it's kinda embarassing since it was so simple ... but the instruction manual made no mention of it. when switching from DVD games to DVD movies, need to reset
(that much i knew) and hold the reset button down until the play screen comes up. about 5 seconds or so. that's it!
stumbled across this bit of info at
https://www.ps2modchip.com/search.php?page=premodntsc
again, thanks for taking the time to help me out. will see you around on the board.
best of,
c