Using a UK console in Spain

rp2000 · 5 Jun 2013 at 22:39

Hi all,

Does anyone here have experience of this? I am moving to Spain and plan to take my PS3 with me. Probably not that many gams left this gen that I will buy but definitely need to take it for Last of Us!!

Anyone taken a console Spain or use a Spanish PS3 in Spain? Better still does anyone here actually live in spain and give me advice on where to buy games, consoles etc from?

I seem to recall that PS3 each console has a localisation which is in the hardware (I think this is what makes iPlayer icons and such only appear for UK users). Also I think some games bought in the EU don't have English as a selectable language, but I am not too certain.

rp2000

andshrew · 5 Jun 2013 at 23:16

It would work fine, and so would games bought it Spain as the PS3 is region free however any vouchers which need redeeming on the PS Store probably wouldn't work with your UK PSN account as they are region locked.

Things like iPlayer would probably still show up but wouldn't work any more either.

slinxy · 5 Jun 2013 at 23:26

AFAIK all ps3 games are totally region free expect one that isn't as the developers choice to use the region lock that's built into the ps3 for that game, but the name of the game skips my mind.

you can fool the servers to think that your still in the uk, but I think such advised on how to would get frown on here.

Games wise, most major title will have english as the first or second language as America is the biggest market for games, there maybe some titles purposely made for the spanish market that may not have English.

Not too sure on power wise, but I've taken enough laptops, psp, nds and ipads aboard and never had an issue with power, and I think my ps2 came with both uk and euro plugs for some reason; maybe the ps3 will be just fine.

rp2000 · 5 Jun 2013 at 23:54

OK, the main thing is games don't set their language automatically to Spanish, or be stuck with a copy that is not in English.

I thought, for some reason, that games in EU are different. This is why when I sometimes redeem codes or get DLC from the store it shows multiple versions of a game (like Black Ops 2) and they are listed by separate IDs or serial numbers or something in parenthesis.

What will happen with the store. I know some countries in Europe don't get games/content the same date as UK. Am I now classed as Spain (by virtue of location/IP) or UK (by virtue of my PSN account and/or something unique in the console that says it was UK)?

Power will be a non issue, I have been before and taken/used enough different items to see that it's just a case of using an adaptor or swapping to an EU figure 8/Kettle/clover cable etc.

rp2000

Twentyone · 6 Jun 2013 at 00:22

You will still be classed as a UK account and get the same offers, etc.
Things like iPlayer won't work unless you use a VPN. Netflix still works, don't know why.

When I buy games here (Norway) it's automatically set to English while the same game will change to Norwegian if my family plays it on their Norwegian bought PS3. I would assume that the same would be for Spanish games and they will just set to English, but can't say that 100%.

Remember you have to use a UK card to add funds to your account. Also I have had problems with using a UK card when the console has been in Norway, so my advice would be to fill it up before going or bring some UK PSN wallet cards with you

rp2000 · 6 Jun 2013 at 00:36

Twentyone said:
You will still be classed as a UK account and get the same offers, etc.
Things like iPlayer won't work unless you use a WPN. Netflix still works, don't know why.

When I buy games here (Norway) it's automatically set to English while the same game will change to Norwegian if my family plays it on their Norwegian bought PS3. I would assume that the same would be for Spanish games and they will just set to English, but can't say that 100%.

Remember you have to use a UK card to add funds to your account. Also I have had problems with using a UK card when the console has been in Norway, so my advice would be to fill it up before going or bring some UK PSN wallet cards with you

I will still keep my UK debit card, although nowadays I use PSN cards when they are on special offer etc and I guess I can still buy the instant ones some websites sell.

Looking ahead to PS4 and XB1, I guess it's too early to say whether I should buy in the UK and ship to BCN or just buy locally? I guess rule of thumb is buy locally for warranty convenience?

rp2000

slinxy · 6 Jun 2013 at 07:38

Normally a game is released in Japan then USA (or vice visa; depending on where the game is developed) then Europe as they have to add all the extra languages.

Certain games are ban are certain countries, ie wolfeinstien/Germany but mainly European all gets the same. Not sure why certain games would have different codes on psn.. Maybe it's speech files? Stuff removed for copyright reason? I can understand DLC and stream lining the download package but surely on Blu-ray Discs they should fit it all on there.

The language on the games may even be set to the language on the ps3, I'm pretty sure there's a language setting per profile and that may/may not affect the language within games.

ic1male · 6 Jun 2013 at 13:53

OK, rp. Spill. Why are you moving to Spain?

snitcher · 6 Jun 2013 at 14:31

its possible but be careful with the voltage even when using an adapter.

rp2000 · 7 Jun 2013 at 10:26

snitcher said:
its possible but be careful with the voltage even when using an adapter.

Hmmm, I packed and shipped the PS3 already, but isn't it just a simple adaptor or swapping the power lead for an EU one?

ic1male said:
OK, rp. Spill. Why are you moving to Spain?

Committed crimes, on the run, Spain seems like an obvious place to run.

(real reason: feel like a change and have a permanent job there, leaving tomorrow.)

rp2000

TheVoice · 7 Jun 2013 at 10:28

It's 220v over there, anything from the UK will work fine.

Personally I'd probably use a replacement cable rather than an adapter, they can be a bit dodgy sometimes.

rp2000 · 7 Jun 2013 at 10:51

TheVoice said:
It's 220v over there, anything from the UK will work fine.

Personally I'd probably use a replacement cable rather than an adapter, they can be a bit dodgy sometimes.

Aye, I have a load of EU kettle leads, I just need to find some EU figure 8 leads. I don't think the PS3 will arrive for a week or two so got plenty of time to source one.

I don't particularly want adaptors sticking out of every socket in my flat, sometimes unreliable and quite often they block you using the socket next to it as well.

Bit gutted I won't be playing Last of Us for a while though, but I am sure I will find other things to occupy my time!!

rp2000

ic1male · 7 Jun 2013 at 10:56

Good luck, rp. I should ask - puedes hablar español?

rp2000 · 7 Jun 2013 at 10:58

ic1male said:
Good luck, rp. I should ask - puedes hablar español?

Not yet, I know a few words, but not sentences. Need to sort out some Spanish Lessons next week.

tbh, having no PS3, no Internet etc will help in this regards, no distractions!!

rp2000

House · 7 Jun 2013 at 11:21

Am I right thinking you work in Engineering (EPC)? I'm getting CVs from Spain everyday right now so its suprising to see someone going the other way. Good luck out there. Moving with work is always fun, i've got itchy feet in the UK right now but im sorting my wifes visa status out so im kinda trapped (dont tell her i said that).

I took my Xbox and Ps3 out of the country a few times and the only things blocked are IP blocked things, and NTSC games. My Xbox ran in Korea perfectly and only one game would matchmake me back the the UK (which from korea sucked), only place that was a probelm was the US with voltages and stuff. My PS3 is currently in Indonesia with the in-laws and it works fine, but online isnt an issue casue they are not connected there.

Adsta · 7 Jun 2013 at 12:49

I moved to Brussels just over a year ago. I took my UK PS3 with me I had no problems at all. Things like BBC iplayer will not work but otherwise as a pure game console/blu ray player its fine.

Best way I found to manage power was to buy a 12 way surge protected extender (can go smaller if you want) put a UK > EU power adapter on that and boom you have 12 UK sockets

I've never had an issue with that and 12 sockets pretty much caters for most of my electronics.

oh and Good Luck with the move !

Edit:

With games if Spain is like Brussels... Games in shops generally have a sticker on which will tell you the language (or read the blurb on the back) In Brussels they put a sticker NL FR and UK. That said some games like Fifa for instance has a multi language option within the game anyways so is not an issue.

rp2000 · 7 Jun 2013 at 13:46

House said:
Am I right thinking you work in Engineering (EPC)? I'm getting CVs from Spain everyday right now so its suprising to see someone going the other way. Good luck out there. Moving with work is always fun, i've got itchy feet in the UK right now but im sorting my wifes visa status out so im kinda trapped (dont tell her i said that).

I work in IT, my company has offices in most countries in the world, I am just transferring from London to our Barcelona office. I wouldn't be going to a place like Spain without a solid long term job, due to the crisis/unemployment there!

Adsta said:
I moved to Brussels just over a year ago. I took my UK PS3 with me I had no problems at all. Things like BBC iplayer will not work but otherwise as a pure game console/blu ray player its fine.

Best way I found to manage power was to buy a 12 way surge protected extender (can go smaller if you want) put a UK > EU power adapter on that and boom you have 12 UK sockets I've never had an issue with that and 12 sockets pretty much caters for most of my electronics.

oh and Good Luck with the move !

Edit:

With games if Spain is like Brussels... Games in shops generally have a sticker on which will tell you the language (or read the blurb on the back) In Brussels they put a sticker NL FR and UK. That said some games like Fifa for instance has a multi language option within the game anyways so is not an issue.

Hmm, this sounds like a good solution (I'm only taking 5 or 6 things with a UK plug tbh. Other stuff I will buy locally fort warranty aftercare etc). I don't know too much about electronics but I have used Belkin ones for years. Is this the kind of thing that would work:

rp2000

TheVoice · 7 Jun 2013 at 13:50

Should be fine. I did a similar thing when I lived in South Africa, used UK multi-socket adapters with an SA plug on the end to go into the wall. Never had a problem.

Adsta · 7 Jun 2013 at 13:55

Yea that's the type of thing I use. Just make sure it has some sort of surge protection. Works perfectly I have a 12 way and have 7 things plugged into it constantly, TV, PS3, Speakers, Laptop, NAS drive, 3DS charger and internet router. Been using mine for over a year now and not a single problem.

rp2000 · 7 Jun 2013 at 14:01

Adsta said:
Yea that's the type of thing I use. Just make sure it has some sort of surge protection. Works perfectly I have a 12 way and have 7 things plugged into it constantly, TV, PS3, Speakers, Laptop, NAS drive, 3DS charger and internet router. Been using mine for over a year now and not a single problem.

Cool, I'll stick it in my suitcase and try it out.

rp2000