XBOX 360
 

Hi guys,

I realise there are some other threads regarding the XBOX 360, but I can't seem to find the information I need in regards to using my UK XBOX 360 in Canada.

I also realise the issue regarding needing a PAL/HDMI compatible tv, so that is fine - nice new HD telly me thinks :)

Now, I'm not keen on using the UK power pack with a voltage converter, so could I simply swap my UK power pack for a Canadian one?

Second issue is... I was given a 3 month subscription to XBOX live as a gift (on one of those cards with a code on), has anyone used these before from within Canada, for their UK live account, and had any problems?

Thanks

Re: XBOX 360
 

I used a power pack from austria and a xbox membership card for an uk purchased console.
I believe you know that canadian games are not compatible with a uk console and account migration can be an issue.Calling that xbox 0800 nr will answer all your questions

hope it helps

Re: XBOX 360
 

Thanks for your reply.

I see you are in the UK though, which uses the same voltage as Austria, so using an Austrian power pack in the UK wouldn't be a problem.

I understand my UK power pack pulls in 220v and then converts this to a lower, safer amount for the XBOX to use (using the power brick). My issue is, if i use the UK power pack in Canada, the voltage there is a lot lower (110v?), so would actually need converting upwards.

I guess my question is then, once the power has been converted either up or down in the 'power brick', do both Canadian and UK XBoxes run on the same voltage internally? If so, then I guess i could just buy a Canadian powerpack.

Will try and give Microsoft a call, but I don't hold out much hope of getting an accurate answer from them.

Re: XBOX 360
 

Wolstie, take a look at the bottom of the power pack, it should tell you if it's both 110V and 240V compatible (IIRC it is) so all you need to do is swap the the lead with a plug on. Xbox needs less than 110 so both convert down.

I'm in the same boat re the gold account. I suspect I'll just take a few UK games since I only play a few against online buddies so don't need to keep current on new titles (FM3 won't be replaced too soon ;))

Re: XBOX 360
 

Cheers mate, will take a look tonight when i'm home.

Re: XBOX 360
 

Quick add on the account details and how it works.

Live Gold account cards are not region locked so will work on any account.

However you will need to be buy MS points from a UK source. There's lots of easy ways to do this such as ebay or asking a friend in the UK to help. You can also use gamepointsnow.com which I've used a few times and works well for an expat.

It does depend how attached you are to your Xbox account, if you don't have lots of achievements and no money tied to the account, I'd restart and get a Canadian one. Using a UK account in Canada, doesn't lock up much but can cause frustration when you find some content is region locked. Content that is locked includes - all movies (though these are overpriced so not a big loss), 1vs100, some competitions and very occasionaly game content and trailers.

Re: XBOX 360
 

I can't answer question1. I sold my 360 and bought a Canadian one when I moved here.

Points are country specific. If you have a UK Live account, you can only use codes that are valid in the UK on it. The console region doesn't matter when it comes to using the points, it all depends on what gamertag you are using it on. And no, there's no way to change the region of your gamertag.

Re: XBOX 360
 

Points and all live codes are territory specific and Canadian ones will not work with UK Live accounts. A lot of games are also region locked for the 360, although most first party titles are not, so that's another thing to watch out for. There is no way to remove the territorial lock on the console without JTagging it which would mean no more Live.

You could technically continue your UK Live subscription by buying a code from somewhere like http://www.buygamingcodes.com since that's usually much cheaper than retail anyway and you will get the code instantly.

I'm not sure how 360 power packs work although it mainly relies upon an external PSU so I think that connecting an EU console to a North American supply should be fine and you can buy them seperately from Ebay etc but I would check that out first.

If it RROD's or anything like that over there too and you've taken it out of territory then the warrantee will be void.

Re: XBOX 360
 

We brought over a UK XBOX 360 to Canada with a load of games. We also bought an XBOX 360 in Canada and have bought a few games here. The UK one is connected to UK TV with other UK equipment DVD video Wii and runs off a single transformer and all seems to work quite well. The Canadian XBOX 360 is connected to a Canadian TV in the basement and is the main one used now.

I had wondered about simply buying a Canadian power pack and pluging it into the UK XBOX 360 as you might think the internal voltages are the same. I did try to connect the Canadian power pack to the UK XBOX 360 and found that the arrangement of pins did not match ie the power lead could not be inserted into the XBOX 360. The UK XBOX 360 is quite old now (2005 I think) so its possible the specs have changed over the years but maybe Microsoft just don't want this to be done.

A fair number of the games work on both XBOXs but it is a bit hit and miss. DVDs are region locked. Not noticed any problems with the XBOX LIVE accounts either UK or Canadian so far.

I did notice the HDMI lead on the UK XBOX 360 is different to the Canadian one but never tried to get it working on the Canadian TV just use it on the UK TV.

Re: XBOX 360
 

That is a version issue as opposed to regional. The earlier 360's used a larger and more powerful PSU with a larger connector on it. The later consoles like the Falcon and Jasper series with HDMI support use a smaller power supply which consumes less power.

HDMI cables should be the same across the world, the early 360's only supported HD via component though and didn't have a HDMI port so the cables will be very different although the later consoles support both output types.

If the PSU's support adaptable voltage like the PS3 and laptops do then the PSU will say 110-240 on it. I had a Japanese PS3 here in the UK until recently and I always just connected it straight to the mains using a UK kettle-type lead. I'm not sure if 360 supplies do or not though since I mainly use my PS3 these days.

Re: XBOX 360
 

This thread suggests that you need to replace the external brick but the console itself is universal in current which is what I expected to be honest.

http://www.geoexpat.com/forum/thread60571.html

If you do use the EU supply and a stepdown then choose a good one as it would only take a minor power spike to kill it.

Re: XBOX 360
 

Jings, we have three of the damn things in our household now :blink:

But after reading all that, I think I'd rather sell the lot and start again in Canada.

Making a new life will be hard enough without having to work all that stuff out, just to save a few quid.

Re: XBOX 360
 

It's not just voltage that's different though - it's also cycles (50 versus 60). Now, I have no clue whether this is relevant to an XBOX or not. I use a step-up transformer for my Euro sewing machine (a high end expensive one, so didn't want to sell and replace) and that works fine. The transformer was only about $30 I think.

Re: XBOX 360
 

It's probably the best idea and if you're flying in via the US then you could buy one there as they're getting much cheaper there at the moment. I'm not sure how much 360's sell for in Canada but I would imagine that the US is a slightly more competitive market in that area.

Re: XBOX 360
 

It's not just a few quid though is it (well not for me anyway), it's more like a few hundred quid i'd imagine. Unfortunately, I have enough to pay for with the big move, so if I can get it sorted for less than it will cost to buy a new one, i'll be happy. ;)