Using US Xbox Slim here

Chinesedelivery · 01-02-2012, 06:39 PM

Does anyone know if it's possible (aside from the region issues)

My main concern is the voltage difference.

I understand that it's 220V here while US uses 120V. But since the power brick/AC adaptor in external on the Xbox 360 Slim, couldn't I just replace the power brick/AC adaptor with ones that are sold with the local Xbox 360 slims? I am assuming that the consoles are the same and that it is only the region difference and power brick/AC adaptor shipped with the console that is different from market to market.

So it goes wall outlet -> Local power brick/AC adaptor -> Xbox 360 Slim.

I know that:
Wall outlet -> Step down transformer -> US power brick/AC adaptor -> Xbox 360 Slim
will work, but would rather not get one if unnecessary.

Also wondering if the same idea will work with the Wii as well since it also uses an external power brick/AC adaptor.

Also anyone know where I can source local power bricks/AC adaptors if this indeed works?

jjohnso5 · 01-02-2012, 07:33 PM

I have a Wii and 360 from the US. I bought a power brick for the Wii at Wanchai Computer Centre. Make sure you ask for an OEM one, or they will sell you a knock off. When I asked, he just put the knock-off in the box with the new Wii, and gave me the OEM power brick. For the 360, I had to get a step down converter. I have been using it (heavily) for the last 6 months without an issue. Search for previous post by (I think) JaredHK. He is the guru on the subject, and I am sure this has been covered before. Good luck.

JaredHK · 01-02-2012, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by Chinesedelivery:

Does anyone know if it's possible (aside from the region issues)

My main concern is the voltage difference.

I understand that it's 220V here while US uses 120V. But since the power brick/AC adaptor in external on the Xbox 360 Slim, couldn't I just replace the power brick/AC adaptor with ones that are sold with the local Xbox 360 slims? I am assuming that the consoles are the same and that it is only the region difference and power brick/AC adaptor shipped with the console that is different from market to market.

So it goes wall outlet -> Local power brick/AC adaptor -> Xbox 360 Slim.

I know that:
Wall outlet -> Step down transformer -> US power brick/AC adaptor -> Xbox 360 Slim
will work, but would rather not get one if unnecessary.

Also wondering if the same idea will work with the Wii as well since it also uses an external power brick/AC adaptor.

Also anyone know where I can source local power bricks/AC adaptors if this indeed works?

Call Microsoft Support and have them sell you a new local power brick. Tel: 3071-4868
The English hotline is handled by Singapore and they are very good.

DO NOT and I repeat DO NOT buy one in the game malls, OEM or even the Original. There are a lot of knock offs in the market and can mess up your console.

If you are still in the US I recommend that you sell the console and buy a local HK one. Most of the games sold here are often much cheaper than the US and will don't work on US consoles. I have heard from MS here that by Q4 almost all titles sold here will be locked to NTSCJ and will be bilingual Eng/Chi.

@jjohns
The last post about this issue was a guy looking for a power brick for his old phat console. The only way to get those is the malls as MS no longer sells them here anymore. There are also a lot of fake HDDs, Controllers, power supplies etc in the market at the moment so I recommend that people buy from authorized dealers.

Hope to see you guys more active in the gaming section

Edit:
>>Wall outlet -> Step down transformer -> US power brick/AC adaptor -> Xbox 360 Slim<<
Not recommended as its killed a few peoples consoles in a few weeks including TSTexpat's brand new MW3 US Slim.

Chinesedelivery · 01-02-2012, 09:12 PM

Thanks guys. Super helpful!

I will give MS a call at that hotline. That kind of sucks to hear that MS will be region locking more games this year. I considered selling my US console before moving here but it seems that most major titles such as Batman, MW3, etc were all region free so I didn't bother. At least they were region free according to PlayAsia's website. I also thought about modding it as well since I never play on Live.

It's true about all the fake products that those places sell. I always ask if it's knock offs or OEM now whenever I buy any electronics from those shopping centers. So far I haven't had any defective items (knock on wood).

It sucks that step down transformers are no good. Unfortunately I have a US Onkyo amp and a US PS3 so I will have to get them either way. I guess I'll just have to try to get a really good one but the ones that can handle up to 600 Watts are 600 HKD. :\

JaredHK · 01-02-2012, 09:43 PM

[QUOTE=Chinesedelivery;1864893]Thanks guys. Super helpful!

I will give MS a call at that hotline. That kind of sucks to hear that MS will be region locking more games this year. I considered selling my US console before moving here but it seems that most major titles such as Batman, MW3, etc were all region free so I didn't bother. At least they were region free according to PlayAsia's website. I also thought about modding it as well since I never play on Live.<<

They are RF but they plan on locking local titles to protect local sales. Don't bother flashing as since the new update they have the ability to store sneak updates in the game which on load can blacklist the console & render the HDD and console useless.

>>It's true about all the fake products that those places sell. I always ask if it's knock offs or OEM now whenever I buy any electronics from those shopping centers. So far I haven't had any defective items (knock on wood). <<
They are now buying back legit boxes from stores and repackaging fakes in them. These are mostly resold in China but I have seen a lot in the stores around town. Its best to play it safe with the 360 as this console has had many problems since 05 with the RROD etc.

It sucks that step down transformers are no good. Unfortunately I have a US Onkyo amp and a US PS3 so I will have to get them either way. I guess I'll just have to try to get a really good one but the ones that can handle up to 600 Watts are 600 HKD <<
Its fine with the PS but even the best one money can buy can possibly mess up the 360. Your best bet is to buy a power brick from MS. There is a good chance that they might even offer you a trade in on the US console where you pay $100 and get a new HK console. Just ask them what your options are and see what they can work out.

Keep us posted by updating this thread as it would help others in the same situation as yourself.

Chinesedelivery · 04-02-2012, 11:21 AM

Just an update...

After doing a ton of research it turns out that all PS3 have universal power supplies. It is confirmed on both Wikipedia and ifixit tear downs. This includes both the fat and slim version. Kind of makes sense since the power cord it uses is the same as the computers and those all have been updated with universal power supplies since 2004. I went ahead and plugged it in and everything works.

As for my Wii, I gave Nintendo a call and they said if I bring in my ac adaptor, they will give me another one for a fee of $260 dollars. When I asked if I could still keep my US one they said no. Their reason being that they don't want people reselling it...but I want to keep mine for future use when I go back. :/ Maybe I call them again and tell them my ac adaptor has been stolen instead!

Still no update on the Xbox situation as they are closed on Saturdays.

JaredHK · 04-02-2012, 03:08 PM

I bumped into a buddy today who had a similar issue with his Japan console (Power Brick). MS support offered him a trade in for an additional $900 and gave him a new HK console. This is something you might want to consider if the power brick is expensive.

Chinesedelivery · 05-02-2012, 03:26 PM

Good gravy! Luckily there aren't too many Xbox only games that I want to play because I can just get the ps3 version. Beside I installed a 500 gig had on mine and I don't wanna trade down.