Korean Job Discussion Forums

[travelnguy]

I am nowhere near Seoul but will be headed up there soon. Can someone (who recently purchased one) tell me what I should expect to pay for a new PS3?

Can you recommend any particular vendors? Will they add games to the hard drive?

Any other advice would be appreciated.

[mrsquirrel]

PS3 has not been modded yet.

[bourquetheman]

Yeah it's been out awhile now and still nobody has cracked the protection to have backups work. Yet I still see PS3 games posted on some torrent sites and people download them hoping someday they will be able to burn them when (and if) their PS3 can be modded.

[travelnguy]

Thanks for that. I updated the original message. Any ideas on prices? Can games be added to the Hard Drive or is it just for demos, videos, and/or online gaming?

Also, has anyone upgraded to a bigger hard drive?

[rmparent]

I paid 430,000 KRW for the basic package (40gig) with one controller, an extra sixaxis controller, HDMI cable, and one game.

I've upgraded the HDD to a 120gig. I'm too lazy to find the instructions on how to but there are tonnes of stuff online and there is even a Youtube tutorial. Good luck unscrewing the original HDD though because it's really difficult getting out.

I don't think you can put full games onto the harddrive but there are some games that you can download from the Playstation store; nothing spectacular though.

I bought mine in January so maybe it's cheaper now. I don't think you'll see a huge price difference from vendor to vendor.

[Kanadian]

Sony is releasing a PS3 bundle, 80gigs, with a controller (wireless plus with rumble) and you get Metal Gear Solid 4 for 499 US dollars June 14th!

I cant wait! I'm so getting this!!

[bassexpander]

40gb PS3 runs about 340,000 or so in Yongsan. Big stores like Homever sell them for 350,000.


I was getting quotes of 335,000 in Youngsan, but they quickly backed-out after learning that I didn't want to purchase any games from them. I finally found one vendor who sold a new one to me for 335,000 with purchase of a USB cable (I paid 14,000 for that, I think).

The PS3 if FINALLY getting some games that look pretty cool compared to the Xbox360. FINALLY some of the better games are getting some decent frame rates (more than just 30 when the Xbox has 60). They were porting too many games at first, but now things are starting to pick up.

I don't play games a lot, but the online demos keep me busy without having to buy anything. I might break down and buy the new baseball game they have on as a Demo. I am enjoying that a lot, and the graphics are great. I find I like the sports games much more. I would have bought Madden 08, but I read a lot of crappy reviews on the PS3 version, and will wait. Yet another example of a game they ported over from the 360 at a lower framerate. Screw them... I'll wait until next year.

90% of my PS3 time is spent watching blu-ray in high def. on my 50" plasma. I've got a full Paradigm Monitor 5.1 system with a 12" sub booming away. Watched a movie called, "Mr. Brooks" last weekend (awesome flick) and the gunshots in that just about made both of my wife and I crap in the bed. DTS HD sound is pretty great if your system can make full use of it.

My neighbors hate me. Just ordered I-Robot and I Am Legend last weekend.

Go Wil Smith!

[travelnguy]

thanks for all the replies. So, in your humble opinion, what would I be better off buying? I rarely play games, but when I do, I want something better than my PS2. My wife likes the idea of the Nintendo Wii, but I was never a big fan of Nintendo. Is the 360 that much better (for games) than the PS3? Is there a big price difference at Yongsan? I know I can buy it for around 330,000 on Gmarket.

Is a 20GB hard drive standard?

Again, thanks for everything.

[bassexpander]

Don't buy the 20gb one, if that's what they're selling. That's an old model (one of the first) and at that price, it would be no bargain. It wouldn't be Korean, either. They never made it in a Korean model.

A brand new 40gb one is 340,000 or so. Go for that. You can change the HD very easily later if you want. The 40gb won't be backwards-compatible with old PS2 games, though (remember there is also region coding on many games as well, no matter which model you buy).

The 360 still has many better games, but the problem is the failure rate. Mod it, and you're screwed when it dies. Read online, and you'll find that many gamers have been through as many as 3 to 7 Xbox360's due to repair issues. The failure rate is well over 20% on the 360. The PS3 rate is like 3%. Big difference. Microsoft also doesn't send you a new one when you need an exchange... they send you a refurbished one, and you lose all of your Xbox Live material and things you paid to download (so I've heard).

The PS3's game list is growing. Finally.

[smogdonkey]

[rmparent]

I thought they don't make 20gig PS3s anymore.

[bassexpander]

They haven't made the 20 gigers for like a year, I think.

The 20's also are the only model that DO NOT have wifi.

But yes, they are backwards-compatible with PS2 games.

Any 20 gig model you buy here will NOT be under warranty here. It will likely be a Japan model, and only serviceable there, unless you pay (I'm guessing).

[travelnguy]

Ok. Last few questions. I have decided to buy a new PS3. I found the 40GB model on Gmarket for a bit under 340,000.

My first question: This model is made in China. Is that the norm for the ones here in Korea?

Second: Where do you all buy your Bluray DVDs?

Thanks
Patrick

[bassexpander]

Yeah, the 40s seem to be made in China. In any case, the failure rate seems to be low -- 3 or 4 percent. Mine is doing well. It's a whole lot quieter than my previous 60gig model was. That's a plus. Mine is not backwards-compatible with PS2 games, though.

I usually buy my Blu-rays from Amazon US when they have a deal, OR there is a shop in Technomart (Gangbyeon on the green line) that seems to have about the best prices. There are a few video stores on the top computer floor which have 'em. One store (it might be called Videonara, if memory serves) has a better selection than most, and good prices. It's ocated along a back wall on that floor. New titles tend to be a bit pricy for the first few weeks.

There is also a video shop with a really great selection in the front corner of ETLand in Youngsan. Their prices can be prohibitive on many titles, though. I often find it cheaper to buy 2 titles at once from Amazon US and wait for them. I did that with I-robot and I Am Legend, and saved about $10.

This site will give you an idea of what Blu-rays are available, and the average prices. Sometimes I find the more expensive ones for a bit less at that store in Technomart:
http://www.enuri.com/view/List.jsp?cate=02131901&from=search&islist=Y&skeyword=%BA%ED%B7%E7%B7%B9%C0%CC+%C5%B8%C0%CC%C6%B2&cate_keyword=Y

[Burndog]

Are Bluray discs region locked? If I buy a PS3 in Korea, will I then be able to watch my Australian Bluray movies?