As DVD playback made the PlayStation 2 more than just a game machine, hefty multi-media features make the Sony PlayStation 3 an even more versatile home entertainment machine. Features such as video chat, Internet access, digital photo viewing, and digital audio and video will likely make it the central component of your media set-up. Still, it is first and foremost a game console--a powerful one at that. Under the Hood
The PS3 features IBM's "Cell" processor and a co-developed Nvidia graphics processor that makes the system able to perform two trillion calculations per second. That's approximately 320 times more calculations per second than the PS2. Along with the traditional AV and composite connections, it also boasts an HDMI port, which delivers uncompressed, unconverted digital picture and sound to compatible high-definition TV and projectors. The system is capable of 128-bit pixel precision and 1080p resolution for a full HD experience. 
PlayStation 3: Tower of power |
A sleek new look | 
With the wireless, motion-sensitive controller |
Blu-Ray is the New Way
Sony's PlayStation 3 games are encoded onto the Blu-Ray disc media format, which can hold six times as much data as traditional DVDs. This increase in capacity--combined with the awesome power of its processor and graphics card--promises mind-blowing games once developers have learned how to fully harness the new console's power. The PS3 will also support CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD+R formats. In addition, PlayStation 3 system software update version 2.20 and up includes BD Live support. With this you can now play discs that support Blu-ray Disc Profile 2.0 (BD-LIVE) and you can also connect to the Internet while playing discs that support this format so that you can obtain additional features. Features that are available vary depending on the software in use.Sensational Controller
New gamers intuitively move the controller while playing, even though that movement has traditionally had no relation to what's going on in the game. Sony has picked up on this tendency and is using it to bring a new level of control into the PS3. Inside the controller is a high-precision six-axis sensing system that accurately detects fine movements in pitch, roll, and yaw, as well as three dimensions of movement, to control games. This means that future PS3 games will be controlled by the movements of your hands rather than just your thumbs. For example, you might be able to steer a car by holding the controller like a steering wheel. While the PS3 controller looks much like its Dual Shock predecessors, it will lack the force-feedback vibration since that would only interfere with the sensing system. It uses Bluetooth 2.0 wireless technology and can support up to seven wireless controllers at a time. It's a hot-swappable system, so if your controller is running low on power, just pause your game and connect a USB 2.0 cable. You can continue playing while your controller recharges automatically. Plays All PlayStation Games
The PlayStation 3 will be backward compatible with PlayStation and PlayStation 2 games, which means you'll be able to play all your favorite games without keeping all the old systems. The console will have slots for Memory Stick Duo, an SD slot and a Compact Flash memory slot. It comes with a pre-installed hard disc drive, which allows you to save games as well as download content from the Internet. 
Gran Turismo HD | 
Resistance: Fall of Man |
A Slew of New Games
A whole host of game publishers are already backing the PS3 and several have even confirmed games for the console. At the 2006 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), more than 30 titles were displayed for the system, including Gran Turismo HD, Resistance: Fall of Man, and Final Fantasy XIII. Previously announced titles include Metal Gear Solid 4, Devil May Cry 4 and Tekken 6. Online
Sony has stated that the PS3 will have similar online connectivity and services as the next generation of Xbox Live. Calling it "an always on, always connected device," SCEI's chief technical officer Masa Chatani said the PS3 would be constantly in touch with a "PlayStation World" network "fundamentally based on community, communication commerce, and content." Technically, the infrastructure is there to make that connection. The PS3 supports 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T Ethernet, as well as IEEE 802.11 b/g wireless networking protocols. |
|
 Unbiased Review from an Owner of All Three |
| Review Date: November 18, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Lisa Shea, |
We got our hands on an XBox 360, a PS3, and a Wii on launch day. Each is good at specific tasks. Here is a fully unbiased review of how the PS3 performs as a next generation console unit.
To start with, the PS3, like the XBox 360, supports full high definition. The Wii only supports a lower resolution. Since the Wii has a much lower price tag, that is a fair trade-off for people with a tighter budget. Gamers for whom a very high level of graphic detail is important will have to pony up for that ability.
Along the same lines, the XBox 360 supports the HD format of high definition DVDs for movies, while the PS3 supports the Blu-ray format. If you haven't been following the whole format war for high definition DVDs, I have several articles on the topic on my gaming site. In short it's like the VHS/Beta wars when the VCR first came out. Is one better than the other? Will one format win out as the sole survivor? There's no way to tell. People will argue vehemently that one is better than the other. From a gaming point of view, the PS3 has the Blu-ray BUILT IN meaning every game can have 50 GIGS worth of game information. Think MASSIVELY huge maps, types of characters, etc. The XBox 360 only uses "regular" DVDs as its base game holder, which is about 7 GIG. That is much smaller. You can buy an add-on HD DVD unit for about $100 (shop around - they're there at that price) but the storage is still smaller than Blu-ray - about 30 gig.
People will argue about graphics until they're blue :) A lot of this comes down to how a specific game company *uses* the ability of the system. Looking at graphics on a tetris-like game will be much different than viewing the graphics of Oblivion or Gears of War. I found 360 graphics amazing on Oblivion. I equally found the PS3 graphics quite impressive on Genji's cut scenes (no enemy crabs in sight). Since both are high definition, I think that both have the same potential in real life terms. Both really shine in terms of fluid motion, precise detail and realism. I've seen it on both systems, on certain games. I've also seen junky graphics on both systems. Both are much better than the Wii.
How about sound? All of these can plug into your stereo system. My boyfriend and I are both musicians. We have decibel meters and other sound-sensing tools. All three systems can create amazingly complex sounds, music, and in general a "gaming environment". Again I think it comes down to specific game makers, how they choose to use or not use that ability. It also comes down to how much you the gamer spent on your stereo system :)
Speaking of sound, I do have to comment that our 360 is quite loud when it runs, despite our many attempts to help it be quieter. The PS3 right out of the box is MUCH quieter. Score 1 point for the PS3.
On the general operating system for the units, all three consoles are going for more of a "general use entertainment system" presentation. The XBox has customizeable tabs that let you download new games, manage your environment and so on. The Wii also has channels that let you organize your gaming world. The PS3 has an interface almost exactly like that of the PSP, complete with cool drifting smoke waves in the background. You choose which area you want to work on - game, music, internet connection etc., and drop down to alter whatever feature you're interested in.
So on to the on-line aspect, which most gamers are now fully interested in. Where the XBox 360 makes you buy an external connector for wireless, the PS3 has that built-in on the 60 gig model. The 20 gig model still requires an external connector (these run about $100). All will let you plug in a cable if you're still running a wired household.
[UPDATED JUNE 2007] Back during launch, people thought 20 gig was great and that 60 gig was overkill for a gaming system. After all, the XBox 360 had 20 gig as their top end. Now, only a few months later, Sony has discontinued their 20 gig as "too small". XBox has the Elite model with 120 gig. The difference is as that gamers are converting their focus from audio storage to video storage, and high def video at that. People are downloading and enjoying movies and TV shows on their consoles. It's something to consider, if you will be doing that with your console.
How does the online world work on the PS3? The XBox definitely has the advantage here. Until this generation, *only* the XBox had a thriving community in their live world. The XBox 360 connected right into that XBox Live world, and they boast a *huge* community of gamers who actively gain points, play online and form virtual worlds. The PS3 and Wii both have to play catch-up at this point. Even if they have better interfaces, it's a matter of converting over all those players who have clans, familiarity and high point collections on the XBox world. Imagine if a new MMORPG came out right now that had fantastic graphics. Sure it might be wonderful - but will you really get all 800 trillion WOW players to drop their world and characters and friends to convert, especially if it costs more? It'll be a hard, slow sell.
My summary? I definitely think all three have great games and that all three are worth owning. Of course I'm in a position that I *can* afford all three, which many people are not in. For example, I *love* the Zelda series, and I *love* the Final Fantasy series. I would be hard put to tell a person "you need to get Zelda instead of Final Fantasy". I would want the person to have both, because both are great for different reasons. If you really truly can only save up for one of the three consoles, it isn't going to come down to which console is "best" for all players in some sort of a global way. It is going to come down to which console is best for YOU based on your specific gaming style.
If you're on a really tight budget and just want something better than the previous generation, go for a Wii. It's cheap, the graphics are better, and the remotes are great fun. It has Zelda :) If you have a larger budget and really want the high definition, you're now choosing between the 360 and the PS3. You really do have to look at the specifics of each, and think seriously about your gaming style, to see which matches you best. If I were to make a flip summarization, if you really love online gameplay, I'd go with the XBox 360. Its years of head-start really give it a robust environment here. If you are looking for more of a home-based one-machine media center for your MPs3, photos and huge world gameplay, I'd go with the PS3. It definitely has the advantage on large scale games.
Feel free to email me if you have more specific questions, or for screenshots, graphic descriptions, or interface information on any of the three systems. |
PS3 Exceeds Expectations
|
| Review Date: December 27, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Omar Little, Fallujah, Iraq |
After months of mulling it over, I decided to go with a PS3 over an XBox 360 or a Nintendo Wii. The reasons that I did so were as follows:
First, the PS3 is technically superior and more powerful than either the 360 or the Wii. Because of that, there is nothing that the 360 or Wii can do that the PS3 cannot do. And all of the advantages for the 360 (better game lineup and networking) or for the Wii (novel game play) could be overcome by the PS3 given the right amount of time (the PS3 game lineup for next year looks impressive, the networking should improve and the EyeToy coming for PS3 should counter the Wii's advantage).
Second, the PS3 60 GB gives you more for your dollars (even though it will take 600 of them) than the other systems. It includes a BluRay player, a 60 GB hard drive, a memory card reader and WiFi networking. If you tried to build an XBox 360 with the same specifications, it would end up costing you $300 more than the PS3. And the Wii is incapable of meeting these specifications.
Third, the PS3 is reverse compatible with most PS2 games - preventing my PS2 library from becoming obsolete overnight.
That said, when I bought the system, I was a bit apprehensive given all of the criticisms that I had heard here and elsewhere. I did have high hopes for the system given its specifications but was afraid of buying the next NeoGeo. After a couple of days of playing, I can say that my expectations have been exceeded and my fears have proven to be unfounded.
I have had the system set up and playing for two days (not continuously of course) on a Samsung 720p/1080i 50" plasma screen with an HDMI hook-up. (Note: There is NO need to buy an HDMI cable over $20. Sony and Monster will try to sell you HDMI cables for almost $100. HDMI relies on a digital signal - either you get it or you don't. I bought a $9 cable from an online retailer and have been doing quite well with it.)
I have played Resistance, Fight Night, the Grand Turismo Demo, the Genji demo and the MotorStorm demo. I have used the WiFi connection to play online as well.
The system has its pros and cons - but the pros far outweigh the cons.
Pros:
- Breathtaking next-gen graphics. The Grand Turismo High Definition demo shows off the power of the PS3. When playing GTHD, you almost forget that you are watching a computer animation - the cars and track look entirely lifelike (the spectators not so much). Fight Night shows off impressive flesh reconstructions, lighting and details (e.g. the sweat on a fighter's face, the skin ripples on a knockout punch).
- Hassle free wireless networking. There have been some drops - but for the most part, the WiFi keeps us downloading and gaming as much as we need it. It provides a web interface and easy access to the PlayStation store and other PS3 users.
- Peripheral possibilities. With four USB hookups in the front, the possibilities are many - including a PS3 EyeToy and SingStar game.
- An impressive 2007 lineup with Tom Clancy's Vegas, Assassin's Creed, Metal Gear Solid 4, Grand Theft Auto and a variety of other games coming out, the future for the PS3 is bright.
- Extensive hard drive space. There is no need to skimp on demos or downloads.
- BluRay player opens up next gen DVD to our home theater system.
- SIXAXIS controllers open up the possibility of a fusion of traditional gaming with motion sensitive gaming.
Cons
- Surfing the web with the PS3 WiFi connection is an exercise in frustration. I don't plan to surf the web on the PS3 anyway and this is more of an annoyance than anything else because the network and PlayStation store run quite smoothly on WiFi.
- The smooth, plastic casing is a fingerprint and dust magnet. (Really not a big deal at all).
Overall, the PS3 is a solid system with spectacular potential in the hands of the right software developers. It only gets 4 stars for fun (as opposed to 5 overall) right now because of the limited game lineup (which may not be fair since this is a review of the console and not the lineup - but a console is nothing without its playable games) - but with time, those 4 stars should become 5. |
The Playstation 3 is one heck of a game system & entertainment powerhouse!
|
| Review Date: January 10, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Porfie Medina, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA |
I have to say I have never been a Sony Playstation fan. I just grew up with Nintendo and loved their games Like Super Mario Bros and The Zelda franchise. When I heard what the SONY playstation 3 was about and how it supported blu-ray and high definition games I only hoped that the system would live up to the hype. After finally getting my hands on one a little bit before Christmas I have to say the SONY Playstation 3 is one amazing system and was worth the wait. As for the games there are not many that show the true potential of this amazing system just yet though many are still a blast to play. I do have to say the Motor Storm Demo in (720p) and Gran Turismo HD demo (1080p) show an amazing amount of detail and some parts look like reality especially on a True HD TV capable of 1080p. I have this connected to my SONY KDL-46XBR3 46 inch Bravia 1080p HDTV LCD TV and the playstation 3 allows me to see what a HD tv is capable of when given great content. Most of the Blu-ray movies look amazing (Crank, Invincible, The Devil Wears Prada, Black Hawk Down) but some movies on blu-ray look just above DVD quality like The Covenant and Silent Hill. I guess that depends on the quality of the transfer of the film. The motion sensor bluetooth controls are great. I am really glad Sony released their new Bluetooth Play station 3 Blue-Ray DVD Remote (item #B000M17AVO here on Amazon) because it makes navigating the blue-ray movies so much easier than the regular controls. I like the fact that the system has online connectivity and that it also has a built in browser should you just want to surf the internet. Most of all I like the fact that the 60 gig model gives a built in Wi-fi connection so if you all ready have internet access you just have to buy a wi-fi router (I use the Linksys WRT54GS Wireless-G Broadband Router item #WRT54GS here on Amazon) and pop in the CD that comes with the router. Follow the simple instructions and bam you have your ps3 on line wi-fi and free from all those extra wires. You can even download your favorite music/videos to the ps3 hard drive and if available online it will display the artist names and songs. You can even connect a USB keyboard (along with almost any type of USB device) to make surfing the internet faster and more enjoyable. I have to say I am very happy with giving the Playstation 3 a chance and I highly recommend it for anyone who appreciates a great game system with some awesome entertainment features.
|
Great Value
|
| Review Date: May 6, 2007 |
| Reviewer: M. K. Wenger, PA |
| Where to start.....the PS3 is an engineering masterpiece. There are so many reasons why you should upgrade from the PS2 to PS3. My main motivating factors were Blu-Ray (high-definition video) functionality, Bluetooth wireless controllers (better range and response), internal wireless (for online game-play and updates), HDMI 1.3 output with 1080p output, optical audio, and card slots for loading music, pictures, and video onto the massive 60GB hardrive. Seems expensive, but, in retrospect, its really not, there is a lot of value in the price. |
More than just a Video Game Console
|
| Review Date: August 9, 2007 |
| Reviewer: C. Wickman, Chicago |
It takes me a lot to write a review for something. Normally I just don't care. I will only write a review for something if I feel it is really superb.
Well this thing is.
Bonuses
----------------------
What I really like about the PS3 is it does more every month that passes. I bought the thing in February and since then, with free firmware updates you can download right on your console, PS2 and PS1 backwards compatability has become unmatched and all your old games are upscaled to 1080P and anti-aliased, the Blu-ray playback has improved, Full RGB output has been added, it upscales my CD's to 192Khz and there actually is a difference (it warms them up), DVD upscaling has been added and it is unmatched, and best of all, a Media Server has been added. What this last thing means is I can stream all of my music, movies and photos from my computer which is on the 2nd floor of my townhouse to my PS3 which is on the 4th floor, and view/listen/watch all of these things *from* my computer *on* my home theater *via* the PS3. Since the PS3 has built-in WiFi, this is all done completely *wirelessly*. You can imagine how cool this is.
Lately I have been discovering some pretty cool things about the system too that I did not realize before. I can use it to browse the Web and print to my printer, for instance. This thing is full of cool stuff that gets added and you find out over time that really adds to the value for any adult home.
Games
----------------------
If you are a hardcore gamer, you may be dissapointed at least for now as the PS3 launched 8 months ago and has a smaller game library than the Xbox 360. But if you are honest with yourself, you'll realize that the PS3 is new. We've all played this game before in the past with many other consoles, and this is not unusual. The first year is always a little painful but things get better every month. This is no different.
But if you are more casual like me, the PS3 is absolutely wonderful. MLB The Show, Motorstorm, and Super Startdust HD are possibly the most fun I've had playing video games in years. And I look forward to what's in store over the next few months.
Power
----------------------
I have a feeling the PS3 is more powerful than other consoles as the games out this year look better than the games out last year for the 360. No game on the 360 last year in month 3 looked as good as Motorstorm did on the PS3 in month 3, for instance, and no game on the 360 last year in month 6 looked as good as Ninja Gaiden Sigma did on the PS3 in month 6. Now we'll just have to wait and see if anything looks as good as Gears of War in month 11. But as a games machine, for a console that launched 8 months ago, the PS3 is really doing fantastic so far.
Cross platform games are a wash so far. Most are better on the Xbox 360 at this moment because the system is a year older. But I am noticing the new cross platform titles are not as bad as the earlier ones. Oblivion is better on the PS3, for instance. And I'm noticing games like Virtua Tennis and others that utilize the standard hard drive in the PS3 load faster than on the Xbox 360. So you win some and you lose some. We'll know by next year what system really has the most power. First 8 months of a console's lifespan is WAY too early to tell anything, though I have a feeling PS3 is more powerful based off of Motorstorm and Ninja Gaiden being better looking in months 3 and 6 than anything respectively last year.
Blu-ray
----------------------
I think Blu-ray is an excellent added feature to the system. Blu-ray movies look fantastic and 7 out of 8 major studios are releasing movies on it. It will definetly be the next consumer high def format. It has double the sales and much more studio support than HD-DVD, the competing format available for $180 as an optional add-on for the 360. HD-DVD has only 3 major studios supporting it. Blu-ray has all of them but Universal. Plus HD-DVD only has Toshiba making HD-DVD only players. Blu-ray has Panasonic, Samsung, Philips, Sony, Pioneer and Denon. You do the math.
Value
----------------------
Which brings me to my last point, and that is the value of the PS3. The real misnomer is that the Xbox 360 is cheaper. I agree it is cheaper if all you do is play video games and just want something that plays video games, but then again the Playstation 2 also plays video games and is cheaper still, so you have to look at the entire picture. It's not just "can it play video games" it is "what do I want for my money."
Let me explain further. I live in a townhouse and my gaming rig is in our den on the 4th floor. Our DSL/phone jack/router is on the 2nd floor. Therefore unless I want to re-arrange my entire lifestyle and move my gaming rig to an entirely different floor, or spend more money for things like extra access points, I need WiFi. Also I do enjoy high definition movies.
Let's Break it Down
----------------------
These things cost extra on the Xbox. So let's do the math. The Xbox 360 Elite is $449. The PS3 is $499. These are the closest comparable price points we have.
Check.
Now if I told you that for $50, I could take your Xbox 360 Elite, take off 60GB of hard drive space BUT in return I will give you built in Wireless for all Internet/gaming/media server connectivity, I will upgrade your HDMI from 1.2 to 1.3 to give you access to higher bandwidth 7.1 multichannel PCM audio, I will install SD/compactflash card readers for your camera photos, allow your console to browse the Web and surf the Internet, I'll make online gaming completely FREE and you'll no longer have to pay $50/year, I'll give your console the ability to use any third party hard drive and USB/Bluetooth headset, keyboard or mouse to upgrade your console, I'll upgrade your backwards compatability so it plays ALL the old games (not just half of them), and I'll even throw in a wee little thing called a Blu-ray drive allowing you to play high def movies, and I'll inform the game developers they can also use all that extra 42GB of space for their games, would that be worth $50 for you?
I mean that's what we are talking about here. So if someone tells you the 360 is cheaper, yes it is, but it is a misnomer. A Kia is cheaper than a Toyota, and they both drive. But no one puts them up against each other in terms of raw pricing. In other words, in video game speak, you will have to pay $100 for WiFi on the 360, $50 if you want to play games with people online, and $180 if you want to watch high def movies, and you will never ever be able to surf the Internet or save money by using your own third party Bluetooth/USB peripherals like keyboard/mouse/headset (you have to buy *Microsoft's* overpriced products like their $180 hard drive!). Now if you don't want any of those things, fine, but acting like they come for free or they have no intrinsic value is deceiving. So be honest with yourself.
Reliability
-----------
As an added bonus, the PS3 is also MUCH quieter and MUCH more reliable. All you have to do is read the reviews here and read the reviews for the Xbox 360. There are a lot of upset Xbox 360 owners. A LOT. As far as I'm aware the 360 has a 33%+ failure rate acknowledge by Microsoft. They are working on fixing it and have given customers a 3 year warranty, but I'm sorry that just does not bode well for my confidence. Microsoft has never been a hardware company. Sure they will fix it for free and have a 3 year warranty, but does Kia's 10 year warranty really sway you to get a Kia over a Toyota or a Honda?
So think long and hard about this purchase if you are comparing consoles. Do the math. Add up the numbers. And do your research. And be honest with yourself. I believe any young male 18-35 with a pulse would be happy with a PS3. |
|
No video reviews found for this product.
Responses to “PlayStation 3 60GB”
Leave a Reply