too many questions! : (

[ette]

Hi, I'm Esther from Barcelona and I'ld like to buy a Famicom for my husband with two games: Super Mario Bros and Zelda. But I have too many questions... I was wondering if you can help me, please.

- In the first place, I'ld like to know if the japan games have english subtitles

- I don't have any trouble about NTSC/PAL but I'm wondering what I have to do about the power suply because we have 220V 50-60Hz

- And I don't know how the console connects with the TV (aerial antena perhaps?...)

I'll be very grateful if you can help me about all the staff because I really don't know where to find it.

I don't know if it would be better to buy the spanish NES and then buy some converter for diferent games... but I really like the Famicom look... I don't know either if it's better to buy the Famicom Disk System... or the diference between Famicom and Family Computer... As you see I'm pretty new at this...

Thank you in advance and congratulations for the web!

Best regards,

ette 

[133MHz]

Hi, I'm Esther from Barcelona and I'ld like to buy a Famicom for my husband with two games: Super Mario Bros and Zelda. But I have too many questions... I was wondering if you can help me, please.

Bienvenido!

- In the first place, I'ld like to know if the japan games have english subtitles

No, except for very few games. Unless you're into RPGs and such, language will not be an issue because Famicom games are simple and straightforward.

- I don't have any trouble about NTSC/PAL but I'm wondering what I have to do about the power suply because we have 220V 50-60Hz

If you get a Famicom with its original Japanese power adapter, you'll have to get a 220 to 110V stepdown converter. A small one will do, with a power rating of 30 to 50 W.

- And I don't know how the console connects with the TV (aerial antena perhaps?...)

The original Famicom only provides RF (antenna output) on Japanese NTSC channel frequencies. It will be problematic to use it on a Spanish PAL TV, even if it accepts NTSC. Two reasons: Most PAL TVs with NTSC compatibility only can take NTSC through their AV inputs (this is called baseband NTSC) and not through the antenna connection (broadcast NTSC). The other reason is that JP channel frequencies are different from US ones, which are very different from European ones (I believe that the video bandwidth is a tad higher in Europe too, about 8 MHz instead of the usual 6.5 MHz). Japanese broadcast channels 1 and 2 correspond to American cable channels 95 and 96, and I believe they have no correspondence to European broadcast channels at all.

The solution to this is either getting an AV modded Famicom, or an AV Famicom.

I don't know if it would be better to buy the spanish NES and then buy some converter for diferent games... but I really like the Famicom look... I don't know either if it's better to buy the Famicom Disk System... or the diference between Famicom and Family Computer... As you see I'm pretty new at this...

You could buy a converter to play Famicom games on your Spanish NES, but you'll probably have to disable the lockout chip and some games will not run correctly because of the region differences.

The Famicom Disk System is an addon, it doesn't work as a separate unit.

Family Computer and Famicom are the same thing.

[cubelmariomadness]

Family+Computer= Famicom

Most japanese games don't have english subtitles.

Yoy can hook it up using the rf cable, which you plug into the back of a tv,

[133MHz]

- I don't have any trouble about NTSC/PAL but I'm wondering what I have to do about the power suply because we have 220V 50-60Hz - You can use the AC adapter on 220 with just a simple adapter but it will goes hot fastly. You should buy a Step Down Converter. You can also get a NTSC to PAL converter (PAL Booster) if your TV doesn't support NTSC.

!!!

I wonder if it gets hot because it's receiving TWICE its rated voltage
I'm amazed that it didn't blow up spectacularly, with lots of sparks, smoke and burned plastic. That's what most 100-120V AC adapters do when they get 220V.

Oh and BTW, a PAL booster won't work with the Famicom's RF connection, those things only support AV and they don't do a full conversion either.

You should be getting an AV modded Famicom or an AV Famicom. The RF output won't be of much use to you.

[ette]

  Thank you very much! That was fast!

I'm looking for all these things now...

Thank you again!

ette  

[ette]

I really like the look of the white and red Famicom... and I've been looking in ebay for any AV modded and there are only one or two... it's not possible to buy any cable to convert the signal?

I don't have tv, I have a projector instead. I think maybe in the projector or in the DVD-TDT receiver can be any connection I can convert to...

I'm fascinated how this works! It's the first time I ask something in a forum and I'm glad...

THANK U ALL!! 

[133MHz]

Famicom Adaptater only convert the voltage to 9DC 60Hz. It can receive any voltage it will still convert to 9DC 60Hz. Yea, FC Adaptater are made for 110 but they will work on 220 too. I just use 220 to 110 for security but when I don't have it, I use a simple converter and it works perfectly.
If it was just a cable that go to the system without any converter box, then it should not be used with a 220 voltage.

Transformers are linear devices. If it takes 110V AC and outputs 9V DC, if you plug it into 220V AC it will output 18V DC.
The Famicom can take up to 24V DC before breaking down because that's the maximum rating of its voltage regulator. It will heat up like crazy though, since the power that is not used by the Famicom is wasted as heat.

Most transformers can't take twice their rated input voltage, failing spectacularly and posing a fire hazard. Older electronic equipment like our beloved FC was probably "over-engineered" to make it last forever. Atari disk drive power supplies are the same. They can cope with twice their maximum ratings and chug along perfectly for years with no other signs than increased heat output. Today's crap just bursts into flames. Kids, don't try this at home.

BTW "9VDC 60Hz" doesn't make sense as a measure. Direct Current (DC) doesn't have a frequency component because it's continuous power. Alternating Current (AC) on the other hand, does.

I really like the look of the white and red Famicom... and I've been looking in ebay for any AV modded and there are only one or two... it's not possible to buy any cable to convert the signal?

Unfortunately not. The Famicom needs to be physically modified to get AV output from it. You need basic to intermediate electronics and soldering skills to perform an AV mod.

I don't have tv, I have a projector instead. I think maybe in the projector or in the DVD-TDT receiver can be any connection I can convert to...

Does your projector have a world standard TV tuner? The vast majority of projectors I've seen don't even have a TV input.
As many here have already recommended, get an AV modded Famicom or an AV Famicom, it will save you a lot of hassle.

[ette]

OK... after a lot of thinking, searching and trying...

- I look into my projector's connections and I have nothing I can use to connect any console.
- I look into the DVDplayer/TDTreceiver and I only have digital antena for TDT. Is useless with the Spanish Playstation's RF switch. Then I eliminate the possibility to any Spanish NES...

- I'm definetely looking for a AV modded Famicom which is the most wonderful present, anyway.
        - There is none in Ebay.

So I'm looking in internet. I found two pages in Japan with no international shipping but a friend of mine is going to Japan on Hollydays and I want to buy and to send to his Hotel so he can pick up it. I have a lot of difficulties understanding the pages and I don't know if there are trustworthy...

http://www.famicomdepart.jp/fs/famicom/c/gr61
http://www.tea4two.jp/

Do you know them? Which one do you recommend? Which console? There are many options...

Thank you in advance! You people are really helpful... 

[ette]

Thank you Masterdisk! 

Do you think this is a good option or maybe you know any better way?

If not, I'll have to translate with Google translate and buy here, isn't? But I think is only avaible the 12,800yen's console... Is it too expensive? What difference is there between this one and both cheaper ones? Wich console do you recommend from the page? Because maybe I'm asking them for any next availability...

I love these forum...  I think my husband is going to freak out with the famicom!! 

[manuel]

Both are trustworthy sites.
But if your friend visits Japan it might be cheaper if he goes to gameshops or thrift stores and looks for a　"New Famicom", which of course has AV output. Those can be had for around 5000-7000 Yen and are relatively easy to obtain.

[ette]

Gracias Manuel for the advice 

But I'm definetely looking for the classic famicom (white and red) look. 

My friend is only going for some days with his girlfriend and I can't tell him to look for my console... I'm sending it to his Hotel and he will bring it back as a favor.

[manuel]

The classic Famicom does indeed look much better.

[nintendodork]

For what you're getting, I'd say go for it if it weren't for the shipping charges.  The AC adapter isn't really that important since you can make your own Famicom-compatible power supply for little cost.