I am gutted by this. I had intentions of taking over the Xbox, guess I will need to get a new one over there and a new gamer tag You mean I will have completed Wave 50 of Horde on GOW2 for nothing!!!!

Hi

I'll drop my 2c here so the search engine can pick it up.

We had a PS2 with about 50 games.
After some research I found this from the get go:


Problem:
PS2(UK) runs 50 frames/sec
TV(North America) runs 60 frames/sec

Solution:
bring UK TV.

Problem:
UK TV appliances run 220V/50Hz
North America TV applicances run 110V/60Hz

Solution:
Not necessarily required. Since most far east factories export to both places, newer kit is able to silently switch between 220/50 and 110/60. Mine did, but it was undocumented even in the manufacturer specs. I found out by accident. I only brought the telly cos there was room in the container and I only got offered a tenner for the telly. Worth the gamble. The PS2 power supply, I am happy to confirm, worked like a top on 110V/60Hz. I just had to swap the plug.

Problem:
UK games wont run on North American units and vice-versa

Solution:
Dont buy games in North America. Buy online. You can also get the machine chipped to read both or there is a kit enabling you to change a game DVD by ripping the UK one, changing some of the memory image and writing to a new DVD. I havent tried it though and your milegae will defintiely vary.

Conclusion -
If you bring a UK PS2, you might as well bring everything or nothing unles you are handy with a soldering iron or advanced software tools. My rationale was purely based on the low price it would have got second hand. It was basically worth as much to me dead in Canada as sold in England. In any case the plan was to get a PS3 for Christmas!

Sorry to hijack the XBOX thread with a PS2 story but I hope someone finds it useful.

My one bit of advice for anyone bringing UK kit.....

Bring a few of those 4-gang extension leads so you cut down on the number of plugs you need to change out. The pin configuration works just the same. You simply need to put a grounded (3pin) accessory on the end of the lead.

Cheers!\

For those of you considering a transformer....

its a good idea but be sure to get one that is properly rated.
many appliances/devices draw a big wad of power when they power up.

I am not an electrical engineer but my feeling based on what I do know is that you should get a transformer rated for three times the nominal rating of the device. For example my TV says 75W power consumption on the back but it draws 200W+ when it sparks up.

A transformer that cannot cope with the startup load will end up bricked.

Cheers

I use this site https://www.gamepointsnow.com/ to get my live subscrition and points, though I've also used Play and Ebay and both had codes e-mailled to me and send codes to friends to then get them. All work well and means my UK account works just fine on my Canadian Xbox. I've been waiting for a fix from MS to allow the region change on your account but it's just not coming.

Anyway, one thing that's not been discussed is at least just bringing your HDD, so sell your original box games and all, then buy a Canadian arcade version and attach the HDD so you don't lose your saves. Not sure if that's feasible but don't think the saves will be region locked. Worth a Google at least.

I would be gutted too to give up my 19k+ meaningless number...

How much would an xbox be in Canada? Just in case?

$199 for the arcade system if you try the porting HDD thing. $399 for Elite if you want all bells and whistles inluding HDMI.

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/sub...EN&catid=23363

My parents in law sent me 3 games from Canada back in the summer and they all work fine on my 360....thats really sh*t about not being able to transfer your gamertag though.

Oh well at least I'll be able to get a bigger HDD this time next year

Do you think I could transfer my save files onto a memory card and then onto my new system....I really don't want to lose my COD4 and Mass Effect files!

I believe HDMI is now standard on all models except the Arcade, you don't need to buy Elite to get HDMI these days.

:curse: Update

UK Xbox 360 works with a Canadian Power Supply Unit from Future Shop = $100.

However, there aren't many TV's here that are able to convert the PAL signal to NTSC, result is a fully working Xbox 360, but in Black & White only!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :curse:

Now to buy a Video Signal converter!

Gamertag works fine here, you'll just have to renew with a credit card (and pay in £) or get someone to send over a pre-paid card from the UK...

I've been using mine fine for a couple of months - have until next Dec left on my live sub

Yes you can use your UK gamertag, that isn't a problem. However you cannot buy from the Canadian store (only the UK one), have to pay UK prices for your Gold account and need to buy points from the UK if you wish to purchase anything using Microsoft points. If none of this matters to you then you can keep your gamertag.

I would however recommend getting a new XBOX in Canada, if only so you can play newer games without having to pay extra and import the UK ones due to the region coding. Not all games have it, but the majority do (especially the big name ones.)

Hi all,
Just a quick update. I've just bought myself a new 360 with 3 games, (Lego Indiana Jones, Kung Fu Panda and Gears of War 2) for $299+tax from EB games.
I thought it was best to start from scratch, especially as I knew I would have to buy new tv's when I got here.
The best thing was that I forgot to cancel my LIVE account when I left the UK. I had previously copied my accounts onto a memory card so when I put that in my new 360 they migrated across straight away. Happy Days.
I just make sure my live direct debit is paid every month out of my UK account. It costs a little more but was worth it to retain my gamerpoints, friends etc etc.
Gears of War 2 on my 46" HD plasma is amazing. Just a bit better than the 26" crt I was using at home.
I'm just hopping we get snowed in!!

Nice result.
I just got a PS3, Grid, PES2009 and Resistance 1 & 2.....


Wait for it....


$605.
And now I just found out I have to pay for new controllers. Bugger.


I am hoping for snow too - so I can shovel next doors for pocket money!

I couldnt make my mind up between the 360 and the PS3 ! until i read your post ! that sounds like a good deal (will get one this weekend)
Would have liked a PS3 but if i have to spend over $600 for it (even with a couple of games) my wife would cut off my *****

PS Stevo, let me know what GOW2 is like on the plasma !

I bought an XBox 360 512 MB memory unit in the UK and saved my purchased games and profile on that instead.

Have just bought 12 month Live subscription card and MS points card and I guess I'll find out if it works on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day. (Fingers crossed that I don't have to call Tech Support!)