Buying a PS3 in the US, will it work here?

[_daveR]

As per the title, my brother is off to the states for a few weeks and asked me if he bought a PS3 there then would it work when it is back over here?

[Steve Evil]

You'll need a power adaptor, but other than that yes it will be fine, all the games are region-free, but you'll have to buy American (Region 1) Blu-Ray films for it, but they're cheaper anyway.

[Mr_Yogi]

Yes it will as the power supply is universal 110 (or whatever voltage they use in America)/ 240V.

However there are the following exceptions:

• Although games are region free there is are problems if you are NOT using an HDTV, and have the PS3 connected to a Standard Definition TV (PAL or NTSC). Most (All?) games made for the american market do not contain support for PAL, however most decent (widescreen?) SD TV's sold since 2000ish should support NTSC. Likewise I'm not sure if the US PS3's support PAL at all so again UK games may not work if you are using an SDTV.

• Blu-ray is locked to Region A (North America/ Japan) so any UK blu-rays which are not region free will not work.

• DVD is locked to Region 1 (North America) so UK bought DVD's will not work.

[Mr_Yogi]

Steve Evil said:

You'll need a power adaptor, but other than that yes it will be fine, all the games are region-free, but you'll have to buy American (Region 1) Blu-Ray films for it, but they're cheaper anyway.

Are you sure you need a power adapter?

I though you only need to change the lead/plug (standard kettle lead).

Maybe the newer 80GB/ 40GB Models have removed the universal PSU and now require a step-down transformer?

[Steve Evil]

No you're probably right, was just using my standard foreign console response.

[BigBen]

Steve Evil said:

No you're probably right, was just using my standard foreign console response.

Just looked on a 60GB today and it is a 220/240V input, given that the European model (which this was) is fixed no reason to think the US one will have a variable voltage PSU so you will need a transformer.

Ben

[Civpilot]

BigBen said:

Steve Evil said:

No you're probably right, was just using my standard foreign console response.

Just looked on a 60GB today and it is a 220/240V input, given that the European model (which this was) is fixed no reason to think the US one will have a variable voltage PSU so you will need a transformer.

Ben

All early PS3's that came from the USA & Japan had multivoltage power supplies built in. Ask the question over on the AV forums and you will get the same responce. All the guys over there who early adopted just had to go out and buy a UK kettle plug from maplins/PCWorld etc absolutly no need for a transformer.
Apparently this is still the case with new machinces, although seeing as only games (and some rare Blueray discs) are region free you are actually limiting your self on two of it's features (DVD and BlueRay playback).

Edited by Civpilot on Friday 23 November 06:42