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Tips for connecting a US PS3 in France.

roron88 Posted messages 1 Status Member -  
 LGGCCD -
Hello,
I bought a PS3 from the United States and I wanted to know what I need to do to connect it in France without frying it. I was told that I could use any PC power cable, but that seems strange to me... And I must admit I’m a bit confused about the differences in voltage. The US PS3 operates on 110V, right? And the voltage in France is 220V, I believe. So if I just use a PC power supply cable, the console could overheat and short-circuit, right? But I was also told that the PS3 has a built-in transformer, so it handles the "conversion" of voltage. So if the PS3 already has a transformer, there’s no need for one on the PC power cable? If anyone among you has faced the same issue and resolved it, please share the references of the items (cables, adapters, etc.) that you bought so I can get an idea of what I need to purchase. Thanks in advance.
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13 answers

  1. Sazabi
     
    PS3s are universal, the power supply is the same across all continents!! So they all take 220V. It's certain and sure, I received a white ceramic PS3, plugged into 220 and it's been running non-stop since the start of my vacation!

    Whether you have a JAP, US or Euro PS3, a simple power cable is enough, it takes 220 without any problems...

    There you go, that's said!
    10
    1. romano
       
      Sazabi, hello to you,

      I just got a white ceramic PS3 from Japan as well.
      Are you sure it's safe with just a PC cable?
      What model do you have? I have the reference CECHHOO CW and in the Japanese documentation it doesn't specify what works at 100V...
      And on the back, it says ~AC IN and 100V 3.5A....
      Thank you.
      0
    2. roron88 > romano
       
      Hi,
      you can use any PC power cable, it will work. However, I have no idea about your references, I haven't even looked for mine for my PS3. I think there are no risks, it worked for a US PS3, so why not for a Japanese one? As for the voltage, the console has a built-in transformer. You can plug it into any outlet without problems. There you go, I hope I helped you. See you!
      0
    3. romano > roron88
       
      d'aki, thank you roron88.
      0
    4. romano > roron88
       
      Well, I just plugged in the PC cable, turned it on and... the console just fried! :'(

      No, I'm joking. Despite this oppressive heat I'm feeling, I think I was sweating due to the stress!! Lol
      I plugged it in, turned it on, and it lit up perfectly. So I think everything will be fine now; if it had fried, it would have happened as soon as the PS was turned on, I suppose...

      Thanks, thanks ^^
      0
    5. wenz
       
      Hi, actually I see that it’s been 2 years since you wrote this message and I wanted to know how your PS3 is doing. Does it still work well or have you had any bad surprises in the meantime?
      0
  2. Stef3206
     
    Hello,
    I'm interested to know if the US PS3 works in France.
    In addition to the power supply issue, there is the video signal: the US PS3 is in NTSC, whereas in France, the TVs are PAL / SECAM.
    How did you deal with this issue?
    Thank you.
    4
  3. romano04
     
    This is the worst news I never wanted to hear!!!
    In my last message, I expressed my outrage at Square Enix for turning their back on Star Ocean, originally planned for PS3 and now on X360, but this is like cheating on your wife right in front of her!
    While watching the Microsoft conference at E3 2008, a guest, the president of SE, presented 3 games: Star Ocean, Last Remnant, Infinite Discovery... pretended to leave and then came back, "I have a big announcement," and he launched a new trailer that is none other than Final Fantasy XIII!!! It's impossible to know if it's an exclusive or if they're bringing the game to X360 and PS3...
    It's a tough blow for SONY...
    All of its good SE licenses are leaving. You have to understand that Final Fantasy is to PlayStation what a baguette is to the French, i.e., inseparable!!!
    1
  4. saguiwine
     
    I bought the white PS3 when it was released in Japan and I regularly bring them back for my friends from the US or Japan (I'm a steward). The console costs $399 here (I'm in the US now), so €279. No worries about taking the console with you in the cabin. It will be safer there. I confirm that a PC cable is enough and that, for now, all my French and US games work on my Japanese PS. However, for DVDs, it's another story. The menus are in French (you have to change it in the options and set it to French). I'm thinking of getting a DualShock 3, but here it's only available in black. I'll wait until I go back to Japan.
    1
    1. kev130807
       
      Hello, I would like to know if all the games we buy in the U.S.A. for PS3 are properly read in French??
      Or if the games are in English???
      Thank you in advance for your answers.
      0
  6. Abdou77
     
    Hello, for me it's the opposite, I have a French PS3 but I now live in New York. When I plug it in, it doesn't react! How can I get it to work?
    1
  7. shoesman60
     
    Hi,
    I've heard the same thing, but just in case, I saw transformers on eBay that are 110v/220v AT 500W SPECIFICALLY FOR PS3 AND XBOX 360? THEY'RE 40 EUROS? Type transformer 110v/220v on eBay and you'll find them.
    0
  8. shibuya79
     
    Hello, I just bought a Japanese 40-gig PS3 and I was wondering what kind of transformer I needed, unless I don't need one, that would be even better. I've heard that a simple PC power cable would be necessary, is that true? I want to be sure so I don't risk damaging the console, thank you for replying.
    0
    1. roron88
       
      Hi.
      No worries: the PS3 has a built-in power supply and I used a PC power cable to connect it to the mains. Everything works perfectly well. It's been almost 5 months now, and I haven't had any issues. So it should be fine for a PS3 from Japan too.
      There you go. I hope I helped you; bye.
      0
      1. MDV > roron88
         
        Hello.
        I read on this forum that the PS3 would have a built-in transformer??
        I have a Japanese PS3 and I'm trying to connect it here, but it's a hassle to find a transformer 220/110 that exceeds 380w.
        On the back of the console, it indicates that the PS3 is: ~110v There is nothing mentioned regarding the 220/110.
        Do you think that without it being indicated, the PS3's transformer can be connected to 220v??
        Thank you for your help.
        Best regards,

        MDV
        0
  9. roron88
     
    You scared me!! LOL!!
    Anyway, that's cool! Enjoy it now!
    0
    1. romano
       
      On the other hand, it heats up quickly!!
      I plugged it in for less than 5 minutes just to set it up and it was already getting hot, the little thing!!
      Is that normal or not?
      0
  10. picolito
     
    I'm going to New York in 15 days, how much is the PS3 there?
    0
    1. roron88
       
      Excellent! I'm going to New York in 15 days too!! The world is small... To answer your question, I don't really know the prices. To get an idea, check amazon.com (those are American prices). But if I were you, I wouldn't buy it there; with customs and the flight, it's the best way to lose it (because I seriously doubt they'll let you take it in the cabin). If you want one from the USA, have it shipped via FedEx or UPS, but then you'll pay huge customs fees... So it's something you should think twice about. That's just my opinion. A+
      0
  11. remi
     
    Are all French Blu-rays and games compatible with a PS3, knowing that I have a full HD screen, so there's no issue with different standards since I’m using HDMI?
    0
  12. remi
     
    Les Blu-ray and PS3 games from France are they all compatible with a Japanese PS3 considering I have a full HD screen, so HDMI connection should not be an issue regarding different standards, right? And the same for DVDs since it’s the same zone (having lived in Japan, I played Japanese DVDs on my PS2 that I brought from France)??
    0
    1. roron88
       
      Hello,
      which country is your PS3 from? USA or Japan? Mine is from the USA, and I can play all French games and Blu-rays without any problem, using HDMI. However, if it's from Japan, I'm not sure. Normally, yes, because PS3s are supposed to be region-free for Blu-rays and games. But be careful though, the Blu-ray regions are not the same as the DVD regions (I don't know them exactly, but I believe Europe and Japan are two distinct regions. But check, it's better). So I don't know if a PS3 from Japan can play DVDs from France, since it is only region-free for Blu-rays (on my PS3, for example, I can read French Blu-rays, but only American DVDs).
      0
      1. roron88 > roron88
         
        Uh... I think I got my wires crossed... Yeah, even though the BR zones of Japan and Europe are different, it doesn't change anything for DVDs. So yes, you'll be able to play DVDs from France on a Japanese PS3.
        0
    2. Murat
       
      I confirm that the US/Canada PS3 works perfectly in Europe without the need for a voltage transformer.
      0
  13. Tibo
     
    Hello!!

    Well, I can confirm for the skeptics that yes, the PS3 (US for me) works on 220V, even though it says 120V 60Hz on the back, blah blah blah...

    Now my question is: are the games region-locked (US-EU), or do I have to go to the USA every time to buy a damn game knowing that I live in Angers??

    Thanks for your replies =D
    0
    1. roron88
       
      No, games don't have regions. All the games sold here work on a US PS3.
      0
      1. romano04 > roron88
         
        Hi,

        Yes, I can confirm that there is no zoning for games. So no worries for those who have Japanese or US consoles. However, regarding Blu-ray films, I don't know. I read somewhere that one of the PS3 system updates fixed the Blu-ray zoning issue.

        As for the power supply for imported consoles,
        about three weeks ago, I got a Japanese white ceramic PS3. A regular PC cable is enough for normal use of the PS.
        However, I think I would avoid using a PC cable if you connect USB ports as well, like EyeToy, microphone, keyboard, or even changing the hard drive. Connecting these ports leads to higher consumption and thus overheating. Although the PS3 works perfectly fine without a transformer (apparently integrated into the power supply according to some), I wouldn't risk it by giving it peripherals to manage.


        MY QUESTION:

        YES, I have a question ^^.
        I recently got Heavenly Sword, but I'm disappointed because the game won't start; I get an error message saying that the current video output settings do not allow the game to launch...
        I admit I don't have an HD screen, just a last-gen one that accepts 60Hz anyway...
        Has this happened to any of you for this game or another? What I don't understand is that the game was among the first to be released on PS3, so they must have known that not everyone has an HD TV.
        And on the back of the cover, it says for display settings "480p," yet all the other games I have have the same display setting and work fine... So where could the problem be coming from? If someone has an answer, thanks!! :)


        PS: I'm really bummed!
        Where are the good PlayStation games? Where are the PS3 RPGs, the PS3 exclusives? Why is Square Enix releasing exclusives on Xbox 360??? Star Ocean, why have you left us!!
        Microsoft must have paid big bucks to get the entire RPG lineup from SE!!
        0
    2. Maxkiller
       
      I live in Angers too ^^ And I just got a PS3.
      0
  14. remi
     
    I have a Japanese PS3 white ceramic 40GB, and there's no need for a transformer as mentioned above since it's integrated into the PS3 which manages 110 and 220 volts even if it's not indicated on the console... for the skeptics, it works!!! For PS3 games, everything works, no problem, no regions; however, there’s no backward compatibility with European games, only Japanese ones work (PS1 and 2 games), the same for DVDs, no PAL, only NTSC. On the other hand, for Blu-rays, many are region-free or multi-region, so that's cool, but it’s programmed for Japanese Blu-rays, so it's a different region and some Blu-rays don't work. As for the price, it’s not bad, 40,000 yen or 240 euros!!! My parents are expatriates in Japan, so they brought it back for me for free in their luggage!!! Since I'm not going this summer, that's pretty cool...
    0
    1. remy69
       
      It's been two years, and does your PS3 still work despite the PC power cable?
      0