVD burners are the biggest threat to anti-piracy efforts this scheme remains within the PS2 to appease the movie industry (for which Sony is a part of).

• MacroVision - Since the PlayStation 2 does not have a dedicated sync channel the sync has to be taken from either Composite Video or from the Luminance line used for S-Video using a sync separation chip (such as the popular LM1881). When a movie is played the MacroVision signal is inserted into the video signal. Part of what it does is include extra sync pulses that can be ignored by TV sets but not by recording devices such as VCRs. However, with the exclusion of the EL1883 and ISL59885 sync chips, all other sync separation chips cannot account for the extra pulses and your picture will get messed up. You will also need something like a GameShark or Region DVD program to turn off the Component Video Forceback then use the EL1883 to watch movies properly in RGB. A bit of a pain. By getting the sync signals from the motherboard you can outright avoid MacroVision without using any additional programs or modchips.

• Sync-On-Green - To take advantage of the Progressive Scan feature on some games (and on movies witn newer models of the PS2 (SCPH-500xx, SCPH-700xx)) the sync has to be included on the green line. Not every RGB monitor can do Sync-On-Green. And even if you manage to use a sync separation chip to get the sync signals you may find yourself with an overly green tint. Monitors that do not use SOG will mistake the sync as some form of brightness signal and you will get the green screen. Removing sync from a channel can be difficult. But by getting the RGB and sync from the motherboard before the sync gets mixed into green you can then be able to use any monitor you want when taking advantage of Progressive Scan.

• Sync Separation Chips - By obtaining the sync signals from the motherboard you will no longer need to use any sync chip for use with the PlayStation 2.

This page is solely intended for use in allowing one to play games and watch movies in the best possible picture from the PlayStation 2. The author of this page does not endorse or condone movie piracy although in order to achieve the goal of pristene RGB output one must get around the copy protection schemes.

The PlayStation 2 is a very complicated piece of machinery and one should not open it up unless one has a great deal of confidence in one's techinical skills (just ask any modchipper or repair person). Personally, I have fragged one board and nearly destroyed another in finding these signals and learning all I can from them. The contacts are very small and can be a real pain in the ass to work with. Great care must be taken when working on a PlayStation 2.

I have made this page as accurate as possible considering the limited resources I have (four motherboards including a Slim PS2). With that said I cannot be held responsible for damage incured by the user if one attempts to poke around a PS2 motherboard looking for various signals. Don't be afraid to ask around before undertaking such an endeavor or talk to a modder/repair person to see if they can help you out.

The following pictures are from a SCPH-30001 unit (Version 4) motherboard and a SCPH-70012 (Version unknown) motherboard. The Composite Sync “recipe” comes from Viletim!.

Being that this is a Wiki page you are more than welcome to add any information that will improve the quality of information provided here.