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Anybody PLEASE HELP!!!!!,
Technical (although rather simple) Xbox information is certainly NOT the most concise and easy to find. I still have a burning question that I just cannot get answered and
really hope that you guys can help.
Xbox = 1 console worldwide??? OR seperate NTSC and PAL
versions????
I'm in the British Army working in Canada and would be able to buy an Xbox console here, pending no further launch delays, on November 15th. BUT, although certain spec sheets state the Xbox will be both NTSC and PAL compatible (already having both the necessary drivers), does that mean I could get one here, take it back to the UK and have it work just fine??? IE, is a US spec Xbox PAL compatible???
Or, are my only alternatives:
a) wait until UK launch (14th March) for full UK spec'd Xbox?
or
b) get an Xbox here, beating the wait (and having one over xmas) and buy/rent a 'multi-system' TV back in the UK and switch it to NTSC when I want to use the console??
I've made this very long winded I know and I'm sorry,
but this simple NTSC/PAL compatibility query I just
can't get answered any other way.
Anyone's assistance would be GREATLY appreciated.
Best regards, email reply if possible,
L/Cpl R D Southwell
2 Gp RSCG Armd
BATUS (that's in Alberta Canada)
BFPO 14
Technical (although rather simple) Xbox information is certainly NOT the most concise and easy to find. I still have a burning question that I just cannot get answered and
really hope that you guys can help.
Xbox = 1 console worldwide??? OR seperate NTSC and PAL
versions????
I'm in the British Army working in Canada and would be able to buy an Xbox console here, pending no further launch delays, on November 15th. BUT, although certain spec sheets state the Xbox will be both NTSC and PAL compatible (already having both the necessary drivers), does that mean I could get one here, take it back to the UK and have it work just fine??? IE, is a US spec Xbox PAL compatible???
Or, are my only alternatives:
a) wait until UK launch (14th March) for full UK spec'd Xbox?
or
b) get an Xbox here, beating the wait (and having one over xmas) and buy/rent a 'multi-system' TV back in the UK and switch it to NTSC when I want to use the console??
I've made this very long winded I know and I'm sorry,
but this simple NTSC/PAL compatibility query I just
can't get answered any other way.
Anyone's assistance would be GREATLY appreciated.
Best regards, email reply if possible,
L/Cpl R D Southwell
2 Gp RSCG Armd
BATUS (that's in Alberta Canada)
BFPO 14
Sarty wrote:
> Reference YOUR reply on the Xbox PAL/NTSC issue;
Your points well taken.
> However, will the power supply to the Xbox not be too disimilar to an N64, ie
> the internal components run on a stepped down, low voltage anyway, with the unit
> accepting mains AC from 110 to 250v?
I don't quite understand the question, but the fact is that the Xbox will be identical to any other piece of electronic eqipment... if you buy it in America it will conform to American standards (power standards and NTSC), and if you buy it from here it will have UK standards (PAL and uk power supply).
So using an American xbox over here is the same as using any other console... u just need a TV with scart input that can run at 60Hz (ie any relativly modern TV), and a power adaptor to deal with the different supply (which would cost about £10 from tandy).
Also, with the wonders of the internet
> and buying stuff from anywhere in the world being so easy these days, surely me
> buying a US spec game and having it shipped to the UK (and it quite obviously
> being immediately compatible with the console) is exactly the same as Johnny
> Yank Pants buying it at US prices, with me paying only a tad extra for
> shipping??
Actually buying an American game in the UK costs more than buying a UK game... importers have a very high mark-up. If, however, you go and buy the games in america yourself then it will be far cheaper.
There is one more consideration. Chances are that the US xbox will have a broadband adaptor, whereas the UK xbox will have a normal modem. This may mean that you will not be able to connect to a server in the UK when using an american Xbox (either that, or having to ring through an american server!).
If this does not bother you, then buy the US xbox, buy a power adaptor, and then you can use it in the US and over in the UK. If you plan to play on UK games, then buy a game-adaptor, or get the console chipped to play multi-regional games. Of course, it may be a few months before someone invents a chip for the machine, and chipping consoles invalidates warranties.
Logan
> Reference YOUR reply on the Xbox PAL/NTSC issue;
Your points well taken.
> However, will the power supply to the Xbox not be too disimilar to an N64, ie
> the internal components run on a stepped down, low voltage anyway, with the unit
> accepting mains AC from 110 to 250v?
I don't quite understand the question, but the fact is that the Xbox will be identical to any other piece of electronic eqipment... if you buy it in America it will conform to American standards (power standards and NTSC), and if you buy it from here it will have UK standards (PAL and uk power supply).
So using an American xbox over here is the same as using any other console... u just need a TV with scart input that can run at 60Hz (ie any relativly modern TV), and a power adaptor to deal with the different supply (which would cost about £10 from tandy).
Also, with the wonders of the internet
> and buying stuff from anywhere in the world being so easy these days, surely me
> buying a US spec game and having it shipped to the UK (and it quite obviously
> being immediately compatible with the console) is exactly the same as Johnny
> Yank Pants buying it at US prices, with me paying only a tad extra for
> shipping??
Actually buying an American game in the UK costs more than buying a UK game... importers have a very high mark-up. If, however, you go and buy the games in america yourself then it will be far cheaper.
There is one more consideration. Chances are that the US xbox will have a broadband adaptor, whereas the UK xbox will have a normal modem. This may mean that you will not be able to connect to a server in the UK when using an american Xbox (either that, or having to ring through an american server!).
If this does not bother you, then buy the US xbox, buy a power adaptor, and then you can use it in the US and over in the UK. If you plan to play on UK games, then buy a game-adaptor, or get the console chipped to play multi-regional games. Of course, it may be a few months before someone invents a chip for the machine, and chipping consoles invalidates warranties.
Logan
Reference YOUR reply on the Xbox PAL/NTSC issue;
Your points well taken. However, will the power supply to the Xbox not be too disimilar to an N64, ie the internal components run on a stepped down, low voltage anyway, with the unit accepting mains AC from 110 to 250v?
Also, with the wonders of the internet and buying stuff from anywhere in the world being so easy these days, surely me buying a US spec game and having it shipped to the UK (and it quite obviously being immediately compatible with the console) is exactly the same as Johnny Yank Pants buying it at US prices, with me paying only a tad extra for shipping??
If the voltage issue, errr is NOT an issue, then a 'multisystem' (ie PAL/NTSC compatible) TV is the answer. What do you think?
Your help once again much appreciated.
Rich
Your points well taken. However, will the power supply to the Xbox not be too disimilar to an N64, ie the internal components run on a stepped down, low voltage anyway, with the unit accepting mains AC from 110 to 250v?
Also, with the wonders of the internet and buying stuff from anywhere in the world being so easy these days, surely me buying a US spec game and having it shipped to the UK (and it quite obviously being immediately compatible with the console) is exactly the same as Johnny Yank Pants buying it at US prices, with me paying only a tad extra for shipping??
If the voltage issue, errr is NOT an issue, then a 'multisystem' (ie PAL/NTSC compatible) TV is the answer. What do you think?
Your help once again much appreciated.
Rich
The X-Box is rumoured to have PAL and NTSC but it will not be as simple as flicking a switch. Just look at the protection in Microsoft's software products.
You have overlooked one small problem.....voltage. The US and Canada run on 110 Volts, UK run on 240 volts. You can get step up/step down adaptors but these are unreliable and could damage the system.
Also you would have to continue to buy games on import (which are usually more expensive) as UK versions will not work
My advise is if you can wait for the UK console, wait
You have overlooked one small problem.....voltage. The US and Canada run on 110 Volts, UK run on 240 volts. You can get step up/step down adaptors but these are unreliable and could damage the system.
Also you would have to continue to buy games on import (which are usually more expensive) as UK versions will not work
My advise is if you can wait for the UK console, wait
Like every other console, the Xbox will be regionised (ie, PAL, NTSC).
However, like every other console, it's only a matter of time before someone "chips" the console to play any region game... it does invalidate the warranty, but so long as you get it from a reliable specialist in the area, with a guarantee from then, then it'll be fine.
However, like every other console, it's only a matter of time before someone "chips" the console to play any region game... it does invalidate the warranty, but so long as you get it from a reliable specialist in the area, with a guarantee from then, then it'll be fine.
Anybody PLEASE HELP!!!!!,
Technical (although rather simple) Xbox information is certainly NOT the most concise and easy to find. I still have a burning question that I just cannot get answered and
really hope that you guys can help.
Xbox = 1 console worldwide??? OR seperate NTSC and PAL
versions????
I'm in the British Army working in Canada and would be able to buy an Xbox console here, pending no further launch delays, on November 15th. BUT, although certain spec sheets state the Xbox will be both NTSC and PAL compatible (already having both the necessary drivers), does that mean I could get one here, take it back to the UK and have it work just fine??? IE, is a US spec Xbox PAL compatible???
Or, are my only alternatives:
a) wait until UK launch (14th March) for full UK spec'd Xbox?
or
b) get an Xbox here, beating the wait (and having one over xmas) and buy/rent a 'multi-system' TV back in the UK and switch it to NTSC when I want to use the console??
I've made this very long winded I know and I'm sorry,
but this simple NTSC/PAL compatibility query I just
can't get answered any other way.
Anyone's assistance would be GREATLY appreciated.
Best regards, email reply if possible,
L/Cpl R D Southwell
2 Gp RSCG Armd
BATUS (that's in Alberta Canada)
BFPO 14
Technical (although rather simple) Xbox information is certainly NOT the most concise and easy to find. I still have a burning question that I just cannot get answered and
really hope that you guys can help.
Xbox = 1 console worldwide??? OR seperate NTSC and PAL
versions????
I'm in the British Army working in Canada and would be able to buy an Xbox console here, pending no further launch delays, on November 15th. BUT, although certain spec sheets state the Xbox will be both NTSC and PAL compatible (already having both the necessary drivers), does that mean I could get one here, take it back to the UK and have it work just fine??? IE, is a US spec Xbox PAL compatible???
Or, are my only alternatives:
a) wait until UK launch (14th March) for full UK spec'd Xbox?
or
b) get an Xbox here, beating the wait (and having one over xmas) and buy/rent a 'multi-system' TV back in the UK and switch it to NTSC when I want to use the console??
I've made this very long winded I know and I'm sorry,
but this simple NTSC/PAL compatibility query I just
can't get answered any other way.
Anyone's assistance would be GREATLY appreciated.
Best regards, email reply if possible,
L/Cpl R D Southwell
2 Gp RSCG Armd
BATUS (that's in Alberta Canada)
BFPO 14