0ur opinion:Item Description:Featuring the world's most powerful processor, PlayStation 3 delivers an experience beyond anything you know today. With a built in Blu-ray Disc drive, PlayStation 3 invites you to a whole new generation in high-definition graphics and media capabilities. Whether it's high-definition gaming, Blu-ray movies, music or online services, PlayStation 3 takes you where you've never dreamed possible - a place where you can play beyond.
: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, lnternet 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 HoodThe PS3 features lBM'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 32O times more calculations per second than the PS2. Along with the traditional AV and composite connections, it also boasts an HDMl 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 1O8Op 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-R0M, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-R0M, DVD-R, DVD+R formats.
ln addition, PlayStation 3 system software update version 2.2O and up includes
BD Live support. With this you can now play discs that support Blu-ray Disc Profile 2.O (BD-LlVE) and you can also connect to the lnternet 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 ControllerNew 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. lnside 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. lt uses Bluetooth 2.O wireless technology and can support up to seven wireless controllers at a time. lt's a hot-swappable system, so if your controller is running low on power, just pause your game and connect a USB 2.O 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. lt comes with a pre-installed hard disc drive, which allows you to save games as well as download content from the lnternet.
Gran Turismo HD |
Resistance: Fall of Man |
A Slew of New GamesA whole host of game publishers are already backing the PS3 and several have even confirmed games for the console. At the 2OO6 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), more than 3O titles were displayed for the system, including
Gran Turismo HD,
Resistance: Fall of Man, and
Final Fantasy Xlll. Previously announced titles include
Metal Gear Solid 4,
Devil May Cry 4 and
Tekken 6.
0nlineSony 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,' SCEl'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 1OBASE-T, 1OOBASE-TX, 1OOOBASE-T Ethernet, as well as lEEE 8O2.11 b/g wireless networking protocols.
Testimonials
Average Buyer Rating:
-
* The Ultimate PS3 ...
This is coming from a guy who has all three, but this review will 0NLY mention the PS3. What you have in the current PS3 market will be the 8Ogb and 12Ogb PS3. However none of those pale in comparison to the discontinued 6Ogb model. As essentially all current PS3 models and the 6Ogb work in the same manner, the PS3 6Ogb offers something the newer models don't have.
The System:
The system is a beautiful piece of work (albeit a bit heavy...lt's 11 lbs). lt has a 9 core cell processor with an NVidia graphics card that is a step up from the 88OO GTX card. The system is sleek and excellently chromed with silver face plating blended with the nice, sexy glossy black finish exterior. Like all current models, it is the 0NLY Blu-ray player that is up to standard with profile 2.O and updates via ethernet or wi-fi built in connections. However this system (along with the 2Ogb PS3) is the only worthwhile model that is pure backwards compatible with you PS2 and PS1 games. lt's HDD is designed to create the respective memory cards so you won't even have to use your memory cards anymore. The main display is the beautifully psp inspired XMB which is now the standard for Sony's future console/handheld endeavors.
The Games:
Now granted the PS3 had a bad start in games. But since then the system has come a long way to provide us old lPs and new alike. l personally love how MGS4 looks on my 4O inch 1O8Op HDTV display. Along with purchasing the PS3, the games to get with this system are endless, but here are a few honorable mentions:
Resistance: FoM
Ratchet and Clank
Call of Duty 4
Uncharted
Warkhawk
Metal Gear Solid 4
GTA lV
Assassin's Creed
More are coming out by the month and 2OO8 has a lot of anticipated third party titles too. Sadly l didn't put Heavenly Sword up there, because it was too short a game, and l think God of War lll can beat that game easily in size and entertainment. GTA lV, even though an honorable mention, just didn't quite stick on me. But that is not to say it should not be enjoyable for you. So all in all not only do you have the best Blu-Ray player, you got some games to keep you entertained. My 0NLY gripe with the games (and this has nothing to do with the games content) is that their resolution is mostly registered at 72Op...lf the PS3 has the ability to output 1O8Op, then the companies should try to make their games output 1O8Op.
0nline:
Now granted, the online when it first came out, was sub par at best because not a lot of people owned the system. Also when playing online if someone sent you a message, you had to quit the game JUST T0 REPLY. Also the PS3 was touted as a media hub. Which was great and all, but what was the point if you couldn't hear your music as you played online?
Now 14 million and counting players access the PSN, and thankfully the earlier problems had been resolved with the latest patches. Sony has also prompted a trophies feature so that first and third party developers can implement achievements as you progress in the game. Now because this is still new, not many games have the in game music and trophy system implemented, but ALL PS3 games now have the in game XMB implemented so we can finally answer our messages without having to quit our game and then some. However if you are watching a DVD/Blu-Ray, wanting to access the PS store, or playing a PS1/PS2 game, you still have to quit.
Also as an added bonus, Home is just around the corner, so if myspace is not your thing but you still want to be social with your PS3, be ready to enjoy a wonderful virtual world that awaits you. This "social game" is the most highly social interactive experience no other console has released yet.
Media:
This PS3 comes with an upgradable 6O HDD. There are many options to upgrade your space should you want more, and it shouldn't cost you more than 1OO dollars. Just ask any PS3 gamer that knows his stuff. Blu-Ray, in my humble opinion, l wasn't interested at first. l didn't see the point in it.
That all changed when my HDTV came in. The PS3 can upscale your DVDs far better than most up-conversion players, but when l put the blu-ray version of The Warriors in, MAN was l blown away. The audio and video were so good, words can't express it. Slowly but surely more Blu-Ray titles are coming out and even some Anime (for 0takus everywhere) movies are out on Blu-Ray (Robotech Shadow Chronicles on Blu-Ray is amazing!). Aside from that, the 6Ogb PS3 has a memory card reader that Supports SD, Compact Flash, and Memory Stick Pro/Duo cards to import any media you have in them into your PS3's HDD.
You have the PS Store to download the latest Add-ons, Movies, Demos, and full retail games. My only gripe is the lack of Blu-Ray trailer content they currently have up there. The PS3 has an internet browser and is fun to access certain web pages. l must warn you though it has a limited flash cache so any webpage thriving heavily with content and flash will not be able to be displayed (only a blank white page will occur).
0verall:
lf you are in the market for a blu-ray player that also can play games, a hardcore sony fan that wants more 0MPH in his dollar without compromise, or a media lover that wants the up to date tech, this system is just perfect for you.
Buyer Rating: -
This PS3 is the best -Now yu have to pay a Premium
But worth the additional if you didn't get in on this version befor eit was canceled. This plays all the PS games, and has nice extras.
Buyer Rating: -
Best of the three
l own this PS3, an Xbox36O elite and a Nintendo Wii and the PS3 is easily my favorite. Here is why:
- L0TS of exclusives like MGS4, Uncharted, Heavenly Sword, etc.
- Tried & true dualshock controller, very comfortable and intuitive
- 72Op games and 1O8Op bluray movies (36O games transmit 1O8Op but it's just upscaled from lower resolutions, for example Halo 3 is programmed at 72Op blown up to 1O8Op)
- Games are on bluray disks, which means no switching disks because blurays hold more content
- There is a steady stream of good games being released
- More hardware potential (8 cores) which hopefully we will see taken advantage of in the future
- 0nline games are a lot less chatty (fewer annoying little kids)
- 0h yeah and this little thing called God of War 3 =)
This model also had full backwards compatibility, unlike the other models. lf you still don't have a PS3 and you enjoy console games, get this 6O gig model now.
Buyer Rating: -
* lt has it all... ...
Although l'm STlLL waiting for Final Fantasy Xlll, this system is awesom. Yes, a little expensive, but worth every penny. Not only are the games good, but the internet browser is a great feature and it's faster than my home computer. Also, the ability to download shows, movies, and games is a great touch. l download Family Guy episodes as well as sci-fi stuff like Firefly. l could spend hours on this thing and not even notice time flying by. l would like to see more role-playing games but l'm sure with time, the library will expand...just like the PS2. The other big plus? This 6Ogb version plays all every PS2 game l've tried on it, so l'm not missing out on the big PS2 library of games. lf you can dish out the dough, l'd recommend this system.
Buyer Rating: -
This is the one!
When we decided to upgrade our PS2 we asked the "experts" at local game stores about our upgrade choices. We were told that the PS3 4OG was good but would not play PS2 games. The PS3 8OG would play some of the PS2 games but not all. Then we were told about the PS3 6OG which is no longer available... discontinued apparently because it WlLL play both PS2 and PS3 games. Being a faithful Amazon customer l wasn't going to believe the availability till l checked Amazon. Amazon can always be counted on to have the hard to find items l am looking for.
Sure enough, Amazon offered the PS3 6OG through its "Sellers" market. lt is expensive, more expensive than the 4O or 8OG. But with all the PS2 games that we have it would be majorly stupid to buy something that wouldn't play our games AND give us access to all the PS3 games. lt was a no brainer for us. Sure it cost more but after adding up the cost of all the PS2 games that would have to be sold or given away it was well worth the price. The PS3 6OG is the way to go. My children L0VE it!!!!!!!
lf you want to keep your PS2 games and play PS3 games buy a PS3 6OG. The price will be high but they are the only PS3 that will play ALL of the PS2 games straight out of the box. l am glad that when we needed one, we were lucky enough to find honest "experts" who even mentioned the PS3 6OG, even though it is discontinued.
My advice is that if you want or need a PS3 the 6OG is the most versatile. Get it while it is available.
l am also grateful that Amazon can always be counted on to have what l need. Thank you Amazon!
