Can someone confirm that the PS3 is indeed Region Free?

[AppleQueso]

Fox doesn't lock all of their releases. I remember the Alien Anthology set coming out and people importing the european one because of how expensive the US one was. Still, it's a case-by-case basis I think and you should always do your research before importing.

[Hobie-wan]

PS1 and PS2 (if you have a compatible PS3) will only work on the same region system. IE PAL on PAL, NTSC on NTSC.

a US NTSC PS3 will not play J NTSC PS1 games. Just to clarify.

[Niode]

PS1 and PS2 (if you have a compatible PS3) will only work on the same region system. IE PAL on PAL, NTSC on NTSC.

a US NTSC PS3 will not play J NTSC PS1 games. Just to clarify.

Of course yeah. I forget that you guys are NTSC as well...

[the7k]

a US NTSC PS3 will not play J NTSC PS1 games. Just to clarify.

However, you can play downloaded NTSC-J PS1 games on a US PS3. I dunno about PAL, as I've not downloaded a PAL PS1 game, but I've got tons of JP PS1 games on my 'Merican PS3.

Do keep in mind that you have to have a TV that supports whatever video output the game uses. I got Agarest: Generations of War from the UK before getting an HDTV, and was unable to play it because the best my TV could do (480i) was not supported by the game.

[MrHealthy]

So it ended up being $28 total for new/sealed. There's someone over at assemblergames.com selling a bunch of NTSC for $50 new/sealed which is what prompted me to look for one. It seems that the used NTSC version goes for $25-$45 depending on condition. Looking at old threads, gamestop used to have it for $19 but the current price is $29.

Wow, Ive never seen a used copy go for more then $15 here in Canada. I got mine used but near mint for $10.

[BoringSupreez]

PAL vs NTSC isn't an issue with HDTVs.

for real? I didn't know that! Awesome!!

I never really though of that. Sounds good.

[theclaw]

Anybody care to explain why that's the case then? Did Sony actually have enough guts to set, and 100% enforce without exception, a mandate that all PS3 games must be optimized correct for both 50/60 hz? Or is there something else I'm not considering? I'd think given industry history, no games with such issues seems unusual.

[brunoafh]

Anybody care to explain why that's the case then? Did Sony actually have enough guts to set, and 100% enforce without exception, a mandate that all PS3 games must be optimized correct for both 50/60 hz? Or is there something else I'm not considering? I'd think given industry history, no games with such issues seems unusual.

No, it comes down to the output cables you're using. (Some) PAL games will still be displayed incorrectly on an NTSC TV via composite or component. It doesn't have anything to do with Sony. It's just that HDMI is universal, and will be displayed the same on every HDTV regardless of anything.

[irixith]

PAL vs NTSC isn't an issue with HDTVs. It's why you can import european region-free blu rays no problem.

In the technical sense of analogue video standards, no, PAL vs NTSC is not an issue with HDTVs. However, while HD has standardized the frame sizes, there's still the hanging issue of FPS. 720p and 1080p are not always created equal. There is still "720p30", which is NTSC HD video running at 29.97fps, and "720p25" which is PAL HD video running at 25fps. The same applies to 1080p and 1080i.

The only universal video that we have is "720p24" and "1080p24", which run at 24fps regardless of what country you live in or HD television you use.

..now you know, and knowing is half the battle. -- G.I. Joe!

[theclaw]

I think if I'm understanding you, what you're saying implies PS3 games always output 60hz at HD resolutions, all titles have properly coded 60hz support (no 60hz-specific issues), and all HDMI equipped displays accept 60hz input correct.

Really? That'd be a major step toward the level of standardization PC games enjoy.