Neo noob cry for help

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mannion

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May 16, 2005
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Hi guys, I am Mannion, I have lurked here for a while but never posted much. I've wanted a Neo Geo for many years since my cousin had one when I was small and just recently I got myself an AES.

I previously had an MVS and I built a supergun which was great but I personally love having the proper AES carts and all that almost as much as I love playing the great games, so I've moved to AES.

Anyway, enough rambling. I bought an AES console from ebay for $80USD with 2 of the big joysticks and the required leads. Unmodified and a little bit tatty but I thought it was a good price.

It recently arrived and I am not sure if it is a Jap or a US console? It is serial number 070944 and the PSU I have is a proper neo geo one which is rated 120v 3A. The console does have made in Japan, but does that mean it is a Jap console? Or were all AES consoles manufactured there and shipped out?

I am in the UK and I have no clue what kind of step down I will need for this thing? Could someone show me on ebay or something like that?

Also being in the UK is scart a good option for connecting it to the TV? Is it good for quality?

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alphagamer

alphagamer

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with that relatively low serial number, rgb scart is your best bet for good picture quality.

just make sure the stepdown converter supplies at least 50w.

that was a really good price btw!

and yes, every console states " made in japan", only the bios determines which language the game runs in. if the games run in japanese, you know you have a jap. region console.
 
J

Jasen Hicks

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I think they were all made in Japan and shipped out from there. Japan and the US both use NTSC video, I think the UK uses PAL like the rest of Europe. Since the Power adapter says 120V 3A that would indicate to me that its a US system, since Japan uses 100V standard. (incidently it's close enough that Japanese gear works fine on the US grid).

What you will need to get is a 220V to 120V transformer to use the AES. When I lived in Italy (2007-2009) I bought a 220V to 120V transformer that was rated for 500W for about $50, which is about 25GBP. That's far more than you will need since its only pulling 3A maxoutput on the brick. Don't worry about the 50/60Hz concern... that brick rectifies the power from AC to DC so the frequency doesn't matter.

Hope that helps!

A quick google search game me this: http://www.110220volts.com/small/Li...-+Step+Up+&+Down+Converter+-+Transformer.html
 
systmdfect

systmdfect

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I thought that some JP scart connections were different than EU scart connections. Does this hold true for the neo or would it work plugging it into a TV in the UK?
 
M

mannion

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May 16, 2005
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Well I just found this place which is very close to where I live. I think the scart lead looks to be a good buy for my console at £15GBP and they also list a step down and it seems they deal a lot with Neo Geo so I'm sure it will be rated OK?

http://www.ravengames.co.uk/

I have seen much cheaper step downs on ebay although I would suspect they are probably not much good? You gets what you pays for and all that.
 
C

caren103

King's Dry Cleaner
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Feb 4, 2007
Posts
398
Hi Mannion,

-Another method of knowing your AES region: If it is an unmodified AES, just insert a game. If it plays in Japanese language, your AES is japanese; if it plays in English, it is an USA one.

-Regarding the Scart lead, if you buy it here in Europe, then there is no problem. Only be careful if using a Scart lead from Japan, as the pinout is not the same than here at Europe, and you could damage something.

-Stepdowns: can be bought from Play-asia, and from other online retailers, including UK ones, I guess. I bought mine a long time ago from Play-asia: it is a cheap chinese one, but until now, it has worked flawlessly.
 
bcfczulu

bcfczulu

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you could use a megadrive(pal) psu and it would work fine .(i used to do this for my first aes and that was a u.s. console)
 
Hewitson

Hewitson

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All you people recommending stepdowns need to learn what you're talking about before giving advice.

Buy a suitable UK power pack from Maplins or somewhere.
 
alphagamer

alphagamer

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Hewitson said:
All you people recommending stepdowns need to learn what you're talking about before giving advice.

Buy a suitable UK power pack from Maplins or somewhere.
Click to expand...

Even better, why didn't I think of that?


For the record: I did not recomend a stepdown, he asked for it specifically.
 
J

Jasen Hicks

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alphagamer said:
Even better, why didn't I think of that?


For the record: I did not recomend a stepdown, he asked for it specifically.
Click to expand...

Agreed. And, for what it's worth... maybe he wants to use the actual Neo Pack since it was built for the Neo. First party is always better than third party, in my opinion.

Regardlesss.... good luck with your search.
 
Spectre

Spectre

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mannion, I recommend www.consolegoods.co.uk, check the neogeo section, they have rgb scart leads, step downs and replacement power supplies at fair prices and I've always been happy with anything I've bought from them. Raven Games on the other hand have a bit of a rep for being overpriced cowboys.
 
C

caren103

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Anyway, a stepdown is a GREAT way if you are going to import more US or Jap devices, so you don't need every time you buy a Famicom, a Genesis, a CDX, etc., to buy the specific AC/DC european compatible adaptor.

If you only own and are going to own one US/Jap device, then the stepdown is perhaps not the best option, but anyway, I bought it when I only planned to use with one machine, but as I owned it, then I finally ended buying more US/JAP devices, as I did not have to worry about findind specific AC/DC adapters for every machine.
 
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M

mannion

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May 16, 2005
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45
Thanks guys, I'm learning loads already! In honesty, I just want to play the Neo Geo, I don't really care how I get it working so long as it doesn't damage it really!

I have a UK plug with variable voltage but it only offers 4.5 or 6, then a bunch of other way higher settings. I don't want to risk using 6v, but I tired it on 4.5 and it didn't bring the Neo to life, not that I really expected it to though! Will 6v damage it?

Also, as the console appears to be a 5V one, can I still use a megadrive PSU? or are they only suitable for the 9V consoles?

I've got a load of other nooby questions but I'll start other threads for those hehe.
 
M

mannion

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May 16, 2005
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Also on the underside of my Neo Geo it reads use power supply pro pow then there is a sticker been put on it which reads UL if that means anything?
?
 
Hewitson

Hewitson

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Do not connect that adapter at 6v. The 5v version of the AES is designed for a regulated 5v power supply and lacks a voltage regulator. You'll smoke it.
 
C

caren103

King's Dry Cleaner
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Mannion, sure you've done it right, but have you checked the center polarity selected at your PSU is the right one?

(My PSU Pro Pow for the USA AES is NEGATIVE center polarity).
 
Hewitson

Hewitson

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It wouldn't matter. There is no way the machine would work at 4.5v.
 
M

mannion

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May 16, 2005
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OK thanks guys, I thought the above would be the case so I didn't dare try it @ 6v.

Whilst it may not be the ideal solution I have ordered a 75w step down. At least this way I will be powering it through its original PSU and eliminate the risk of smoking the AES with the wrong power supply.

This place is great by the way! Very welcoming and forgiving for idiot-noob questions.
 
M

mannion

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Joined
May 16, 2005
Posts
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It would have been more expensive, more hassle to find and no use on any other 110V stuff I get in future. I have family who live in Gifu, Japan, so I may well start getting a lot of stuff shipped over.

Working great now thanks dudes.
 
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