Xbox 360 Advice required

[chronomaster]

dear all,

i want to purchase a xbox 360 and would like your advice on whether to purchase the NTSC-J version (there's afabulous bundle on play-asia for 27K INR, whihc gives two wireless controllers etc.) or the Indian pal version, what is the availablity of the games for these two veriosns any pros / cons you''d like to share with me? thx a ton

- chronos

[MightySkate]

There's a pro and con to your question.
First, if you buy the NTSC/j version you'll be safe on the game side, because they are widely available compared to PAL games and are also cheaper
But the disadvantage to that is, you'll not be covered with the warranty given here in India since you're purchasing it outside the country.
Now, when it comes to the PAL versions here, the only downside is that games are not available widely and are not released on time but the current trend is changing, and we are expecting good service from MS India.

[chronomaster]

thx mighty!

would you be knowing if region free discs easily aviaalble in mumbai / india?

laso can the 360 be modded to make it a region free player ..thus theoretically atleast freeing up the region constraint..

between PAL / NTSC-J as video stds i guess we can use a ocnvertor to switch either ways..

[HundredProofSam]

if you're getting it modded it doesnt matter which one you buy...i elieve u can get a HK core console fro 12,000.

i have an official indian PAL console. even though many games are not officially available in india, there are many games that are region-free and are easily available on ebay like call of duty 3, splinter cell double agent, tony hawk project 8, raw vs smackdown 2007. these are region free so if your concern about game availability, it won't be that hard to get good games. M$ seems to be getting their act together as well, we've been giving them a pretty hard time, so they better.

Of course, games would be cheaper for an NTSC-J console but you won't have warranty. i just wanted the peace of mind of being able to blast M$ if anything wasn't right with my console or with their service. and now i can do that all i want. i guess ucan do that with aNTSC console too i guess

in the end its what ur comfortable with.

i suggest u put off the modding idea just for now, at least until there are some tried and tested mod-chips out there. you dont wan to be banned from Xbox Live. There is also word that newer games would have updates on them (which u have to install whether u like it or not) and if they pick up a modchip or summ...ur console will be bricked.



peace

[bushpirate]

I am in HK and recommend a local HK Asian model. The games are released here often 1-2 days before they hit store shelves in the US and the prices on games are cheaper than anywhere in the world.

Just FYI I am working out something with the guy I buy my games from to see if he can offer me deals on quantity purchases for forum members. If this works out we can place one order 2 weeks before the game's official release and have it in our/your hands a few days after launch.

[HundredProofSam]

^^ any chance of PAL games being part of that deal, BP?



peace

[MightySkate]

Yeah, good idea BP And it'll be good if you can find PAL versions as sameer pointed out.
Thanks man.

[bushpirate]

Sam, MS
This would apply to
- ALL region free games that work on the HK console including PAL titles.
- A large selection of accessories MS and generic China made stuff.

I will discuss this guys offer in detail with the mods when V is back and come up with a plan.

[KC]

also that 27k price for the bundle dosent include customs add 38% customs and shipping charges and that figure might end up around 40k

[kalel3600]

I've got a PAL 360 and i have many games, + some games are region free like saints row or GRAW ; so it's all good. I'd recommend the pal just because i have it lol

[chronomaster]

thx BP!

but r NTSC games available in India as well? or are u limited to importing the games from Hk / SE Asia?

bushpirate said:

I am in HK and recommend a local HK Asian model. The games are released here often 1-2 days before they hit store shelves in the US and the prices on games are cheaper than anywhere in the world.

Just FYI I am working out something with the guy I buy my games from to see if he can offer me deals on quantity purchases for forum members. If this works out we can place one order 2 weeks before the game's official release and have it in our/your hands a few days after launch.

[chronomaster]

hey guys, just saw a 360 NTSC premium pack by digimart on EBAY for 26K, is it worth going for?

thx for ur help...

rgds

chronos

[vinitwins]

pros:
1. games - you can play almost every NTSC-Asia (English lang) games (not limited to only region free titles), which are cheaper and available within a few days of the US release

cons:
1. no warranty - basically your console is considered out of region and even tho MS would support it, you would need to ship it out of India
2. step down converter -- it's almost the size of the 360's adapter (which is HUGE) and runs very very hot (can get a blister if you keep your finger on its fins for too long). Most good quality step downs are 200W (the 360 is rated at 203W/VA and you should use a step down thats rated at 150%/300W not 100%/200W)

V

[chronomaster]

Guys, will anXBOX 360 from UK be equivalent to the Indian one ? i.e same region encoding etc.?? got a friend coming down have an option of getting a nice deal of console + game from there...

thx in adv...

[HickEnd]

Yeah.It's the same that is also pal and this one here is pal too