No colour picture on tv

[terri]

Hi, just bought my daughter ps2 and games and dvds show in black and white on my sony colour tv? any ideas thanks

[J.F.]

How is it connected? If you use a component cable, set the PS2 to Y/Cb/Cr output. If s-video or composite, set it to the other setting.

[terri]

Thanks, tried that it didn't work. bought another lead from game, that didn't work either and they won't take it back! maybe I should buy a new TV :(

[ubergeek42]

Sounds like it might be a pal vs ntsc issue.

[terri]

Thanks, but I really am not very technically minded - what does that mean, and can it be rectified?

[ubergeek42]

PAL and NTSC are the signal formats, I belive that PAL has a 50hz refresh rate, and NTSC is 60hz. If the ps2 is NTSC, and you try to play it on a PAL tv, it may be distorted lose color, and vice versa.

[dlanor]

Thanks, tried that it didn't work. bought another lead from game, that didn't work either and they won't take it back! maybe I should buy a new TV :(

A new set may or may not help. A lot depends on what region you are in, as that determines what kind of TV sets are sold in your area, as well as the type of PS2 games available.

Most games are locked into using either NTSC or PAL signals, depending on the region they're made for. That dependency is not locked for the PS2 unit as such though, so it is the game and its settings that determines which signals are used. So even on a PS2 from an NTSC region a PAL game will normally use PAL signals, and vice versa (though running games from another region than the PS2 requires a modchip in that PS2). I use mixed region games myself, so I too had to make sure of getting a set that can handle signals of both kinds.

Many modern TV sets manufactured for PAL regions (mainly Europe) will also accept NTSC signals without problems, though you should always check that (at least by asking, with money-back guarantee!!!). With very old sets though, there is very little chance of NTSC compatibility.

But in NTSC regions (like USA) only very few, even of the very latest, TV sets will accept PAL signals. US manufacturers often stick to their home market, ignoring PAL needs completely...

The chance is probably best with sets made in Asia, as they are usually intended both for PAL and NTSC region markets. I'm using a Korean set myself, even though I live in Sweden.

Best regards: dlanor

[TyRaNiD]

alternatively buy a RGB scart cable which will show full colour no matter what tv you use (assuming you have scart of course :P) Though you still might get rolling on older tvs but then they probably dont have scart anyway.

[terri]

Bought RGB cable, it works thanks!