Using PS3 region free ? to play import games ?

[Inkvisitor]

As I currently don't own any of the playstations I'm wondering if I should wait for the final word on the PS3 and how it will handle regions. I sense great opportunity for playing older import shmups. This way I don't have to buy two PS2s, one for NTSC and one for PAL.

Question is, will the PS3 have the exact same hardware in europe as in japan ? If so it should be possible to use old games from PS1 or PS2, NTSC or PAL.

I think Sony have this idea that having it region free prevents console modding and thus prevents piracy. I think they are correct and I hope they make it come true.

[Mikey]

Old PAL PS1 games will probably still run at 50Hz, sadly. Unless Sony include a 60Hz booster, which they probably won't because it would cause glitches on some PAL optimized games, which might confuse little children.