Features
- Internal 40GB HDD for storing your games, music, and photos
- Built-in Blu-ray player
- Cell Broadband Engine advanced microprocessor
- SIXAXIS wireless controller
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
As DVD playback made the PlayStation 2 more than just a game machine, hefty multi-media features make the 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 powerful gaming console.
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 makes the PlayStation 3 40 times faster than the PS2. Along with the traditional AV and composite connections, it also boasts an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) 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. This console also provides for a sound experience by supporting Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, as well as Linear PCM 7.1. A pre-installed 40 GB hard disc drive allows you to save games as well as download content from the internet. Unlike the other models of the PlayStation 3, the 40GB does not offer backwards compatibility.
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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.
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 to the PS3. Inside the controller is a high-precision sixaxis sensing system that accurately detects fine movements in pitch, roll, and yaw, as well as three dimensions of movement. 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 wireless controllers. 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.
A Slew of New Games
A whole host of game publishers back the PS3. Current and future titles for the system, include The Eye of Judgment, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, Final Fantasy XIII, Metal Gear Solid 4, Devil May Cry 4, Tekken 6, and Heavenly Sword.
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.
What's in the Box?
- Game system
- Sixaxis wireless controller
- AC power cord
- Audio/Video cable (HDMI or Component cable sold separately)
- USB cable
Customer Reviews
We all love our PS3
We currently own an XBOX 360 and Wii and really only purchased
the Playstation 3 for the Blu-Ray DVD player. However, once we
got it set up and found out what else it could do (besides video
games) we were hooked. The graphics are amazing and the on-screen
controls and navigation are very intuitive. Actually, we find
that it is just so much easier to use than either of the other
2 consoles. Also, the built-in wireless is much better at finding
our WLAN than either of the other 2 boxes.
The only downside so far is that there are fewer video game titles
that interest us but hopefully there will be a better selection on
the market soon.
Everyone in the family recommends this product. Good job Sony!
Awesome
I've been wanting to buy PS3 for a long time, i guess i was holding back because of the High def. format war to end. As soon as HD-DVD was out, i evaluated WII and PS3 and went ahead and bought this version to try it out. Its been great, no issues so far. I bought Call of Duty and a couple of BDs and the experience has just been awesome.
I also bought a Sony HD handycam SR-11 and it integrates with PS3 really well.
Last Fall when I could not afford a PS3 for me and my son, we purchased a XBOX360. We bought it because you could start small (Arcade version) and slowly add-on to your system. After a while though, we kept looking at the PS3 and its growing library of T rated games. When GameStop had their buy 2 get one free sale, we traded the 360 and accessories and got 8 games and a controller for the PS3. And a couple weeks later got the system for our birthdays (we were both born in the same month). What we learned about the two systems may help those of you trying to make a choice for your family.
Exclusive Games - PS3 wins for Teens and families, 360 wins for M-rated games
While we really enjoyed the 360, we constatly found ourselves looking at the T rated games on the PS3. Uncharted, Lair, Warhawk, Motorstorm, and Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction are all exclusive to the PS3. Most of the games we really enjoyed on the 360 (Call of Duty 4, Frontlines, Star Wars Lego) are also available on the PS3. If you look at the exclusives, PS3 has the best selection of games that are not adult-only fare. The best 360 exclusives are: Gears of War (M), Bioshock (M), and Halo (M). There are others for both systems, but these are the ones that get the most attention.
Final note on exclusives: The PS3 is going to be going head to head with the 360 on these M rated exclusives also with Devil May Cry and the release of Killzone 2, and Resistance 2 within the next year.
The Power of the System Hardware - PS3 dominates
Having played both, I can truly say that the graphics on the PS3 are superior. I don't know the processor speeds and all that, I just know that I have played Call of Duty 4 (1080p) on both systems and the PS3 is better.
Also, the fact that everyone knows is the presence of the Blu-Ray disk player. This thing is awesome to watch movies on. The disks are too expensive right now, but will probably come down as they replace traditional DVDs. The HD DVD format (the one the 360 supported through additional hardware) is all but dead.
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