Using a German-bought Xbox 360 in the U.S.

I have an Xbox 360 that I am debating whether to bring back to the US with me. I bought it here, so it is set up for use on a PAL television.

Anyone know of a way that I could use it on an NTSC in the US? I recall reading somewhere that there was a code for Sony's PS 2 that enables it to be used with any format. I haven't yet found something similar for Xbox 360.

Thanks!

You have to make it code free. We have a German one but wanted to play American games so we had to make it code free. Unfortunately, I do not know where my boyfriend had this done or how much it costs (I'm thinking less than 50€ - so probably much cheaper in the States).

From what I have read, it seems that the player itself will work on any TV regardless of whether it is PAL or NTSC. The problem is that the games are coded for either PAL or NTSC. Therefore, a game that is bought in the US (NTSC) won't work on an Xbox bought in Europe.

I think the answer is what you said, decoding the Xbox to play any game put into it.

Can you ask your boyfriend how/where he did this?

Thanks!

Yes, please let me know as well how I can get my Xbox 360 machine to become region-free.

I bought my Xbox 360 here in Germany and it came with a driving game. My old Xbox games won't work on this new console because they are for USA region... and the darn game that came with my console is all in German of course so I don't understand the game and can't play it all !!

Is there also a way to make your games region-free or do you have to just make the console region free??

I think it is the console that you have to make region-free. I'm still searching for a way too and will post if/when I find one.

OK, I'm sending an email to my boyfriend right now. Maybe he will respond today...

No way to change the games region restictions as the media they come on is read only. It's a console mod

I would be more worried about Matt Millen keeping his job and blowing that #2 pick.

Matt Millen = douche

Just a few random thoughts or are you struggling with your LSD trip today?

Edit: More than one tripper today. Cool

It's definitely the console that is code free. I know it works because we have both games from the US and Germany. I tried to play 'Rocky' with my boyfriend on Saturday (what a joke) - needless to say, I didn't last the full 5 rounds - got my ass kicked!

Still waiting on the email from my boyfriend.

I dont do drugs Timmeh

Ahh... come on...

You will also need to convert the voltage, as the USA/Canada uses 110 volts while here in Europe it is 220/240 Volts.

I used something very similar to this for my original XBOX while i was in Canada

http://www.voltageconverters.com/itemdesc...}&ic=VC100W

which worked quite well.


Also, many games are region locked, meaning that if you purchase a game in the USA and try and run it on your European system it may well not work. You can use a modchip to get around this, but this COULD mean the game will not work on XBOX LIVE. I personally dont have a 360 so I cant say for sure on what does/doesnt run, but a good place for lots of info on this is http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php. Have a look around there and someone will be able to answer your question for sure.

Personally I think It may be better to cut your losses and try and sell the machine here, then buy a new one when you arrive in the USA.

Been doing a bit of surfing on the issue. Apparently people have been prosecuted in the UK for getting their xbox 360s modded. I wouldnt risk it. If you arent prepared to accept the terms of the Microsoft EULA then you should not have indicated acceptance by purchasing the product in the first place. And even if you still want to go ahead, trying to conspire towards such illegal activities here could get the website in trouble.

Dont worry anwalt I got your back bro. Remember its not illegal until you get caught.

some games for the xbox 360 (like ghost recon advanced warfighter) are region free, theres a list somewhere online. also not all xbox games will work on the xbox 360, in fact, very few do, and those that do either need software downloaded onto your xbox 360 from xbox live, or you can get the software from xbox.com and burn it onto a cd.

for a list of xbox games that WILL work on xbox 360 and details of how to get the update that allows them to be played on xbox 360 go here:

xbox games on xbox 360

Regarding the NTSC vs. PAL issue: If you have a modern television, it should probably function with both signals. I know my LCD television can accept PAL and NTSC signals. You should double check your TV's manual first Good luck.

@Chris W: the TV isn't the issue. The problem is that if I buy a game in the US, I can't play it on my European bought Xbox 360. The games themselves are region coded and the Xbox won't play games from outside its region.

All the current mods do is flash the firmware of the DVD player, the chips just make it so can turn this "off" so you don't have to worry about re-flashing to play on xbox live, or when you want to rip games, etc.

As it stands, the console is still region locked. Some games however are multi-region by default. This why you can play them. Nor is it possible currently to patch the region manually, since the all the mods do is disable the DVD check, the console still checks for signed code, and if you change the code you'd have to recertify it.

What all of this means is that in the USA you will have two options:

1) buy import games.
2) mod your system and download and burn PAL games.

Of the two options, 1) is probably fair easier, if you're not technically minded.

Should you need to get your machine chipped and you're not sure how, this place: http://www.konsolen-tuning.de/ is very good, and they're local, I can vouch for their services They do both walk in or mail order.