European PS2

In a wonderful gesture, my girlfriend (while visiting Belgium), decided to get me a brand new PS2 for use in the US.  Unknowing to her, there\'s alot going on that will cause this thing not to function in the US.  So, in order to use this great gift, I need some help from someone who\'s been in the same boat:

1.) Power - I know the voltage is 220.  I just bought a $70 reverse converter to 110.  If there\'s a cheaper solution to this, please let me know

2.) PAL - I don\'t know the details of this, but is there some way I can convert the PAL signal into something that my US tv will understand (NTSC)?  If so, how much will it cost

3.) North American games won\'t play - I know there are mod chips to do this, but are they only for the US version to play Japanese and European games?  Or, will the chips also work for the European versions?

Sorry if these questions have already been asked.  I\'m trying to save my girlfriend from having to blow $400.  Thanks...

[§ôµÏG®ïñD]

Shouldn\'t your TV have NTSC modes and pal modes.. Couldn\'t u just change its signal too pal?. We (Aussies) can change between PAL AUTO, NTSC 3.58 NTSC 4.43.. Read your TV manuals. They have too have different signal settings.

My television doesn\'t support switching on the fly...

[§ôµÏG®ïñD]

Maybe u could find out if u could get a signal converter.

OR.. Go buy a tv that can use PAL modes.

There will be a modchip for PAL consoles soon.. if not already.

[Edited by §ôµÏG®ïñD on 12-18-2000 at 10:55 PM]