PS2 original or modified?

I have a PS2 in hands, and how do I know if the console is original, or if it was modified to run pirated games? There's a way to check this?

Also, i'd like to ask what is the highest resolution that I can record games from it? It's 480i (NTSC), 480p (NTSC Progressiove)?

Like everything else, you won't know for sure until you open it up. If by chance you see any loose jumper wires or taped off sensors, chances are that it was already modified. Btw... softmods for the PS2 exist.

@Metallic_Blade: softmods you mean what? Changing the PS2's original system to another software created by someone to run pirated games?

If thats the case, then there will no how I could figure it out...

Changing the PS2's firmware? Not exactly. The softmod that I have in mind is more of a memory card exploit that happens upon system boot-up.