buying a PS3 in Japan

chickalittle

Hi

I know someone travelling to Japan and they have offered to bring me back a PS3 from there - I gether they are much cheaper to buy over there then here!

Is there anything that I should be aware of if I go ahead with this? Is the Japan version compatable with UK purchased games etc?

I really don't know much about the PS3 but my lad would love one - I think the 20gig one sells for around £220 and the 60gb for around £270 - any thoughts/recommendations please anyone? Thx,

Millionare

I think Uk systems are PAL based and Japan systems are NTSC so if you buy any games from retailers here they wont play in your Japanese PS3 untill someone develops a chip to get the PS3 chipped.

Mizz_Pink

Millionare wrote: »

I think Uk systems are PAL based and Japan systems are NTSC so if you buy any games from retailers here they wont play in your Japanese PS3 untill someone develops a chip to get the PS3 chipped.

Hubby dittos this reply

BillScarab

Just buy your games from somewhere like YesAsia, they should be fine then and cheaper than from the UK.

Also aren't most TV's nowadays capable of displaying both PAL and NTSC signals? Shouldn't be an issue if you're playing in HD anyway.

There is currently no region coding on the games so games form anywhere should play. You will have problems with playing Blu-Ray discs though as these are region coded.

have a look at this forum and ask there, the people are very knowledgable about this sort of thing.

http://www.avforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=247

mcfisco

I take it the PS3 PSU is a multi voltage jobbie?

I believe Japan still runs 110V mains supply

chickalittle

BillScarab wrote: »

Just buy your games from somewhere like YesAsia, they should be fine then and cheaper than from the UK.

Also aren't most TV's nowadays capable of displaying both PAL and NTSC signals? Shouldn't be an issue if you're playing in HD anyway.

There is currently no region coding on the games so games form anywhere should play. You will have problems with playing Blu-Ray discs though as these are region coded.

have a look at this forum and ask there, the people are very knowledgable about this sort of thing.

http://www.avforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=247

Thanks for the link - had a look and there was a discussion about whether to go for a JPN or US console - I could actually get one from the US through relatives visiting. It seems, the US console is slightly more expensive than the JPN version- but still a darned sight cheaper than here in the UK. My understanding is that games from anywhere will play on any console it is just DVD's that won't play either on the JPN or US Consoles - unless they are Blu-ray? Think I have understood that right ? - so as we have other DVD players that's not such a huge issue.... I think? .

BillScarab

As I understand it the Blu-Ray discs are region coded too, so it is better to buy a US one as then you can buy US Blu-Ray discs rather than Japanese ones.

chickalittle

BillScarab wrote: »

As I understand it the Blu-Ray discs are region coded too, so it is better to buy a US one as then you can buy US Blu-Ray discs rather than Japanese ones.

IMaybe I am misunderstanding? - but from what I've read today - Japan & US are in the same region for blu-ray - region 1.
It's just normal DVD's that I wouldn't be able to play in either a US or JPN console.

Millionare

chickalittle wrote: »

IMaybe I am misunderstanding? - but from what I've read today - Japan & US are in the same region for blu-ray - region 1.
It's just normal DVD's that I wouldn't be able to play in either a US or JPN console.

This is quite confusing, Before everything used to be region coded and thats that, e.g: PS2

However PS3 is not region coded for New games and downloads but older games are still region coded e.g PS2 games etc

Bluray DVD Movies will be region Coded as well.

Also check that your TV can Support NTSC signals.

chickalittle

[Also check that your TV can Support NTSC signals.[/QUOTE]

From what I have seen Japan and US are in the same Blu ray coding region so I think that's ok.
My telly is about 6 years old - not sure how I find out whether it supports NTSC signals? Not sure I even still have the manual! guess if it doesn't support NTSC then that means a new TV?! My lad will love that!

thesaint

Is all this hassle worth it to save about £100?

What about the grief you will have if it goes kapput?