Region locks....

[Youstolemyname]

Just a quick question. I am off to the USA on Sat and was thinking of picking up a console while I am over there. Are the PS3/ 360 region locked?

Thanks!

 

[Kyle009]

PS3 is region free.
Xbox 360 has some games that are region free but is primarily region locked.

 

[Kreeeee]

PS3: not yet
360: about half the games are region free.

 

[wedgie]

Why not yet?

 

[Kreeeee]

Why not yet?

iirc there is the option for using region locking but it's actively discouraged.

 

[Youstolemyname]

so if i bought a PS3 in the usa i could end up with an expensive brick if they decide to apply the region locking?

 

[Gimpymoo]

IF they did, you could import the games.

 

[Sareth]

You'd just be able to import any that were locked, its not a blanket system, its per game. Only two things to watch out for:

1) If you get a 60gb or 80gb unit the PS2 b/c is region locked so a US PS3 will only play US PS2 games.

2) Warranty, you have to accept the fact that you basically won't have one.

 

[Youstolemyname]

hmm...it's about £100 cheaper. Dunno if it is worth the hassle.

 

[msmalls74]

so if i bought a PS3 in the usa i could end up with an expensive brick if they decide to apply the region locking?

As far as i know Sony announced at TGS 2006 that the PS3 will have no region locks heres a quote from said conference

Sony’s head of worldwide development, Phil Harrison, has further bolstered interest in the PlayStation 3 during the recent Tokyo Games Show by confirming that the console’s software will not be subjected to region locking.

Yes, that’s right, PlayStation 3 games will be region free, which pretty much flies in the face of both the Nintento Wii and Microsoft Xbox 360, which both have software that isn’t region-free as standard (although in the case of the latter, some third-party publishers simply do not implement a lock, so certain Xbox 360 games are actually region-free).

Anyway, the simple fact of the matter is that PlayStation 3 owners will be able to nab their games from wherever they choose, be it America, Europe, Japan, or Australia…they’ll always play, regardless of the territiory.

lin http://www.gamersquad.com/category/...onfirm-PlayStation-3-games-to-be-region-free/

I know its an old article but as far as i know its still the case, the only issue would be that you would have to use US PS2 games as they are not multi-region.

 

[Mr Men]

Sony say a lot of things that turn out to be not true

But I don't think they will region lock it, not much point really, unless they need to do like MS and try and stop us getting content only meant for Americans or something

 

[da_mic_1530]

imo, for the sake of just £100 I wouldn't risk it

 

[Youstolemyname]

imo, for the sake of just £100 I wouldn't risk it

I agree mate. Might get an ipod touch though

 

[Sudden]

I emailed sony about this. This is the response I got from them


Thank you for writing us.

You will only be able to play DVD's coded "region 1" or "region ALL" coded in the NTSC format on the
North American PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system. Blu-ray Discs(TM) (BD) that are
marked with the "region A" will be supported.

*When playing PLAYSTATION(R)3 format software, a display/monitor that supports video playback at
60Hz is required. (Please contact the manufacturer of your display for video playback support.)

In addition, the North American PLAYSTATION 3 system only supports a power supply of 120V AC, 60 Hz.



Lastly, due to different television and voltage standards, and a variety of licensing issues, Sony
Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) has implemented a territorial-based distribution system for its
hardware, peripherals, and software. This limits the use of any particular software to play on the
console designated for that distribution territory (e.g. North American games will not play in the
systems designed for other regions, such as, Japan, Europe, etc.). You may also experience problems
if you attempt to use memory sticks, controllers, etc. from a different region (outside of North
America) on your North American console.

In addition, we would not recommend traveling with your North American PLAYSTATION 3 system outside
of North America. Due to a difference in international television and voltage standards, North
American PLAYSTATION 3 systems may not be compatible for use outside of North America.

We do not have any information on adapters or converters made to override territorial restrictions.
The various PlayStation(R) consoles and format software titles are only designed to run in their
respective regions and countries. We apologize for any inconvenience.

If you have further questions regarding this message, please refer to your email case
number:5072491.

Joseph
Multimedia Specialist
Sony Computer Entertainment America
Consumer Services Department

 

[Zico]

PS3 is region free.
Xbox 360 has some games that are region free but is primarily region locked.

You're wrong on the 360. The console itself it region free for games and any region locks are down to the publisher/developer. Can't comment on the PS3 setup for games as I neither own one or have read much about them.

Both the PS3 and Xbox 360 are region locked for DVD's.

 

[Kreeeee]

so if i bought a PS3 in the usa i could end up with an expensive brick if they decide to apply the region locking?

Yeah, but it's not going to happen. Maybe only for the odd release.

 

[atpbx]

The PS3 is region free, Blu-rays from all regions (US UK HK) all work so far as well.

On a side note, i though PS3's were supposed to be unpopular and not selling, check out the auction site, 60gig consoles going for £500+

40gig ones for for £300+

why is this?

 

[Alexrose1uk]

Its coming up to christmas and some people are stupid?

 

[atpbx]

Its coming up to christmas and some people are stupid?

Stupid enough to not walk into any high street electrical store and pick one of the shelves?

Not likely.

 

[spudstudios]

The PS3 is region free, Blu-rays from all regions (US UK HK) all work so far as well.

On a side note, i though PS3's were supposed to be unpopular and not selling, check out the auction site, 60gig consoles going for £500+

40gig ones for for £300+

why is this?

sadly some Blu ray is region locked. i found that out to my wallets pain on my last usa trip. Some are not, but it is down to the publisher.
HD DVD is fully region free at the moment.