quote Mr Gray

NTSC and PAL signals for standard definition (non HDtvs) will default to the 50/60hz. Brings about problems many importers had with PS2 games. Playing PAL on an NTSC tube television will sometimes result in a completely scrambled screen, but sometimes display in black and white (I got black and white when playing through my pc/tv capture software). If you're playing an applicable region game on the right region television (SD), and you're still getting black and white, your component video input slots on your television may be busted. Common problem with worn TVs - color tends to go out, and you'll sometimes hear a low buzzing sound. A good amount of televisions out there have at least two sets of input slots, so if one isn't working, try swapping to input 2 instead. I'd recommend using S-Video if you have it though - best video quality for an SD TV, and it's a single plug.

If you're playing in HD however (HDMI), and still get black and white with this game only, try running the auto-setup wizard for your PS3's "Display settings". Occasionally, when you keep it set to 1080p, but are on a 720p tv, video distortion can occur. Also, what are the settings you're using for super white & rgb range?


Google is turning up at least one other person with the same problem, no answer provided though. :\

I'm using a SD TV
I've tried adjusting the display settings on the TV and the PS3, NTSC just makes everything black and white, but none of the settings solve my problem.

This message was edited by Merkwerkee on Nov 01 2009.

Okay, what region is your PS3, what region is the game (imported?), and is your TV an NTSC or PAL television? (You can tell what version of the game you have by looking along the spine of the game case - The game ID # for the NTSC version, for example, is BLUS 30443)

I have a UK PS3, the North American version of the game (imported from US). The spine says BLUS 30443. I have a PAL TV.

As I thought. You need a converter to play display it correctly. (NTSC to PAL)

I have (had) the same setup as he does and it where never a problem with imported games.
All PS3 games are region free so there should not be a problem...

I ordered a NTSC to PAL converter from eBay for £9.00.
I'll get back to you when it arrives, if it doesn't work I'm going to rage so hard.

It could be because you're playing it in Standard Definition. A friend of mine recently downloaded the God of War III Demo off of me and it displays on her TV in black and white even though another of my friends downloaded it and its in full colour for him. He and I both have HD TVs while she does not and so that's the only reason we could think of for its colour being abnormal.

Your issue could be the same problem.

HDMI works differently, and thankfully, HDTV's don't suffer from a difference in signal code. If you ever switch to HD, it should display just fine.

I'm now wondering a little on how this region free business actually works.
PS3 games are "region free".
Regions is originally due to differences in standards of TV signals between different part of the world.
When technology moved on and things become practically world wide viewable these standards become kind of enforced on the media for copy-right reasons.

Question is, the encoding that specifies what signal the console puts out, does it come with the game disk or with the console.
Or put in another way. Are the games really "region free" or is it just that the console is allowed to read all regions' formats.

There is a very important difference here when debugging.

Region coding is all software based, just like with DVDs. Technically speaking, there's no problem with the console itself, any console or dvd player will physically be able to read any other region game (for the console in question) and dvd, but rights to actually play the movie in a separate region are coded as locked or open. There are ways for example, to patch firmwares for cd/dvd players to allow for open region use, even to allow dvd burners to function in particular ways (that may break a law or two in the process). When we say the PS3 is 'region free', that refers to the boot-up code of the game, usually. For example, on the non-region free PS2 series, dropping an import game into the console will have the console read the game, recognize the region lock, and bring up the appropriate red-cloud error screen. Put the same game into the appropriate region console and it'll boot up fine. PS3 bootup code is not restricted like the PS2 series was, so any Ps3 console will be able to physically boot up any legit Ps3 game. However, video signals, and keeping in tune with changing times, are all developer end. From Software, i'd imagine, just skipped this part. The reason HDMI will always display is because the frequency differences in the NTSC and PAL formats don't exist with HD technology (or rather, stay compatible).

HD's come in 60hz, 120hz (your 'cinemotion' style HD's), and soon 240 methinks (3d flicker displays) - where console games are coded to function with using 60hz by default, as are dvd media, etc, thus compatibility stays at its highest.

He also stated that this was the only game that wasn't acting up, so his cables weren't damaged, nor his television's ports. Sometimes a PAL region game will come coded with a boot option (or standard 'options menu' feature) to switch between 50hz or 60hz) - games i've played which have allowed this are the PAL versions of Energy Airforce 2: Aimstrike! (awesome game), and Tomb Raider: Legend. Thankfully those devs went out of their way and thought ahead, permitting function use on NTSC/PAL televisions, while still keeping in line with region locks. In other words, games of this nature still won't play on region locked consoles, but as far as displays go, can still function on NTSC or PAL televisions thanks to the provided code/display option.

TBH, I find it idiotic for these 'region free' PS3 games not to have this feature on every game, or even a console-based preemptive boot feature that would adjust display rates for you. That wouldn't circumvent region locking, and would still allow users to use any TV they had available. It's not illegal, for example, to use a PAL television in the USA, and vice versa. People have used conversion boxes for years to allow functionality with imported televisions, be it due to an individual or family move overseas, etc.

OK thanks a lot. A really through answer.

(Note name change, I've had the login here on automatic for so long that when I clean the browser today I realised I no longer knew the password nor the secret question or even what email the account was once registered with. )

A good half hour of cable fumbling and the game is running in colour. Thanks Mr Gray!

Wait, did you use the converter, or an HD cable, other cable?

quote Mr Gray

Wait, did you use the converter, or an HD cable, other cable?

I used the converter with a double RW cable I found. .

Ah, grats on it working then. Remember, if you ever switch to HD all you'll need is the standard HDMI cable.