Testimonials
Average Buyer Rating:
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* Breathtaking and Powerful Media Centre System ...
The console market was always about that one exclusive title that was a make or break deal for buying a console. Things have changed and these transformations are important. Brand names in technology used to mean quality but in today's world the same companies get their components from the same parts of the globe that are using the same factory workforces. It is not about components any longer, it is all about architecture, design and implementation.
When games developers announced that the 360 was about to get games that were once exclusive to the PS2 console it seemed that the Playstation 3 would be a hard sell especially at its announced price. When Sony revealed delays that amounted to a year and dropped the new design of the controller many thought it would be the end of the PS3 with the sale of HD-DVD format through an early 360 release crushing Blu-ray out of the market. However it didn't happen like that and if anything the tables have turned dramatically. The 360 had two drawbacks. The first was that the hardware architecture was causing overheating problems and the second was that it didn't ship with a HD-DVD drive. That was all the news Sony needed to deliver on a solid gaming rig with Blu-ray... and then much more.
It is hard to call the PS3 a games console. It is more like a media centre. In fact it is the media centre that Microsoft wanted us to have, so in many ways Bill Gates has been given a double whammy by Sony. If you want a games console with a highly sophisticated media centre, then the PS3 is the one to get. Let me explain how good it gets. I have a PC upstairs with a lot of DivX, Xvid, DVDs, MP3s, AVIs and WAVs I would like to play on my television. With the PS3, a wireless router and a little time to configure a setup with the free Tversity media server on my PC (you may have to search on the Internet for the right configuration but it goes like this - set PS3 to Wireless with automatic connection, write down the IP and DNS Servers, then change to manual and enter these in manually and disable UPnP. Port forward in the router with the new assigned IP (Ports: 80(TCP), 443(TCP),5223(TCP), 3478(UDP), 3479(UDP), 3658(UDP)). Also in router UPnP check disable. This solves any disconnection issues and your media centre is now up and running). You can watch or listen to virtually anything through this system. I was blown away by how good these files looked over the 54G wireless. It was like watching it on normal television and without any artefacts or frame skipping. The PS3 is also Internet ready with a browser and you can download and install software that runs on the internal hard drive. Then you have social features such as the PS3 community, chat (needs a bluetooth headset), friends and email. There is a way more under the bonnet than just a game's engine. Microsoft has been left standing by what should have been their thing.
The controller is more robust than the PS2 controller and has lots of new features. The first is that it is wireless and charges directly from the system (no batteries). There is a new middle button that activates system functions. It comes with motion sensor `Sixaxis' and the L2, R2 buttons have a lovely downward curve feature. You can easily see if your controller needs recharging by the front flashing red lights and having lots of controllers is an effortless affair now. You can also run these wired through USB if you want.
The graphics are up there with a high end PC. Playing GTA IV on this machine was a jaw-dropping on the sticky popcorn floor experience. You can download and watch/play trailers/demos from the Sony store. The quality is simply super. Let the best games speak for themselves.
The PS3 menu and interface is a substantial improvement from the PS2. It is virtually a feature rich operating system. There are extensive settings for audio and display and networking. It can network with the PSP. You can download updates and patches online including upgrades for the BD player. It makes you feel like part of a PS3 community with a commanding media system in your hands. All of this even before you have started to play a game or watch a Blu-ray makes the PS3 worth it alone. That is why this is a knockout system. The PS3 has done away with the concept that one exclusive title is the make or break deal for buying a console. You buy the PS3 for the PS3. That says it all.
Pros:
Much more than just a games console
Full blown media centre
Blu-ray
Wireless everything
Playstation community online
Updates
Hundreds of games in development
Some really good games already out (GTA IV, MGS4)
Online manual is deep
The technology is outstanding
Cons:
Not compatible with all PS2 games
It's big and heavy
Networking requires some tinkering
Book manual is lacking
Buyer Rating: 
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Serious Blu-ray dependability problem
After about 4 months of use the PS3 will no longer read Blu-ray movies or PS3 games. It will play DVDs fine. After doing some searching on the internet, it seems this is a common problem and the only fix is to send your PS3 back to Sony and wait (reportedly for a very long time.)
Buyer Rating: -
PS3
I bought by my playstation 3 about a month or so and it's been great. It arived before the esstimated arrival date. I have a few games for it and it has worked fine since I pulled it out of the box. I love it!!!
Buyer Rating: -
* Fantastic System ...
I bought the PS3 primarily because I needed a blu-ray disk player. At the time, most blu-ray players were priced in the $400 range, so I thought why not get the PS3 and have the gaming functionality as a bonus. I have been blown away at the range of capabilities of this device. It is more than a game console. It is a wireless (or wired, if you prefer) server that can surf the web, serve out photos, audio, video, and any other media consumed from the web or other media servers on my home wireless network. Highly recommended.
Buyer Rating: -
An Evolution In The Gaming Industry!!!!!!!!!!!!
THIS IS THE BEST CONSOLE IN THE MODERN WORLD.NO CONS EXCEPT IT SHOULD PLAY PS2 GAMES.OVERALL, A GREAT CONSOLE,PURCHASE,AND ANYTHING ELSE YOU CAN THINK OF!!!!!!!1
