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Print 10 comment(s) - last by Clauzii.. on Mar 24 at 8:01 PM
Although video games will be region free, consumers probably shouldn't expect the same with movies

It has been revealed that the delayed Sony PlayStation 3 game console will be region-free, at least for video games, according to Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios President Phil Harrison.  This will allow gamers from around the world to run video games from any region, which is currently offered with the Microsoft Xbox 360, but is not widely used.  This is extremely beneficial to game makers because they will now be able to launch games worldwide.   According to IGN:

The move was not unexpected, as SCE had previously mentioned considering the possibility of opening up the region structure for PS3 games recently (the newly-released PSP system has but does not use a region code system for games, but that's more a standard for portable games than a new development for region-free gaming.)

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What about NTSC/PAL/SECAM
By mircea on 3/23/2006 1:52:41 PM , Rating: 2
So will the hardware will be able to output analog signals of all kinds no matter what game? Or will the game ask for the TV output necesary to see it?
Most PAL TV's can see SECAM/NTSC signals without problem, and even those that are not NTSC ready can see the signal but in black and white. But on a NTSC TV you just don't see PAL signal or anything else.




RE: What about NTSC/PAL/SECAM
By DarkPrime on 3/23/2006 2:23:18 PM , Rating: 2
If they do this, I wonder if I will be able to play my japanese PS2 games on this.


RE: What about NTSC/PAL/SECAM
By masher2 (blog) on 3/23/2006 2:24:18 PM , Rating: 2
Separate issue totally. This is simply a statement they won't region-lock discs. The video output will still be localized to the appropriate standard.


RE: What about NTSC/PAL/SECAM
By masher2 (blog) on 3/23/2006 2:27:06 PM , Rating: 2
To add to my previous remark...the game developer still has to worry about region-specific issues in the game itself. For instance, if they embed a video cutscene, they'll need to ensure there is both an NTSC and a PAL version of it, text and audio will need multiple language versions, etc etc.


RE: What about NTSC/PAL/SECAM
By phil126 on 3/23/2006 2:37:59 PM , Rating: 2
I thought that was a moot point. I thought it was only going to have HD outputs? Which are independant of PAL/SECAM/NTSC
Or is the PS3 going to have RS170 and/or S-Video as well as HD output.


RE: What about NTSC/PAL/SECAM
By some1whoknows on 3/23/2006 2:41:07 PM , Rating: 2
Unless the console can convert to NTSC/PAL on the fly. I assume that with HD video/games the issue with NTSC/PAL is gone if output is through a 1080p signal but does anyone know more about this?

I would also be happy if there was no region encoding on the BD (BlueRay) movies. I've heard that region encoding is not a part of the HDCP (Hi-Def Digital Copy Protection) system so far.

I would imagine if you can play Japanese PS3 games on the US/Euro consoles that you should be able to play Japanese PS2 ones as well, I too will be keeping my fingers crossed for that.


RE: What about NTSC/PAL/SECAM
By ShinoOoo on 3/23/2006 7:18:13 PM , Rating: 2
Watch out there, there are different HD resolutions and standards. Japan has had it own for some years now (something close to 1080i).

Only HD you say, well I am not sure, but if this thing is backward compatible with ps2, HD is not needed and therefore having a standard def would still make sense ..
Any digital (internal) source can be scaled to fit pal/secam/ntsc without much trouble as well..



RE: What about NTSC/PAL/SECAM
By phil126 on 3/24/2006 8:25:00 AM , Rating: 2
PS3 only has a Blueray drive correct? And PS2 games are of DVD format and PS1 games are CD format, how is the Blueray drive going to read the games? How is the PS3 goign to be backwords compatible with the previous games? Blueray is not backwords compataible with either format. Or am wrong about the PS disk formats.


RE: What about NTSC/PAL/SECAM
By some1whoknows on 3/24/2006 1:24:12 PM , Rating: 2
The stand-alone Blueray players that Sony is bringing out in America soon are backward compatible with DVD (probably CD as well) so I imagine the PS3 will be too. I'm sure Sony know what format thier old consols were, if they are saying it will be backward compatible I'm sure it will be. Why so difficult to believe when all DVD players play CD's as well?

Going back to the different HD format around the world; Japan experimented with an analog 1125 line incarnation of HD broadcasting but it was experimental so there will not be different versions of HD in different countries, thankfully =). The only variations in HD equipment around the globe will be 720p, 1080i and 1080p (Spot the odd one out? Damn interlacing!!!)


It´s a start.
By Clauzii on 3/24/2006 8:01:24 PM , Rating: 2
Even if it is only games, it will be a plus compared to PS2 (XBox360?).

Since the PS3 is going to be backwards compatible with the PS2 (PS1 too?) it´s pretty safe to say that DVD is in there too. If it´s CD too, I don´t see any obstacles for PS1 either.

And if PS1, PS2 games get antialiazing etc. a LOT of old games are still valid playing :)




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