Can I use a PAL console to an NTSC country??

Question

I'm in the UK and I'm planning to buy a Sony PS2 and a Nintendo Wii or Sony PS3.. But next year, I'll be going back to the Philippines, which uses NTSC, and I'm going to bring those consoles with me..
Do you think I can use it there?? What do I need for me to use it??

I don't have any problems with buying games, Amazon and eBay are the answers..

Actually, I don't have any problems with buying games, Amazon and eBay are the answers..


Thanks!!

Answer 1

Probably.

There are two potential issues that you'll face with getting it working.

The first is whether you can plug it into the wall, the Philippines seems to use the same voltage as the UK (but different frequency which shouldn't matter) for the most part (there seem to be some which use a lower voltage as well although a lot of modern equipment can be switched or can auto-detect to use that) but with different wall plugs, buying a new cable or a plug adapter though will allow you to plug it in and those aren't all that expensive so you should be able to get it powered.

The second problem is plugging it into a display. Typically NTSC TVs will accept PAL signals on baseband (i.e. the coloured cables) so you should be able to plug it into a recent TV (though an NTSC TV won't be able to pick up PAL signals from an antenna).

I'd say bring it over, get a plug adapter and see if it works.

If the socket turns out to be a lower voltage you shouldn't blow anything up (it won't be higher than what the UK uses).

Of course it may not work but I'd be surprised if it doesn't (and you might have trouble finding PAL games in the shops there).