We now know for sure the Xbox is territory-locked. MS claims it's up to the developers to make their games locked or not , but each game so far goes to the "wrong region"-screen if inserted in the wrong console.
This means u won't be able to play :
PAL games on NTSC/US or NTSC/J consoles
NTSC/US games on PAL or NTSC/J consoles
NTSC/J games on PAL NTSC/US consoles

PAL games are NOT splitted into different regions , so Australian games will play fine on European consoles. (and the other way around)

Modchips allow you to play all region games.

What is the difference between pal and ntsc xboxs? like is it a hardware difference or a software difference that makes them only play certain games?

So if I backup a PAL game to my HDD in my Xbox(NTSC), then I can play it and it will look the same as an NTSC version?

I have a NTSC xbox and was wondering if I backed up a PAL game to my HDD, would it play just as good (graphic/visual)as the NTSC version?
Thanks

I seen one person say yes and another say no. So has anyone got a modded NTSC Xbox to run a PAL game.

I have been trying to do this using the enigmah video mode switcher but, my screen rolls terribly. I think you must have to have a multi-region compatible tv, or at least one with a vertical hold knob - like from the 70s - yech!

With a modchip, you CAN play PAL games on your NTSC Box and vice versa.

I wasnt able to play a backup of Fifa footbal on my NTSC xbox, but when I backed the game up to my hard drive it played fine.

http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Contrib/WorldTV/

just as a note: You WILL need a TV that supports the format of your game. I'm not sure what will happen tryning to play a PAL game on an NTSC tv, being as I am in Australia, but I do know NTSC games have no color if your TV isn't NTSC compatible.

shiyoushi returns to lurking now