Consoles: NTSC vs PAL

[randombs]

then the trick is to ensure you have access to all regions, then you've got no problem - dodgy jap version of a game? just seek out the us or pal one, etc.

mind you take the 360 for example. as the ps2 before it, it seems the hackers have cracked it to play copies just fine but not original imports yet.

[Kongster]

In an ideal world, consoles will be 100% region free. Until then we're gonna have to make do with modchips.

[fahrenheit]

Ever tried capturing PAL60? Its not fun for the majority of peoples gear. With NTSC its not an issue and is one benefit to owning an NTSC console.

Very disappointed that PAL60 was once again implemented in the PAL Xbox 360 (like the Xbox before it). PAL60 as a signal type should be abandoned (the amount of TVs that only support PAL colour for 60Hz are minimal). A local PS2 running in 60Hz uses NTSC colour. MS and Nintendo should have done the same.

[Lyris]

Not only that but on LCD TVs, PAL 60 is harder to filter dot crawl from, meaning NTSC actually looks better (for the few people using composite).

[Wools]

personally there are times i wish i'd never found out about 60hz and importing Like my cousin said to me a few years ago, "i wish you'd never shown me jap tekken - after that i hated how slow the uk ones were!"

but yeah wools fair point - it is a matter of taste, and if you can see past refresh rates then it's all good (and you usually save a tidy sum in the process!)

Play Tekken 5, it's full speed!

Personally I dont get on with shooters such as R Type and really hate JRPG's so considering those genre's are the one's that sadly get left behind over here I care not a jot!

The situation over here is miles better than it was in Mega Drive days and I'm gratefull we got SOS, We love Katamari, Killer7, VF4 Evo and countless overs. However most games now have 60hz and the "Big" games get ported over. If you're into shooters and JRPG's then you will have a good reason to import. However if you have a broad range of tastes and arent keen on those two genre's then, in my opinion, you're far better off with PAL.

[fahrenheit]

you're far better off with PAL.

I don't think there are too many importers that will agree.
Video standards might be a thing of the past, but release dates, price and censorship still make NTSC the better choice.

[MJ]

I would have imported a US 360, but it's the risk of something going wrong and then the warranties, cost, etc that puts me off a little.

I agree about the censorship though, PAL land isn't the best when it comes to this.

[Lyris]

I would have imported a US 360, but it's the risk of something going wrong and then the warranties, cost, etc that puts me off a little.

Actually, Dan (synthesthesia on this forum) linked me to a post here that suggests that Microsoft UK will repair an American 360.

A real example to other companies.

[Spatial]

If it was my post, I'd suggest you hang fire until I actually get my system back.

They've said they'll try and fix it or replace it with another US model but there's always a chance they'll end up giving me a PAL system instead

[randombs]

maybe they'll give you a pal system that's locked to region 1 and ntsc? you could do this with the old xbox, and my own pal 360 had been locked to dvd region 1 (but still played uk games only) so who knows?

[Wools]

I don't think there are too many importers that will agree.
Video standards might be a thing of the past, but release dates, price and censorship still make NTSC the better choice.

Well obvously no importer will agree with me that's why they import!

I've never been bothered about waiting to much as I'm older now and games arent the number one pioroty anymore. However I prefer our second hand market and shops on highstreets and vary rarely buy games online. So for me it's far superior than NTSC no matter how much you guys say it is.

As for censorship some of my most recent and favourite games such as GTA San Andreas, Resi 4 and quite a few others have never been released or been cut in Japan while getting a full release here in the UK. So that view is redundent as Japan have censorship along our lines as well.

[MartyG]

And the US censors other things, such as religious symbolism and nudity, but guns and megadeath are ok.

Neither NTSC or PAL is better, there are advantage and disadvantages to both. Region free via modding or because it's part of the console design ( or buying every region console ) is the only way to guarantee being able to play the game you want. Even then some companies *cough* might decide to sue import traders to stop that from happening

[PhilG]

Can anyone please tell me the best video setting on my modded PAL xbox (original not 360) for playing NTSC-U Halo?

I\'ve recently softmodded the box and purchased Halo from TBM on these very forums, but I\'d like to be sure I\'ve got the xbox on the correct setting to get the advantage of US Halo over the dodgy PAL version.

[buster_broon]

Neither NTSC or PAL is better, there are advantage and disadvantages to both.

agreed and its down to a specific preference in teh games you enjoy like games that will most probably never get a UK release (densha etc)

[fahrenheit]

PhilG, you need to make sure you change your Xbox to NTSC via an app that edits the eeprom, nothing else will do. Use Enigmah video switch disc. If its successful, you'll note the absence of PAL60 in the MS dashboard.