PlayStation 3 80GB Motorstorm Pack Reviews

• Great system...but beware!

  
  By A3JUMMIGJ7B38X on 2007-08-07
  This system is incredible. By now you either love it or hate it, so I won't go into details. But here's a word of warning on the 80 GB model. The backwards compatibility is very much reduced from the 60 GB model. This is because the 80 GB lacks the hardware that previous models use to play PS1 and PS2 games (Emotion Engine). Now, games from old systems run on emulation software. While this works with some titles, others don't work right at all. Sony promises to release patches with future system updates, but they've also said their priority will be with developing PS3 games and not spending time and energy on PS1 and 2.
  
  So if backwards compatibility is a big selling point for you, get the 60 GB model instead (while they're still around...remember they've been discontinued). Also noteworthy is that hard drives on the 60 GB model are fully upgradable with any HDD drive on the market.
  
  Let me restate this, however. The PlayStation 3 really IS the greatest console of this generation. It's power and capabilities are just downright colossal.
  
  

• A Leap Forward in So Many Ways!

  
  By A22AD8M2SSOFHJ on 2007-11-07
  For all of you considering the PS3 this is one of the best choices you can make when it comes to home entertainment. Gaming and multimedia are taken to the next level.
  
  First getting my hands on the PS3 made me realize that this is the largest Playstation conosle by volume and weight they have ever come out with. I quickly realized how sturdy and well made this product is. The plastic that is used is solid and heavy duty. I also realized how easy dust and fingerprints attract to the shiny finish which is both plastic and fake chrome. Connecting the PS3 was the easy part. Unlike the Wii and 360 Sony has left the power station inside the console. Which means you only need one heavy duty plug to connect. From the back of the console you have many choices for video and audio outputs. The standard AV outlet is there which allows you to play with the cables it comes with or to buy component cables for high definition viewing. You also have a optical digital output for full digital sound. New to any video game console is HDMI output. This allows you to have the PS3 in full high definiton video and audio. HDMI is capable of a full digital signal allowing 1080p true high definition picture. It is also capable of unleashing 7.1 high definition sound. So audiophiles should be happy about what this console offers. On the front end you get three memory card slots which are hidden behing a plastic door...so as to not diminish the appearance of the PS3. Also they included four USB outlets. This allows you to connect various devices like a photo camera, internet camera, mouse, or even a printer. The Sony PS3 has a feature that allows it to be on standby at all times. Which is similar to the other consoles. I will talk more about this feature on the PS3 further in the review.
  
  I would like to cover all the interface options the PS3 accompanies seperately so consumers can become aware of all the advantages this console carries. For those of you familiar with the Playstation Portable this interface is almost exactly the same.
  
  You are able to create seperate logins for anyone who uses the PS3. This allows for each person to go online with their information. Although it doesn't really have many more advantages than that right now it is rather insignificant.
  
  Next is the system settings. This allows the user to adapt the PS3 to their television and sound system. You can adjust the high defention settings to fit the maximum resolution of your t.v. You also have setting for your blue tooth devices and internet connections. The PS3 comes with built in wi-fi which seems to have a strong connection that gives you almost seamless online use.
  
  The PS3 also has a photo viewer. You can download photos by two different means. One is by using your camera and connecting it via USB. I haven't checked to see how viable this option is. Next you can download the pictures with a memory card. This operation is rather simple and downloads are quick. Generally you get your standard slide shows although they have a fun feature. It allows you to view your pictures on a blank canvas as they fall onto the blank canvas. Slide shows are best when you set them to your music.
  
  Next is the music player. You can dowload songs by two different means. One being memory card and the other cd. Songs download much quicker via memory card than cd. Although Sony has talked about having downloads via the internet which I think would go over very well. You can listen to music while viewing a feature that uses colors and textures. It is your standard music viewer...nothing special there.
  
  I want to talk about one of the most notorious features of the PS3. The Bluray player. Most of you now know what a Bluray player is and does. I have viewed numerous movies on it. I have also viewed these movies on two different hdtv's. One a 1080p and a 1080i. I really did not notice much of a picture difference. After viewing a few movies on the XBox 360 hddvd player and the PS3 Bluray player I really did not notice much of a difference. One thing I have noticed about hd movies is that the ones more than a couple years older have a slightly grainy appearance since they were remastered for high definition. Newly made movies appear crystal clear with vivid colors and tremoundous definition. The PS3 does allow you to view regular DVD's which can make the transition that much easier. The regular DVD movies are upscaled on your HDTV allowing an excellent picture. For many of the new movies it is almost difficult to notice a difference in a DVD picture and Blu-ray picture.
  
  Now would be the gameplay part of the interface. This keeps track of the game disc you may have in the player or also games or demos that you have downloaded. This interface is rather simple and easy to negotiate. For any PS2 owner it also carries your virtual memory card with all your game data. As far as the games go I have played numerous games plus several demos. The games that are non exclusive like Madden Football are deficent on the PS3 compared to XBox 360 counterparts. The game speed is smooth and polished. The visuals on exclusive PS3 games like Heavenly Sword and Ratchet and Clank is quite impressive. The PS3 seems to create a living vivid environment with the ability to create many textures and surfaces. Game demos like Motorstorm and Gran Turismo HD show what the PS3 is capable of. Amazing graphics and sound quality will become apparent in many of the games this holiday season and beyond. I have also enjoyed the few full games that are downloadable. The games have enhanced hd graphics and are affordable at only $7.99-$9.99. What I have enjoyed is online gaming. With the PS3 you don't have to pay any added fees. The gameplay was seamless and quick and allows you to use a blue tooth headset when playing. I also believe you can use your PS2 headset via USB. The online gaming is virtually the same as the 360.
  
  Lastly I will cover the online features of the PS3. On the interface online is a big part. From the browser to having friends and checking your mail. Of course the largest feature is the Playstation store. Which is obviously not very unique. The 360 has a market which could be considered the pedigree for consoles. The Wii is limited to just classic video games. The Playstation store is decent right now with very numerous items to download. You have games, demos, and movie trailers. The store will continue to grow and has a nice feature that allows you to dowload PSone games for the Playstation Portable (PSP). After dowloading it to your PS3 then you transfer it via USB to your PSP. Also a very intriguing feature that I think is really amazing is called remote play. When your PSP is integrated into your PS3 you have the ability to view and listen to stuff on your PS3 anywhere in the world with your PSP. All you need is a wifi connection. I have tried this feature out and it's really enjoyable. I was able to view movie trailers and listen to my music on my PSP. The feature is nice although it is supposed to work when the PS3 is on standby. It did not work for me then. Only when the PS3 was on and set for remote play.
  
  There are also two features that are becoming more apparent for owners. Folding at Home is a beneficial program that works with Stanford University. The program runs when your PS3 is idle. What it does is run computations that help scientists work for many cures to diseases. A beneficial plus to the PS3. I can vouch for having my PS3 on nonstop 24 hours a day 7 days a week for many months without any problems. Secondly I want to talk about HOME. No not your real home but the PS3 program that will be available early 2008. This program will be a virtual online social interface allowing you to meet numerous other PS3 players. I have been allowed to participate on the Beta version and I must say this has extreme potential.
  
  2008 will be an exciting year for PS3 owners. The experience is already excellent with over a dozen very good games. The PS3 will have over a half dozen superb games releasing next year. Games like Gran Turismo 5, Killzone 2, Little Big Planet, Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy are just the beginning. If any of these games suit you it would be an excellent reason to own a PS3.
  
  In closing I will say without a doubt the PS3 has been quite an experience. I feel the $500 is well worth it for the features you get. Wifi, Bluray, memory card readers, HDMI, and of course the game playing.
  I believe many of you are on the fence and trying to justify a large scale purchase like this. The games are here and the experience is superb. If you want a wonderful living room centerpiece that will provide numerous hours of use the PS3 is the way to go.
  
  

• Same great system but less hardware

  
  By AWCMBQ9NRL2Y9 on 2007-08-08
  This 80G system is basically the same as 60G, but there is some hardware reduction which leads to manufacturing cost reduction. But Sony probably won't pass on the savings to the consumers since they've been selling PS3 at loss since launch.
  
  One of the hardware reduction is EE+GS removal which is responsible for PS and PS2 backward compatibility. Now the new 80G system's backward compatibility will rely on software emulation. We all know dedicated hardware is better than software emulation. So this raises a little concern.
  
  Other hardware modifications for cost reduction are consolidation of some ICs into a single chip and moving to smaller 65nm die cell processor. This will reduce the complexity of the board. Also smaller die means less power consumption which also means less heat dispassion from the components.
  
  So whether you want to buy new 80G system or phasing out 60G system is up to how you feel about the hardware changes. If removal of backward compatibility hardware concerns you, buy 60G system before it's all gone, not to mention it's $100 cheaper. If you think additional 20G hard drive space (which really isn't much) is important to you, buy 80G system. 80G system probably runs much cooler too. Either way it's a great system.
  
  

• Journalist's Review

  
  By A2VT9ZBPJKSQD2 on 2007-08-06
  The PlayStation 3 (PS3) is a great console and with every firmware update Sony adds new features and modifies others making the overall console better and better. There are many people questioning the console wondering why it costs so much and is it worth it. Each and every feature grants its users functionality, entertainment, and experiences that is beyond what is expected from PlayStation Branded product. There are many thing that make the PS3 a must have console and here are some of the reasons why.
  
  The online function for the PS3 is made using Sony's idea of keeping it a free user based network. Even though it is limited currently you can send messages to other users keep a buddy list, browse the internet using Sony's own internet browser, download music, movies, game demos, arcade games and more. Sony is currently working on a social networking game, if you will, called Home that will be accessible both on your PC though a standard webpage similar to MySpace and the PlayStation 3 to enter the virtual world of Home.
  
  There are a good amount of games available for purchase at retail or for download off the PlayStation Network Store. Prices for downloads range from 3.99 to 39.99. There are also PS1 games that can be played on both the PS3 and the PSP, if you own one, available for download. There are even specialized media available for download like custom Cross-media Bar themes, backgrounds, and game trailers. After major media events Sony will release mostly all content shown for their consoles.
  
  If you want to make yourself feel good you can use the Folding@Home feature that helps the medical branch of Stanford University study protein stains from diseases in hope of finding a cure from everything ranging from the common cold or AIDs, cancer, and herpes. Recently thanks to the PlayStation 3's contribution a new protein was discovered that folds at the speed of one nano-second.
  
  The price for the PS3 might seem to be a bit pricy but with the features and amount of games available it does justify spending 399 (40GB model) or 499 (80GB model/bundle) bucks but just to farther clarify the reasons to purchase this great piece of hardware here is some more features and explanations on the console's price point and functionality.
  
  The reason for the price currently being so high is because of the Blu-ray Disc drive installed in the console. You might be wondering why Sony would jam their format into a gaming console. It's for two reasons for this. They are making it so that you can watch movies High-Resolution all the way up to 1080p, and make it so that game developers have enough space to make a huge game without having to worry about discs changing or being limited by the amount of space.
  
  So what can Blu-ray Disc do that rival High-Definition (HD) format HD-DVD or standard DVD's can't? HD-DVD has mostly everything Blu-ray Disc does but doesn't offer nearly as much space which can cause movie studios to limit the amount of HD content or special features on the disc. Blu-ray Disc also has a new feature available called Blu-ray Java which will allow the menus to look even better and enable HD picture in picture if a studio feels imposed to include the feature. Another key detail is that 6/8 Hollywood studios and most hardware manufacturers support Blu-ray Disc.
  
  Some people might consider the 40GB a rip-off because it currently can't play PS2 games, has 2 USB ports, and has no card readers. If playing PS2 games is that important to you, either purchase a PS2 when it gets its price drop winter 2007 or buy the 80GB model. PS2 games aren't going to be made as much as current generation games now so truly there is no real worry and Sony should be working on remaking their software anyways so the ability to play PS2 games should be brought back.
  
  Another great feature is the internal Wi-Fi Adapter. This allows you to not have to either buy an external Wi-Fi adapter to make your gaming console have wireless internet and saves money on Ethernet Cables.
  
  The HDMI port built in to the console is rated to run HDMI 1.3. It supports 7.1 lossless-audio which is currently the best audio quality available, and it also supports up to a 1440p resolution so once TVs manage to obtain the Ultra-High-Definition levels the PS3 will be able to at least play some of its smaller PlayStation Network Store downloadable games at that resolution.
  
  Now finally the key advantage, the Cell Broadband Engine, the heart of the console. This processor is designed by Sony, Toshiba, and IBM. The Cell is currently the most powerful processor to date, and basic desktop processors are expected to take another 4 or 5 years to match its power. The Cell has been rated to be 12 - 15 times faster than Intel's Core 2 Quad-Extreme.
  
  There's a good amount of titles released and going to be released this Holiday season. Each of the titles bring something to each of their specific genre making it so that if you're a fan of the genre it's a must buy. Here's a list of some of the major titles out and coming out. I'll do some quick reviews on these games as to show how much I personally enjoy the ones released and have played. All reviews out of 10.
  
  
  Folklore 9/10
  Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
  Eye of Judgement 7/10
  Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction 10/10
  SingStar
  WarHawk Bundle with Bluetooth Headset 8/10
  Heavenly Sword
  
  There's also a few PSN titles that are must haves, including one that is a bowling game with motion controls. Reviewed these too.
  
  High Velocity Bowling 10/10
  Super StarDust HD 9/10
  Blast Factor 7/10
  LocoRoco Cocoreccho! 6/10
  Toy Home
  flOw 8/10
  Pain 9/10
  Operation Creature Feature 6/10 (needs PS3 PlayStation Eye or The Eye of Judgment (includes PlayStation Eye Camera))
  
  and to many others to remember all their titles.
  
  With this amount of content and games being released, and features abroad there is no reason to not buy a PlayStation 3.
  
  
  

• If you care about PS2 games, check before buying

  
  By A3SUNBKXMYB0XH on 2007-08-24
  Our PS2 died and I debated either buying a replacement PS2 or upgrading to the PS3. I decided to upgrade. Unfortunately I upgraded to the 80gb model. The backward compatibility was awful. After searching for the non-existent "patch," I exchanged for a 60gb, which works perfectly. We like the PS3 game MotorStorm enough that I bought a new copy since the 60gb version does not come with it. However, you cannot find an old PS3 that is backward compatible with the PS2, then I'd recommend that you consider buying an old PS2 and either an Xbox 360 or Wii (depending on the age and types of players).
  
  If you are interested in the gory details of my experience read on, otherwise stop. The first two PS2 games we tried locked up the 80gb model [Dark Forces 1 and 2.] We then searched for the ever illusive software "patch" that supposedly would fix all of the compatibility problems. I've figured out that this patch either doesn't exist or the "patch" is incorporated in the system update that you run when you first install the system, but doesn't work. There was also supposed to be a list from Sony on the internet of what games are backward compatible, we have yet to find it.
  
  
  
• Showing signs of promise!
  By A1GKOF0C78I4BF on 2007-11-25
  Some background. I have had an XBox 360 for 1 year now. I have had a Wii for about a month. I decided to pick up a PS3 recently (80GB + Motorstorm) since I am expecting some decent games to be coming out on the system, and I'm peeved that we still have this HD-DVD vs. Blu Ray war being fought (I have the HD drive on the 360).
  
  So, my perspective from having all three systems is:
  
  The Wii is really fun to play, really, really fun. The enjoyment level of being immersed with the controller in even hokey ways (Super Mario Galaxy) is a nice change from the same gameplay/controllers we've seen repackaged since the PS1 days except in shinier packages.
  
  That said, I do get tired of it (literally in some cases!) after a while, and yes, yearn for 'eye candy'. It's silly, and maybe I'm a bit shallow but it's true.
  
  The XBox 360 has delivered on the eye candy side of the equation with games like Gears of War, Halo 3, and Mass Effect (I have yet to pick up Mass Effect however). But, the more I play the 360, the more I feel like I should be playing these games on a PC. It seems to lack the same charm a game console has. Also, our 360 has already been replaced once due to the "Ring of Death", and ever since my wife got bored playing Viva Pinata, we do not really turn it on much except to play HD-DVDs. It's incredibly loud as well, which means that using it for Media Playback is non-optimal (in our room anyway).
  
  So, hearing of games coming out shortly for the PS3 that is starting to flex that system's muscle, I decided to pick one up.
  
  I wanted to pick up Motorstorm, so the 80GB package seemed ideal. Especially due to the fact that I do not have any PS2 games. So backwards compatibility is a non-issue for me.
  
  I took it home and unpacked it. This system is SUBSTANTIAL. WOW. You do feel like you got your $499 worth in weight anyway. That is until you feel the controller. Sorry, but the XBox 360 controller FAR exceeds the ergonomics of the SixAxis. The weight (or lack thereof) of the SixAxis makes it feel really flimsy in comparison. In addition, my hands feel cramped. Maybe due to the XBox being developed in the US, it was developed for American sized hands. I am Indian (as in from India) by ethnicity so it's not like I'm a 6'5" cowboy from Texas!
  
  Put it next to the 360 in my cabinet. The 360 looks very cheap, but the PS3 has a very odd design to it that just doesn't 'fit right' with anything else. Very odd shape and dimensions. I like Matte finishes on things (does not distract from what the star should be -- the picture on the TV) and the (dare I say it?) blingy exterior of the PS3 is a distraction. I'd prefer something low key, personally.
  
  First really big disappointment? This Hi-Def system doesn't come with any hi-def cables. So, they put in a HD Blu-Ray drive, and the system excels at rendering 1080p graphics but they give you an RCA AV cable that would have been cutting edge in the SNES days. Right.
  
  So, an extra $30 later, I have the PS3 hooked up via component cabling to my rear projection TV (no HDMI for that set). The system has a huge update to download once I setup Wifi (which was pretty standard, and easy). I leave it and come back and my system refuses to start up. Or something. For some reason, it appears that it chose a video mode that my TV didn't like after the reboot. Strange. So I hold the power button down for 5 seconds and it reboots into 480 mode. It starts the system update, and another 10 minutes go by before it's ready to use. I set the 1080i mode again and it seems fine in subsequent reboots. Maybe that was a glitch in the system software that it leaves the factory with *shrug*.
  
  I have a PSP, so the PS3 interface is familiar to me. It looks a bit "programmer art" to me on the PS3 for some reason however. Maybe because at 1080i it looks like a lot of monochromatic icons and text shoved onto the screen. I find the 360's UI easier to read and navigate, but really ugly due to the ads and explosions of colors. Somewhere, in between the PS3 UI and the 360's is perfection. Neither has it, though for now, I'd give the 360 the slight advantage.
  
  I browsed the Sony online store for a little bit. Seemed very much like it was trying to be a web browser interface rather than a console UI. It would feel at home to almost any PC user. But is a little odd when you're on a gaming machine. Microsoft gets this part right as well.
  
  Now, the games. I don't have a Blu-Ray disc to test at the moment for movies, but my system did come with Motorstorm. So, I popped it in. First thing I notice is that loads are not as smooth as the 360's. Loading animations have a lot of jerkiness to it, and the game seems to take a lot longer to load than just about any 360 game I have. Now, since this is my only PS3 game this could just be an issue with Motorstorm.
  
  But once I get into the game, I am blown away. Neither Gears, nor Halo 3 blew me away much in-game. Sure, they had some really nicely rendered in-game cinematics (which in Gears would cause frame rate hitching) but Motorstorm is jut gorgeous. The ground deforms, the terrain looks almost photorealistic at times (blur your vision a tiny bit and it starts looking real). I was actually impressed, and was prepared to be a skeptic.
  
  The bad part came after a bit of play time. The controller feels really weird in my hands. The pseudo-triggers modeled after the 360s at the bottom of the SixAxis feels wrong. My hands start to cramp up after a while. I just may have to learn how to grip the thing a little less brutishly. So, I'll continue to play with it. But picking up the 360 controller afterwards, I'm amazed at how that controller fits me like a glove. I also like the staggered analog sticks on the 360. Feels right. I do miss rumble a bit. It's nice feedback.
  
  I went from feeling like I wasted almost $600 (when you factor in an extra controller and the $30 component cables) to feeling pretty good about my purchase. I think the system has a lot of potential. I have yet to play anything multiplayer, but the 360's implementation of Live has probably set the bar here. BUT, the Sony service is FREE. I resent having to pay Microsoft $50 a year.
  
  As to how it stacks up against the 360? Well, I like that I didn't have to pay for WiFi (saved $90), but hated that I had to pay for component cables ($30). I like that I get a hi-def player with the set (almost $200 extra with the 360), and the larger HDD. I like that the system doesn't sound like a vacuum cleaner when playing games or movies. But I like the game selection on the 360 *MUCH* more as of today. I dislike the PS3 controller. I dislike in particular, Sony's attitude. It took me a really long time to even warm up to purchasing this box because I really do dislike Sony.
  
  But in the final tally, this is really one impressive machine. But is that enough to make it a better system than the 360, who seems to be getting the best games right now? Doubtful really. Last generation the XBox was the superior machine tech wise. But the PS2 annihilated it in the marketplace. This time, we may see a role reversal. If the 360's hardware was stable, reliable, and quiet it would be a much better box. But as of right now, I'd say the 360 is just a slightly better system because of the games it has.
  
  The Wii is the wildcard in all of this. I find it to be the most enjoyable system of the three currently due to the top notch Mario titles (Galaxy and Paper Mario). Nintendo really is trying something different and the system is *fun*. But the hardcore gamer will probably feel something is missing from their diet if it was the only system that they purchased. Get a 360 or PS3 to balance your gaming needs.
  
  
• Not bad, but it's in last place for a reason...
  By AR5SY32T76DBM on 2007-11-25
  The good:
  The PS3 is a sexy piece of hardware, make no bones about it. Slickly designed to appeal to the techie set (like me), it really is the antithesis of the Wii, with a hi-tech look and build that will impress the casual and hard-core, alike.
  
  It does an excellent job of playing DVDs and (especially) Blu-Ray, with the capability to output at 1080p for HDTVs via HDMI.
  
  It has plenty of features and settings, including built-in wireless network connectivity, the ability to upload and play music, photo and video files, the ability to surf the web via an internal web browser and an online marketplace the "Playstation store", where you have access to downloadable content including games, demos, videos, add-on packs and more (paying in actual dollar amounts, rather than the "point" currency now popular on other console online markets).
  
  Games can and do look awesome on it.
  
  The PS3 80GB version is backward-compatible with older PS1 and many PS2 games (a boon for those who love older games and have limited shelf space).
  
  Online multiplayer is free to anyone with an internet connection.
  
  It seems to be far more reliable a machine than the Xbox 360 is (or, for that matter, the PS2, which had more than it's fair share of hardware issues).
  
  
  The Bad:
  Where are the killer exclusives? I have been underwhelmed, to say the least with the PS3's library to date. Whereas I enjoyed "Ratchet & Clank" and "Uncharted", they hardly can be considered killer apps. In fact, next to Xbox 360, the PS3's library looks sad. Yeah, yeah, I know "In the future, blah, blah, blah...!" Sony's been pushing that line to validate owning a PS3 since before the PS3 went on sale, and I'm still waiting on that promise.
  
  Graphically, I am impressed with the PS3, but no more so than Xbox 360, which, at the moment, looks just as good. Personally, I was actually surprised with how mediocre "Resistance" came off; "Ridge Racer 7" and "Heavenly Sword" looked fine, but only "Ratchet & Clank" and "Uncharted" looks truly impressive to me, so far.
  
  What is noticeable is how much more sluggish and choppy multi-platform games run on the PS3, when compared to the Xbox 360. Some games even look a bit less detailed and darker when compared to its Xbox brethren. Loading times are also an issue with many games. It's not a deal-breaker by any means, but as I stated earlier, it is noticeable.
  
  The interface on the PS3 is so inferior to the Xbox 360, they're hardly comparable. It's usable, but needs a LOT of work.
  
  Certainly, there is a lot of potential for its use as a media hub, but its fairly complicated interface will scare off newbies and the technologically-disinclined.
  
  The online "Playstation Store" is poorly designed and clumsy to sift through, making online purchases needlessly tedious.
  
  The online multiplayer aspect of the PS3 simply can't hold a candle to Xbox Live; yes it's free, as opposed to the Xbox 360, but you really do get what you pay for (think of the difference between Apple's OS "Leopard" and the free, open-source OS "Linux" and you got a good idea of what I'm talking about).
  
  Being able to surf online is a nice touch, but the interface for the web browser is clumsy and unintuitive, and reading text can be a real pain.
  
  I am also unimpressed with the new PS3 controller.
  
  Kudos for its Bluetooth wireless capability, as well as its relatively fast charging capabilities; it's too bad that the PS3 must always be on in order for it to charge.
  The new trigger shoulder buttons stink, frankly, as they just aren't well-designed; they become flat-out uncomfortable when played for an extended period of time.
  Also, I feel the controller is perhaps TOO light, as it has almost an empty feel to it.
  Due to legal issues, there is no "rumble" feature on the newest PS3 controllers (a big loss in my book); in its place stands the "Sixaxis" motion sensor feature.
  "Sixaxis" has yet to impress me; it feels tacked on and gimmicky (and pales in execution when compared to the similarly-equipped Nintendo "Wii-mote").
  In the end, "Sixaxis" is hardly a fair trade-off for rumble (aka "Dual Shock"), a feature I've come to really appreciate in gaming controllers; I really do miss it (yeah, yeah, I know, "In the future...!" Yawn!).
  
  Speaking of controllers, the proprietary remote for using the PS3's Blu-Ray features is pretty darn terrible; lousy button placement, the buttons are overly-sensitive (a real problem when you consider the fact that ANY button you touch on the remote powers on the PS3), there is no back light and you can't switch to using a universal remote, since the PS3 only supports Bluetooth wireless.
  
  Also, while it's great that I can upload my own MP3 library, I wish that I could listen to my library of music WHILE I'm playing a game, not just after or before... if the original Xbox can do it, than why not the mighty PS3?
  
  Regarding backward-compatibility for PS2 games, it isn't much of an issue to me, personally, but I have to say, it somewhat stinks when Sony execs admitted its' reason for leaving it out on the 40 gig models: it has nothing to do with cost, apparently, but because PS3 owners are not buying enough PS3 games, and the hope is without the option to buy PS2 games, consumers will run out and buy more PS3 games (again, this is not my opinion, this was actually stated by execs at Sony in a recent Wall St. Journal interview).
  Nice, huh? Instead, how about releasing more games that are worth running out to buy?
  After all, there ARE some us who appreciate not having to keep plugged in yet another electronic device hooked up to our already over-crowded entertainment center (never mind all the wires), and resent being penalized $100 for the privilege.
  
  I even hesitate to compare the reliability factor with the PS3 and here's why: I have played my Xbox 360 for far many hours, weeks and months than I have the PS3, simply because of the dearth of games on the PS3. Who's to say how the PS3 will hold up longterm once I actually start using it as often...?
  
  I own all three current game consoles (PS3, Wii, Xbox 360), as well as games for each, so I do have some hands-on perspective when it comes to the latest console wars, unlike the die-hards out there who deny themselves some great games in order to stand by their big money corporation (how one can hate Microsoft for being big business and root for Sony, hardly an underdog in the corporate world, is beyond me).
  
  The fact is if you are buying this system right now, it's not for what it has to offer as much as for what it's capable of offering, the equivalent of purchasing a Ferrari only to be told afterwards that you're only allowed to drive it in the parking lot at 15 mph for a couple of years.
  
  
  In the final analysis, one arguably can only judge a gaming console on it's content, and this is where the PS3 is sorely lacking ("Ratchet & Clank" and "Uncharted" notwithstanding), deservedly placing this console in a distant third place behind the Xbox 360 and the Wii. The Wii may have a fairly feeble library itself, but at least it has SOME killer apps (Mario Galaxy, Zelda, Metroid Prime, even Wii Sports)... and that console has only been out a year, as well (yeah, yeah, I know: "In the future...")!
  
  
• A quantum leap in digital entertainment
  By A8PJD98KZ0552 on 2007-11-30
  I've owned game consoles since the Atari 2600; all of Nintendo's consoles from the NES to the Gamecube; Playstations 1, 2, and Portable; and Microsoft's original X-Box. In my household currently are all three of the next-gen systems - Wii and the 360 (owned by housemates) and now Sony's latest creation, the Playstation 3 (owned by me, by way of Amazon).
  
  I was torn between getting my own 360 Elite, and this system. I took a very hard look at both, and backed both out of my shopping cart multiple times. A number of factors went into my final decision to purchase the Playstation 3.
  
  1. I am a PC gamer first and foremost. My gaming rig with an Intel Quad and an 8800 is my primary platform, and likely always will be. It also means that owning an 360 is a little redundant, as most of the killer apps for that system are also available for the PC. The only exceptions are 360 exclusives like Mass Effect and some (few) games that simply run better on the 360 (Madden '08). Generally speaking, though, having a top-flight PC cancels out a lot of the benefit of owning a 360.
  
  2. The sheer value of the Playstation 3 at this time. As stated by other reviews, $499 gets you a game console, a Blu-Ray player, a media center that can wirelessly connect (out of the box) and stream from your libraries on any Windows Media Player 11 PC, free multiplayer access through PSNet, and far and away the most powerful computer you can get for under a grand (type "Cell BE" into Wikipedia and read up). It's a fully-capable entertainment center and media hub that can power your 1080p/7.1 Home Theatre straight out of the box - and it may be the single biggest reason that Blu-Ray will likely win the format war.
  
  With the 360, you pretty much just get the game console ($399-499 if you want the hard drive and HDMI). Want to watch HD-DVDs? Have to buy the extra drive ($150-200). Want wireless networking? Have to buy the wireless adapter ($50-100). Heck, want to play your games while charging your wireless controller? Have to buy the play-and-charge kit ($20). Even XBOX Live, outstanding as it is, costs and extra 5 bucks a month. Geez, Microsoft.
  
  3. The expanding game library. I'm no "fanboy" - XBOX at this moment has a superior game lineup. Mass Effect almost made me buy the 360 by itself, and even though I'll be able to play it on my housemate's console, it still kills me not to own it. ;) But 2008 is shaping up to be an outstanding year for Sony's monster. With Uncharted, and Ratchet and Clank, Sony finally has some jealousy-inspiring exclusives. It only gets better as the year goes on - Final Fantasy XIII, Home, LittleBigPlanet, Kingdom Hearts, Metal Gear, etc. Game devs and their tools are finally catching up with the Cell BE - and that's something to be excited about.
  
  4. Interoperability. I have the PSP, and it can do some pretty wondrous things with the PS3, from streaming media to playing downloaded games. I also plan to get a Sony HD Camcorder that uses the AVCHD format, and the PS3 supports it natively. I have the Sony Ericsson Walkman phone. All these things can work with the Memory Stick Pro Duo - from PS3 to PSP to my phone to my PC, I can access movies, pics, MP3s, you name it. That is extremely handy for me. Now, not everyone has that kind of Memory Stick-centric lifestyle, but lemme tell you - apart from being annoyed with Sony's penchant for proprietary hardware, it's a beautiful synergy when you do play along. Everything just works.
  
  5. The Red Ring of Death. The new 360 have supposedly solved this problem, and they very likely have, but I won't lie... it was a huge worry for me. My housemate's 360 was out of commission for a month while he had it sent in for repairs. I didn't want that sort of headache. The PS3 doesn't have that sort of recallable flaw, and it's really a load off the mind.
  
  Those were my reasons for buying the Playstation 3, and I was not disappointed in any sense once I got it home and set it up. It's a substantial, attractive, well-engineered piece of hardware, and you're in awe of it as soon as you take it out of the box. After a firmware update and a couple of downloads, I was browsing my entire MP3, video, and photo library wirelessly, and it looked and sounded great streamed right off my PC. I read a couple of my favorite internet forums from the comfort of my couch. I downloaded game demos while playing Ratchet and Clank (great game, by the way). And when I got off for the night, I turned on Folding@Home and did something for humanity :)
  
  If gaming is all you want, and if you don't have a cutting-edge PC, perhaps the 360 and it's killer game lineup is a better option. In all other aspects, Playstation 3 is unbeatable. It's a technophile's dream and an A+ piece of hardware with vast potential, even now and into the immediate future. It's an amazing machine, an evolution of the gaming console, and I for one am proud to say I own a Playstation 3.
  
  
• Only for PS3 games and blu ray discs
  By ACVTPVXVTYIXM on 2007-09-09
  Do NOT get this system if you plan on using this for PS2 and Playstation games. The backwards compatibility of the 80GB ps3 is a joke. The 60GB version is far superior, especially considering how easy it is to upgrade the hard drive. Guess what? The 60 GB version is $100 cheaper too.
  
  
• Great System! Which One Should You Choose?
  By AXWTK34PWQQSV on 2007-11-14
  The Blu-ray player was probably the deciding factor for me (for multiple reasons), but for those looking to buy a PS3, here is what my recent research on the different versions has produced (which is true to the best of my knowledge):
  
  40 GB:
  Backwards Compatibility: PS1 ONLY
  Bluetooth Hardware Upgrade: YES
  SACD Playback: NO
  USB: 2
  Card Reader: NO
  GPU: 90nm
  Cell: 65nm
  
  60 GB: (DISCONTINUED)
  Backwards Compatibility: HARDWARE (approx. 98%)
  Bluetooth Hardware Upgrade: NO
  SACD Playback: YES
  USB: 4
  Card Reader: YES
  GPU: 90nm
  Cell: 90nm
  
  80 GB:
  Backwards Compatibility: SOFTWARE (approx. 85% and improving)
  Bluetooth Hardware Upgrade: YES
  SACD Playback: YES
  USB: 4
  Card Reader: YES
  GPU: 90nm
  Cell: 65nm
  
  The 60 GB PS3 (which I have) has the best backwards compatibility due to the Emotion Engine. The 80 GB version has good (not great yet) backwards compatibility and will most likely improve over time. However, getting the actual guitars from Guitar Hero I, II, and Encore to work with the PS3 (via an adapter purchased separately) is another thing altogether! The Guitar Hero series was the main "backwards compatibility" I was looking for, and it ranges from good (GH I) to downright frustrating (GH II and Encore).
  
  That being said, I would be tempted to buy the 80GB version if I had to do it over again due to the fact that they used the 65nm die for the cell processor which is smaller, uses less power, and PRODUCES LESS HEAT.
  
  If you have a huge PS2 library and having the best backwards compatibility is extremely important to you, get the 60GB version and get it soon if you can find one.
  
  
• Best bang for your buck
  By A2PM4GDWVGYENX on 2007-08-25
  Cost of XBox 360
  
  $449, (Elite)
  $100 (Wi-Fi adapter)
  $170 (HD Player)
  $ 50 (One Year Xbox Live)
  
  Total $769
  
  Cost of Playstation 3
  
  $499 (60GB)
  $0 (Wi Fi Adapter)
  $0 (HD player)
  $0 (online service)
  
  Total $499
  
  Don't get me wrong I do like the XBOX360 however, as far as initial cost to own, for the same abilities the PS3 is a much better deal. If you don't need WiFi or you aren't interested in HD movies then the Xbox 360 is a perfectly decent machine.
  The PS3 is not without its flaws. The new 80GB PS3 does not support hardware backwards compatibility. This mean that the PS2/PS games are run in emulation similar to playing XBox games on Xbox360. Not every game is compatible however; as updates are made more games will be playable. If you interested in playing PS2/PS games get a 60GB PS3 it still had a PS2 and PS built in and will play 95% of old software.
  The Media player, or lack of, in the PS3 is horrible. Sony should take a look at apples iTunes media player and design something similar for playing music. If you're going to load on gigs of music the PS3's media player is difficult to manage.
  If you're playing PS2 and PS games on a quality HDTV the playstation 3 doesn't do a good job up converting the games and there is allot of pixilation and artifacting. Conversely XBox games played on the XBox360 in HD look great.
  The PS3 however does do HD games great, full 1080p HD with a HDMI cable. BluRay movies and PS3 games look amazing in 1080p. The PS3 is easy to use and set up.
  The list of games is lacking right now but there are new games coming out every week. It is just a matter of time before a good killer app game is released...Metal Gear Solid 4, Final Fantasy XIII.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Awesome System
  By A2NMNKTDMW7EK5 on 2007-08-12
  Great value if you love MotorStorm. 20 GB more is awesome. Here's all you get along with the game:
  
  - 80 GB of HDD storage. As said, easy to upgrade, and doesn't void the warranty. Sony actually has the directions in the manual.
  - Free online play on dedicated servers. Resistance is one of the best experiences online.
  - Built-in wireless card. I play online wirelessly with no lag.
  - Blu-ray disc playback. 25 GB per layer... and most games coming out next year will be on 50-GB discs.
  - PSP/PS3 connectivity. You can access your PS3 media from anywhere in the world using the PSP. Other features too.
  - Motion-sensing controllers that will also get rumble in the near future.
  - Built-in multi-card reader.
  - The powerful CELL BE. 4.5x more powerful than even the new quad-core processors from Intel.
  - Bluetooth connectivity. Great for headsets.
  - Upscales DVDs to 1080p via HDMI. (SCE engineers have said they will even improve that by 40% when it's all said and done.)
  - Rechargeable controllers right out of the box (Li-ion batteries already included). No need for extra devices or battery-purchasing.
  - HDMI 1.3 support. (Even the HDMI in the X360 is 1.2... not 1.3)
  - Web browser built-in.
  - RELIABLE. Less than 1% defect rate. It's not louder... quieter than your desktop computer.
  - Open online system. User-generated content in upcoming games open and free to download. (eg Unreal Tournament III and LittleBigPlanet)
  - Great support from Sony. One firmware update a month, and weekly content updates on the PS Store.
  - TONS of content coming.
  
  
• Amazing system, don't know what your missing
  By A2LDWYW38O4N6H on 2007-10-19
  The PS3 initially got some slack due to a large price point and lack of exclusives. In reality the price point was not big compared to the XBox 360. It's kind of like comparing a stripped down car where you add tons of options (360) to a car that just comes with everything from the get go (PS3). The fact that Sony includes a hard drive and Blu-ray player in every system makes the lowest end system more expensive than the lowest end 360. What's easy to miss is that making these components optional on the 360 means:
  1. You can't play games on the 360 HD-DVD drive, you're limited to DVD9.
  2. Developers can't rely on the 360 having a hard drive which impacts performance.
  3. Buying a next-gen console without a hard drive is not a good idea. Many of the funnest games are downloadable and the other games often have bugs, issues or upgrades that can only be downloaded if you have a hard drive.
  
  So what are we looking at for a comparable 360? It's something in the neighborhood of $700. Figure:
  1. $350 for pro edition, $450 for the Elite (with the Pro you may get lucky and get one with an HDMI, not all of them have it but it's the same "edition", buyer beware.)
  2. $100 for wireless adapter.
  3. $179 for HD-DVD drive.
  4. $30 for quick charge kit
  5. Most likely a few bucks for rechargable batteries.
  Total: $659-$759 for the full 360, $499 for the 80GB PS3, and $399 for the 40GB PS3. All PS3s have Blu-ray, Hard Drives, and are equal systems. They differ in quantity of USB ports, memory card readers, hard drive size and the 40GB lacks PS2 compatibility. As you can see, $399 vs. $659 is really no comparison, the 360 is far more expensive with options included.
  
  Obviously there are some variations but that 20GB hard drive for the 360 gets used up fast and upgrading is _really_ expensive. The PS3 on the other hand accepts any laptop hard drive, has a backup/restore utility which makes keeping your downloads a sinch and is ultimately cheaper and more flexible.
  
  So what about the other issue, exclusive games? Sony has more skilled 1st party developers than any other console maker. Here's a few things for the PS3 that should get you excited:
  
  1. Ratchet & Clank - Steller reviews, could be game of the year.
  2. Uncharted: Drake's Fortune - Imagine Tomb Raider meets Gears of War. Incredible looking game.
  3. Haze - All the features of Halo with much more innovation and better graphics.
  4. Little Big Planet - Impossible to explain but the ultimate family experience. This could be the next "Mario". One thing to mention, it's open ended, physics based and supports user generated content. Next year's "game of the year".
  5. Resistance Fall of Man - Excellent FPS.
  6. Gran Turismo 5 - In cockpit views of all cars, incredible graphics, online with 16 racers, improved physics. Going to be big.
  7. Blu-ray - Winning the hi-def war by 2:1. If you don't what this is, start looking into it.
  8. Media capabilities - Wireless media sharing on your home nextwork. View all kinds of hi-def content, music service in the near future. Some folks even listen to sattelite radio on their PS3.
  9. Internet browser - May seem like no big deal but I use it all the time. It's a browser in your living room, very convient.
  10. Reliable - Even if your a 360 fan, what are you going to play while your 306 is in the shop. The XBox 360 has an incredible failure rate. The PS3 is the best on the market. Gamepro recently did a poll. 30% of readers didn't own a 360, 30% had no failures and 40% had it failed. Of the 40%, half had multiple failures.
  11. Rock Band with wireless - 360 version will ship with wired guitars.
  12. Unreal Tournament 3 - The 360 version will come out much later.
  13. Infamous - Super hero FPS game
  14. Heavenly Sword - Incredible graphics, sound and acting. A bit too short of a game but they may release downloadable content for it.
  15. Warhawk - Massively underated game. Imagine Gears of War quality graphics in an online 32 player, 3rd person shooter. Weapons, tanks, etc... but best of all are the flying Warhawks. Very addicting, lot's of fun.
  16. 1080P upscaling DVD player
  17. HDMI 1.3, first component to support the new standard.
  18. Better controllers including Dual Shock 3 which has both tilt sensitivity and rumble.
  19. Home - 3D Online community, awesome features with your own space and shared spaces.
  20. Super Star Dust/Everyday Shooter - The best classic dual stick shooters on consoles today. Move over geometry wars...
  21. Folklore - Great mystery/action game. Think of it as an adult pokimon because you fight by collecting monsters.
  22. Bungie's future PS3 title? Bungie (the makers of Halo 3) have split from Microsoft. Who knows what's in store.
  23. Most of the best 360 games are on the PC as well...
  24. Oh and Metal Gear Solid 4 of course, it's going to be huge.
  
  So to summarize, I've tried to make a compelling argument as to why the PS3 is a great console and a great buy. I think the 360 is also a great buy given you know exactly what you're doing. Overall however, I think the PS3 is the top console and will amaze anyone who gets one.
  
  Good luck!
  
  
• I am using PS3, Sony HDR-SR8, and Vegas Pro 8
  By AFE73EARA5SXR on 2007-10-01
  ((I am a novice that is learning a lot and I am writing more about in on the HDR-SR8 page.))
  
  After much research I decided on the PS3. I have a 73-inch Mitsubishi DLP and wanted to take advantage of its 1080p capabilities. I decided that at this point, the "Blu Ray" DVD is a better choice than "HD". I wanted the DVD player first and all the rest that the PS3 can do was secondary.
  
  Blu Ray movies load fast and the clarity is amazing. The PS3 player has more capabilities than a regular DVD player. I also hooked the PS3 up to our home wifi network and it is working great! I can stream photos and video from my office computer and play them on the 73-inch TV through the PS3. I have played one game so far, and I am much more used to a PC's keyboard and mouse control. I hope I can get used to the handheld controller, but that fact that it is wireless is great.. no cords stretched across the floor, and when I am done with it I can just leave the controller on the couch.
  
  I will add more as I learn more...
  
  12-21-07
  
  EVERY blu ray video is so much better than regular DVDs. I am just amazed at the detal and clairity.
  
  I purchased a Sony HDR-SR8 high def camcorder, and the video files can be put on a thumb drive and play right off of the PS3 onto the HDTV.
  
  1/7/08
  I just read that Blu Ray may be winning the high definition format war! If so, then I guess the PS3 was a good choice.. I have been wondering. We will see!
  
  
• Playstation 3 finally reached my tipping point
  By A1HPNMUHL7PJM7 on 2007-10-18
  I have owned many game consoles. I was having a hard time deciding if/when/which game console to purchase when the Wii, Xbox 360, and Playstation 3 were announced. I finally opted to purchase the PlayStation 3 80 GB Motorstorm Pack. What was the tipping point for me? There were two. First, the Blu-ray player really seems to be winning out as the new DVD format. Second, I have a good supply of PlayStation 2 games and even a few PlayStation (1) games, so I like the backward compatibility. Once I got the PS3 I was surprised by how easy and intuitive it was to set up. I have a mixed wired and wireless network and I wanted the PS3 on the wireless part of the network. It was very easy to set that part up. Then I found out that the PS3 updates itself. I liked that. The Motorstorm game is a lot of fun, and it, too, updates itself. I love the wireless controllers and how every aspect of the design has been well thought out. I think my Xbox and Gamecube are the end of the line for my Microsoft and Nintendo game console purchases. For me, the PS3 has it all.
  
  
• PS3 v. Xbox360 v. Wii
  By AE19SM16ZYLEE on 2008-02-25
  Let me start by saying - I'm 30 years old, married with 3 dogs. I'm not a "fanboy" of any system. I play games about 6 hours a week. I have had an Xbox360 since the night they came out some time ago. For some reason, I didn't seriously consider buying a PS3 when it came out about a year later. I was very happy with my 360, the game selection and the
  reliability. The blu-ray / HD-DVD war was still very much undecided, so I figured I would just wait. I bought the 80GB PS3 a couple of weeks ago adn this year I was fortunate to get a Wii for Christmas from my in-laws. I run all of the systems through an Onkyo receiver to a Samsung 32" LCD 1080i and Bose Acoustimass 15's. I'm not going to review the controllers because besides the obvious differences, they are all great to me. All of this said, I'll try to give a summary comparison based on what I've seen so far.
  
  
  Xbox360
  Aesthetics - the 360 is good looking, but the wire inputs could have been better thought out. If you plan to stand the 360 vertically, you'll see wires coming out of the back because some are at the top and some are at the bottom. The power brick (literally the size of a brick) can make for some trouble hiding wires too. No HDMI output on my version. The 360 is louder than the other 2 systems together. Aesthetics grade: B
  
  Console Interface - By far the best of the 3 consoles... The set up is simple, the menus make a lot of sense and navigation is easy. It syncs very easily with Media Center on your PC and you can listen to music from your computer while you play a lot of the games. Grade: A+
  
  Game selection - This one is pretty obvious. The 360 has been out longer and obviously has a better selection of games. Grade: A
  
  Graphics and Sound - The 360 is pretty solid here. I use component video cables and an optical cable for digital sound. Grade: B+
  
  Online - the Xbox Live Marketplace and the overall live experience is excellent. Navigating all of the menus, game downloads, etc. is a joke. There are always thousands of players online so finding a game is simple. Keep in mind, you do have to pay for Xbox Live. No built in wireless. Grade: A
  
  Summary - Just 3 weeks ago, I experienced the first problem with my 360. I got the infamous "red rings of death." I called xbox, they sent a box to put it in, and they fixed it and sent it right back. It is as good as new now. This system is great if you want to use the media center portion and play a bunch of games online. Overall grade: A-
  
  
  
  Nintendo Wii
  Aestetics - Excellent. It's VERY small and can fit just about anywhere. You can't even see mine since it's behind all of the other components. The sensor bar is pretty small too and when I'm not playing, I just hide it behind the TV. Grade: A+
  
  Console Interface - Definitely different from what you're used to. You "point" the wii remote to the where you want to go. Set up was simple. Grade: B+
  
  Game Selection - Probably the biggest issue with the Wii, HOWEVER a lot of people don't care. The only game I play and care to play is the Wii sports game that comes with it. We bowl, play tennis, and box. Great with group of friends. C+
  
  Graphics and Sound - The graphics are not great, but in my opinion the system isn't trying to beat the other consoles in this category. The Wii is so unique from the motion technology that it can stand on that. Grade: B-
  
  Online - Not great, but not bad either. Not a lot of playing online, some basic features like streaming news and weather. Built in wireless. B-
  
  Summary - I think the Wii is great companion system to one of the others. If you're big into gaming, it shouldn't be your primary console. It's by far the best system for a group of people to play and the price is hard to beat. Plus, you get the only game you'll need included with the console. Grade: B+
  
  
  
  Playstation 3
  Aesthetics - VERY sleek looking. Heavy, but in a good way. No real buttons on the front (you just touch the console where the power icon is - very cool). Easy to stand vertically because the wires would then go into the bottom. HDMI out is great. Louder than the Wii, but half as loud as the 360. Grade: A+
  
  Console Interface - Different and not as user friendly as it could be. However, if you've ever had a PSP, you'll see how similar they are. Once you get used to it, it's pretty easy. Set up was a little bit more tedious because there are so many options for video and sound. Also, it's bluetooth only, so you can't use a Harmony or other universal remote. It's very convenient to have the memory card readers (80GB has these). I dropped about 100 songs and 300 pictures on a 4GB CompactFlash card from my PC and loaded them right onto the PS3. Grade: A-
  
  Game Selection - Pretty good so far. I play mostly EA sports games and the Tom Clancy stuff, so I haven't experienced any lack of games. Grade B+
  
  Graphics and Sound - I haven't experienced the full graphics capabilities yet since I don't have a 1080p TV, but I can tell you that the graphics on my 1080i are hands down better than the other consoles. The sound is amazing as well. Grade: A+
  
  Summary - You can't review these consoles without adding the fact the PS3 is also a Blu-Ray player. And not just any Blu-Ray player - it's consistently rated the best player out of all of the available players out there. That is very rare for a gaming console to beat out stand along Blu-Ray players. That being said, the blu-ray is amazing. I've been watcing movies since I got it and it even upconverts standard DVDs. I heard my brother-in-law give the following analogy that I didn't understand until I got my PS3 - The Xbox 360 is like a Dell, while the PS3 is like an Apple. Grade: A
  
  
  In conclusion, I hope this info helps. Each of the three consoles is excellent at certain features. They are all great systems on their own and it all depends on what features are most important to you.
  
  
  
  
  
• Another one FTW!!!
  By A3N5IRHUAONI8X on 2007-08-14
  Just bought another one cuz i sent my 60g one for my lil bro.
  Opened it, plugged it, turned it on, and boom!!
  Runs awesome; no scratches, no damages, no software errors, nothing but greatness.
  As of now, i'm just reloading all my musics, videos, and pics and uploading all demos and videos and still got 55g more.
  I was still able to play all my old games btw.
  Before I signed in, the system still needed to be upgraded to the newest version.
  It was still in 1.80
  I notice the controllers were a lil bit faster to control specially when pressing the PS button.
  The loads for the games have gotten faster specially when saving games.
  Back in 60g, it usually takes me more than a minute to save a gave but on this 80g, just took me 20 sec tops.
  The system is 10/10, I couldn't expect more.
  
  
• When using it as a media player.
  By AIOPD46ZIV8K2 on 2007-09-15
  For those of you with content on your network: I have a wired 100mbps network at home (yes, I can also do wireless but never have been able to get solid connections everywhere). Part of this network are 4 Maxtor MSS drives at 500GB each. These drives contain movies (predominantly DIVX and XVID) as well as my music collection (predominantly MP3 as well as OGG and uncompressed music) and finally I have thousands of digital pictures I have on the drives.
  I purchased the PS3 for several reasons:
  1: none of my media players (Govideo , connected DVD, D-link DSM-320) were able to stream without hiccups, even on a wired connection and maintain the video quality. I was therefore looking for a flawless player that could connect to the Maxtors' UPnP capabilities.
  2. I wanted to buy a Blu-ray player for use with HDTV so this was an added bonus (gotta love the Bluetooth remote)
  3. The kids would be able to play the gaming console part as they were in the final life stages of their old PS2).
  
  This review is only focused on the media player capabilities:
  To my surprise, shame on me for not reading up before buying, I found that the PS3 did not stream ANY of the DIVX or XVID files. I found a solution online that helped resolve the issue 90%: run TVERSITY media server (UPnP) which is available as freeware. It's simple and really works well. It also allows playing network files, i.e. you run it on your PC and then you point at your network files. The TVERSITY software will convert / stream your files to the PS3. You might also need to install a current version of ffdshow (freeware as well). Once done most files played in great definition, with no hiccups or crashes. The 10% unsatisfactory part: now I need to keep a PC on, or start it, when I want to watch movies. The Maxtors have (Linux boxes) UPnP built in and would have been the better solution since you simply click on them and they wake up and stream.
  Anyways: the Maxtors work fine with photos and music, but again, for movies you might need the TVERSITY solution I used.
  Also noteworthy: the reason the DIVX and XVID's aren't supported YET has to do with licensing. The consensus is that Sony will resolve it and run a patch and I will get rid of TVERSITY (although I kinda like it... but that is another review elsewhere).
  
  The bluetooth remote is very handy to maneuver the menu system when looking for files and or folders to start movies, fast forward etc. 25$ well spent.
  
  As a media player I gave the PS3 4 STARS. I ducked the star because of the codec / converting workaround.
  Where it excels is in reliability of the stream (NOTE THAT IT WORKED WELL WIRELESS AS WELL BUT ONCE YOU RUN HIGH QUALITY FILES IT CAN GET CHOPPY, WIRED IS MUCH BETTER FOR ME). It succeeded where all other (see hardware I listed above) failed and with all the other capabilities this thing is a good value!!
  It also feels very well thought through in the menus although I would have expected more PC like file capabilities.
  What also is not ideal is the way they split files by tope level menu. You can not easily browse between video and music for instance and when playing music Album Art is also not displyed. I would have expected Sony to be more in tune with the online music community...
  
  Hope this helps a bit for other amateur network aficionados like myself.
  
  
• Fantastic upscale system
  By A1Y07XHSC38J3T on 2007-10-26
  The PS3 is amazing!
  
  Pros
  Six axis controller with motorstorm is so much fun, for the first time I feel like the racing game is doing what I have always wanted it to do.
  You can control the car by tilting the controller.
  I am sure more games will come out to support it.
  I the six axis controller with Warhawk also, it is great.
  The system was easy to set up.
  Easy to use
  It recognized my media center on my hp desktop and I can view pics, video and listen to music from media center.
  I like being able to go onto the internet.
  I listen to my cd's.
  I have it hooked to my projector and the game play is fantastic.
  I have not tried out the blu ray but it is one of the reasons I bought it. I have some dvd's on order.
  The system is silent, you cannot hear it running.
  
  What a deal, you get the 80 gig unit, with motorstorm worth $60 plus 5 blu ray dvd's at least $20 ea.
  
  look at some figures:
  the game system alone is worth $300
  blu ray player $500 (the cheapest I could findis $500)
  motorstorm and dvds $160
  total $960, round it to $1000
  you pay $500 for the everything, but save $500 if you were to buy it separatly, so it is a wash.
  Sony is giving this thing away.
  
  With the xbox 360 you pay for the game system then have to add a hd-dvd player.
  
  So you have an incredible game system with the most powerfull processer available, a blu ray player, hdmi output, six axis controller, 4 usb ports, ability to add an external usb hard drive if you want, a super quite system.
  
  Xbox 360 or Wii cannot touch this!
  
  Oh, it comes loaded with ability to connect to Stanford Universities protien folding project via distributed computing so you are doing a good thing to help research.
  
  The cons,
  none
  this is a great system and I would recomend it to anyone.
  
  
• BUY AT OWN RISK!
  By A1S28QB8SQKM8H on 2007-08-12
  WHAT ON EARTH IS SONY THINKING? THE PRICE FOR THIS 80 GIG IS THE SAME PRICE AS THE 60 GIG ON RELEASE DATE. THERES ALOT OF RUMORS GOING AROUND THAT THE 80 GIG IS NOT COMPLETELY BACKWARDS COMPATIBLE AND WILL NEED TO GET SOFTWARE DOWN LOADED FOR THIS FEATURE. TO AVOID ANY UNECESSARY HEADACHES AND CURSING JUST GET THE 60 GIG MODEL WHICH ALREADY HAS THE BACKWARDS COMPATIBLE FOR PS1 AND PS2 GAMES. REMEMBER THAT U CAN UPGRADE THE HARD DRIVE TO A BIGGER SIZE BUT WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT DO YOU REALLY NEED THAT MUCH SPACE? THE ONLY THING I USE MY PS3 IS TO PLAY MY GAMES, WATCH ELMO DVDS WITH MY NIECES, AND LOOK AT MY PICS VIA THE MEMORY STICK DUO INSERTED TO THE SYSTEM, AND I STILL HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH SPACE LEFT. SO JUST GO AHEAD AND GET THE 60 GIG, YOU WILL SAVE TIME AND OF COURSE MONEY. WITH THE $100 THAT WERE ADDED TO THE 80 GIG PRICE JUST GET A GAME OR OTHER SUPPLIES FOR PS3.
  
  
• Fun but no games.
  By A1K15NQAG8F33W on 2007-10-18
  I so far like the PS3. However, there are not many ps3 games for it. I am mostly using it for ps2 games. However, this system will be great once Sony discontinues PS2 games. If you had to choose between buying a ps3 and wii, I could recommend a wii for the amount of games it has.
  
  
• Price drop makes the disappointment a little more palatable
  By A36MA2IR0XLPEC on 2007-10-27
  PS3 has so far been a bit of a disappointment. So far I haven't been particularly impressed with the games. Graphics are great, but I don't think they look as photo realistic as many of the graphics in the games on the Xbox 360. Blu-ray movies look excellent on my television and the sound on the Blu-ray discs absolutely blows away anything I've ever heard before.
  
  On the plus side, the PS3 has an excellent controller. It's lightweight and intuitive and compact. The downside is that it might be a bit easier to have AA batteries that you cna swap out when the rechargeable battery dies since it can be awkward plugging in the USB cable to charge the unit while you play.
  
  One big negative for the PS3 is the lack of an infrared port on the consile so that you can use a universal remote to operate it with the rest of your components. If this system is intended for Blu-ray movies, as it obviously is, most home theater owners would definitely be happier if you could operate the PS3 for movies with a universal remote, as you can with virtually every other component that you can put in your entertainment system.
  
  I definitely prefer my Xbox360 for games, however, the PS3 is great for movies and I am guessing the games should get better over time.
  
  
• Sweet Sweet Sweet
  By A25B0E98K8WAH7 on 2007-08-31
  I bought the PS3 80GB and had it delivered the next day. All I can say is this thing rocks! It came with Motorstorm, which is a pretty sick game(i.e. it rocks) and I normally don't even like racing games; even my mom thought it was cool.
  
  Graphics: I'd give it a five out of five. To get the full experience you need HD cables. I use the HD cables that work on the Xbox/360/PS1/PS2. I wasn't sure if they'd work on the PS3, but sure enough they did.
  
  Controls: Same as the PS2, but the L2 and R2 are really sensitive and the slightest touch can set them off on some games like MS Gundam: Crossfire; it got really annoying when I'm using the R1 button to fire my sub weapon and my finger brushes up against the R2 button very slightly and activates sniper mode, really annoying. The motion sensitivity is great feature; you can drive in Motorstorm just by moving the controller around. There is also a PS button that acts like the Home button on the PSP. Not as innovative as the Wii controls, but still very good.
  
  Features: Bluetooth and wireless functions rock.
  
  Game selections: More good tittles than the Wii, but the 360 has way more since it's been out longer.
  
  Load times: Faster than the 360 and the Wii overall. On some games you can install some of the game data, like around 5GB, onto your hard drive to decrease loading times drastically. I noticed that Motorstorm has some crappy load times during vehicle selection, but that may just be how it was developed.
  
  
• PS3 Worth Every Penny.
  By A31AIR9ERXS72B on 2007-09-24
  Why buy a blu-ray player separately when you can have a playstation and blu-ray player built into one item? Figure to pay about $300-$400 for a good blu-ray player, if you spend an extra $100 you can have the PS3 with HD movie and game play. Great graphics no video lag in any way. Great buy!!!!
  
  
• AWESOME
  By A12YMB66MRWFV4 on 2007-09-08
  I have been a Microsoft boy all my life. Until one day my brother and i agreed on getting a PS3. The PS3 blows the 360 out of the water. With the ability to surf the net and fold@home. It is a great system with the added built in blu ray player.
  
  
• Awesome!
  By A2DU7VGJ4QNNDS on 2007-10-04
  Love it! Love it! Love it! Playstation 3 is a must have for Holiday Break!
  
  
• Truly Next Generatin Gaming
  By A2Q2A6JKY95RTP on 2007-11-25
  First a little background - I bought the Playstation 3 80gb with MotorStorm about 3 months ago. I really wanted to use the system for a while before submitting a review.
  First I've got to say that the PS3 has an elegant design. It's sleek and best of all quiet. You won't hear fans or anything like that. That trend continues when you power on the system. The user interface involves a series of simple icons that let you do everything from watching a Blu-Ray movie to surfing the internet to playing your games. The interface is very Spartan, but dig down and you have quite a few options for advanced users including several options for home theaters.
  Now to the important bits: Gaming. Simply put the exclusive titles on the PS3 are phenomenal, ports of games that appeared on other consoles - not so much. I've noticed that this is something that's starting to change more and more, however, it's something that everyone should be aware of.
  Graphically the power of the PS3 really shines on games like Resistance: Fall of Mankind and Heavenly Sword. There are many, many others - Ratchet and Clank, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, Warhawk and on and on.
  On the control front, if you've used a Playstation before you're going to be right at home with the SIXAXIS controller. Its strange using the tilt functionality at first and some games don't support the feature, but when implemented well by the developer it really adds to the game. Plus rumble support is finally returning to Playstation with the new Dual Shock 3 controller!
  Online support is fantastic and growing every week. The absolute best thing about PS3 games is that online gaming is completely free. No fees for 'silver' or 'gold' accounts or anything like that; everyone is ready to go right out of the box as long as you have a broadband internet connection.
  So after 3 months I've acquired a small collection of AAA titles and I'm enjoying the system. I would highly recommend to anyone!
  
  EDIT:
  
  9 Months Later: After a solid 9 months of use I'm still loving my Playstation 3. I've built up a solid library of single player and multiplayer games, taken my PS3 online, use the media server option to stream music from my PC, watch Blu-ray movies and have made friends online.
  
  First, major improvements have been made to the Playstation Network Store (PSN). The entire store is much easier to navigate and to find games, demos, themes, wallpaperes, etc.
  
  Great titles have been released including Call of Duty 4, Metal Gear Solid 4, Grand Theft Auto 4 (that's a lot of 4's!!). I'm also happy to say that the previous problem of porting games from the other console to the PS3 has improved as well. Developers are starting to understand the machine more and really adopt their games to the PS3.
  
  With the adoption of Blu-ray as the definitive next-generation optical media format the PS3 is also a fantastic BD movie player with an ever expanding library of movies.
  
  Sony continues to provide great support by releasing firmware updates that improves functionality, and adds new features.
  
  Games like Call of Duty 4, Metal Gear Online, Warhawk, Battlefield Bad Company have thriving online communities and best of all - it's completely free!
  
  The multiplayer aspect of the PS3 is also solid with games like High Velocity Bowling and Rock Band. The use of the SIXAXIS of DualShock 3 controllers is has grown more integrated into games. For example in High Velocity Bowling you hold the controller simulating a bowling ball and actually got through the motion of a swing. Great fun as a party game with friends!
  
  Anyway I will continue to make updates as I see necessary. So far I am extremely pleased with my PS3.
  
  
  
• Now great for children and standard-def DVDs
  By A1DQNWHCB2295F on 2008-01-25
  I'm a long-time PC gamer now fed up with the runaway system demands for new games and simultaneously running anti-malware apps. So I turned to the console market. I have a three-year old in the house, and most of the games for PS3 and XBOX 360 appeared less than toddler-friendly. The Wii seemed much better for the family, and the non-standard controller looked like fun. But, the Wii doesn't deliver hi-def video, and it seemed like a waste of a perfectly good HDTV.
  
  I selfishly decided the console would be for me exclusively, and so I bought a PS3. The performance is exceptional, and the controller is a huge improvement over those available for other consoles. However, other reviewers have extolled the virtues of the PS3 for, say, teens and older. I'd like to review the PS3 as the parent of a three-year old.
  
  Firstly, if you have kids under, say, 7 yrs old, you have Disney/Pixar DVDs. I have been frustrated watching "Cars" on our standard def DVD player, because our HDTV reveals undersampling artifacts: straight-lines appear jagged or pixelated, and grillwork or screens show moire patterns. The PS3 with recent (free) software updates performs anti-aliasing on standard def DVD videos, effectively upgrading DVD resolution to near-HD, and the undersampling errors are gone! Powerlines and pinstripes look straight without "jaggies," and the DVD-resolution video might as well be Blu-Ray to my aging eyes. In general, all of our standard-def DVDs look much better on the PS3 compared to our older Sony DVD player.
  
  Of course, now we have the option of playing Blu-Ray discs as well, and, at the time of this writing, the competing HD-DVD format appears to be losing the battle. We haven't tried Blu-Ray movies yet, so I cannot review the performance.
  
  Turning to games: most of the games available on the market really aren't appropriate for the 7 and under crowd. Motorstorm, which ships with the console, shows drivers being thrown from vehicles and disappearing under other vehicles with (thankfully) no added blood and gore, but it is a disturbing image, and I steer my son away from it (although he loves watching the cars race).
  
  However, there are now several, very affordable games available on-line that are very family friendly. For example, there is the addicting "Toy Home" game (available for < 10 dollars on-line), in which you steer a toy car through a domestic obstacle course made up of kitchen utensils, dominos, toys, etc. You use your controller like a steering wheel in Wii-like fashion; that is, you literally tilt and turn the controller like a steering wheel to steer the car (that option is also available in more advanced games). I can also recommend an asteroids-like game called "Super Stardust HD" which, to toddler eyes looks like a lot of pretty fireworks. These games are appropriate for toddlers to watch (pediatricians might argue), and in a couple of years I suspect my son will be able to play them himself.
  
  On that note, I should point out that there are games that young children can play, or at least interact with. Sony recently released at a very reasonable price the "Playstation Eye," which is really just a USB webcam with a built in microphone. You can use the camera for web-conferencing with other PS3 owners and making movies with software available for free on-line, but the real fun is using the camera to control games. There are now a handful of very affordable (under 10 dollars) games or interactive exercises available on-line that you control with your hand or body motions. For example, in the new release "Mesmerize," you can choose from several screensaver-like patterns to display on the TV. Then, you control and alter the patterns on your TV screen simply by dancing around in front of the camera or by making sounds. My son loves to jump up and down and run past the camera to move patterns of glowing dots around on the screen, and then he runs up to the TV and claps or shouts ("Booo!"), and all of the dots restore to their original pattern.
  
  There are also games where you use hand motions to control a flock of blackbirds around a painted Japanese landscape (very relaxing), interact with fish in an HD fishtank, or control a giant pinball around a towering maze.
  
  I should add: we also watch YouTube videos using the built-in browser and stream videos and music from our PC media library over our wireless network. It was very easy to set up through the Windows Media Player.
  
  To sum up, Wii no longer corners the market on family-friendly games and unique controllers. With the PS3, you can access very friendly games and control them with body motions alone -- no controller! Your aging Pixar DVDs will look better on your HDTV, and you will be able to play the Disney catalog of Blu-Ray DVDs.
  
  
• Blu-ray DVD is flaky...stops, does not always start, just stops playing
  By A17E0MSA6IV5XY on 2008-01-11
  Blu-ray DVD is flaky...stops, does not always start, just stops playing. If you want to play Blu-Rray DVDs this is not the way.
  It does not play PS2 games. Sony should be able to do better. All of this is the case even with the latest firmware upgrade.
  
  
  
• Ah, 80 GB machine, we hardly knew thee...
  By A2LPJD19MGBNXJ on 2008-02-21
  I was fortunate to pick up yesterday the now-discontinued 80 GB PS3. I'm pretty happy with the purchase, although there are some bad points to the new playstation. Still, let's begin with the good:
  1) Solid construction - the machine itself is pretty damn solid. I think it weighs 10-12 pounds or so. I like the jet-black reflective color, although it looks like it hides a turn-table or something.
  2) Backward compatibility - this has been beaten in the ground, but its worth mentioning. The current 40 GB model lacks backward compatibility. It's a stupid move by Sony on my part, as this feature is worth the extra bucks spent (although not worth the exhorbitant rates charged by some of the private sellers hosted by Amazon.
  3) Wireless controller - man, I hate the fact that the Wii controller uses batteries. So many batteries. Wouldn't it be much simpler to have a wireless controller charge an internal battery off of the machine itself? Voila. The PS3 gets this one right.
  4) Multiple use - Blu-ray is poised to dominate the home entertainment market in the next few years. If you don't believe me, just look at the recent jump in Sony's stock prices. It is very nice to get a Blu-ray player on this machine. Of course, there is a downside to this, which I'll elaborate on later, but I'm happy to have the technology. You can also load photos, music, etc. on the machine, but this is less interesting to me.
  5) Great graphics - Stellar stuff. The graphical potential of this machine is almost unchartable. If it can just get off the ground (and I think it finally is, despite the buffoonery of the Sony execs), watch out. The PS3 will REALLY shine in this department.
  
  Now, the bad:
  1) Lack of software - Sony has been monumentally stupid in its wooing of 3rd party platformers, and it shows. The dearth of games on the system is unacceptable. Hope is on the horizon, but man, lots of good games have been lost to X-Box 360.
  2) Devotion to Blu-ray - it is my opinion that Sony is banking on the PS3 to be a Blu-ray delivery device, rather than a gaming machine. If you look at the "evolution" of the system, we've seen deletions of backward compatibility in every iteration of the system, and now it is completely gone. My opinion is that SOny thinks they can get away with this, since people will (supposedly) buy the system for its Blu-Ray player. It's a shortsighted vision - as the Wii has proven, gamers want machines...that play games. Sure, the extras are great, but I didn't buy the PS3 for its Blu-Ray.
  3) Ridiculously large - did this machine REALLY need to look like it houses a turntable? It looks like something out of the 70s, with a jet-black finish.
  4) Dearth of games - did I mention this already? Well, it bears repeating.
  
  Sony will rise high with this machine, as it is a good one. They won't dominate the market anymore, which is also good, as it should cleanse the execs of the arrogance that has surrounded this system (Nintendo ran into this problem in the mid-t0-late 90s, with their 64DD debacle, as well as their loss of market share from the N64). All in all, I expect this machine to do well in the long run, as Sony realizes just how arrogant it has been in all of this. Until then, tread water.
  
  Addendum: Don't buy a $750 80 GB machine. The backward compatibility isn't worth it. There are still some of these machines in stores (check places like Sears and Kmart, where no one seems to shop anymore), but in the end, I would just get a 40 GB machine and hold onto my PS2, rather than pay these ridiculous gougers the prices they seek.
  
  

• Playstation 3 Monster GameLink HDMI Cable
• Playstation 3 Monster GameLink Fiber Optic Digital Audio Cable
• Playstation 3 Monster Component Audio Video Cable
• Playstation 3 Monster GameLink Kit
• PlayStation 3 HDMI Cable

• PlayStation 3 Wireless Sixaxis Controller
• Sony PlayStation 3 Blu-ray Disc Remote
• Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
• Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction
• Playstation 3 HDMI Cable