Modchip
A modchip, also called focal chip is an electronic circuit used to circumvent the copy protection of game consoles. Many modchips consist of only a single integrated circuit ( colloquially chip). The name is derived from mod modchip (short for modification) and chip.
If you include a modchip in the appropriate console, they can play backup or import games. Most modchips are connected with short wires to the board. Usually 4 to 25 points need to be soldered to the circuit board of the console. The chips used are based partly on programmable microcontrollers. Newer chips draw more and more back on programmable logic devices such as FPGAs and CPLDs.
Technical
Use modchips found mainly on the Sony Playstation. Since the Playstation games were delivered on CD and were equipped only with a relatively simple copy protection, such a chip was ideal to play backup or import games.
Sony has the games with a relatively simple copy protection flag provided: without the marker starts the Playstation no games software. The mark can not be copied with standard CD burners. Most Playstation modchips pretend the presence of this marker, so that copies without marking can be started.
Also in the SEGA Dreamcast often came a modchip is used, which ( NTSC games) and last but not least allowed the playing of import games from copied games on blank CDs. Since it is precisely in the Dreamcast many games were released only in Japan, a mod chip ( or even a boot CD ) is the only way to use these games on a European Dreamcast.
Modern Applications
Today modchips are available for almost all standard consoles. While early modchips allowed almost exclusively playing imported or copied games, have today Modchips often have a number of additional functions. In addition, so-called homebrew applications and games exist. This software was developed by hobbyists and therefore can usually be carried out using a modchip.
When the installation of a Microsoft Xbox Modchips offers in addition to the benefits listed above have the advantage of being able to install a larger hard drive. This makes it possible to operate even with more than 300 GB hard drives in the Xbox and be able to watch films in a variety of formats such as VCD, SVCD or DivX with an alternative operating system. It is also possible to use with the Linux operating system, the Xbox as a full-fledged PC.
Terms of Use
Possession of modchips in Germany is legal. However, some modchips use original software of the console manufacturer, but this is against the copyright law. By installing a modchip go the guarantee and warranty claims for the device is lost, however, the conversion at a retailer lead to a takeover of the warranty. The manufacturers of game consoles pursue modchip dealer active, but usually have no legal recourse against it. Partially install a modchip is detected by the console software and reported to a server of the manufacturer; then the console can be permanently excluded from the use of online services of the manufacturer.