Korean Job Discussion Forums

KimchiExplosion · Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Location: Nowhere near Seoul

Looking at getting a PS3 over here sometime soon and was wondering if any of you that own one could answer some questions. I tried the search function, but (this being Dave's ESL Cafe) it of course wasn't working.

I'm aware that all PS3 games can be played in any machine, but can a Korean one use system updates, firware updates, the online store, etc. from North America? I basically want to set the language to English and have it preform exactly like a NA PS3. Is this possible? Or would I have to wait for system updates, etc. to be released in Korean? I'm interested in the multimedia functions of the PS3 (watching divx movies, MP3s, internet).

What about Blu-Ray movies, are the region free as well?

What different version are available here. There's so many different configurations back home, its confusing.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

Well, my PS3 store is in English, although it's a Korean PS3. You can choose the language at the beginning. It gets firmware updates at the same time as USA machines. The Korean machine is able to download the local Korean video service, but I forget the name. I wasn't interested in paying to download Korean TV. You won't get any USA downloading service from here, and I'm guessing that they would block you from getting a USA service even with a USA PS3 due to licensing stuff and using a local IP.

The dashboard differs from a USA machine only in that the little XMB sign in the upper right (which can be disabled) will be in Korean only -- you can't change it. Also, when you stream video/audio to the PS3, the file folder system is in Korean. Don't worry about that, though, as it's pretty easy to figure out. Everything else is in English, or whatever language you choose. Names on your files will be in English if you saved them in English.

Blu-rays from Korea, Japan, USA, and Canada are the same Blu-ray region and will play on any machine from these countries. Cheapest place I've seen to get blu-ray movies is in Technomart at the top computer floor. There are a few shops up there... one or two near the center escalators, and the best one is along a back wall. There is also a shop at the bottom corner of ETLand in Yongsan, but it's overpriced despite a good selection. I can ship here from Amazon cheaper than he charges. Also watch www.blu-ray.com in the Hot Deals section for the best prices via mail-order and coupon deals, etc..

Games on Blu-ray are region-free.

The 40gb is currently the cheapest (around 340,000 last I saw), and I'm guessing the biggest seller. It also runs more quiet, due to smaller/newer cell processors. It's not backwards compatible to PS2 or 1, and doesn't do SACD. I'm sure you can find all of the others on www.enuri.com if you look.

KimchiExplosion · Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Location: Nowhere near Seoul

So you can't download games and DLC from the American Playstation store?

Is the voltage 110-220, or would I need an adapter when I get back home?

DaeSung · Joined: 05 Dec 2005 Location: ��

I have a 80 gig Korean PS3. You can set up a US account and a Korean account, if you have a korean ID number. You can download games from either store, it doest really matter. If you want to download updates or add ons for games some times you need to match it to the area you bought the game in. Like COD4, I have a korean version of the game so i needed to get the new maps from the korean psn store, but other games i'm not sure if it matters.

You won't need a converter to play it back home, you will need to get an adaptor for the plug, or order a new plug when you get back home.

Hope that helps

Otherside · Joined: 06 Sep 2007

What's the difference between the 40gig and 80gig apart from HDD size? (which one is newer/better?) Are either backwards compatible (ps1 or 2).

You said games on blu-ray are region-free... do PS3 games come just on blu-ray or on DVD too (and then subject to regional restrictions?).

Finally, what signal does a Korean PS3 emit? Is it Pal or NTSC?

I'm considering buying a PS3 soon, is there a specific model you'd recommend? I'd obviously like it to be compatible with back home, (I'm from SA, we use PAL and DVD's are region 2 -same as Europe/Uk...and for Blu-ray we are region B - same as Europe/UK). Any tips/things I should look out for. Thanks

asylum seeker · Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Location: On your computer screen.

Phlex · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: Seoul

DaeSung · Joined: 05 Dec 2005 Location: ��

I'm pretty sure they don't sell the 80 gigs ones any more. I got mine when they first came out in Korea. I knew the 40 gigs where going to come out but still wanted to play some older ps2 games. So far out of all PS2 games i've tried on my ps3 only 1 didn't work (and it was a game put out by a smaller publisher). Anyhow i'm happy with my 80 gig unit. Only thing is some of the Eyetoy games don't work ~~;; strange eh.

Enjoy your PS3